Concept/Program: This group of ships was converted early in the CVE program, when the need for carriers was greatest and the number of available hulls was small. Following the conversion of the first 6 C3 freighter hulls there was an immediate need for additional hulls suitable for conversion, so these ships joined the CVE program. They had been built as merchant tankers but had been taken over as fleet oilers.
Design/Conversion: These ships underwent a more extensive conversion than other early CVEs. They had long hangars and flight decks, small island, and a single catapult. They were much larger and faster than the C4 and S4 types, allowing them to function more effectively in combat roles. Following conversion they retained facilities to carry oil cargo and to operate as oilers. These were by far the best of the converted CVEs.
Variations: No significant variations.
Modifications: By the end of WWII the gun battery was 2 quad and 12 dual 40 mm AA, and 13 dual 20 mm AA. A second catapult was added in 1944. Other modifications were minor in nature.
Classification: Classified as AOs when first taken over for naval service. Reclassed as AVGs when they joined the escort carrier program; designations changed to ACV and later CVE as with other ships of the type. Survivors became CVHE in 1955 while in reserve.
Operational: Found to be very good aircraft operating platforms, better than any of the other CVEs (except the later T3-types), and much steadier than the CVLs. These ships operated together during much of the war. During the 1942 they supported Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. From late 1942 on three ships operated in the Pacific, serving as fleet carriers during the 1942-43 carrier shortage. They saw far more combat than most CVEs, although they also filled the typical transport and training roles. Santee remained in the Atlantic until early 1944 when she joined her sisters in the Pacific. At times these ships operated as oilers.
Departure from Service/Disposal: One ship discarded at the end of WWII due to damage sustained in combat; others laid up during immediate postwar fleet reductions. Postwar they were seen as possible helicopter carriers or aircraft transports. Remained in reserve until discarded in 1959.
Designation changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943. Bombed 19 Oct 1944, kamikaze 25 Oct 1944 at Leyte, kamikaze 4 May 1945. In repair and overhaul for the remainder of the war. Repairs incomplete at the end of the war; decommissioned and stricken for disposal 24 Oct 1945. Sold and scrapped in 1948.
Designation changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943. Bombed 25 and 26 Oct 1944, damaged by internal explosion 24 May 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 28 Oct 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 27) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped in 1962.
Designation changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943. Damaged by aircraft crash 9 April 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 14 Aug 1946, Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 28) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped in 1962.
Designation changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943. Torpedoed 25 Oct 1944, damaged by aircraft accident 7/45. Decommissioned to reserve 21 Oct 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 29) 12 June 1955 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 March 1959. Sold and scrapped in 1960.
Concept/Program: The ultimate escort carriers. These ships were based on the successful T3 tanker hull; all were built as carriers from the keel up. They entered service late in the war and postwar; many saw little or no operational service. Many were cancelled prior to completion. Postwar they were seen as potential helicopter, fixed-wing ASW, or transport carriers.
Design: Similar to Sangamon class, but with improvements in engine and boiler layout. Two catapults were fitted.
Modifications: Gun armament was reduced after the war; all 20 mm guns were removed. Several were upgraded for service as ASW carriers postwar; they received strengthened and enlarged islands and gun armament was further reduced.
Modernization: No major modernizations. Extensive reconstruction plans were drawn up but not carried out.
Classification: Reclassified as CVHE or AKV while in reserve depending on the mission they would have undertaken if reactivated.
Operational: Many vessels commissioned only briefly before going into reserve. Postwar a several ships remained in service, or were reactivated, as ASW carriers; these were replaced by Essex class ships and relegated to reserve.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Many ships were in and out of service during the 1940's and 1950's; all ended up in reserve by the late 1950's and remained laid up until discarded around 1970.
Other Notes: Two ships were reactivated from reserve to serve as aircraft transports for Vietnam service; they were stripped of all armament. 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-". One ship was converted to a major communications relay ship (AGMR).
Served mostly as a training carrier in the Pacific. Decommissioned to reserve 30 Nov 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 105) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 37) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1971. Subsequently sold and scrapped.
Served in the Pacific in 1945. Decommissioned to reserve 28 May 1946; used as a school ship at Annapolis while in reserve. Recommissioned as an ASW carrier 28 April 1951. Decommissioned to reserve 27 Aug 1954
Redesignated LPH 1 22 Dec 1957 while in reserve, but conversion to LPH was cancelled 6/1958 prior to start of conversion work. Returned to original designation 17 Feb 1959. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 38) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 July 1959. Sold and scrapped in Japan in 1960.
Served in the Pacific late in the war. Decommissioned to reserve 21 May 1946. Recommissioned 7 Sept 1951 for Korean War service; served mainly as a transport. Decommissioned to reserve 15 January 1955. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 39) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1961
Reinstated on Naval Vessels Register 1 November 1961 for conversion to a communications relay ship for service off Vietnam. Converted at New York Navy Yard 1962-1964. Redesignated AGMR 1, 1 June 1963, renamed Annapolis 22 June 1963. completed and recommissioned 7 March 1964. Conversion included removal of all old guns; entire flight deck was converted to an "antenna farm", the island was rebuilt, forward flight deck modified and enclosed bow fitted; 4 dual 3/50 AA added.
Decommissioned to reserve 20 December 1969. Stricken for disposal 15 Oct 1976. Subsequently sold and scrapped.
Briefly operated in the Pacific. Decommissioned to reserve 3 July 1946. Recommissioned for Korean War service 15 Feb 1951; served mostly as a transport and training carrier. Decommissioned to reserve 15 Dec 1955. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 8) 7 May 1959 while in reserve.
Reactivated as aircraft transport 30 June 1965; operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-AKV 8. Placed out of service 6 Oct 1969. Stricken for disposal 15 Sept 1970. Subsequently sold and scrapped.
Served in the Pacific late in the war. Decommissioned to reserve 5 Nov 1946. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1960 but reinstated on the Naval Vessels Register 1 July 1960. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1971. Subsequently sold and scrapped.
Served as a training carrier. Decommissioned to reserve 4 Oct 1947. Recommissioned as an ASW carrier 20 June 1951. Decommissioned to reserve 16 February 1954. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 10) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1961. Sold and scrapped at Bilbao in 1962.
Served as a training carrier Decommissioned to reserve 9 Aug 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 111) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 11) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Planned conversion to AGMR 2 cancelled 1960's. Stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
Laid up in reserve 11/1949 but not decommissioned. Returned to service as a transport 3/1948. Decommissioned to reserve 1/1949. Recommissioned as an ASW carrier 22 Jan 1950. Decommissioned to reserve 3 June 1956. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 12) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
Decommissioned to reserve 18 Oct 1946. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 113) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 13) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1960. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong in 1962.
Decommissioned to reserve 27 Jan 1950. Recommissioned 3 Jan 1951. During her two commissions she served at various times as an ASW, support, training and transport carrier, including Korea service. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1955. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 14) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1971. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
Decommissioned to reserve 14 April 1950 but recommissioned 12 Sept 1950. Saw service off Korea; damaged by explosion 9 May 1951. Decommissioned to reserve 18 Feb 1955. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 15) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 1/61.
Decommissioned to reserve 20 April 1946 but recommissioned 6 Jan 1947. Saw extensive service as ASW trials and tactics development ship, and as an ASW carrier during the Korean war. Decommissioned to reserve 17 May 1957. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 16) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1972.
Decommissioned to reserve 12 Sept 1947. Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 117) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 17) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
Employed as an ASW carrier off Korea. Decommissioned to reserve 5 July 1954. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 18) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. stricken for disposal 1 July 1960. Sold and scrapped at Hong Kong 1/61.
Served as training carrier after WWII. Decommissioned to reserve 30 June 1947. Recommissioned as ASW carrier 26 July 1951. Temporarily used for helicopter ASW trials. Decommissioned to reserve 31 Aug 1956. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 19) 7 May 1959 while in reserve.
Reactivated as aircraft transport 23 August 1965; operated with civilian crew under MSTS control as T-AKV 19. Placed out of service 16 Oct 1969. Stricken for disposal 15 Sept 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
First served as a training carrier, then as ASW carrier. Operated with Marine Corps assault helicopters in 1953. Decommissioned to reserve 4 Aug 1955. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 20) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 Dec 1959. Sold and scrapped Hong Kong 9/60.
Used in various roles, including ASW and transport; conducted trials of assault carrier (LPH) concept. Decommissioned to reserve 15 June 1954. Redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 22) 7 May 1959 while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 April 1960. Sold and scrapped at Bilbao in 1960.
Redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE 123) 12 June 1955; redesignated as an aviation transport (AKV 23) 7 May 1959, both while in reserve. Stricken for disposal 1 June 1970. Sold and scrapped in 1971.
Concept/Program: An improved version of the Commencement Bay class, continuing the evolution of the CVE type. The entire class was cancelled at the end of the war.
CVE 128 Would have been built by Todd-Pacific.
CVE 129 Would have been built by Todd-Pacific.
CVE 130 Would have been built by Todd-Pacific.
CVE 131 Would have been built by Todd-Pacific.
CVE 132 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 133 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 134 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 135 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 136 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 137 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 138 Would have been built by Kaiser.
CVE 139 Would have been built by Kaiser.
