More importantly, not a single one was lost to enemy action, even as several sustained crippling damage.
[To learn about Americas first supercarriers, readForrestal-Class Aircraft Carrier.]
Though its provisions remained in force formally until the end of 1936, these were not renewed.
The USSShangri-La(CV-38) while underway in the Pacific. Her crew is on the flight deck in August 1946 for this photo. Note use of the letter Z on the flight deck instead of her hull number. Image: U.S. Navy
That initially called for the construction of 10Essex-class carriers along with 3,000 aircraft.
That was the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
From the Japanese perspective, American carrier strength grew at an alarming rate.
USSEssexunderway during her first Korean War deployment, circa August 1951-March 1952. Two F2H-2 Banshees are flying by in the foreground. Image: U.S. Navy
Within the next year, she was joined by six sister carriers.
As noted, U.S. lawmakers voted to fund the construction of the new class of aircraft carriers.
The 1942 aircraft complement consisted of 36 fighters, 37 dive-bombers and 18 torpedo-bombers.
AGrumman F6F-3 Hellcatis towed aft by a Jeep on the flight deck of USSEssex(CV-9) in February 1944. Note the details of the ship’s island and radar. Image: NARA
The ships could also carry 240,000 gallons (908,500 liters) of aviation fuel.
Both of those vessels are among the fourEssex-class preserved as museum ships.
Most Significant Class of U.S. TheEssex-class carriers survived not only bombs, torpedoes, and kamikaze attacks but also typhoons.
After World War II, the USSEssex(CV-9) and five otherEssex-class carriers entered the Puget Sound Navy Yard’s “mothball fleet.” All but one would later return to service. Image: NARA
As previously noted, not a singleEssex-class carrier was lost to the enemy.
That included the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs.
The carrier can be seen in such films asTora!
A F9F Panther jet fighter is tied down on the USSEssexduring a snowstorm off the coast of Korea. Bombs are loaded on the plane’s wings in preparation for a resumption of air strikes. Image: U.S. Navy
Tora!,andThe Philadelphia Experiment.
The carrier is now a museum ship in Alameda, California.
USSLexingtonwas only decommissioned in 1991 and had an active service life that was longer than any otherEssex-class ship.
The USSEssexwas reclassified as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier(CVS-9) in 1960. It is shown underway during a 1967 NATO Mediterranean cruise. Image: W.A. Jackman/U.S. Navy
As a result, theLexingtonis now the oldest remaining fleet carrier in the world.
She also earned 11 battle stars for major engagements in the Second World War.
USSLexingtonis now a museum ship in Corpus Christi, Texas.
This is a drawing prepared by the Bureau of Ships for a camouflage scheme intended forEssex-class aircraft carriers. Image: U.S. Navy
On September 26, 1942, the USSLexington(CV-16) slides down the shipways during her launching at the Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts. Image: U.S. Navy
This photo has been marked to show the various electronic masts, antenna and radar arrays on the USSEssex.
The USSEssexat sea with an overload of aircraft on her flight deck in May 1944. She is carrying at least 36 TBF, 14 F6F and 70 SB2C planes ahead of the Marianas Operation. Image: NARA
VF-83 being briefed in ready room aboard USS Essex (CV-9) prior to an Okinawa raid in April 1945. Image: William G. Sanders/U.S. Navy
F6F Hellcat fighters andSBD Dauntless dive bombersspotted on the flight deck of USSEssex(CV-9) in March 1943 Image: NARA
Aircraft wreckage on the flight deck of USSBunker Hill(CV-17) following hits by two Kamikazes off of Okinawa on May 11, 1945. Image: U.S. Navy
Attack Carrier USSIntrepidis enroute to Yankee Station on October 17, 1968. Image: J.J. Brennan/U.S. Navy
USSEssex(CV-9) is hit amidships by a Kamikaze off the Philippines on November 25, 1944. The photo was taken from the USSLangley(CVL-27). Image: U.S. Navy
Flames billow up on the flight deck of the USSEssexafter a McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee crashed during Korean War combat operations on September 16, 1951. Image: U.S. Navy
NASA personnel and U.S. Navy sailors recover the Gemini 3 capsule on the USSIntrepid. It was the first manned mission in the Gemini project. Image: NARA
USSLexington(CVS-16) underway on July 15 1963. On deck are 26 T-28 training planes. Naval Academy midshipmen were aboard to observe carrier qualifications. Image: U.S. Navy
The modernized USSShangri-La(CVA-38) underway with and A-3 Skywarrior andA-4 Skyhawk aircraftvisible on the deck. Image: U.S. Navy
Sailors aboard the USSBunker Hill(CV-17) fight a ship fire after being struck by kamikazes off the coast of Okinawa on May 11, 1945. Image: U.S. Navy
The last Essex-class carrier completed, the USSOriskany(CVA-34), was commissioned in 1950. It served as a template for modernizing otherEssex-class ships. Image: F.L. Blain/U.S. Navy