USS Chester (CA-27)

The second Chester (CL-27) was laid down on 6 March 1928 at Camden, N.J. by the New York Shipbuilding Co . ; launched on 3 July 1929; sponsored by Miss. Jane T. Blain, niece of Mayor Samuel E. Turner of Chester, Pa.; and commissioned on 24 June 1930, Capt. Arthur P. Fairfield in command.

Chester steamed to New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N.Y. (25 July–7 August 1930), where she received her first aircraft, Vought O2U-3 Corsairs , as well as ammunition and stores. While underway in Massachusetts Bay on 8 August 1930, Lt. James R. Tague and AMM2c Alvin Brinkley became the first aircrew launched from Chester . On 13 August, she set out for Barcelona, Spain. Several days later, Chester received an urgent radio call for assistance from the freighter Koranton . One of the merchantman’s sailors had fallen ill and Koranton lacked a medical staff. Using the radio, Lt. Cmdr. Orville R. Goss, Chester ’s medical officer, diagnosed and prescribed the proper care of the patient. Chester passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and arrived at Barcelona on 25 August.

After making a port call to Naples, Italy (2–11 September 1930), Chester set out for Istanbul [Constantinople], Turkey on 11 September. Shortly after leaving port, she intercepted a radio message announcing that the Mount Stromboli, a volcano on the Italian island of that name, had erupted. Chester ’s course passed near Stromboli so Capt. Fairfield sent a message to the Italian government asking if his ship could be of any assistance. When the cruiser arrived at Stromboli, Fairfield received a message that assistance was not required. Chester resumed steaming for Turkey. Before she arrived at her destination, Fairfield received a personal message from Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini thanking him for the captain’s offer. Chester arrived at Istanbul on 15 September and remained in port until 22 September 1930. After spending five days at Athens (22–27 September) she steamed for a short visit to Gibraltar, British Crown Colony (1–2 October) before she put out for the U.S. on 3 October 1930.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Chester II (CL-27)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.