Iwami was a Borodino-class pre-dreadnought battleship captured by Japan after the Battle of Tsushima on 27 May 1905.
Renamed Iwami, she was rebuilt between 1905 and 1907 and she was commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 2 November 1907. At the start of the Japanese intervention in Siberia during the Russian Civil War, she landed a company of marines in Vladivostok. She was reclassified as a first-class coast defense ship in September 1921 and was used as a training ship. In accordance with the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty, Japan agreed to scrap Iwami. She was disarmed in April 1922 and used as a depot ship until she was struck on 1 September. Iwami was moored to the west of the island of Jōgashima near the mouth of Tokyo Bay and used as a target by aircraft of the Yokosuka Naval Air Group from 5–8 July, finally sinking on 10 July 1924.
Orel after the Battle of TsushimaOrel after the Battle of TsushimaOrel after her capture by the JapaneseOrel after her capture by the JapaneseDamage to Orel after the Battle of Tsushima. View of port side, looking forward from the after bridge, showing damage to superstructure and boatsDamage to Orel after the Battle of Tsushima. Damage near the port center six-inch turret. Looks like a shell exploded immediately upon impact with this bulkheadFore twelve-inch turret of the Orel, shortly after she was captured by the JapaneseDamaged twelve-inch gun of the fore turretDamage to Orel after the Battle of Tsushima. View of port side, looking forward from the after bridge, showing damage to superstructure and boatsDamage to fore port six-inch turret and the deck. A twelve-inch shell exploded on impact at the turret baseOrel after her capture by the JapaneseOrel shortly after her capture by the Japanese in the Battle of Tsushima, 28 May 1905. Damages to the shelter deck and boatsIJNS IwamiIJNS IwamiIJNS IwamiIJNS IwamiIJNS IwamiIJNS Iwami
Launched on 4 May 1942, USS Barnes (AVG-20/ACV-20/CVE-20), was a Bogue-class escort carrier. Commissioned on 20 February 1943, her classification changed from AVG to ACV-20. She was reclassified again on 15 July 1943 to CVE-20 and on 12 June 1955 to CVHE-20.
During the Second World War, Barnes was used primarily to transport aircraft and personnel around the Pacific. However during the Gilbert Islands Operation, her aircraft undertook raids on Tarawa Atoll. In addition, during the Caroline Islands Operation, she acted as an aircraft replenishment carrier, enabling the fleet carriers to stay on station longer.
Post war she undertook occupation duties in Japan until 3 November 1945 after which she returned to the United States and was placed in reserve. She was stricken for disposal on 1 March 1959.
USS Barnes (ACV-20)USS Barnes (ACV-20) Orchard Point, Wash. 9 March, 1943. Speed, 10 knots.USS Barnes (ACV-20) in the Pacific Ocean 1 July 1943 transporting USAAF Lockheed P-38 and Republic P-47 fightersUSS Barnes (ACV-20), 1 July 1943 transporting P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning fightersGrumman F6F Hellcat hanging over the elevator on USS Barnes (ACV-20)
USS Barnes CVE-20
USS Barnes (CVE-20), Navy Yard Mare Island, Calif., 10 October 1943Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighter goes over the side of USS Barnes (CVE-20), 22 October 1943USS Barnes (CVE-20) with Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft parked on her flight deck, 8 January 1944USS Barnes (CVE-20) while under refit at the San Francisco Navy Yard, 25 December 1944, along with USS Detroit (CL-8) and USS Beale (DD-471)USS Barnes (CVE-20) while under refit at the San Francisco Navy Yard, 25 December 1944, along with USS Detroit (CL-8) and USS Beale (DD-471)
USS Barnes CVHE-20
USS Barnes (CVHE-20) In Reserve “Mothballs” South Boston Naval Annex, May 1958USS Barnes (CVHE-20) In Reserve “Mothballs” South Boston Naval Annex, May 1958USS Barnes (CVHE-20) In Reserve “Mothballs” South Boston Naval Annex, 1959
Japanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transportedJapanese aircraft being transported
Launched on 22 May 1942 and commissioned on 15 September 1942, USS Altamaha (AVG-18/ACV-18/CVE-18) was a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier in the United States Navy during World War II. Before commissioning, her designation was changed from AGV-18 to ACV-18. On 15 July 1943 the designation was changed again, this time to CVE-18.
From commissioning until March 1944, Altamaha undertook training and transport tasks, delivering planes and cargo throughout the Pacific.
On 24 February 1944, in a test off the California coast, blimp K-29 landed on USS Altamaha (CVE-18). this was the first time a non-rigid airship landed and took off from an aircraft carrier at sea.
From March to April 1944, she undertook anti-submarine patrols off the Marshall Islands. On 11 April she was the subject of a torpedo attack, but evaded all four torpedoes.
After returning the the US west coast for maintenance she resumed transport duties for the remainder of the war. Post war, she was assigned to Operation Magic Carpet, and transported armed forces personnel and equipment throughout the Pacific back to the United States.
The carrier was placed out of commission, in reserve, on 27 September 1946. The ship was redesignated CVHE-18 on 12 June 1955. Altamaha was sold on 25 April 1961 to Eisenberg & Co., New York City, N.Y., and, later that year, was scrapped in Japan.
Aerial view of USS Altamaha (ACV-18) underway in Puget Sound, Wash., 27 October (September) 1942USS Altamaha (ACV-18), 15 January 1943. 40mm gun Sally Rand and 3A crewUSS Altamaha (ACV-18), 6 February 1943. Torpedo decorated to resemble a lion’s head
USS Altamaha CVE-18
USS Altamaha (CVE-18), Bremerton Naval Shipyard, 1943Stern plan view of USS Altamaha (CVE-18) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 8 Nov 1943USS Altamaha (CVE-18) departing Mare Island Navy Yard on 9 Nov 1943Bow on view of USS Altamaha (CVE-18) departing Mare Island Navy Yard on 9 Nov 1943USS Altamaha (CVE-18) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 9 Nov 1943Stern view of USS Altamaha (CVE-18) departing Mare Island Navy Yard on 9 Nov 1943Forward plan view of USS Altamaha (CVE-18) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 8 Nov 1943USS Altamaha (CVE-18) February 1945USS Altamaha (CVE-18) February 1945
Interior Photos
Interior of Communications Room of USS Altamaha (ACV-18) May 1943Interior of Communications Room of USS Altamaha (ACV-18) May 1943
Transporting Aircraft
USS Altamaha leaves San Francisco, 16 July 1943, with her decks crammed with P-51 Mustangs and a lone SOC SeagullUSS Altamaha (CVE-18) with a deck load of Army P-51 Mustang fighters off San Francisco, California, on 16 July 1943USS Altamaha (CVE-18) underway 16 July 1943 with a deck load of P-51 MustangsUSS Altamaha (CVE-18) in the New Hebrides, September 1944
With Blimp K-29
On 24 February 1944, in a test off the California coast, blimp K-29 landed on USS Altamaha (CVE-18). this was the first time a non-rigid airship landed and took off from an aircraft carrier at sea.
USS Altamaha (CVE-18) operating with K-29 which is making a landing approach on 24 February 1944USS Altamaha (CVE-18) operating with blimp K-29 on 24 February 1944USS Altamaha (CVE-18) operating with blimp K-29 which has just taken off
Aircraft Operations
Grumman F4F Wildcat
The remarkable series of photographs was taken by an alert Official Navy Photographer aboard USS Altamaha, during a practice cruise on May 17, 1943. The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, attempting a landing on the deck, veered to one side and plunged into the water. The pilot was saved.
Crews on the catwalk and gun platform duck for safety when the Grumman F4F heads in their direction. May 17, 1943The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat VC 11 White F4 veered over the edge with a damaged wingThe Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat plunging towards the waterThe Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat just after hitting the water. The pilot is exiting the cockpitThe Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat sinkingUSS Altamaha (ACV-18), 10 April 1943. Close-up of antenna onboard struck by an F4F Wildcat
Grumman F6F Hellcat
Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat getting ready for a jet-assisted take-off from USS Altamaha (CVE-18), on 1 March 1944
Grumman TBF Avenger
Grumman TBF Avengers being loaded onboard USS Altamaha (ACV-18), May 1943Grumman TBF Avenger with jet assisted take off, from the deck of USS Altamaha (CVE-18), on 1 March 1944.Crash landing of a Grumman TBM Avenger (J26 of VC-66) due to tail hook failureUSS Altamaha (CVE-18). Crash landing of a Grumman TBM Avenger (J26 of VC-66 ) due to tail hook failureCrash of a Grumman TBM Avenger J29 of VC-66 on USS Altamaha (CVE-18), 11 April 1944
Vought F4U Corsair
A Vought F4U Corsair conducts a RATO (Rocket-Assisted Take Off) aboard USS Altamaha (CVE-18), 1 March 1944
