Displacement: 34,881 tons full load
Dimensions: 820 x 93 x 28.5 feet/250 x 28.3 x 8.7 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 872 x 147.5 x 28.5 feet/265.8 x 45 x 8.7 meters
("Long Hull" types: 888 x 147.5 x 28.5 feet/270.6 x 45 x 8.7 meters)
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 565 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 150,000 shp, 33 kts
Crew: 2,631
Armor: 1.5 inch hangar deck, 2.5-4 inch belt
Armament: 4 dual, 4 single 5/38 DP, 18 quad 40 mm AA, 61 single 20 mm AA
; single 20 mm AA replaced late WWII/postwar by 35 dual 20 mm AA
Aircraft: 100
Concept/Program: Conceived as a Yorktown modified to include better underwater protection. As war drew near and treaties became less of an issue, the design was allowed to grow into a large, powerful, and versatile ship. The first units were initially scheduled for completion in 1944, but production was rushed due to war. These ships formed the mainstay of US WWII fast carrier forces, and the US postwar carrier fleet. All ships served in the Pacific from completion to the end of hostilities.
Class: During 1943 an AA improvement program was undertaken, resulting in the "long hull" group. These ships had a slightly shorter flight deck, a slightly longer bow and other changes to allow a larger AA battery. Ships involved in this upgrade were those which were at an early stage of construction, so they could be altered without delaying completion. During WWII and in postwar upgrade programs the "long hull" and "short hull" ships were considered to be interchangeable. There is some evidence that the "long hull" ships were officially known as the Ticonderoga class, but these ships are far more commonly known simply as the "long hull" Essex class, and this list continues that convention.
The post-war reconstruction programs resulted in these ships being broken
up into several different classes. The final class separations were as
follows.
Intrepid Class (SCB 27C/125/125A): CVS
11, 14, 16, 31, 34, 38
Essex Class (SCB 27A/125): CVS 9, 10,
12, 15, 18, 20, 33
Antietam (prototype SCB 125): CVS
36
Lake Champlain (SCB 27A): CVS 39
Boxer Class (LPH): CVS 21 (LPH 4),
CVS 37 (LPH 5), CVS 45 (LPH 8)
(all LPH conversions were previously of the spartan CVS configuration.)
Spartan CVS Conversion (no SCB): CVS 32,
CVS 40, CVS 47
Unmodified: CV 13, CV 17
Design: The Essex design was in general superb. The ships were able to absorb massive increases in AA guns, ammunition allowances, aircraft munitions and equipment, etc. Postwar they could accommodate rebuilds that allowed them to operate modern jet aircraft throughout the Cold War. The only real weakness in the design was the wooden, unarmored flight deck, which made the ships very vulnerable to aircraft attack. This was considered an acceptable tradeoff, compared to the RN's armored flight decks and much smaller air wings. One flaw in the design was the ventilation system, which allowed smoke to rapidly spread throughout the ship. This problem was fixed during postwar reconstructions.
Variations: See "long hull" description above. Some units were completed with athwartships catapults in the forward hangar bay, but these were soon removed in favor of additional AA guns. Postwar reconstructions lead to major variations within the class and within each rebuild configurations.
Modifications: Numbers of .50 cal, 20 mm, 1.1 inch and 40 mm weapons varied throughout the war; therefore only the ultimate numbers of guns are listed. Some ships were completed with .50 cal and 1.1 inch guns, but these were replaced with 20 mm and 40 mm guns early in the war. Postwar the 20 mm guns were removed; in ships remaining active into the 1950's dual 3/50 AA mounts replaced quad 40 mm guns. As time went on the gun batteries were gradually reduced until ships carried little, if any, gun armament.
Modernization: Following WWII most ships underwent extensive upgrades under several programs.
SCB 27A: First major upgrade program applied to Essex class. This was a general, all-around upgrade, including a completely rebuilt and reconfigured island, new arresting gear and hydraulic catapults, new aircraft fueling arrangements, and all deck-level 5 inch guns removed. The gun armament was reduced to 8 single 5/38 DP and 12 to 14 dual 3/50 AA; the gun battery was gradually reduced over time. The rebuild did not include an angled flight deck. Displacement was 40,600 tons.
SCB 27C: This program replaced the SCB 27A, and went one slightly further. Most details were the same as SCB 27A, but the ships carried steam catapults rather than hydraulic, and had only 4 5/38 guns. The change to steam catapults was a major operational improvement, and allowed the ships to operate much larger and heavier aircraft. Displacement was 43,600 tons.
"Ultimate" Reconstruction: This was a never-realized program to upgrade Essex class ships to a final, completely modern configuration. The SCB 27A/27C programs were seen as a temporary measure pending development of an "ultimate" configuration for the class. Ships of this configuration would have operated with the "supercarrier" United States in large nuclear-strike groups. The design would have been completely flush-decked, with no island at all. With the death of United States and the development of the angled deck, the "ultimate" plan was reconfigured but probably stayed alive. It is unclear when it was realized that the "ultimate" modernization of Essex class ships should be dropped in favor of SCB 125 and new construction. Two ships were excluded from other modernization programs to make them available for the "ultimate" conversion -- Bunker Hill and Franklin. These ships had been heavily damaged near the end of the war, fully repaired, and laid up in excellent condition. Ultimately they went to the breakers unmodified.
SCB 125: This program was applied to ships already modernized under the SCB 27A/27C programs. The principal change under SCB 125 was the addition of an angled flight deck to replace the old axial deck arrangement. Other features of the ship, includung the hydraulic/steam catapult separation between SCB 27A and SCB 27C, were not changed. In some cases this modernization was performed at the same time as an SCB 27A/27C conversion, leading to confusion between the two programs. The prototype conversion for this program was applied to an otherwise unmodified ship, yielding an odd ship with all her WWII features intact, but with an angled deck.
SCB 125A: This was a slightly more advanced version of the SCB 125A program, the main difference being use of an aluminum flight deck to replace the old wooden deck. This modernization also included replacement of the SCB 27A's hydraulic catapults with the steam catapults of SCB 27C.
CVS Conversion: This conversion was applied to SCB 27A and SCB 27C ships as they left the front-line fleet and assumed ASW duties. Conversion, which was not always done at the same time as redesignation to CVS, included outfitting the ships with an ASW command center, additional communications, support facilities for ASW aircraft and helicopters, etc. The early CVS conversions, from unmodified axial-deck (non-SCB) ships, were far less extensive and are best classed as a refit rather than a full conversion.
LPH Conversion: This conversion was applied to unmodified, axial deck ships that had previously served as CVSs. Most guns and radars were removed, 4 of 8 boilers were deactivated, and troop berthing spaces and equipment storage spaces were added. Speed was 25 knots; most ships carried 2 dual and 2 single 5/38 DP.
FRAM II: This was a general update and life extension overhaul applied to some late CVSs and LPHs. The CVSs received a hull-mounted sonar, and all ships had their service lives extended by 5 years.
Classification: Initially classed CV; all reclassed CVA in 1952. Various ships reclassied CVS or LPH as they were modified; some changed to CVS while in reserve. Unmodified ships laid up in reserve eventually became aircraft transports (AVT). Some ships remaining as CVAs in 1975 were reclassed CV, but no change of role resulted.
Operational: These ships saw extensive service over a span of nearly 50 years and in at least a half-dozen roles.
Progression of Roles: Following WWII most of the older ships, which had seen extensive war service, were decommissioned to reserve. Ships completed near the end of the war and postwar remained in service with minimal modifications, mostly reduction of light AA, etc. Starting in the 1950's the older ships were put back into service after going through massive upgrade/reconstruction programs, starting with the SCB 27A program. The SCB 27A ships took the front-line attack roles, reducing the unrebuilt ships to duties as ASW carriers, in turn replacing CVEs and CVLs that had served in the ASW role. The SCB 27C program followed the 27A program, and these ships took over the front-line attack roles as they came into service. With the introduction of the 27C rebuilds the 27A ships moved to ASW roles, and the unrebuilt ships moved from ASW to service as amphibious assault ships (LPH), or to retirement. Eventually the war-built carriers serving as LPHs were replaced by purpose-built ships, and the SCB 27C carriers were reduced to ASW roles or served as light attack carriers as more "supercarriers" came into service. Finally the end of the Vietnam war spelled the end for ships operating as light CVAs, and age caught up with the other ships.
Other Notes: During the 1980's reactivation of one or more mothballed Essex class ships was considered, but the idea did not proceed. The ships were considered to be too old and in poor condition, and there were few aircraft suitable for operation from their small decks.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Hit by kamikaze 25 Nov 1944. Decommissioned to reserve 9 Jan 1947.
SCB 27A reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard started 1 Sept 1948, completed and recommissioned 1 Feb 1951. Redesignated as attack carrier (CVA 9) 1 October 1952. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Bremerton Navy Yard 7/1955 to 3 Jan 1956.
Redesignated as ASW carrier (CVS 9) 8 March 1960. FRAM II life extension 3/1962 to 9/1962. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1969, stricken for disposal 1 June 1973, subsequently sold and scrapped at Kearny NJ.
Served with the Carrier TF until replaced by Franklin and sent to Bremerton Navy Yard for refit 8/1944 to 10/1944. Decommissioned to reserve 9 Jan 1947.
SCB 27A reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard started 5/1951, completed and recommissioned 2 Jan 1953. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 10) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Bremerton Navy Yard 3/1955 to 15 Oct 1955.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 10) 1 September 1957. Scheduled for FRAM II life extension in 1966, but cancelled due to ship's poor condition. Decommissioned to reserve 27 June 1970, stricken for disposal 1 June 1973. Preserved as a museum at Patriot's Point (Charleston), SC.
Served with Carrier TF during WWII. Torpedoed 2/1944 during Truk raid, kamikaze 10/1944, kamikaze at Luzon 25 Nov 1944 with severe damage, kamikaze 3/1945, kamikaze at Okinawa 16 April 1945 with severe damage, repaired 3/1945 to 7/1945. Decommissioned to reserve 22 March 1947.
SCB 27C reconstruction at Newport News started 9 April 1952, completed and recommissioned 20 June 1954. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 11) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at New York Navy 9/1956 to 2 May 1957.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 11) 31 Mar 1962. FRAM II life extension 3/1965 to 10/1965. Operated as light attack carrier with CVS designation off Vietnam. Decommissioned to reserve 15 March 1974; was last CVS in service. Ownership transferred to Sea*Air*Space Museum 27 April 1981, stricken upon transfer of custody to museum 23 Feb 1982. Preserved at Sea*Air*Space Museum in New York City.
Typhoon 6/1945 buckled flight deck. Decommissioned to reserve 15 Jan 1947.
SCB 27A reconstruction at New York Navy started 12 May 1951, completed and recommissioned 1 Oct 1953. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 12 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Bremerton Navy Yard 1/1956 to 15 Aug 1956.
Redesignated an ASW carrier (CVS 12) 27 June 1959. FRAM II life extension 6/1964 to 2/1965. Decommissioned to reserve 26 June 1970. Stricken for disposal 25 July 1989. Sold for scrapping 14 April 1993 and towed to San Francisco, but scrapper defaulted and ship was repossessed. Preserved by the Aircraft Carrier Hornet Foundation as a museum at the former NAS Alameda 26 May 1998.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Kamikazes at Luzon 15 Oct 1944 and 30 Oct 1944. Hit by numerous bombs off Kyushu 19 March 1945 during a raid on the Japanese home islands. Bombs and fires caused massive damage, completely destroying the hangar and flight deck; ship had a serious list due to firefighting water. Over 700 crew died. Temporarily repaired at sea and was able to return to New York Navy Yard under her own power for permanent repairs; most seriously damaged carrier to reach port. During repairs everything from the hangar floor up, except the island and forward flight deck, was removed and replaced.
Did not resume flight operations following repairs, decommissioned to reserve 17 Feb 1947. Was in excellent condition and held in reserve for potential "ultimate" Essex class conversion.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 13) 1 October 1952, as an ASW carrier (CVS 13) 8 Aug 1953, and as an aviation transport (AVT 8) 5/59, all while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 October 1964, sold for scrapping 7/1966, scrapped at Norfolk VA 1966-1968.
Kamikaze off Formosa 21 Jan 1945, serious damage. Decommissioned to reserve 9 Jan 1947.
SCB 27C reconstruction at New York Navy Yard started 1 April 1952, completed and recommissioned 1 Oct 1954. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 14) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Norfolk Navy Yard 8/1956 to 1 April 1957.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 14) 21 Oct 1969. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 16 Nov 1973. Sold for scrapping 15 Aug 1974 and subsequently scrapped.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Kamikaze 11 March 1945 while at anchor at Ulithi, serious damage to aft flight deck. Decommissioned to reserve 25 Feb 1948.
SCB 27A reconstruction at Newport News started 1/1952, completed and recommissioned 1 July 1953. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 15) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Norfolk Navy Yard 8/1955 to 12 Feb 1956.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 15) 31 Mar 1959. FRAM II life extension 1960-1961. Decommissioned to reserve 13 Feb 1969. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1973 and subsequently scrapped.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Torpedoed off Kwajalein 4 Dec 1943, kamikaze 5 Nov 1944. Decommissioned to reserve 23 April 1947.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 16) 1 October 1952 while in reserve. SCB 27C reconstruction and SCB 125 angled deck modernization carried out during one yard period at Bremerton Navy Yard starting 1 Sept 1953, completed and recommissioned 1 Sept 1955.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 16) 1 October 1962. Assigned to training duties starting 29 Dec 1962, replacing Antietam. Redesignated as training carrier (CVT 16) 1 Jan 1969; CVT designation rerated as auxiliary 23 Sept 1970. Redesignated as auxiliary aircraft landing training ship (AVT 16) 1 July 1978.
Decommissioned 26 Nov 1991, stricken for disposal 30 Nov 1991; was the last Essex class in commission, and the last Essex on the Naval Vessels Register. Preserved at Corpus Christi, TX. Holds record for the most arrested landings in history, 493,248 in all.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Hit by Kamikaze off Okinawa 11 April 1945 causing massive fires and extensive damage. Rebuilt postwar but did not resume flight operations. Decommissioned to reserve 1/1947. Was in excellent condition and held in reserve for potential "ultimate" Essex class conversion.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 17) 1 October 1952, as an ASW carrier (CVS 17) 8 Aug 1953, and as an aviation transport (AVT 9) 5/59, all while in reserve. Stricken 1 November 1966 but employed as an electronics test hulk at San Diego until 12/1972. Sold 11/1973 and towed away for subsequent scrapping.
Damaged by bombs off Kyushu 19 Mar 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 17 Feb 1947.
SCB 27A reconstruction at New York Navy Yard started 9/1948, completed and recommissioned 28 Sept 1951. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 18) 1 October 1952. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at San Francisco Navy 3/1955 to 1 Dec 1955.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 18) 1 Nov 1956. FRAM II life extension 1967. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 July 1972. Subsequently sold and scrapped at Kearny starting in 1973.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Damaged by explosion 21 Jan 1945, kamikaze 7 April 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 9 May 1947.
SCB 27C reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard started 5 Dec 1951, completed and recommissioned 1 March 1954. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 19) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at San Francisco Navy 13 April 1956 to 15 Nov 1956.
In later years served as a light attack carrier off Vietnam. Redesignated as a multi-mission aircraft carrier (CV 19) 30 June 1975, but role did not change. Decommissioned 30 Jan 1976, stricken for disposal 31 Jan 1976. Subsequently sold and scrapped.
Typhoon 6/1945 buckled the flight deck. Decommissioned to reserve 8 Nov 1946.
SCB 27A reconstruction at New York Navy Yard started 10/1950, completed and recommissioned 30 Nov 1951. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 20) 1 October 1952. Serious catapult explosion 6/1954, repaired during SCB 125 angled deck modernization at New York Navy Yard 6/1954 to 15 April 1955.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 20) 30 June 1959. FRAM II life extension 9/1962 to 5/1963. Decommissioned to reserve 15 Jan 1970. Stricken 20 Sept 1989. Sold for scrapping 12 Jan 1994, superstructure demolished in the US, then towed to India for scrapping.
Served with the Carrier TF during WWII. Damaged by explosion 8/1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 21) 15 Nov 1955. Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 4) 30 Jan 1959. FRAM II life extension FY 1962.
Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1969. Sold for scrapping 2/1971 and subseqeuently scrapped at Kearny NJ.
Decommissioned to reserve 9 Jan 1947. Recommissioned for Korean War service 15 Jan 1951 without significant modifications.
SCB 27C reconstruction and SCB 125 angled deck modernization carried out during one yard period at San Francisco Navy Yard started 14 May 1952, completed and recommissioned 1 Nov 1955. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 31) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul.
Decommissioned to reserve 2 July 1971. Stricken for disposal 20 Sept 1989. Sold for scrap and subsequently scrapped at San Pedro starting in 1992.
Replaced in SCB 27 program by CV 39; received no major upgrades. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 32) 1 October 1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 32) 8 Aug 1953.
Decommissioned to reserve 15 May 1959 and redesignated as an aviation transport (AVT 10) same date (possibly 1 May 1961). Stricken for disposal 1 June 1969, sold 9/1970 and subsequently scrapped.
Decommissioned for reconstruction 16 June 1950. SCB 27A reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard started 6/1950, completed and recommissioned 1 Mar 1952. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 33) 1 October 1952. SCB 125 angled deck modernization at Bremerton Navy Yard 7/1956 to 31 Jan 1957.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 33) 1 Oct 1958. Decommissioned to reserve 13 Feb 1970. Stricken for disposal 1 May 1973. Sold for scrapping 18 Jan 1974, towed away for scrapping and subsequently scrapped.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 34) 1 October 1952. SCB 125A reconstruction (SCB 125 angled deck modernization, SCB 27C catapult retrofit & aluminum flight deck) at San Francisco Navy Yard 1/1957 to 29 May 1959. Seriously damaged by fire 26 October 1966 off Vietnam; forward third of hangar deck level gutted.
In later years served as a light attack carrier off Vietnam. Redesignated as a multi-mission aircraft carrier (CV 34) 30 June 1975, but role did not change. Decommissioned to reserve 15 May 1976; was last Essex in commission as a warship. Stricken for disposal 25 July 1989. Sold for scrapping 26 Jan 1993; scrapper defaulted and ship was repossessed without having left Navy custody. Resold for scrapping 29 Sept 1995, towed to San Francisco 1 May 1996; subsequently moved to Mare Island for scapping, but scrap contract revoked 1 July 1997. Towed to Beaumont, Texas for storage, 4/1999.
Decommissioned to reserve 21 June 1949. Recommissioned for Korean War service 17 Jan 1951 without significant modifications. Fitted with experimental angled deck at New York Navy Yard (prototype SCB 125) 9/52 to 19 Dec 1952. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 36) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 36) 8 Aug 1953. Replaced Saipan as training carrier in 1957. Replaced as training carrier by Lexington 29 Dec 1962, decommissioned to reserve 8 May 1963. Stricken for disposal 1 May 1973. Sold for scrapping 28 Feb 1974 and subsequently scrapped at Kearny NJ.
Decommissioned to reserve 21 June 1949. Recommissioned for Korean War service 28 Aug 1950 without significant modifications. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 37) 1 October 1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 37) 12 Nov 1953.
Redesignated as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 5) 2 March 1959; converted at Long Beach Navy Yard 3/1959 to 5/1959. FRAM II life extension 10/1960 to 6/1961. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 30 Jan 1970. Subsequently sold and scrapped starting 9/1973.
Decommissioned to reserve 7 Nov 1947. SCB 27C reconstruction and SCB 125 angled deck modernization carried out during one yard period at Bremerton Navy Yard, starting 7/1951; completed and recommissioned 1 Feb 1955.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 38) 1 October 1952 while in overhaul. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 38) 30 June 1969 but operated as a light attack carrier with CVS designation. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1971. Stricken for disposal 15 July 1982. Sold for scrapping 9 Aug 1988 and subsequently scrapped in Taiwan.
Decommissioned to reserve 15 Feb 1947. SCB 27A reconstruction at Newport News started 8/1950, completed and recommissioned 19 Sept 1952. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 39) 1 October 1952.
SCB 125 angled deck modernization cancelled; only SCB 27A/27C not modernized under SCB 125. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 39) 1 Aug 1957. Conversion to LPH cancelled. Decommissioned to reserve 2 May 1966; last axial deck carrier in US service. Stricken for disposal 1 December 1969. Sold for scrapping and subsequently scrapped at Kearny NJ in 1972.
Served as a training carrier and deployed to the Far East three times. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1949. Recommissioned 3 Feb 1951 as a training carrier, then served as an attack carrier. Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 40 ) 1 October 1952.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 40) 1/1955, but initially operated as a training carrier. Later operated as an ASW carrier, then as an amphibious assault ship while designated CVS. Decommissioned to reserve 13 May 1960. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AVT 12 1961 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1967. Sold 3 Oct 1968 and scrapped at Baltimore.
Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 45) 12 Nov 1953.
Converted to amphibious assault ship 3/1961 to 7/1961; redesignated LPH 8 1 July 1961. FRAM II life extension, date unknown. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 15 Jan 1970. Sold 29 Oct 1971 and subsequently scrapped.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 47) 1 October 1952. Redesignated as an ASW carrier (CVS 47) 15 Nov 1955. Decommissioned to reserve 28 Dec 1958. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AVT 11) 15 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1969. Sold 23 March 1971 and subsequently scrapped.
Concept/Program: These ships were a new, much larger design intended to correct certain problems in the Essex class design. They had armored flight decks, requiring a much larger hull and lower freeboard, to reduce topweight. They also carried a very heavy AA battery of 5/54 weapons. The armor requirement was originally meant to counter 8" cruiser gunfire, but by the time the ships were laid down the focus had shifted to defending against aircraft attack. The ships entered service soon after WWII. In their early years they were the only ships capable of operating nuclear strike aircraft.
Design: An all-new design. These ships were very wet, very crowded and quite complex; these problems were never solved. The design made them difficult and expensive to modernize or upgrade. In later years these ships were limited by low freeboard, severe crowding of crew and equipment, low hangar clearances, poor seakeeping and extreme age; they were unable to operate the latest and largest aircraft. Overall they must be considered to be a less than satisfactory design, but they had long service lives because of the urgent need for large carriers.
Variations: Configurations varied as completed; only Midway was completed to the original design. Roosevelt and especially Coral Sea carried fewer guns at completion. There were major differences following the 1950's reconstructions.
Modifications: All ships had their gun batteries gradually reduced over time. All ships were upgraded in 1947-48 with strengthened flight decks, 10 dual 3/50 AA fitted in place of 40 mm guns, facilities for nuclear weapons, and other improvements. Continual updating of electronics outfit.
Modernization: Underwent major reconstructions during the 1950's, but no two ships were reconstructed to the same standard. These rebuilds were the equivalent of the SCB 27C/125 reconstructions in the Essex class.
SCB 110: (Midway & Roosevelt) First reconstruction applied to this class, generally equivalent to the SCB 27C/125 combination. Additions included an angled deck, new catapults and arresting gear and a new electronics outfit; the gun battery was reduced and general improvements were carried out. Displacement was approximately 63,500 tons.
SCB 110A: (Coral Sea) A more extensive version of the SCB 110 applied to the other ships of the class. Aviation features and electronics were further improved, and gun battery was further reduced.
SCB 101: (Midway) A second reconstruction meant to be applied to all ships, to upgrade them beyond the SCB 110/110A configuration. This reconstruction included a longer flight deck, new catapults, and general all-around improvements. Due to the cost of this work, only one ship was upgraded under this program.
After SCB 110A Coral Sea was the most capable of the ships, but Midway surpassed her with the SCB 101 reconstruction. In addition to the SCB reconstructions, each ship received at least one major overhaul/upgrade, the details of which varied.
Classification: Initially classified as CV, but changed to CVB prior to completion, and CVA postwar. Returned to CV classification in 1975 when modified to operate ASW aircraft.
Operational: Saw extensive service as tactical and strategic platforms. Operational lives continually extended due to force level build-ups and lack of replacements.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Roosevelt was in poor condition when she was discarded in 1977. Others remained in service long pasts their intended retirement dates. Coral Sea replaced and retired in 1990; Midway retired without replacement in 1992, due to force reductions.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 41) 1 October 1952. SCB 110 reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard started July 1955, completed and recommissioned 30 Sept 1957. Second reconstruction, SCB 101 at San Francisco Navy Yard, started 15 Feb 1966; completed and recommissioned 31 Jan 1970.
Forward deployed in Japan from 1973 to decommissioning. In 1975 she disembarked her air wing at Subic Bay and embarked transport helicopters to assist in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US personnel from South Vietnam. She returned to Subic Bay carrying over 100 helicopters and other aircraft which had escaped from Vietnam, and hundreds of evacuees.
Redesignated as a multi-mission aircraft carrier (CV 41) 30 June 1975, but she did not embark anti-submarine aircraft. Final overhaul in 1986 in Japan; new bulges were added to improve freeboard and seakeeping. The bulges actually made the problem worse, making flight operations impossible in 6-10 foot seas. This problem was never corrected. From the late 1970's on this ship was subject of frequent replacement proposals, but she continued in service as carrier force levels were increased.
Was one of the primary ships involved in Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of Subic Bay, Clark AFB and Cubi Point following volcanic eruptions. Replaced as forward deployed carrier by Independence in 1991 and returned to the US for decommissioning. Decommissioned to reserve 11 April 1992; retained as a potential replacement training carrier. Inactivation overhaul included stripping all electronics and weapons systems. Stricken for disposal 17 March 1997; remains stored at Bremerton pending disposal. May be preserved at San Diego, CA.
Characteristics immediately prior to decommissioning: 69,873 tons full load displacement, 976 x 263.5 x 35 feet/297.5 x 80.3 x 10.7 meters extreme dimensions, 2 8-cell Sea Sparrow launchers, 2 Phalanx CIWS, 75 aircraft.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 42) 1 October 1952. SCB 110 reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard 23 April 1954, completed and recommissioned 6 April 1956. Second rebuild (SCB 101) cancelled due to cost. Received austere overhaul in 1968 to correct some of the most serious deficiencies.
Redesignated as a multi-mission aircraft carrier (CV 42) 30 June 1975, but she did not embark anti-submarine aircraft. During her last deployment she operated AV-8 Harriers on a trial basis, to test the possibility of including VSTOL aircraft in carrier air wings. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 1 Oct 1977. Sold for scrapping 11 April 1978 and scrapped at Kearny NJ in 1980.
Redesignated as an attack carrier (CVA 43) 1 October 1952. Underwent short refit 9/1955 to 2/1956. SCB 110A reconstruction at Bremerton Navy Yard 3/1957, completed and recommissioned 25 Jan 1960. Second modernization (SCB 101) cancelled.
From the late 1970's on this ship was subject of frequent replacement proposals, but she continued in service as carrier force levels were increased. Redesignated as a multi-mission aircraft carrier (CV 43) 30 June 1975, but she did not embark anti-submarine aircraft.
Began deactivation and stripping 10/89 at the start of the post-Cold War carrier force level drawdown. Decommissioned and stricken for disposal 30 April 1991. Sold for scrapping 30 March 1993. Scrapped at Baltimore starting 1993; scrapping was been delayed by numerous financial, legal and environmental issues; finally completed 8/2000.
Characteristics immediately prior to decommissioning: 65,200 tons full load displacement, 1003 x 236 x 35 feet/305.7 x 72 x 10.7 meters extreme dimensions, 3 Phalanx CIWS, 65 aircraft.
