The FReeper Foxhole Studies U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers - Part 1 of 2 - January 25, 2004

US Navy ^

[SAMWolf]

Morning aomagrat.

[SAMWolf]

Morning aeronaut. Walking in today? ;-)

[Professional Engineer]

Howdy ma'am. Cool thread today.

[SAMWolf]

No.

I had a friend who served on the USS WASP in the late sixties I believe there have been 9 ships with that name. The original was USS WASP (carrier) was sunk in 1942 by a Japanese sub.

The original USS Enterprise (carrier) was scrapped in 1958.

[SAMWolf]

Hey! You beat me to the answer!! That's what I get for sleeping late.

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Feather. I hope you get to see those for real soon. About ready for winter to end?

[SAMWolf]

Morning PE.

[Professional Engineer]

The same is true for the USS Enterprise. There is the USS Enterprise CV-6 and CVN-65 and of course the Star Trek Enterprise. (just kidding)

This fine ship as well:

[Soaring Feather]

Hiya Sam,

Well, winter is winter. Actually today is a beautiful day. The Cardinals stay here year round so I so see them but the flowers would be great. Next month Snow Drops will be up and blooming. They are the first flowers here.

Spring is great for sure.

[Professional Engineer]

Hiya Sam. G'morning Ms Feather

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning to you. I hope you have a fine day.

[SAMWolf]

The sixth Ranger (CV 4), the first ship of the Navy to be designed and built from the keel up as an aircraft carrier was laid down 26 September 1931 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, Va.; launched 25 February 1933, sponsored by Mrs. Herbert Hoover; and commissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard 4 June 1934, Capt. Arthur L. Bristol in command.

The only large carrier in the Atlantic Fleet, Ranger led the task force comprising herself and four Sangamon-class escort carriers that provided air superiority during the amphibious invasion of German dominated French Morocco which commenced the morning of 8 November 1942.

It was still dark at 0615 that day, when Ranger, stationed 30 miles northwest of Casablanca, began launching her aircraft to support the landings made at three points on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Nine of her Wildcats attacked the Rabat and Rabat-Sale airdromes, headquarters of the French air forces in Morocco. Without loss to themselves, they destroyed seven planes on one field, and 14 bombers on the other. Another flight destroyed seven planes on the Port Lyautey field. Some of Ranger's planes strafed four French destroyers in Casablanca Harbor while others strafed and bombed nearby batteries. The carrier launched 496 combat sorties in the three-day operation. Her attack aircraft scored two direct bomb hits on the French destroyer leader Albatros, completely wrecking her forward half and causing 300 casualties. They also attacked French cruiser Primaugut as she sortied from Casablanca Harbor, dropped depth charges within lethal distance of two submarines, and knocked out coastal defense and anti-aircraft batteries. They destroyed more than 70 enemy planes on the ground and shot down 15 in aerial combat. But 16 planes from Ranger were lost or damaged beyond repair. It was estimated that 21 light enemy tanks were immobilized and some 86 military vehicles destroyed — most of them troop-carrying trucks.

Departing San Diego 30 September 1945, she embarked civilian and military passengers at Balboa the Canal Zone, and then steamed for New Orleans, arriving 18 October. Following Navy Day celebrations there, she sailed 30 October for brief operations at Pensacola. After calling at Norfolk, she entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 18 November for overhaul. She remained on the eastern seaboard until decommissioned at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard 18 October 1946. Struck from the Navy list 29 October 1946, she was sold for scrap to Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Chester, Pa., 28 January 1947.

Ranger received two battle stars for World War II service.

[Aeronaut]

Walking in today? ;-)

Hi Sam. Honoring the Sabbath.

[SAMWolf]

Shabbat Shalom.

[U S Army EOD]

An interesting footnote to the CSA Navy. If you have ever read Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Dana, his ship that he served on was sunk by the Alabama and is comments about it were not very kind to the CSA.

[SAMWolf]

Morning EOD.

I've heard of the book but never read it.

[U S Army EOD]

It is a good read, especially if you have ever been to Montery, CA where most of it takes place in the early 1800's. It is nothing like the movie and in fact life aboard was not that terrible at the time. He only had one captain he did not like. The guy wasn't cruel, just incompetent.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning feather.

[snippy_about_it]

Howdy PE. Glad you like the thread today.

[snippy_about_it]

You have been a sleepy head lately. ;-)