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US Navy Ships / CV
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CV 41 – Midway - class Aircraft
Carrier |
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Ships
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in service
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CV 41 - CVB 41 - CVA 41 - CV 41 – USS Midway
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1945 |
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CV 42 - CVB 42 - CVA
42 - CV 42 – USS
Franklin D. Roosevelt |
1945 |
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CV 43 - CVB 43 - CVA
43 - CV 43 – USS Coral Sea |
1947 |
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General Information: (for specific information, namesake &
history click on the ship’s name, above) |
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General characteristics
As built (1940s) Displacement: 45,000 tons (stand) Length: 968 ft (295 m) (oa) Beam: 113 ft (34.4 m) at w. 1. Draft: 33 ft (10.1 m) max Armament: 18 single 5/54, 21 dual 40 mm AA, 28 single
20 mm AA (as planned) Armor: 3.5 inch flight deck, 7.6 inch belt Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h) Power: 212,000 hp (158 MW) Drive: Steam turbines, 12 565 psi boilers, 4 shafts Crew: 3,583 (as planned in 1943, was over 4000 by
completion) 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. Coral Sea replaced and retired in 1990; Midway retired without replacement in 1992, due to
force reductions. |
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USS Midway 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: USS Midway, as retired (1992) Displacement: 69,873
tons full load Length: 976
feet/297.5 meters Beam: 263.5 feet/80.3
meters Draft: 35 feet/10.7
meters Armament: 2 x 8-cell
Sea Sparrow launchers, 2 x Mark 71 mod 0 Phalanx CIWS Speed: 33 knots (61
km/h) Power: 212,000 hp
(158 MW) Drive: 4 screws;
geared turbines Aircraft: 75 |
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USS Franklin D.
Roosevelt 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. |
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USS Coral Sea 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: USS Coral Sea, as retired (1991) Displacement: 65,200
tons full load Length: 1003
feet/305.7 meters Beam: 236 feet/72
meters Draft: 35 feet/10.7
meters Armament: 3 Phalanx
CIWS Speed: 33 knots (61
km/h) Power: 212,000 hp
(158 MW) Drive: 4 screws;
geared turbines Aircraft: 65 |
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