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USS Independence (CVL-22)

1943 WORLD WAR 2

USS Independence History (CVL-22)

USS Independence (CVL-22) was a conventionally powered aircraft carrier ordered before World War II (1939-1945) and delivered during the conflict. She saw her keel laid by the New York Shipbuilding Company on May 1, 1941, and subsequently launched on August 22, 1942.

The USS Independence officially entered service on January 14, 1943, beginning her wartime career - spanning the entire war (1945).

USS Independence leads the Independence-class carrier, which consists of nine ships derived from the Cleveland light cruiser design. In response to the growing threat of another war in Europe, the cruisers were converted into light aircraft carriers.

The Cleveland design was quickly advanced, showing the U.S. Navy a usable launcher until the full impact of the Essex class on future service could be seen.

The USS Independence has an island structure forward of the midship on the starboard side of the hull. Its flight deck is largely unobstructed to support the launch and recovery of its fleet of fixed-wing aircraft. In total, the ship could carry about 30 aircraft, including fighters, bombers and dive bombers, as originally designed.

During the war, inventories typically increased to a total of about 34 aircraft. Her Cleveland-class design roots are clearly visible in the hull, while the pointed bow pays homage to her cruiser origins. Four smoke funnels were also arranged along the starboard side (behind the island superstructure). Dimensions include a length of 623 feet, a beam of 109 feet and a draft of up to 26 feet.

She displaces 14,750 tons under load.

The ship's power is provided by four boilers connected to General Electric turbines, providing 100,000 hp to 4 axles. This enables the vessel to travel at 31 knots under ideal conditions for a range of up to 13,000 nautical miles (at a constant speed of about 15 knots).

Her crew consisted of 1,569 officers and men, including the Luftwaffe. The standard armament of the approach is Total Air Defense (AA) - 26 x 40mm Bofors guns are used to protect the ship.

USS Independence was originally designated USS Amsterdam (CL-59) as part of the Cleveland fleet, but was redesigned as "CV-22" after modification and reclassification. In 1943, she crossed the Panama Canal, heading west, to become part of the Pacific Fleet. From there, USS Independence documented operational contributions to several major World War II battles between the United States and Japan: Rabaul, the Gilbert Islands, the Philippines, Okinawa, and the Japanese mainland all ultimately tied to her service history.

She hit an enemy torpedo during the Tarawa operation and needed to be transferred to the United States for complete repairs. At the time she was supported by night operations, which significantly increased her tactical value from mid-1944.

The air strikes on the Japanese mainland marked her last engagement with the enemy before entering Tokyo waters before Japan surrendered.

Your final contribution to the Grand Conflict was part of Operation Magic Carpet, a program to bring thousands of military personnel back to the United States. Once completed, she was the target of a nuclear test, during which her radioactive envelope was extensively examined.

The USS Independence was decommissioned on August 28, 1946, and sank off the Farallon Islands, where her remains polluted nearby waters affecting wildlife and industry in the area.