The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"?

[ Post a Response | The SteelNavy.Com Message Board ]

Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"?

Posted by Craig Bennett on November 5, 2019, 18:09:56, in reply to "Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"?"

Thanks for the memo information. From my references . The Chicago was sent to the south pacific in Feb ,1942 to operate with the RN ,RAN
help define Australia .In photo album book by Arms and Armour warship .10 the US Navy in WW2 1941-42 it has photos of the Chicago with the HMS Leander and states the Chicago was in Measure 11(Sea Blue 5-S).
In June ,1942 after the Battle of Midway the Navy ordered the Pacific Fleet to paint it's ships in Measure 21 and the Atlantic Fleet in Measure 22.
The Chicago reportly is listed as being painted in Measure 21(Navy Blue 5-N) at the time of her loss in January,1943. The Spruance memo could be a follow up to the previous order issued . Ships in drydock had the opportunity after repair to be properly repainted . Well I hope that helps.
Craig

Previous Message

There is a photo in Darwin's Library archives of Houston & Peary Feb 1942

Previous Message

Once upon a time a source came to us that said something about Aussies seeing HOUSTON at Darwin (v. early in the war, obviously) and they made reference to the "big blue cruiser" there...I always wondered about that. AFAIK CA-30 never looked particularly blue...regardless of the so-called "Cavite blue".

There may be nothing to it, but this mention of CHICAGO "blue" brought that all back to me.

Previous Message

One for our American friends.

In September 1942 Spruance ordered the use of 5N for the Pacific Fleet. http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ships/S19-7/1942SeptemberPacificCamouflage.html

At that time, the U.S.S. Chicago was in Sydney under repair for bow damage prior to returning to the U.S.

So was Chicago ever in 5N when operating with RAN ships? If not, then it is likely that the RAN colour called Chicago Blue was actually based on 5S not 5N.

The Australian War Memorial has several shots of Chicago during her time in the South West Pacific and under repair in Sydney

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1149295

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C259932

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C258533

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C259910

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C258534

Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"? - John Snyder November 8, 2019, 16:33:32
- Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"? - Michael Brown November 16, 2019, 15:29:55
  - Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"? - John Snyder November 16, 2019, 15:33:03
    - Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"? - Michael Brown November 16, 2019, 17:23:02
- Re: US Chicago "Blue" or USS Houston "Blue"? - Craig Bennett November 10, 2019, 7:18:35

« Back to index

Post a Response

Your Name:

Subject:

Message:

[quote] Thanks for the memo information. From my references . The Chicago was sent to the south pacific in Feb ,1942 to operate with the RN ,RAN help define Australia .In photo album book by Arms and Armour warship .10 the US Navy in WW2 1941-42 it has photos of the Chicago with the HMS Leander and states the Chicago was in Measure 11(Sea Blue 5-S). In June ,1942 after the Battle of Midway the Navy ordered the Pacific Fleet to paint it's ships in Measure 21 and the Atlantic Fleet in Measure 22. The Chicago reportly is listed as being painted in Measure 21(Navy Blue 5-N) at the time of her loss in January,1943. The Spruance memo could be a follow up to the previous order issued . Ships in drydock had the opportunity after repair to be properly repainted . Well I hope that helps. Craig [quote] There is a photo in Darwin's Library archives of Houston & Peary Feb 1942 [quote] Once upon a time a source came to us that said something about Aussies seeing HOUSTON at Darwin (v. early in the war, obviously) and they made reference to the "big blue cruiser" there...I always wondered about that. AFAIK CA-30 never looked particularly blue...regardless of the so-called "Cavite blue". There may be nothing to it, but this mention of CHICAGO "blue" brought that all back to me. [quote] One for our American friends. In September 1942 Spruance ordered the use of 5N for the Pacific Fleet. http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Ships/S19-7/1942SeptemberPacificCamouflage.html At that time, the U.S.S. Chicago was in Sydney under repair for bow damage prior to returning to the U.S. So was Chicago ever in 5N when operating with RAN ships? If not, then it is likely that the RAN colour called Chicago Blue was actually based on 5S not 5N. The Australian War Memorial has several shots of Chicago during her time in the South West Pacific and under repair in Sydney https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1149295 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C259932 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C258533 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C259910 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C258534 [/quote] [/quote] [/quote] [/quote]

Notify me by email of all message replies.

By posting, you confirm that you have read and agree to the board's usage terms.

SteelNavy.Com Home Page