From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
CA-30 USS HOUSTON II Northampton Class Cruiser Displacement: 9,050 tons Dimensions: Length 600'3", Bow 66'1", Draught 16'4" Commisioned crew: 621 Armament: 9x8" guns; 8x5", 6x21' tt. (removed 1933-34); 8 x 1.1mg quad guns Machinery 107,000 SHP driving 4 geared turbine screws; top speed 32.7 Knots
The Light Cruiser U.S.S. HOUSTON was launched on the September 7, 1929 and commissioned on June 17, 1930. In 1931 she was assigned Flagship of the Asian Fleet and stationed in the Philippines. Following the Japanese invasion of China in 1932, the Houston was deployed to Shanghai to protect American nationals, where it remained until 1933. In 1935, the Houston took President Roosevelt on a cruise of the Caribbean, and in 1937 it was present at the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. During 1938-39 the Houston served for a short time as Flagship of the U.S. Fleet, and subsequently as Flagship of the Hawaiian Division before being withdrawn from duty in December 1939 to be refitted at Mare Island.
In 1940, the U.S.S. Houston departed the U.S. for the final time, traveling to Manila where it became Flagship of Admiral Hart; Commander, Asiatic Fleet until the outbreak of war. During 1940-41 the Houston served in the Philippines and Indonesia, escorting convoy movements in the area against increasingly aggressive Japanese activities.
After the Pearl Harbor attack in December 1941, the U.S.S. Houston joined the ABDA (American-British-Dutch-Australian) naval force at Surabaya, joining forces bound to rendezvous at Darwin, Australia. Heavy air attacks by the Japanese impeded progress on the united force, but the Houston proved its worth by shooting down four planes during the first engagement on February 4.
Returning to Australia, the Houston departed 15 February with a small convoy to reinforce the allied garrison on Timor. In the subsequent 24 hours, the Japanese attacked in full force; but the Houston distinguished herself by driving off each of the attacks without damage to her transports.
On the 26 of February, word reached the allied forces of the Japanese invasion force approaching Java. Commander of the ABDA fleet; Admiral Doorman, RNN, decided to try and intercept the Japanese surface forces. The Houston joined with the HMAS Perth, HNMS De Rulyter, HMS Exter, HNMS Java and 10 destroyers, heading north to meet the Japanese support force under Admiral Takagi consisting of 4 cruisers and 13 destroyers. While the allied forces fought valiantly, they were hampered by a lack of air support and poor communications. The Cruiser HMS Exeter was sunk quickly in the initial engagement along with other losses to the destroyers. The remaining destroyers having expended their torpedoes, were ordered back to Darwin by Admiral Doorman while the Cruisers continued on alone.
That night, the allied fleet encountered the main Japanese surface force. The Dutch Cruisers De Rulyter and Java were both sunk. Before losing contact with the remaining ships, Admiral Doorman ordered them to retire from the combat. The HMAS Perth and USS Houston both safely retreated.
Isolated so far from support, the final remnants of the force went all-out offensive. In the hour before midnight on February 27, the two ships steamed boldly into Banten Bay, hoping to making a calculated attack to damage the Japanese invasion forces there. (Exact intentions are unknown, however it is surmised that the captains believed that the Japanese forces would not risk a lengthy pursuit after the raid, due to every ship available being necessary in the attack on Java.) However, the Japanese forces reacted quickly and a destroyer squadron blocked their escape path. The outcome was now inevitable, but both ships fought valiantly. The HMAS Perth first took fire at around 2330, being hit by both torpedoes and gunfire. The Houston was hit by a torpedo near midnight and lost nearly all mobility, but continued to fire on Japanese forces. When the ship stopped at 0030 on the morning of February 28, Japanese Destroyers came alongside and boarded the Houston. Minutes later, the heavily damaged ship finally sank.
The attack on Banten Bay is believed to have resulted in the disabling of four Japanese transports, a minesweeper and three destroyers.
The Houston's fate was not known for almost 9 months, and the full story only came to light after the Houston's surviving crewmen were freed at the end of the war; of her crew of 1008 men when leaving Darwin, 638 are believed lost in the action and 104 died as POW's. Only 266 returned home at the end of the war. Captain Rooks of the Houston was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
The crew of the USS Houston is honored alongside that of the HMAS Perth at the Shrine of Rememberance in Melbourne, Australia.
