Northampton-class Heavy Cruiser, CA-26, Northampton, Sir!
I won't bore you with my stories, sir, but my service record proves that I haven't shown all my worth. Pearl Harbor, Doolittle, Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, Santa Cruz. Sir, I've made too many mistakes in the war, so many that I headed to my own demise. My sisters said I have 20/20 hindsight, sir, and I completely agree.
Let's talk about my last battle at Tassafaronga. We attacked the enemy with complete surprise on our side. For seven minutes they were stunned and unable to mount any counter attack. But soon they came to their senses, and what should have been a perfect battle turned into a crushing defeat. In 20 minutes, torpedoes crippled three of our cruisers by heavily damaging them, and I--wanting to protect my sisters--charged into the enemy's encirclement like a fool. Although Captain Kitts did his best, two Type-93 torpedoes still hit me in 1 minute.
I sank a few minutes later...
I clearly remember that night. Captain Kitts ordered all hands to abandon ship, and then he came back with the emergency repair crew. Everyone was screaming and running on the listing deck, doing their darnedest to save me. Before I lost consciousness, my last memories were Captain Kitts taking my helm. He told me that that everything'll turn out fine, that I was a good girl, that I could pull through this. I only needed to give myself a chance. "You hear me, girl? One chance!"
I don't know if that's how I died, but sir, I think that comes pretty close. I was floating on the water. My consciousness started to fade in the dark. I saw the past and I felt the future, but I couldn't see anything clearly. Everything was as a dream. Like so and slowly, I thought and repented...
I don't know how long it's been, sir, but then I heard a familiar voice. Yeah, the story's a little bit cliche, but I heard Captain Kitts. He repeatedly asked me if I could give myself a chance. I accepted, this time. How could I say no? And now, I'm here. The new enemies aren't that much different from what I faced before. The battles, too. We could lose. Maybe the enemy is overwhelmingly powerful. Maybe we have little forces to spare. But, sir, I understand now. Whether it be making up for past failures or creating a better future, this opportunity that laid itself in front of me is mine, isn't it?Miscellaneous
* Although not the first Northampton-class to be laid down, she is the first ship of her class to be completed, so she became the big sister.
* USS Northampton charged to protect and cover her injured comrades in her last battle, but unfortunately she was hit and sunk by torpedoes. However, it was said that she couldn't evade the incoming torpedoes because the sailors were blinded by our own illumination rounds.
* The crew of USS Northampton is renowned for their calm under fire. During the Battle of Tassafaronga, when large swathes of the ship was burning, Captain Kitts could still conduct an orderly evacuation and repairs. The Department of the Navy pointed out later that were it not for Captain Kitts' calm leadership, the casualties of the crew would have been much heavier.
* STEC Notes: Historically, USS Northampton got six battle stars. She was active during the bleakest period in the Pacific Theater. After countless hardships, she was sunk at the Battle of Tassafaronga. In terms of personality, the ship girls in the Northampton Class were more like philosophers. She herself was a calm, responsible girl, and she was enthusiastic in correcting her own mistakes, big or small.Creators' comments:
- November: I was entranced by her war achievements the first time I saw this cruiser. Northampton once attempted to save Hornet, who was heavily damaged, but ultimately failed. I think she should be the most serious, most honest elder sister of the trio, protecting her little sisters.
- Morgane: Perhaps she sometimes disciplines herself too strictly, but I think seeing an adorable and responsible elder sister, a lot of commanders will envy Northampton's sisters.
- Zeroblaze: We can see from her expressions that she's depressed or having something in mind. Seems like she is thinking about the meaning of war - "Why do we fight?" As time flows by, this question will become even less certain.