Horn from USS CHICAGO
Datec 1942
Object number00004618
NameExponential horn
MediumMetal
DimensionsOverall: 295 x 380 x 380 mm, 7.8 kg
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from B Elsley
DescriptionA horn from the battleship USS CHICAGO. The surface of the horn is covered with notation in black ink which reads "From battleship USS CHICAGO. Left Sydney Harbour on the night of the Japanese minature submarine attacks. Later sunk in the Solomons. This exponential horn mounted atop the lattis masthead and was used to blast Japanese in foxholes with jazz 24 hours a day. Ship 6.2 Miles of shore."
USS CHICAGO was in Sydney Harbour during the attack by Japanese submarines on 31st May, 1942.HistoryOn a late May night in 1942, Sydney was attacked by three Japanese ‘baby’ Type A Kō-hyōteki-class submarines launched from larger ‘mother’ submarines lurking just off the entrance to the harbour.
After silently entering the harbour, one of the 'baby' submarines, known as M-24, was spotted by a searchlight operator on the American heavy cruiser USS CHICAGO which was docked at Garden Island. The CHICAGO was a prime target of the Japanese attack and opened fire with a 135mm gun. M24 fled west towards the Harbour Bridge where it lay low, before returning east two hours later, ready to torpedo the US vessel.
At around 1.30am, just off Bradley’s Head, with USS CHICAGO in its sights, M24 fired two torpedoes – both missing the 182-metre-long ship. One torpedo scudded under the Dutch submarine K-IX and the converted passenger ferry HMAS KUTTABUL but then detonated against the breakwater where the KUTTABUL was tied up. KUTTABUL was broken in two, killing 19 Australian and two British sailors, and wounding ten. The other torpedo ran aground on the shore of Garden Island without exploding. M24 submerged and left the harbour.
To avoid becoming ‘sitting ducks’, HMIS BOMBAY, HMAS WHYALLA, HMAS CANBERRA, USS PERKINS and USS CHICAGO immediately prepared to leave the harbour. On their way out of the USS CHICAGO spotted the periscope of another Japanese submarine, M-21. After being fired upon and targeted by depth charges, M-21 was disabled and its two crew committed suicide.
USS CHICAGO continued service on the South Pacific, including taking part in the Battle of Savo Island. In January 1943 the ship was near Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, when attacked by Japanese aircraft. Hit and unable to proceed under its own steam, CHICAGO was assisted by USS LOUISVILLE and USS NAVAJO. A second attack by the aircraft the following day caused irreparable damage and the CHICAGO began to sink. There were 1,049 survivors from the ship rescued by the NAVAJO but 62 men were killed and the ship lost.
SignificanceThis horn is significant because of its association with the USS CHICAGO in Australia, particularly Sydney Harbour in May 1942, and the ship's activities in the Pacific during WWII.
