| 1919 Class: | |
| Displacement | 33,000 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 850'(pp), 888'(oa) x 106' x 24' 1.5"; flight deck: 880' x 85-90' and 60' above the waterline. |
| Armament | 8 - 8" 55 cal 12 - 5" 25 cal. AA 4 - 6 pdr. saluting |
| Armor | Unofficially reported to have 6" belt, 600' in length, and a 3" deck. Triple hull and bulge protection. |
| Machinery | Lexington 16 Yarrow boilers Saratoga 16 White-Forster boilers G.E. turbines, electric drive 4 shafts s.h.p.: 180,000 = 33+ kts. Each boiler 11,250 HP. Steam pressure, 295 lbs. to sq. inch. Fuel consumption estimated at 2000 tons daily under full power. Machinery is the most powerful ever installed in a warship; it is all controlled, so far as main engines are concerned, from one central position. There are over 1000 auxiliary motors ranging from 425 hp ventilating plant down to the small electric motors connected with the self-synchronizing electric fire control arrangements, which develop 1/200th of 1 hp. For general distribution throughout the ship, current is supplied by 6 turbo-generators of 750 kw each. There are 8 propelling motors of 22,500 hp (2 to each of the 4 shafts), speed 317 rpm. The combined illuminating power of the S.L. is equal to 3,260,000 cp. Altogether, these ships represent the climax of American practice in applying electric power to warship construction. On trials, it is stated that 97% of designed speed was obtained with 85% of designed power. Lexington did the voyage from San Diego to Honolulu (2228 miles) at an average speed of 30.7 kts. A speed of 34.5 kts. was maintained for 1 hour by the latter ship with s.h.p. 210,000. |
| Aircraft | 70 - 120 |
| Complement | 169 officers; 1730 men |
| Builder(s) | Fore River Shipbuilding Co.: Lexington New York Shipbuilding Co.: Saratoga |
| Notes |
These two ships were originally authorised in 1916 for construction as Battle Cruisers of 35,300 tons, with 7 funnels and boilers disposed on 2 deck levels. After the war (I), and as a result of the lessons
thereof, plans were to a large extent re-cast, v. S.S. 1919 - 1921 editions. As aircraft carriers, these ships show a reduction (from the 2nd Battle Cruiser design) in displacement of about 8,500 tons, achieved mainly by the eliminitation of 8 16" guns in 4 twin turrets, with mounts, armour, etc. It is believed the main belt protection is retained and that deck protection has been heavily reinforced. The general lines of the hull remain unaltered, and the special system of underwater protection is also adhered to. Handling of Aircraft - The landing net is placed just before the recessed stern portion of the flight deck; it is about 100' long. Before it is a large T-shaped lift for moving aircraft from flight to hangar deck. There is another and similar T-shaped lift abeam of the mast and control tower. At the bow is a catapult, 155' long, capable of launching the heaviest aircraft into the air at flying speed with a travel of 60'. Before the control tower and abaft the navigating officers' deck house, and right over to the starboard beam, are powerful derricks for lifting seaplanes and flying boats from the water. As a result of experiments with Langley, certain modifications have been made which should enable planes to land safely on deck in any weather. 1919 Class Ships: USS Lexington; laid down: 8/1/1921; completed: 12/1927 USS Saratoga: laid down: 25/9/1920; completed: 11/1928 |
| RANGER: | |
| Displacement | 14,500 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 728'(wl), 769' (oa) x 80' 1" x 19 2/3' Flight Deck Width: ? feet |
| Armament | 8-12 - 5" 38 cal 40 smaller |
| Armor | 1" flight deck; Double hull and internal subdivision, but no side armor beyond small patch outboard of engineering spaces. |
| Machinery | 6 Babcock & Wilcox sectional express boilers geared steam turbines (high pressure, Curtis; low pressure, Parsons) 2 shafts s.h.p.: 53,500 = 29 1/4 kts. (exceeded on trials) 6 funnels can be lowered to horizontal position. |
| Aircraft | 72 - 86 |
| Complement | 162 officers; 1788 men |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding Co. |
| Notes |
Ranger was the first US aircraft carrier designed as such. USS Ranger: laid down: 26/9/1931; completed: 4/6/1934 |
| ENTERPRISE Class: | |
| Displacement | 19,900 tons full load (Hornet: 20,000) |
| Dimensions | 761'(wl), 809.5' (oa) x 83' 3" x 21 2/3' Flight Deck Width: ? feet |
| Armament | 8 - 5" 38 cal 16 - 1.1" m.g. AA 16 smaller m.g. |
| Armor | Patch of side armor at waterline over engineering spaces (unofficially reported to be 4") and a heavy protective deck. |
| Machinery | 9 Babcock & Wilcox express type boilers geared steam turbines 2 shafts s.h.p.: 120,000 = 34 kts. (exceeded on trials) Owing to serious mechanical defects, involving replacement of the reduction gearing and over 1200 boiler tubes, completion of the Enterprise was delayed until late in 1938. |
| Aircraft | 81 - 100 Aircraft can be catapulted from hangar deck as well as flight deck, thus increasing the number of planes that can be put in the air on short notice. There are 3 lifts from the hangar to the flight deck. |
| Complement | 2072 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding Co. |
| Notes |
USS Enterprise: laid down: 16/7/1934; completed: 18/7/1938 USS Yorktown: 1936; Foundered on 7/6/1942 after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, having previously been damaged by aircraft torpedoes and bombs during the battle of Midway. USS Hornet: 1940; Sunk by US Navy after being irreparably damaged in battle of Santa Cruz Islands on 26/10/1942. |
| WASP: | |
| Displacement | 18,450 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 720' (oa) x 100' x 23' Flight Deck Width: ? feet |
| Armament | 8 - 5" 38 cal 16 - 1.1" m.g. AA 24 - .5" m.g. |
| Armor | 2/3" belt; 1 1/4" deck. |
| Machinery | 6 Yarrow boilers Parsons geared steam turbines 2 shafts s.h.p.: 70,000 = 29.5 kts. fuel oil: 1602 tons |
| Aircraft | 76 |
| Complement | 2167 |
| Builder(s) | |
| Notes | USS Wasp: 1936; Sunk on 15/9/1942 after being torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the Pacific. |
| ESSEX Class (CV-9): | |
| Displacement | 33,000 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 874'(pp), 888'(oa (CVs 9-16 885' 10" )) x 93' x 29' Flight Deck Width: ? feet |
| Armament | 10-12 - 5" 38 cal 72 - 40mm AA 52 - 20mm AA (quad mounts) |
| Machinery | 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers geared steam turbines 4 shafts s.h.p.: 150,000 = 33 kts. |
| Aircraft | 82 - 103 |
| Complement | 2,900 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding: CVs 9-15, 21, 32 New York Navy Yd.: CVs 20, 31, 33, 34 Bethlehem Steel Co. (Quincy): CVs 16-19, 47 Philadelphia Navy Yard: CVs 36, 37, 45 Norfolk Navy Yard: CVs 38-40 |
| Notes |
Essex was built in 20 months, Yorktown in 17 1/2 months. Contracts were changed from original assignments. Later ships
of this class are of improved design, with stronger flight decks and are more thoroughly subdivided. Two ships under const. at New York Navy Yard (Reprisal) and Newport News (Iwo Jima ex-Crown Point) were canceled in 8/1945 and six others in 3/1945. Construction of Oriskany was held up for a year from 8/1946, presumably with a view to modification of design. In 11/1945, Lake Champlain made an Atlantic crossing from Gibraltar to Newport News in 4 days, 8 hours, 51 minutes, equal to an average speed of 32.048 kts. All ships of this class had a bow and stern form as Antietam. ESSEX Class Ships: USS Essex (CV-9); laid down: 28/4/1941; completed: 31/12/1942 USS Yorktown (ex-Bon Homme Richard)(CV-10); laid down: 1/12/1941; completed: 16/5/1943 USS Intrepid (CV-11); laid down: 1/12/1941; completed: 16/8/43; to N.Y.C USS Hornet (ex-Kearsarge)(CV-12); laid down: 1942; completed: 29/11/1943 USS Franklin (CV-13); laid down: 7/12/1942; completed: 31/1/1944 USS Ticonderoga (ex-Hancock)(CV-14); laid down: 1942; completed: 8/5/1944 USS Randolph (CV-15); laid down: 15/7/1941; completed: 9/10/1944 USS Lexington (ex-Cabot)(CV-16); laid down: 15/9/1941; completed: 17/3/1943 USS Bunker Hill (CV-17); laid down: 1941; completed: 24/5/1943 USS Wasp (ex-Oriskany)(CV-18); laid down: 1942; completed: 24/11/1943 USS Hancock (ex-Ticonderoga)(CV-19); laid down: 1942; completed: 15/4/1944 USS Bennington (CV-20); laid down: 15/12/1942; completed: 6/8/1944 USS Boxer (CV-21); laid down: 1943; completed: 16/4/1945 USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31); laid down: 2/1/1943; completed: 26/11/1944 USS Leyte (ex-Crown Point)(CV-32); laid down: 1944; completed: 11/4/1946 USS Kearsarge (CV-33); laid down: 1/3/1944; completed: 2/3/1946 USS Oriskany (CV-34); laid down: 1944; completed: ? USS Antietam (CV-36); laid down: 1943; completed: 28/1/1945 USS Princeton (ex-Valley Forge)(CV-37); laid down: 1944; completed: 18/11/1945 USS Shangri-La (CV-38); laid down: 1942; completed: 15/4/44 USS Lake Champlain (CV-39); laid down: 1944; completed: 3/6/1945 USS Tarawa (CV-40); laid down: 1944; completed: 8/12/1945 USS Valley Forge (CV-45); laid down: 1944; completed: 3/11/1946 USS Philippine Sea (ex-Wright)(CV-47); laid down: 1944; completed: 11/5/1946 |
| FORRESTAL Class (CV-59): | |
| Displacement | 75,900 to 79,300 tons full load |
| Dimensions | (1,063' to 1,086') x 129' x ??' Flight Deck Width: 252 feet |
| Armament | Sea Sparrow missiles 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS being installed in each during SLEP overhauls |
| Machinery | 8 boilers, with Forrestal's plant
approximately 50% lower in pounds per square inch than those
of other ships in class 4 geared steam turbines, 4 shafts s.h.p.: (Forrestal) 260,000 = 30+ kts. s.h.p.: (all others) 280,000 = 30+ kts. |
| Aircraft | Approximately 75 |
| Complement | ship's company: 3,019 air wing: 2,480 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding;CVs 59, 61 New York Naval Shipyard; CVs 60, 62 |
| Notes |
FORRESTAL Class Ships (4) in service: USS Forrestal (CV-59); Mayport, FL USS Saratoga (CV-60); Mayport, FL USS Ranger (CV-61); San Diego; CA USS Independence (CV-62); San Diego, CA |
| KITTY HAWK Class (CV-63): | |
| Displacement | 80,800 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 1,046' x 130' x ??' Flight Deck Width: 252 feet |
| Armament | Terrier missiles in Constellation to be replaced by Sea Sparrow missiles Sea Sparrow missilesin Kitty Hawk and America 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 8 boilers, 4 geared steam turbines, 4 shafts s.h.p.: 280,000 = 30+ kts. |
| Aircraft | Approximately 85 |
| Complement | ship's company: 3,150 air wing: 2,480 |
| Builder(s) | New York Shipbuilding; CV-63 New York Naval Shipyard; CV-64 Newport News Shipbuilding; CV-66 |
| Notes |
KITTY HAWK Class Ships (3) in service: USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63); Philadelphia, PA USS Constellation (CV-64); San Diego, CA USS America (CV-66); Norfolk VA The Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard adds 15 years of service life to our conventional carriers. The USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) was SLEPed in 1991. The USS Constellation (CV-64) was SLEPed in 1990. |
| JOHN F.KENNEDY Class (CV-67): | |
| Displacement | 82,000 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 1,052' x 130' x ??' Flight Deck Width: 252 feet |
| Armament | Sea Sparrow missiles 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 8 boilers 4 geared steam turbines 4 shafts s.h.p.: 280,000 = 30+ kts. |
| Aircraft | Approximately 85 |
| Complement | ship's company: 3,117 air wing: 2,480 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Notes |
JOHN F. KENNEDY Class Ships (1) in service: USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67); Norfolk, VA |
| MIDWAY Class (CVB-41): | |
| Displacement | 62,000 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 979' x 136' x 32' 9" Flight Deck Width: 238 feet |
| Armament (at comm.): | 18 - 5" 54 cal. 84 - 40mm AA (quad mounts) 82 - 20mm AA |
| Armament (current): | Sea Sparrow missiles 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 12 boilers 4 geared steam turbines 4 shafts s.h.p.: 212,000 = 33 kts. |
| Aircraft | ; at comm.: 137; current: approximately 65 |
| Complement | ship's company: 2,533 air wing: 2,239 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding CVBs 41, 43 New York Navy Yd. CVB 42 |
| Notes |
At time of construction were the most extensively welded ships in the USN. Officially stated that they were protected by heavy armor, intricate
watertight compartments and an improved system of damage control. Armored flight deck is 937' x 113' covered with non-skid surface. Cost was $90,000,000 each. MIDWAY Class Ships: USS Midway (CV-41); laid down: 10/43; completed: 11/9/45; Yokosuka, Japan USS F. D. Roosevelt (CVB-42); laid down: 1/12/43; completed: 27/10/45; USS Coral Sea (CV-43); laid down 1944; completed: 2/4/46; Norfolk, VA CVB-44, CVB-56, CVB-57; construction cancelled in 1945 |
| ENTERPRISE Class (CVN-65): | |
| Displacement | 89,600 tons full load |
| Dimensions | 1,040' x 133' x ??' Flight Deck Width: 252 feet |
| Armament | Sea Sparrow missiles 3 - 20mm Phalanx CIWS |
| Machinery | 8 nuclear reactors 4 geared steam turbines 4 shafts speed: 30 kts. |
| Aircraft | Approximately 85 |
| Complement | ship's company: 3,350 air wing: 2,480 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Notes |
ENTERPRISE Class Ships (1) in service: USS Enterprise (CVN-65); Alameda, CA |
| NIMITZ Class (CVN-68): | |
| Displacement | 91,487 tons full load (CVN-71, 96,358) |
| Dimensions | 1,060' x 134' x ??' Flight Deck Width: 252 feet |
| Armament | Sea Sparrow missiles 20mm Phalanx CIWS: Nimitz and Eisenhower = 3 Vinson = 4 later ships of same class = 4 |
| Machinery | 2 nuclear reactors 4 geared steam turbines 4 shafts speed 30+ kts. Range: 20 years before refueling. |
| Aircraft | 85 |
| Complement | ship's company: 3,200 air wing: 2,480 |
| Builder(s) | Newport News Shipbuilding |
| Notes |
NIMITZ Class Ships (8) in service: USS Nimitz (CVN-68); Bremerton, Washington USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69); Norfolk, VA USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70); Alameda, CA USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71); Norfolk, VA USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) replaced USS Coral Sea (CV-43) (CVN-73) (CVN-74) USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75); Commissioned 7 Sep, 1996 The number of deployable carriers will continue at 14 for the forseeable future. |