Chicago began as CL-29 and became CA-29 through administrative reclassification. She spent most of the 1930s as flagship of the scouting force, taking part in fleet exercises and later presence missions across the Pacific. A 1933 collision with the British freighter Silver Palm destroyed much of her bow forward of A turret and required extensive repairs. Chicago also received one of the first six CXAM radar sets in 1940, pairing her long-standing reconnaissance role with a new means of early warning.
Chapter · 38:40-41:50
USS Chicago as scouting-force flagship and early radar ship
Chicago spent most of the 1930s with the scouting force, despite a severe collision that interrupted her prewar service.