Essex-class

Summary

Description

The Essex class was a prolific class of aircraft carriers used by the United States Navy, with 24 vessels built in "short-hull" and "long-hull" versions of the design. While 32 ships were ordered during the World War II period, the end of the war led to the cancellation of some of these ships. The class served as a vital component of U.S. naval strength from mid-1943 and remained significant through the introduction of supercarriers in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. None of the Essex-class carriers were lost to enemy action, although several were heavily damaged.

The origins of the Essex class were influenced by the arms race of the early 20th century, treaty limitations, and wartime needs. Dismissal of the Washington Naval Treaty allowed for greater freedom in the design and armament of the ships. The design of the Essex class capitalized on the experience gained from earlier carriers, particularly the Yorktown-class carriers, and enhancements were made in terms of armament, armor protection, and aviation facilities.

The Essex class possessed a sleeker design with a longer, wider flight deck and deck-edge elevator, improved machinery arrangement, and increased anti-aircraft gun provisions, which significantly boosted the ships' defensive and offensive capabilities. The ships' armor protection was one of the design's most fiercely debated aspects, with differing opinions on the benefits of hangar deck armor.

In terms of armament, the Essex class was initially equipped with a robust air group of fighter, dive bomber, and torpedo bomber aircraft, mainly the Grumman F6F Hellcat, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, and the Grumman TBF Avenger. The ship's gunnery included 5-inch guns, Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, and Oerlikon 20 mm cannons, complemented by advanced radar and communications equipment.

Operational history highlights the ships’ considerable involvement in World War II combat operations, providing critical air support, engaging in fleet actions, and surviving kamikaze attacks and typhoons. Post-war rebuilds and refits adapted some of the Essex-class carriers to handle jets in the early jet age.

With improvements, such as the installation of steam catapults and the innovation of an angled flight deck, the upgraded Essex-class carriers remained active into the Cold War era. They served in various capacities, including attack missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. Moreover, they played significant roles in the U.S. space program, serving as recovery ships for Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.

Most of the ships were eventually decommissioned and scrapped, with a few exceptions. Four Essex-class carriers have been preserved as museums: USS Yorktown, USS Intrepid, USS Hornet, and USS Lexington. Meanwhile, USS Oriskany was sunk to become an artificial reef.

Technical specifications

Photo of Essex class