This American WW2 Aircraft Carrier Was Armed to the Teeth

The moment the United States entered the Second World War, it gave rise to a global power that continues today. As part of the war effort, the United States Navy grew so large that it stopped a once dominant Japanese Navy almost entirely in its tracks. This opened the door for plans to end the war quickly, while the US Navy also helped deliver a victory in Europe. 

29. New York-class Battleship

• First year launched: 1912
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 1,042
• Armament: 5 x 14 in twin guns, 21 x 5 in single guns, 4 x 21 in torpedo tubes

28. Pennsylvania-class battleship

• First year launched: 1915
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 915
• Armament: 4 x 360 mm/.45cal triple guns, 12 x 130 mm/.51cal guns, 12 x 130 mm/.25cal anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 3

27. New Mexico-class battleship

• First year launched: 1917
• Number built: 3
• Crew: 1,084
• Armament: 12 x 14 in/.50cal, 14 x 5 in/.51cal, 2 x 21 in torpedo tubes

26. Tennessee-class battleship

• First year launched: 1919
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 1,083
• Armament: 4 x 14 in triple guns, 14 x 5 in single guns, 4 x 3 in single guns, 2 x 21 in torpedo tubes

25. Indiana-Class Battleship

• First year launched: 1893
• Number built: 3
• Crew: 473
• Armament: 4 x 13 in/.35cal, 8 x 8 in/.35cal, 4 x 6 in/.40cal, two Colt gatling guns, 3 torpedo tubes

24. Colorado-class battleship

• First year launched: 1920
• Number built: 4
• Crew: 1,080
• Armament: 8 x 16 in/.45cal Mark 1 guns, 12 x 5 in/.51-cal guns, 4x3in/0.23-cal guns, 2x21in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft capacity: 4

23. Omaha-class light cruiser

• First year launched: 1921
• Number built: 10
• Crew: 458
• Armament: 12 x 6 in/.53-cal guns, 2 x 3 in single anti-aircraft guns, 10 x 21 in torpedo tubes

22. Lexington-class aircraft carrier

• First year launched: 1925
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 2,122
• Armament: 4 x 8 in/.55-cal twin guns, 12 x 5 in anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 91

21. Northampton-class heavy cruiser

• First year launched: 1929 (tied)
• Number built: 6
• Crew: 621
• Armament: As built: 3 x 8 in/.55-cal triple guns, 4 x 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 6 x 21 in torpedo tubes; 1941: 3 x 8 in/.55-cal triple guns, 8 × 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 2 x 47 mm saluting guns, 4 x 1.1 in/.75-cal anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 4

20. Pensacola-class heavy cruiser

• First year launched: 1929 (tied)
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 653
• Armament: 10 x 203 mm/.55-cal guns, 4 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns

19. Portland-class heavy cruiser

• First year launched: 1932
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 848
• Armament: 3 x 8 in /.55-cal triple guns, 8 x 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 2 x 47 mm 3-pounder guns, 4 x 40 mm quad Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 4 x 40 mm twin Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 17 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons
• Aircraft capacity: 4

18. New Orleans-class heavy cruiser

• First year launched: 1933 (tied)
• Number built: 7
• Crew: 899
• Armament: 3 x 200 mm/.55-cal triple guns, 8 x 130 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 2 x 37 mm saluting guns
• Aircraft capacity: 4

17. Ranger-class aircraft carrier

• First year launched: 1933 (tied)
• Number built: 1
• Crew: 2,461
• Armament: 8 x 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 40 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft capacity: 86

16. Yorktown-class aircraft carrier

• First year launched: 1936
• Number built: 3
• Crew: 2,217
• Armament: 8 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 4 x 1.1 in/.75-cal machine guns, 24 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft capacity: 90

15. Brooklyn-class light cruiser

• First year launched: 1937
• Number built: 9
• Crew: 868
• Armament: 5 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 8 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 8 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft capacity: 4

14. St. Louis-class light cruiser

• First year launched: 1938
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 888
• Armament: 15 x 6 in/.50-cal Mark 6 guns, 8 x 5 in/.50-cal Mark 8 guns, 16 x 1.1 in guns, 12 x 20 mm saluting guns, 1 depth charge rack

13. Wasp-class aircraft carrier

• First year launched: 1939
• Number built: 1
• Crew: 1,800
• Armament: 8 x 5 in guns, 4 x 1.1 in anti-aircraft guns, 24 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft capacity: 80

12. Long Island-class escort carrier

• First year launched: 1940 (tied)
• Number built: 1
• Crew: 970
• Armament: 1 x 5 in/.51-cal gun, 2 x 3 in/.50-cal gun
• Aircraft capacity: 21

11. North Carolina-class battleship

• First year launched: 1940 (tied)
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 1,880
• Armament: 9 x 16 in Mark 6 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 16 x 1.1 in machine guns

10. Atlanta-class light cruiser

• First year launched: 1941 (tied)
• Number built: 8
• Crew: 673
• Armament: 8 x 5 in/.38-cal twin Mark 12 guns, 9 x 1.1 in/.75-cal anti-aircraft guns, 8 x 21 in torpedo tubes

9. Bogue-class escort carrier

• First year launched: 1941 (tied)
• Number built: 45
• Crew: 890
• Armament: 1942: 2 x 5 in/.51-cal guns, 10 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons; 1945: 2 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 8 x 40 mm twin Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 20 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannon
• Aircraft capacity: 24

8. Cleveland-class light cruiser

• First year launched: 1941 (tied)
• Number built: 29
• Crew: 1,255
• Armament: 4 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 6 x 127 mm/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 40 mm quad Bofors guns, 6 x 40 mm twin Bofors guns, 10 x 20 mm twin Oerlikon cannons
• Aircraft capacity: 4

7. South Dakota-class battleship

• First year launched: 1941 (tied)
• Number built: 4
• Crew: 2,364
• Armament: 9 x 406 mm/.45-cal Mark 6 guns, 16 x 127 mm/.38-cal DP guns, 68 x 40 mm guns, 76 x 20 mm guns

6. Baltimore-class heavy cruiser

• First year launched: 1942 (tied)
• Number built: 14
• Crew: 1,700
• Armament: 3 x 203 mm/.55-cal triple guns, 6 x 127 mm/.38-cal twin guns, 12 x 40 mm quad Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 24 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons
• Aircraft capacity: 4

5. Essex-class aircraft carrier

• First year launched: 1942 (tied)
• Number built: 24
• Crew: 2,600
• Armament: 4 x 5 in/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 5 in/.38-cal singe guns, 8 x 1.6 in/.56-cal quad guns, 46 x 0.8 in/.78-cal anti-aircraft guns

4. Independence-class light carrier

• First year launched: 1942 (tied)
• Number built: 9
• Crew: 1,569
• Armament: 24 x 40 mm Bofors guns, 22 x 20 mm anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 30

3. Iowa-class battleship

• First year launched: 1942 (tied)
• Number built: 4
• Crew: 1,921
• Armament: 3 x 16 in/.50-cal triple Mark 7 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal Mark 12 guns, 80 x 40mm/.56-cal Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 49 x 20 mm/.70-cal Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 3

2. Casablanca-class escort carrier

• First year launched: 1943 (tied)
• Number built: 50
• Crew: 860
• Armament: 1 x 5 in/.38-cal DP gun, 8 x 40 mm twin Oerlikon cannons, 28 x 20 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft capacity: 28

1. Alaska-class large cruiser

• First year launched: 1943 (tied)
• Number built: 2
• Crew: 2,251
• Armament: 9 x 305 mm guns, 12 x 127 mm dual purpose guns, 56 x 40 mm guns, 34 x 20 mm guns
• Aircraft capacity: 4

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Naval History & Heritage Command / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons.