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 with swapped with another ship at a shipyard 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 Navy yard, the
Brooklyn was definitely constructed with "New Deal
assistance". (See notes in
main NYC New Deal Ships
page).
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 action in the Mediterranean, including engagements with French and
Italian warships, was awarded four battle stars. The then-controversial
comedian Lenny Bruce
was 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
- Navy Yard Begins Cruiser Brooklyn,
New York Times, March 13, 1935, p.21.