US Navy

Although the battle of the Atlantic was fought primarily by the British and Canadian convoy escorts, American involvement in terms of equipment was critical for their succes. Available long-range air power based on Iceland and the Azores was insufficient to close the U-boats' killing grounds in the centre of the Ocean. The Liberator bomber and the escort carrier changed all that, backed by an increasing number of exellent US-built destroyers escorts. In the erly days of 1942, when German U-boats first ravged the Eastern Seabord, it was slaughter of the defenceless.

The american had the luxury of completing sufficient modern hulls to maintain a fast battleship 'surface action group' to counter similiar Japanese doctrine. Slight older units, however, became no more than anti-aircraft platforms, charged with the close protection of the fleet carriers. Veteran battleships tonnage was relegated to fire supports for amphibious operations.The long-established American plan ('orange') for war against Japan certainly envisaged a trans-Pacific campaign to recover the lost Philippines but saw the issue being settled largely as the result of a single Jutland-style battle between opposing fleets.

Ships of the US Navy:

Battleships:

Maryland class battleship, 3 were built

Identical in all respects to the preceding Tennessee class except for the substitution of eight 16 inch for twelve 14 inch. The Colorado was the only battleship in the Pacific Fleet that was not at Pearl Harbor on Dec.7/41.This was the last class of USN battleships completed with the cage masts.

Iowa class battleship, 4 were built

The largest and most powerful battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy.Their 16 inch guns, advanced fire and damage control and their high speed made these ships a match for any ship built in the world. When reactivated in the 1980's they again formed the most powerful surface task group that sailed the seas.The fight is now on to get at least a few of these great ships back into action or at the very least, all four preserved as museums.

New Mexico class battleship, 3 were built

Numerous improvements were utilized in this class over the preceding classes. The underwater protection was much better, and the armor scheme was somewhat different giving this class far greater protection. These were also the first ships with independent elevation for their rifles in the triple turrets.All previous classes had their main rifles in a single slide.

Aircraft Carriers

Lexington class aircraft carrier, 2 were built

Laid down as huge battlecruisers rivalling, in size, any warship in the world at the time. This plan was cut short with the mid-war treaties and the battlecruiser design was cancelled. Two of the ships were taken in hand for conversion to full-flight deck aircraft carriers, these becoming the famed Lexington and Saratoga.

Essex class aircraft carrier, 25 were built

The most numerous class of fleet carriers ever built. Many modifications were performed on these ships through their lifespans and they were used in many different roles.

Independence class (CVL) aircraft carrier, 9 were built

Originally laid down as small fleet carriers built on Cleveland class light cruiser hulls, their designation was changed before launch to reflect their real capabilities

Escort carrier (CVE) aircraft carrier

Quite likely the best class of escort carriers built for the United States navy.Comfortable, steady in heavy seas and built tough, these ships saw limited service in WWII, but many went on to have active careers in Korea as ASW or transport carriers.One ship, the Block Island was proposed for conversion into the first LPH

Yorktown class aircraft carrier, 3 were built

Possibly one of the main reasons for the defeat of the Japanese Navy in W.W.II, lays with these three carriers. The three sisters were the backbone of the U.S. fleet in the early days of W.W.II and while the Yorktown and the Hornet were sunk early on, the Enterprise went on to be the fightingest and most decorated ship of WWII

Cruisers:

Baltimore class cruiser, 17 were built

Very powerful warships that were the last heavy cruiser class built that saw combat in WWII. Equal or better than any other country's heavy cruisers.

Omaha class cruiser, 10 were built

Designed as Scout Cruisers. Ironically, they were soon withdrawn from such service and served throughout the interwar period as destroyer flotilla leaders. Used only in secondary theatres during WWII. Originally designed with 8 x 6" guns, but 4 more added in two turrets prior to completion.

Brooklyn class cruiser, 9 were built

Very tough ships that survived many kamikaze attacks during WWII. All of these ships except Savannah and Honolulu found their way into foreign navies .The only ship of this class lost in combat was the Phoenix during the Falklands Conflict in 1982, she had been sold to Argentina and renamed General Belgrano.

Cleveland class cruiser

The most numerous class of cruisers ever laid down (39). While nine were changed to light carriers,there were still twenty-seven that made it into service as cruisers. With 3 being cancelled.

Atlanta class cruiser, 11 were built

Originally classified as light cruisers, two of their number survived the first part of WWII and were reclassified as Light Anti-Aircraft Cruisers (CLAA)

Destroyers:

Gearing class destroyer

Enlarged Allen M. Sumner class ships. An added 14 foot section in the hull,increased fuel and stores allowing these ships to be more effective in the Pacific campaigns then their predecessors. Not many made it into actual service in W.W.II however and over 50 were cancelled in 1945

Sumner class destroyer

Built as an improvement on the preceeding Fletcher class,these ships while having some teething problems in their early lives,turned out to be fine destroyers. They were better armed and had a slightly longer range then the Fletcher's.

Fletcher class destroyer

One of the pre-eminent destroyer classes of all time. This huge class of ships performed every kind of duty in every theatre of WWII and served with many nations including the United States after the war

Submarines:

S class submarine

Salmon class submarine

Tambor class submarine, 12 were built

Gato/Baloa class submarine

Attack Craft:

PT-boat fast attack craft

The PT Boat was a small, wooden craft that carried enough firepower to sink a battleship, was faster than anything on the water, and could sneak right up to shore to perform reconnaissance or drop off troops.

Landing Ship:

Ashland class landing ship dock, 8 were built

The first class of Dock Landing Ships built. Their prime purpose was to serve as "parent ships" to landing and coastal craft for amphibious landings. All have now been removed from USN service, but a few found their way into foreign navies.

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THE US NAVY