The USS Augusta was a Northampton class of heavy cruiser. Its keel was laid 2 July 1928, built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. and launched 1 December 1930 at Newport News, Virginia. The ship was commissioned 30 January 1931 and its initial assignment was with the Atlantic Fleet. Its first skipper was Captain J.O. Richardson.

SHAKE DOWN CRUISES

Damage to one of her turbines curtailed the ship's original shakedown cruise, but Augusta conducted abbreviated initial training during a cruise to Colon, Panama, and back, before she was assigned duty as flagship for Commander Scouting Force Vice Admiral Arthur L. Willard, on 21 May 1931.

• On 1 April 1931 the U.S. Fleet had been reorganized into Battle, Scouting, Submarine and Base Forces provided for the appointment of type commanders for each type of ship and for aircraft, and designated the aviation type commands in the Battle, Scouting and Base Forces as Commander Aircraft (name of Force).

During the summer of 1931, the Augusta operated with the other warships of Scouting Force carrying out tactical exercises off the New England coast. In August 1931 she was reclassified a heavy cruiser "CA-31". In September, Augusta moved south to Chesapeake Bay where she joined her colleagues in their normal fall gunnery drills. That employment lasted until mid-November when the cruisers disbanded and retired to their respective home yards. Augusta entered the Norfolk Navy Yard at that time.