USS Fargo (CL-106)

USS "Fargo" (CL-106), named after the city of Fargo, North Dakota, was the lead ship of her class of light cruiser of the United States Navy, most of which were canceled due to the end of World War II.

The "Fargo"-class cruisers were a modified version of the previous "Cleveland" class cruiser design; the main difference was a more compact pyramidal superstructure with single trunked funnel, intended to improve AA gun arcs of fire.

The cruiser was launched 25 February 1945 by New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, sponsored by Mrs. F. O. Olsen, and commissioned 9 December 1945, Captain W. Craig in command.

"Fargo" sailed from Philadelphia 15 April 1946, with Vice Admiral B. H. Bieri embarked for a good will cruise to Bermuda, Trinidad, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Montevideo, from which she took departure on 31 May for the Mediterranean. During this tour of duty, she visited a variety of ports in Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, Italy, and France, as well as North Africa and served as American representative at Trieste, then troubled by dissension between Italy and Yugoslavia over the city's status.

Returning to New York City 2 March 1947, "Fargo" sailed once more for the Mediterranean 20 May, and during this tour of duty, served for one month as flagship for Commander, Naval Forces Mediterranean. Returning to Newport 13 September, she prepared for extensive Atlantic Fleet exercises in October and November in the waters from Bermuda to Newfoundland, during which she carried Vice Admiral A. W. Radford, Commander 2nd Task Fleet. Through her remaining 2 years of service, "Fargo" completed two more tours of duty in the Mediterranean, and twice joined in large scale exercises in the Caribbean. She was decommissioned and placed in reserve, berthed at Bayonne, New Jersey, 14 February 1950, stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 March 1970, and sold 18 August 1971.

A large model of the USS "Fargo" resided in the main branch of the Fargo Public Library. The model is now is possession of the Fargo Air Museum in Fargo, ND.

ee also

Hull CL-85 was to be named "Fargo", but was converted to the light aircraft carrier "Langley" (CVL-27) during construction.

References

*DANFS [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/f1/fargo.htm]

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/106/04106.htm navsource.org: USS "Fargo" CL-106]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/cruisers/cl106.txt hazegray.org: USS "Fargo" CL-106]