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| USN Essex-class aircraft carrier 27,100 Tons (Standard) 36,960 (Full Load) 820' x 93' x 34' 2" 4x2 5" DP guns 4 x 5" AA guns 8 x Quad 40mm AA guns 46 x 20mm cannon Aircraft: 91-103 planes |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Steel Company in at Quincy, Massachusetts. Laid down March 18, 1942 as an Essex-class aircraft carrier originally to be named USS Oriskany but was renamed while under construction in honor of USS Wasp (CV-7) sunk September 15, 1942. Launched August 17, 1943 as USS Wasp (CV-18) as the ninth U.S. Navy ship named Wasp. Commissioned November 24, 1943 into the U.S. Navy (USN) with Captain Clifton A. F. Sprague in command. Afterwards, underwent a shakedown cruise until the end of the year then returned to Boston to for minor alterations. Wartime History On January 10, 1944 departs Boston to Hampton Roads and remains until the end of the month then departs for Trinidad. On February 22, 1944 departs Trinidad then returns to Boston five days later and prepares for deployment. During March 1944 departs Boston via the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet. On March 21, 1944 arrives San Diego. On April 4, 1944 arrives Pearl Harbor and conducts training exercises off Hawaii. PARTIAL HISTORY On March 25, 1945 launched carrier planes against Yap. Lost is F6F Hellcat pilot Webber (MIA). PARTIAL HISTORY On November 22, 1971 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co entered drydock for the last time then steamed to Quonset Point, Rhode Island for the rest of the year to prepare the carrier for decommissioning. On July 1, 1972 decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register after more than 28 years of service. Fate On May 21, 1973 sold to Union Minerals and Alloys Corporation of New York and afterwards broken up for scrap at the former Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company shipyard in Kearny, New Jersey. Awards For her World War II Pacific service, Wasp earned eight battle stars. Dispay The anchor from USS Wasp is dispayed at Freedom Park in Omaha, Nebraska. References NavSource - USS Wasp (CV-18) Contribute
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