Collection Guide:
Specific scenes of the USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37) images consist of Crossing the Line Ceremonies; general onboard activities, crew members, gunnery practice in Cuba, scenic views of Hawaii, and various city and scenic views in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Also included, related to USS Tuscaloosa, is a scrapbook containing ship’s newsletters, dinner menus, event fliers, newspaper clippings, and person mail from Hoover (to his wife discussing day-to-day life) while serving aboard ship. These materials are dated 1935-1939
While serving aboard USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37), the ship was charged with shadowing a German liner that was trying to evade British detection as it made a run from South American back to Germany. Due to neutrality at the time, the ship was not allowed to notify the HMS Hyperion, the British ship searching for it, of their location. They instead sent a message back to Norfolk on the radio that they were following the German ship SS Columbus and gave their location. This information allowed the British to find them. Once they were discovered, the Columbus captain scuttled his ship and put all survivors in life boats. The Hyperion captain notified Tuscaloosa that they only wanted some prisoners and did not have room for all. Tuscaloosa notified the British it was all or none. Tuscaloosa then began rescue operations and warned Hyperion not to interfere or they would be fired upon. Hoover was on the gangplank entrance when the first German officer arrived onboard – handing Hoover a bottle of champagne. The collection includes three photographs of SS Columbus as well as two articles regarding the rescue.
The photographs of anti-aircraft Gunnery School at Price’s Neck, RI include various aerial views of the base, sailors performing weapons practice, various anti-aircraft weapons, and training classes/classrooms. Following his training, Hoover would go on to become an Assistant Gunnery Officer aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118).
