Brooklyn Navy Yard - Photo #108 - PWA Ships

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Photo: US Navy

The Light Cruiser USS Brooklyn CL40

The USS Brooklyn was built in the New York Navy Yard (commonly known as the Brooklyn Navy Yard) between 1933 and 1936. It started out as as PWA project but at the last minute its funding was swapped with another ship at a yard in Massachusetts. Nevertheless, it is a member of a new class of cruisers that the PWA funding introduced. Furthermore, since Brooklyn Navy Yard was heavily staffed by WPA workers who had overhauled virtually every aspect of the yard, the Brooklyn was definitely constructed with "New Deal assistance".

In the runup to WWII, the Brooklyn was a convoy escort in the U-boat infested North Atlantic, and continued in this role until October 1942, then saw combat in the Mediterranean, including engagements with French and Italian warships, and was awarded four battle stars. The once-controversial comedian Lenny Bruce was a crew member 1942-44. The Brooklyn was transferred to the Chilean navy in 1941 and renamed the O'Higgens, and served for another 40 years [Wikipedia].

References
  1. Navy Yard Begins Cruiser Brooklyn, New York Times, March 13, 1935, p.21.