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The following is a list of Columbia's DIVISIONS
provided by Bob Kratz & Rich Gary
Note: List is incomplete at this time
The ship had five departments
GUNNERY DEPARTMENT
1st Division picture The 1st Division was responsible for 6 inch turrets numbers 1 & 2.
They were also responsible
for the upkeep of the forward part of the
ship.
2nd Division picture The 2nd Division was responsible for 6 inch turrets number 3 & 4 (which were aft).
They were also responsible for the upkeep of the aft part of the ship.
In addition they
operated and maintained
the catapults used to launch our search aircraft.
3rd Division picture The 3rd Division was responsible for 5 inch gun mounts number 51, 52 & 53. They were also
responsible for upkeep of half of the middle of the ship.
4th Division picture The 4th Division was responsible for 5 inch gun mounts number 54, 55 & 56. They were also
responsible for upkeep of the other half of the middle of the ship.
5th Division picture The 5th Division was responsible for 40mm gun mounts number 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49 & 50 and
10 20mm guns. In addition they were responsiable for the upkeep of the
boat deck.
Original Marine Detachment aboard Columbia Roster of original Marine Detachment aboard Columbia
List of Marines that served aboard Columbia List from page 86, Battle History of USS Columbia
6th Division picture (Marines) on stern 40 Marines on stern (poor quality)
6th Division picture (Marines) The 6th Division was manned by the Marine detachment (35-40 men).
They were responsible for 40 mm gun mounts number 45 & 46 and some gun directors.
F Division picture
The F Division was responsible for all the Gun Fire Control Systems, Gun Directors
and the Main Battery Gun Plotting Rooms for the 6 inch guns.
F Division on the quarterdeck
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
A Division A Division was called the Auxiliary Division. They operated and maintained the evaporators
which
made fresh water from sea water. Columbia had the reputation for
making more fresh water
than any
other ship in Cruiser Division 12. The
men rarely had to take salt water showers.
B Division NEW Dec. 2018 B Division was responsible for the two fire rooms (fore & aft). They made the steam that
powered the four turbines
that drove the ship's four screws.
List of men
NEW
Steam also powered the four turbines that drove the four electrical generators. B Division
was also responsible for operating and maintaining the electrical generator turbines.
M Division M Division was responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment in the two engine rooms.
There were two steam turbines for each engine room. The turbines drove the four props.
R Divison on stern R Division was responsible for the damage control stations, fire fighting and shipfitter shop which repaired
and replaced various equipment throughout the ship.
E Division picture E Division was responsible for generating the electricity that powered equipment throughout the ship.
They also maintained the lighting
equipment.
In
addition they maintained the sound powered telephones and the dial telephone system.
C Division picture C Division was responsible for the radio rooms and radar shacks. They also provided a signal man.
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT
S Division picture
S Division was
responsible for cooking, baking and food store rooms. They ran all the food handling,
barber shop and ship's store.
AIR DEPARTMENT
V Division picture
V Division was
responsible for maintaining the search aircraft. The pilots were attached to the V Division.
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
L Division on stern
L
Division provided the ship lookouts, so vital for the safety of the
ship.
L Division on quarter deck L Division function unknown
N Division was responsible for the ship's
bridge. They manned the ship's wheel and provided the
navigation to get
the ship from place to place. No picture.
UNIDENTIFED DIVISION PICTURES
Unknown Division u2
Unknown Division u2....names unknown
Unknown Division u3
Division u3 has been ID as B Division, Dec. 2018 names unknown
22 Men and three Officers 22 Men and three Officers.....names unknown