USS Memphis (CL-13)

A city in southwestern Tennessee; so named because it is situated upon the Mississippi River in a manner similar to the capital city of the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt on the Nile. In the Civil War, Memphis fell 6 June 1862 to Union naval forces led by Flag Officer Charles H. Davis and was an important Federal base for the rest of the war. The first Memphis retained her merchant name.

Memphis (CL‑13) was laid down by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pa., 14 October 1920; launched 17 April 1924; sponsored by Miss Elizabeth R. Paine, daughter of Mayor Rowlett Paine of Memphis; and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 4 February 1925, Capt. Henry E. Lackey in command.

Late in February Memphis got underway for a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean. On 13 April the cruiser participated in the dedication of an American memorial gateway to Commodore Oliver H. Perry at Port‑of‑Spain, Trinidad. Six years after the indomitable Perry had defeated the British on Lake Erie 10 September 1813, he died on board frigate John Adams at Port‑of‑Spain and was interred there until his remains were removed to Newport, R.I., 7 years later. In June Memphis joined ships of a scouting fleet off Honolulu, Hawaii, for a cruise to the South Pacific through September, with visits to Australia and New Zealand. From October to April 1926 she again operated in the West Indies before returning to her home port, New York.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Memphis IV (CL-13)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.