USS Essex (CV-9)

History of USS Essex (CV-9)

With various naval treaties becoming unenforceable after World War I due to the withdrawal of naval powers such as Japan and Italy, the US Navy sought a new larger class of aircraft carriers to replace earlier in the late 1930s. In June 1939, based on the lessons learned from the Yorktown series, a new specification was created without the inherent design constraints of previous decades.

The new group will have larger displacement, better armor protection and improved defensive air strike weapons. In addition, the interior space can carry more ammunition and fuel for roughly the same number of aircraftmeaning commanders have more sorties than before.

The new class was recognized as the Essex class, and the 1940 order called for the construction of 11 such ships (another 13 were added during WWII). The USS Essex (CV-9) became the capital ship of the class, ordered 3 July 1940, launched 28 April 1941 and launched 31 July 1942. At this time, the United States was at war with the Axis powers, namely Japan in the west and Germany in the east, and they called in many types of ships as they marched through their respective capitals. Essex was completed in just 20 months and officially opened on 31 December 1942.

Their trials and evaluations have also accelerated, which is what is so urgently needed for their aircraft launch services.

Originally the class was numbered 32, but a change in fortune during World War II meant that 24 were achieved (the largest capital fleet of the last century). Eight were cancelled, two of which have already begun construction. Surprisingly, not a single class was killed by enemy actions during the war, and many continued to serve for decades to come.

Four became floating museums (Yorktown, Intrepid, Hornet and Lexington).

When completed, USS Essex has a traditional truss layout - the flight deck is a linear design with an island superstructure on the starboard side. Three hangar elevators serve the upper flight deck and the hangar deck below - one along the deck edge and two on the centerline. She carries up to 80 aircraft of various types, but can push up to 108. Displacement is 27,100 tons under standard load and 36,380 tons under full load.

Measurements include a length of 872 feet, a beam of 147.5 feet, and a draft of 34 feet. Her crew consisted of 2,600 people.

The machinery on this large ship consists of 8 boilers that power 4 Westinghouse geared steam turbines producing 150,000 shaft horsepower on 4 shafts. The maximum speed in ideal conditions is 33 knots and the range is up to 20,000 nautical miles.

The armament, primarily defensive, is led by a 4 x 5" (127 mm) /38 caliber twin gun turret. This is due to the installation of a 4 x 5" gun in a single gun turret. Quadruple mounts of 8 x 40 mm/56 caliber guns and 46 x 20 mm/78 caliber guns were installed.

Armor protection ranges from 40mm on hangars and bridges to 100mm on belts and bulkheads. Well-armed, well-armored, fast, and possessing the outstanding range required in the long range of the Pacific theater, USS Essex heralded a new era of American aircraft carriers.

Essex entered service quickly in May 1943, when the US Navy more or less recovered from the attack on Pearl Harbor and was increasing numbers and developing better tactics to deal with the Japanese threat. As part of Task Force 16 (TF16), Essex was deployed to support the August 1943 attack on Marcus Island and was designated TF14's flagship for the Wake Island campaign in early October. Then came the operation on Rabaul and the November attack on the Gilbert Islands.

During operations at Kwajalein in early December, Essex served as the flagship of Task Force 50.3 (TG50.3). It then served at the Marshall Islands Theatre from late January to early February 1944.

As part of TG58. Essex fighter jets were used in the February 17-18 attack on Truk on 10 November, with operations on Saipan, Tinian and Guam a few days later. Essex was then sent back to the United States for an overhaulher only overhaul operation of the entire warand formed with the 15th Air Group (AG15). as part of TG12. 1, she struck Marcus and Wake Islands in mid-May and sailed to the Marianas from mid-June to mid-August. An attack on the Palau Islands followed in early September, after which she joined the TF38 voyage to Ryukyu.

From then until October 1944, their fighters were seen fighting at targets in Okinawa, Formosa and Wright (Philippines). After receiving fresh supplies in the Caroline Islands, Essex joined forces deployed in Manila's battle to retake the Philippines. On 25 November, a kamikaze impact damaged her port side, killing 15 people and injuring about 44 others.

However, it was repaired and back in service in just three weeks.

In 1945, she committed to action against Lingayen, Formosa, Sakishima Gunto and Okinawa. As a member of TF58, she participated in the final assault on the Japanese home islands, and then became part of a massive naval "show of force" stationed in Tokyo Bay in preparation for Japan's official surrender. After the war, USS Essex was sent to Bremerton, Washington, and was discharged in January 1947 while retaining reserve status. At the time, some of her features were improved, including a more contoured island layout and a new flight deck.

As the United States was now committed to the Korean War (1950-1953), she returned to service in January 1951.

During the New War, USS Essex served as the carrier division (CarDiv 1) and the flagship of TF77. The crash-landing of an F2H Banshee jet fighter caused a massive explosion in its front, killing seven people. She was repaired in Japan and returned to the front in October, able to launch air strikes on enemy positions along the Yalu River. She completed her term in Korea in January 1953 and served on various patrols until 1955.

In mid-1955 she received much-needed attention in terms of modifications and repairs - a major change was her new sloping flight deck which greatly altered her appearance - of course with a more modern look. From here, she patrols the Pacific and Atlantic waters.

Essex fighter jets supported US engagement in Beirut in July 1958, conducted joint NATO exercises in 1959, and assisted France after massive flooding in Frejus. In the early 1960s, Essex was converted to a new role in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). In 1961, their fighters were involved in covert operations during the Bay of Pigs invasion. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 followed, and Essex became part of the local naval blockade.

In November 1966, Essex was damaged following a collision with the aircraft carrier USS Nautilus, both ships sustained extensive damage, and Essex was sent to Boston for repair work. In October 1968, she was in the Caribbean as a rescue ship for the crew of Apollo 7.

The USS Essex completed her voyage on June 30, 1969, when she was decommissioned for the second time - this time forever. In June 1973, her name was removed from the Naval Register, and her hull was stripped of all value and utility.

She was sold as scrap in June 1975, marking the end of her storied ocean-going career, serving with loyalty across oceans, many unit prices and 13 battle stars.

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