>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1963) Vol. 2, p.387.





FALL RIVER



CA-131

Displacement:  13,600 t.

Length:  674’11”

Beam:  70’10”

Draft:  20’6”

Speed:  33 k.

Complement:  1,142

Armament:  9 8”; 12 5”

Class:  BALTIMORE



	FALL RIVER (CA-131) was launched 13 August 1944 by New 

York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. 

Alexander C. Murray, wife of the mayor of Fall River; and 

commissioned 1 July 1945, Captain D. S. Crawford in command.



	On 31 October 1945, FALL RIVER arrived at Norfolk out 

of which she sailed in experimental development operations 

until 31 January 1946.  The cruiser was assigned to JTF 1, 

organized to conduct Operation "Crossroads," atomic weapons 

tests in the Marshall Islands in the summer of 1946.  To 

prepare for this duty, FALL RIVER sailed to San Pedro, 

Calif., where, from 16 February to 6 March, she was altered 

to provide flagship accommodations.  Arriving at Pearl 

Harbor 17 March, she embarked Rear Admiral F. G. Fahrion, 

commander of the target vessel's group for the tests, and 

with him sailed in the Marshalls between 21 May and 14 

September.



	After west coast training, FALL RIVER served a tour of 

duty in the Far East as flagship of Cruiser Division 1 from 

12 January to 17 June 1947.  She returned to Puget Sound 

Navy Yard, where she was placed out of commission in reserve 

31 October 1947.



	[Stricken from the Navy Register on 19 February 1971, 

FALL RIVER was sold on 28 August 1972 and broken up.

K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of 

the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.139.]





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com