Concept/Program: Construction of this class was proposed by the industrialist Henry J. Kaiser, owner of the Kaiser shipyards. He proposed that 50 ships be built in his yard using the S4 Special merchant hull, already in production at the Kaiser yard. All 50 ships would be completed in an amazing one year timeframe. The Navy immediately accepted the proposal. Initially it was intended that approximately half these ships would be transferred to RN, but the second batch of Bogues went to RN instead.
Design: These ships were slightly smaller than the Bogues, and therefore were more cramped. They had very little sheer, improving hangar deck conditions greatly compared to the C3 conversions. This class featured VTE reciprocating machinery driving two shafts. This obsolete machinery was acceptable in view of production limitations in the gear-cutting industry, which limited the number of steam-turbine propulsion plants that could be put into service. Postwar the VTE engines severely limited the usefulness of these ships.
Variations: All essentially identical at completion due to mass-production nature of this class.
Modifications: By the end of the war AA armament had been increased to 8 twin 40 mm and 30 single 20 mm.
Modernization: No class-wide modernizations. One ship was reactivated and extensively converted as an assault ship; others remained in essentially their WWII configurations.
Classification: Early ships classed AVG and/or ACV initially, but most commissioned (and many laid down) after being reclassified CVE. During the 1950's ships were reclassified CVU, CVHE and AKV depending on their role, or the role the would have assumed if returned to service.
Ships of this class were assigned a Maritime Commission (MC) hull number during construction, in addition to the normal designations.
Operational: Most ships served in the Pacific. Some served exclusively as transports, bringing replacement aircraft to the front and transporting land-based aircraft to forward bases. Others served in a wide variety of roles -- ASW carriers, strike/CAP carriers to support invasions, or as light fleet units in the absence of other ships. Ships often switched from one role to another as dictated by operational requirements at any given time. It would not be uncommon for a transport carrier to bring a load of aircraft to the front, serve as a strike/CAP carrier during a major offensive, and then return to transport duties. Ships not designated for use as transports commonly carried large deckloads of aircraft when deploying from the US to forward areas, then disembarked the cargo and operated as combat vessels. During major offensives ships of all types were commonly attached to offensive forces and operated in front-line combat areas.
Departure from Service/Disposal: All decommissioned immediately after WWII. Some ships were disposed of soon after the war, generally because they needed repairs or overhauls. The others were retained in reserve postwar for possible use as helicopter ships. Survivors discarded in 1959.
Other Notes: Several were reactivated for use as aircraft transports; they did not undergo major modifications but their armament remained in mothballs. They had civilian crews and operated under the Military Sea Transport Service (MSTS), not under naval control; they were "in service" rather than "in commission" and their designations were preceded by "T-".
Designation changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943. Served as a transport and training carrier in the Pacific.
Decommissioned 10 June 1946, stricken for disposal 3 July 1946. Sold and scrapped at Chester at PA 1947.
Torpedoed and sunk by I-175 off the Gilbert Islands 24 November 1943.
Renamed Anzio 9/1944. Served as ASW carrier in the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 5 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 57) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959, sold 24 Nov 1959 and scrapped at Hamburg in 1960.
Served in transport, training, ASW and attack duties. Decommissioned to reserve 20 July 1946.
Reactivated as an aircraft transport 19 May 1951 and operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-CVE 58. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 58) 12 June 1955 and operated as T-CVHE 58.
Placed out of service 4 Sept 1958, stricken for disposal 1 Oct 1958. Sold and scrapped at New Orleans in 1960.
Served as an ASW carrier in the Atlantic and made one transport run to India.
Decommissioned to reserve 21 Feb 1947. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 59) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1958. Sold and scrapped in Japan starting 1/60.
Served as ASW carrier in the Atlantic. Captured U-505 4 June 1944.
Decommissioned to reserve 15 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 60) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 27 May 1958. Sold 30 April 1959 and scrapped in Japan starting 1/60.
Served in as transport and attack carrier in the Pacific. Kamikaze 5 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 31 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 61) 1 July 1958 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 27 May 1958. Sold 9/1959 and scrapped in Japan starting 2/60.
Served as transport carrier, then training carrier, and finally as a combat carrier. Kamikaze 7 June 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 20 May 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 62) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1958. Sold and scrapped in Japan starting 2/60.
Served as transport and support carrier in the Pacific. Renamed St. Lo 15 Sept 1944. Hit by Kamikaze 25 October 1944 at Leyte, massive explosions resulted, and the ship sank within 30 minutes.
Renamed Tripoli 11/1943. Served as an ASW carrier in the Atlantic, then as a transport and training carrier in the Pacific. Decommissioned to reserve 22 May 1946.
Reactivated as an aircraft transport 5 January 1952 and operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-CVE 64. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 64 12 June 1955 and operated as T-CVU 64.
Placed out of service 22 Nov 1958. Stricken for disposal 1 Feb 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan starting 1/60.
Served as an ASW carrier in the Atlantic, then as a combat, transport and training carrier in the Pacific. Hit by a kamikaze 3 April 1945.
Decommissioned 5 April 1946, stricken for disposal 17 April 1946. Sold and scrapped at Baltimore in 1947.
Served as a transport, training and combat carrier in the Pacific. Severely damaged by kamikaze and gunfire 25 Oct 1944 at Leyte.
Decommissioned to reserve 10 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 66) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 6/1958. Sold and scrapped at Baltimore 8/59.
Served as a transport carrier in the Pacific, then as an ASW and transport carrier in the Atlantic.
Decommissioned 15 May 1946, stricken for disposal 5 June 1946. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Decommissioned 15 May 1946, stricken for disposal 5 June 1946. Sold 8 Dec 1946 and scrapped in 1947.
Briefly served as a transport carrier in the Pacific, then as a combat carrier in the Mediterranean, then returned to the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 6 July 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 69) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold 2 Feb 1960 and scrapped at Hamburg 3/60.
Served in combat roles in the Pacific. Damaged by gunfire 25 Oct 1944 at Leyte.
Decommissioned to reserve 14 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 70) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Mar 1959. Sold and scrapped at Portland OR in 1959.
Served as transport and training carrier in the Pacific, then as a combat carrier. Kamikazes 25 Oct 1944 at Leyte and 8 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned 19 April 1946, stricken for disposal 8 May 1946. Sold 18 Nov 1946 and scrapped early 1947.
Served as ASW, transport and combat carrier in the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Decommissioned 30 April 1946, stricken for disposal 8 May 1946. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Served in the Pacific. Damaged by typhoon 18 Dec 1944 and 17 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 15 April 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 74) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 24) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Aug 1959. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 6/60.
Served in the Pacific; supported Okinawa assault. Damaged by accidental explosion of an aircraft bomb on deck 15 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 20 July 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 75) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 25) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1959. Sold 31 March 1960 and scrapped at Bilbao 5/60.
Served in the Pacific in transport, support and attack roles. Kamikaze 8 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 14 June 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 76) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 26) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Aug 1959. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 6/60.
Served in the Pacific, mostly as a transport carrier but saw combat at Samar. Damaged by typhoon 18 Dec 1944.
Decommissioned to reserve 12 Dec 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 77) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 27) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan 6/60.
Served in the Pacific, mostly as a transport carrier but saw combat at Samar. Kamikaze 5 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 12 Dec 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 78) 12 June 1955; Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 28) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1959. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 6/60.
Served mostly as a transport in the Pacific but saw combat off Samar. Hit by kamikaze 4 January 1945 off the Philippines and scuttled due to crippling damage.
Served as a transport and combat carrier in the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 31 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 80) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 27 June 1958. Sold and scrapped at Antwerp 9/59.
Served mostly as a transport, saw limited combat.
Decommissioned to reserve 11 June 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 81) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 29) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Aug 1959. Sold and scrapped at Genoa in 1960.
Served in transport and support roles.
Decommissioned to reserve 19 June 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 82) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Aug 1959. Sold and scrapped at Rotterdam 4/60.
Served in the Pacific as a support/transport carrier. Damaged by collision 3 Jan 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 23 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 83) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 27 June 1958. Sold and scrapped at Antwerp 9/59.
First served as a transport carrier in the Atlantic, then as a combat carrier in the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 6 July 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 84) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 27 June 1958. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 11/59.
Employed mainly as a transport and training carrier. Damaged by collision 16 May 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 28 June 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 85) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan 1/61.
Served primarily as a transport carrier.
Decommissioned to reserve 30 Nov 1946. Reactivated as aircraft transport 29 July 1950 and operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-CVE 86.
Placed out of service in reserve 27 July 1954. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 86) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 30) 7 May 1959. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped in Japan 1/61.
Served as transport carrier, then as combat carrier Damaged by collision 25 April 1945, aircraft accident 16 June 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 1 July 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 87) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped at Portland OR 1959.
Operated as a transport carrier in the Pacific. Damaged by typhoon 18 Dec 1944
Decommissioned to reserve 22 Aug 1946. Reactivated as aircraft transport 5 August 1950 and operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-CVE 88. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 88) 12 June 1955 and operated as T-CVU 88.
Placed out of service 15 Jan 1959. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan 1/61.
Served as transport and training carrier during WWII.
Decommissioned to reserve 1 May 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 89) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 31) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Aug 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan 11/60.
Served mostly as a transport in the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 7 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter assault carrier (CVHA 1) 1 July 1955, converted and recommissioned 20 July 1956. Following conversion specs were as follows: approx. 11,000 tons displacement, 900 crew and 938 troops, 4 dual 40 mm AA, 20 helicopters. Extensivley modified and aft section of flight deck cut away.
Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 6) 28 May 1959. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 March 1964. Proposed for transfer to Spain but CVL 28 transferred instead. Sold and scrapped in 1966.
Served mostly as a transport carrier in the Pacific but participated in the assault on Okinawa.
Decommissioned to reserve 9 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 91) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1958. Employed as a target ship for Tartar/Terrier tests. Ran aground on San Nicholas Island 4/1961; ship's back was broken and she became a total loss. Eventually broke up.
Served as transport and training carrier. Damaged by typhoon 5 June 1945.
Decommissioned to reserve 17 Jan 1947. Reactivated as an aircraft transport 31 October 1951 and operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-CVE 92. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 92) 12 June 1955 and operated as T-CVU 92.
Placed out of service early 1959. Stricken for disposal 1 Feb 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan 2/61.
Served in multiple roles in the Pacific.
Decommissioned 19 April 1946. Stricken for disposal 1 July 1947. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Decommissioned to reserve 24 Oct 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 94) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 32) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped in Japan 11/60.
Hit and sunk by two kamikazes off Iwo Jima 21 Feb 1945.
Served as transport, ASW and strike carrier in the Pacific. Kamikaze 13 Jan 1945, damaged by typhoon 5 June 1945.
Decommissioned 9 May 1946. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1946. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Served only as a transport and training carrier.
Decommissioned to reserve 17 Jan 1947. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 97) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 33) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped in Japan 11/60.
Served as a transport carrier in the Pacific. Damaged by typhoon 18 Dec 1944.
Decommissioned to reserve 16 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 98) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 34) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped in Japan in 1961.
Served as a transport in the Pacific, then as a combat carrier for Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
Decommissioned 26 April 1946. Stricken for disposal 8 May 1946. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Served as a transport in the Pacific, then as a combat carrier for Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Damaged by typhoon 5 June 1944.
Decommissioned to reserve 3 Nov 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 100) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 35) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1960. Sold and scrapped in 1960.
Served mostly as a transport in the Pacific.
Decommissioned to reserve 11 Oct 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 101) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 36) 7 May 1959. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped in Japan in 1960.
Served only as a transport carrier in the Pacific. Damaged by typhoon 5 June 1945.
Decommissioned 8 June 1946. Stricken for disposal 3 July 1946. Sold 1947
for possible merchant use, renamed Gay, then Flying W in 1948.
An attempt to convert the ship for use as a blockade runner to smuggle
military equipment into Isreal failed; scrapped 1948-49 at Baltimore.
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Served only as a transport carrier.
Decommissioned 9 May 1946, stricken for disposal 21 May 1946. Sold and scrapped in 1947.
Served only as a support/transport carrier.
Decommissioned to reserve 13 Sept 1946. Redesignated as a utility carrier (CVU 104) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Sept 1958. Sold and scrapped in Japan 10/60.
