USS Atlanta CL-51

The USS Atlanta is the lead ship of Atlanta-class light cruisers and the second to be named for the city in Georgia. She was designed to provide protection against antiaircraft warfare. Construction on the USS Atlanta began on April 22, 1940 at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. She launched on September 6, 1941 under the sponsorship of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, and commissioned December 24, 1941 under the command of Captain Samuel P. Jenkins.

History of the USS Atlanta CL-51

The USS Atlanta underwent her shakedown training March 13 in the Chesapeake Bay. She then headed to Casco Bay before returning to the New York Navy Yard for repairs and alterations. On March 31, she left New York for the Panama Canal, arriving in Cristobal on April 8. She then headed for Pearl Harbor by way of Clipperton Island, arriving April 23.

The USS Atlanta stayed in Hawaiian waters briefly, and then headed out on May 10 for Noumea, New Caledonia as an escort for two other ships. Upon completion of her mission, she joined Task Force 16 and returned to Pearl Harbor.

The USS Atlanta and Task Force 16 left Pearl Harbor May 28 in anticipation of the arrival of Japanese ships to the southwest. The two sides were engaged in battle, and the USS Atlanta remained there until June 11, when she was ordered to return to Pearl Harbor. She arrived there two days later and underwent antiaircraft practice. In July, she was dry docked and her bottom was cleaned. On July 6 she resumed normal activities in Hawaiian waters.

On July 15, 1942, the USS Atlanta sailed out with Task Force 16 for Tongatapu. As plans for the invasion of Guadalcanal moved forward, she was assigned to Task Force 61 where she screened the carriers launching air strikes. The USS Atlanta remained in the area as the battle progressed, receiving enemy reports and screening the Enterprise from attackers.

Afterward the USS Atlanta rejoined the task force and screened the USS Minneapolis from Japanese submarines. Upon completion, she headed into Tongatapu on September 6 for an upkeep and refueling period. A week later, she became an escort to the Lassen and the Hammondsport, delivering them to Dumbea Bay, Noumea on September 19. On September 21, she joined Task Group 66.4 and two days later became a member of Task Force 17, sailing for Tongatapu. On October 7 she escorted transports bound for Guadalcanal. She was then assigned to Task Force 64. As a part of Task Force 64, the USS Atlanta engaged enemy ships in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on October 26. Two days later, she became the flagship of Task Group 64.2 and headed to Guadalcanal. She then headed to Espiritu Santo on October 31.

From there, the USS Atlanta escorted the Zeilin, the Libra, and the Betelgeuse to Guadalcanal as they headed to Lunga Point to unload supplies and troops on November 12. The ships were attacked by enemy troops that morning, but only suffered minor damage. An hour later the ships were attacked again, and the USS Atlanta opened fire, but the planes were out of range. Still unloading, another attack of 25 enemy planes was spotted, and the ships opened fire. The USS San Francisco was damaged by a downed plane crashing into it, but no other damage was sustained during the attack.

That night, the Task Group was attacked again in the Sealark Channel. The USS Atlanta suffered damage from a torpedo, causing her to lose most of her power and interrupting her gunfire. However, the vessel was still able to assist with the sinking of the Akatsuki. Shortly afterwards, the USS San Francisco fired on her in the confusion, and many men including the Admiral were killed.

Come morning, the damage was assessed, and the ship was adrift towards enemy waters. She laid anchor, and another ship came to carry off the seriously wounded. Later in the morning, a minesweeper came to tow the USS Atlanta back to Lunga Point. She arrived at Kukum, but it was decided that the damage to the ship was too severe, and that she could not be saved. The captain ordered that she be abandoned and sunk, and this was completed on November 13, 1942. Her name was removed from the Navy list on January 13, 1943.

Asbestos Risks

Like other battleships, the USS Atlanta had her dangers. One hidden one, however, was the risk of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used on Navy ships during that era as insulation. Being resistant to heat and flame, it seemed like the ideal material. However, when asbestos is used, tiny particles break off into the air. When these particles are inhaled, they become lodged in the lungs, causing inflammation that can turn into asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Besides those who served on the USS Atlanta, those who worked on her construction were also placed at risk for asbestos exposure. The USS Atlanta was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, a shipyard that was active from 1917 until 1949. It provided many of the ships needed for the World War II operations. Like many shipyards of the era, it used asbestos extensively.

Sadly, workers were not informed of the risks associated with using asbestos, so few if any wore any sort of protective gear. Because of this, thousands of cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis have been linked back to Navy veterans who served on ships and in shipyards.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition and wish to receive additional information, please fill out the packet request form at the top, right of this page and Asbestos.com will send you a comprehensive complimentary packet.

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