Northampton
Northampton is a shipgirl featured in the browser game Kantai Collection, based on the lead ship of the United States Navy's Northampton-class heavy cruisers. Introduced as an operation clear reward during the Spring 2021 limited-time event, she stands as one of the prominent Allied heavy cruisers in the fleet. Characterized by her distinct look and soft-spoken mannerisms, she serves as a devoted secretary ship who supports the Admiral in daily base administration while fighting courageously alongside her younger sister Houston during naval sorties.
Overview
Northampton is a shipgirl featured in the browser game Kantai Collection, based on the lead ship of the United States Navy's Northampton-class heavy cruisers. Introduced as an operation clear reward during the Spring 2021 limited-time event, she stands as one of the prominent Allied heavy cruisers in the fleet. Characterized by her distinct look and soft-spoken mannerisms, she serves as a devoted secretary ship who supports the Admiral in daily base administration while fighting courageously alongside her younger sister Houston during naval sorties.
Appearance
Northampton features long, slightly wavy blonde hair with bangs split above her right eye, green-yellow eyes, and semi-rimless glasses. She wears a white peaked cap shaped like a ship's bridge and a medal-like hair ornament on her right side. Her outfit consists of a striped inner top under a white blouse, a corset matching her rigging, a black pencil skirt, black pantyhose, shin guards, and high-heeled boots with propellers. A rope is wrapped around her waist, and she carries one of her three triple turrets in her right hand. Upon her Kai remodel, her inner shirt turns black, torpedo tubes are removed, and floatplane catapults are attached to her upper arms. In her seasonal yukata, she wears a white and blue floral kimono accompanied by a giant lottery rope.
Personality
Northampton possesses a polite and gentle demeanor, initially speaking formally before revealing a more playful, affectionate side where she calls herself Northa. Traumatized by her sinking at the Battle of Tassafaronga, she harbors a deep fear of night operations, the term Tokyo Express, and Japanese destroyers, often becoming visibly anxious around them. Despite this, she remains fiercely loyal to the Admiral and braves her night-phobia during battle. She displays blatant favoritism toward the aircraft carrier Hornet, unconditionally approving her paperwork and reacting with childlike enthusiasm when reporting victories to her. As a secretary, she is attentive and capable, preparing three daily American meals and serving coffee.
Abilities
At level 50, Northampton can be remodeled into her Kai form. Compared to her sister ship Houston, she trades minor points of firepower, reconnaissance, and evasion for higher torpedo, anti-air, and durability stats, giving her superior base night-battle offense. She equips the SOC Seagull floatplane upon her remodel. When equipped with 8inch Triple Gun Mount Mk.9 turrets or their upgraded versions, she receives substantial firepower bonuses that allow her daytime attacks to rival the Takao class. Due to her limited luck stat, her night battle setup is best suited for double attacks rather than cut-in strikes.
Background
Northampton represents the lead ship of the US Navy's Northampton-class heavy cruisers. She officially joined Kantai Collection as a reward for completing the third operation area of the May 2021 event, Crash! Battle of Lunga Point. Prior to her playable debut, her arrival was foreshadowed through references in Hornet's idle voice lines and the appearance of a fairy resembling her uniform on the SOC Seagull equipment art. As a member of the Allied naval force, she serves alongside her sister Houston in fleet operations.
Relationships
Houston is Northampton's younger sister and fellow Northampton-class cruiser. Northampton holds immense affection for the aircraft carrier Hornet, whom she historically attempted to tow; she prioritizes Hornet's needs, waives her administrative paperwork, and shares her achievements directly with her. Conversely, due to her trauma from Lunga Point, she feels intense dread toward Japanese destroyers such as Kuroshio and Oyashio. However, destroyers like Naganami, Makinami, Yudachi, and Akatsuki gradually reach out to her through gifts of sweets and seasonal festivities. She also acts as a mediator for allies, gently scolding South Dakota regarding her rocky relationship with Washington.
Trivia
The rope tied around Northampton's waist references the historical Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where the actual heavy cruiser attempted to tow the disabled aircraft carrier USS Hornet. In her seasonal autumn outfit, this rope is reimagined as a giant traditional lottery game set up by Japanese destroyers, featuring hanging plush toys of Hornet, Gambia Bay, Rensohou-chan, and Samuel B. Roberts' whale.
