USS ''Helena''

By Crusader1307

A “St. Louis” Class Light Cruiser, The USS ''Helena” was launched in 1938. Leaving New York Harbor, “Helena” patrolled of The Coast of South America until deployed with The Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. “Helena” was berthed next to The Minesweeper “Oglala” when The Imperial Japanese Fleet attacked The US Pacific Fleet in December of 1941. Heavily damaged, she lost 69 Sailors in the attack. She was repaired and immediately deployed to actions in The South Pacific. The “Helena” participated in Guadalcanal and Kula Gulf (1943), when despite of heroic actions against several Japanese Destroyers, she was torpedoed and sunk. The surviving Crew were able to reach a Japanese held Island nearby and (with the help of local Natives), managed to evade The Japanese until they could be rescued several weeks later. The “Helena” was 10,000-Tons displaced. She was 600-feet long and stood (Beam) at 60-feet. She was powered by (8) Boilers and (4) Turbines. “Helena” could achieve 38-mph in open Seas. Her armor plating ranged from 1 to 6.5-Inches throughout. Her Armament included (15) 6-Inch Guns, (8) 5-Inch Guns and (8) 50 Cal. Guns. The “Helena” could support several Float Planes launched via Catapult.