Previous Message

I feel the below image gives us the most clues as to being sure it is St Louis


I do not have any concrete proof as I do not have pictures of both Helena and St Louis to directly compare, however the pictures I do have line up with St Louis based on a couple of small details.

This cropped image of St Louis in March of 42 shows this same area


Specifically these marked ones


Now compare to the Mystery Cruiser-


Red- This Cruiser's 5/38 Twin mount exhibits two large rivet details below the hatch. These same details are seen on the 3/42 image of St Louis and the few images of Helena has similar rivets but lower on the face of the turret

Yellow- Not definitive, but unable to locate an image showing same cable reel/fender covered just aft of the 5/38 Twin on Helena

Blue- Locker in exact same location as seen on St Louis. We also see a speaker rigged above in in 1941, with the 1942 image of St Louis in the same spot but stowed. Again, no image of Helena to prove she did not have same set up, but things like lockers are notorious as not being identical across sister ships.

Green- There is conduit on the bulkhead that connects to a panel that is identical to what is seen on St Louis. We also see a Porthole in 1941 image and the porthole has been just plugged in 1942 image. Again, no photo proof that Helena did not have identical setup, but again bulkhead detail is often not identical across sister ships.

Just my $.02 before taxes

Matt