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
Launched on 8 September 1901, Borodino was the lead ship of her class of five pre-dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Entering service in August 1904, she sailed only two months later on 15 October, with the Second Pacific Squadron to break the Japanese blockade of Port Arthur.
The Japanese captured the port while the squadron was in transit and their destination was changed to Vladivostok. The ship was sunk during the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905 due to explosions set off by a Japanese shell hitting a magazine. There was only a single survivor from her crew of 855 officers and enlisted men.
Borodino under constructionBorodino just after launch 8 September 1901Borodino in 1904 at KronshtadtThe bridge of BorodinoBorodino in 1904 at KronshtadtBorodino in 1904 at KronshtadtAugust 1904 Borodino in Kronstadt, Russia.
HMCS Magnificent was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Canadian Navy from 1948 to 1957.
Towards the end of the Second World War, Canada anticipated the need for additional and larger aircraft carriers to operated in the Pacific against Japan. At this time it crewed two British Royal Navy escort carriers (HMS Nabob which was heavily damaged and HMS Puncher). Negotiations led to Britain offering the Colossus-class carrier, HMS Warrior (HMCS Warrior in Canadian service) and The Majestic-class HMS Magnificent (HMCS Magnificent in Canadian service).
Warrior entered service in 1946, but was considered unsuitable for Canadian conditions, as she had been built to operate in the tropics and lacked heating. In 1948 she was replaced by Magnificent. The carrier was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy on 21 March 1948.
Following the Suez Crisis, the Canadian Government agreed to send a peacekeeping for to Egypt. HMCS Magnificent transported 406 Canadian troops and their vehicles along with 4 Royal Canadian Air Force de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters and a single H04S helicopter. For this trip, she had her guns removed and complement reduced to 600. She unloaded her cargo in Port Said in January 1957.
The increased in size, weight and speed of jet aircraft made Magnificent unsuitable for their operation. On 14 June 1957, she was decommissioned and replaced in RCN service by HMCS Bonaventure, another Royal Navy Majestic-class carrier (HMS Powerful) that had not been completed at the end of the war. The ship was broken up at Faslane, Scotland, in July 1965.
HMS Magnificent (left) and HMS Powerful under construction at Harland and Wolff’s Musgrave shipyard, Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)HMCS Magnificent at Boston 1951 April 23rdMagnificent in 1950HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NASGrumman Avengers on the deck of HMCS MagnificentHCMS Magnificent, HCMS Nootka and HCMS Ocean off the coast of Korea, 1952HMCS Magnificent refueling at seaHMCS MagnificentHMCS MagnificentHMCS MagnificentGrumman Avenger AS.3 Sep 1953 on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent in Genoa April 1950HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), 20 March 1950Royal Canadian Navy sailors playing hockey on the flight deck of HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)In October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), at anchor off San Raphael, French Riviera, 1951HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), entering Grand Harbour, Malta, 1951HMCS Magnificent seen from the flight deck of HMS Theseus as Theseus leads the Carrier Support Force out of Rosyth for Exercise Mainbrace 1952HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in 1952. Viewed from a Grumman Avenger, while others are parked on her deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax May 1953HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax May 1953HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), leaving Halifax May 1953HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in Halifax June 1954 HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), visiting Rotterdam, 24 Oct 1955HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) with Fairey Fireflies and Hawker Sea Furies on deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)
Transporting Canadian Air Force Sabres
In October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeIn October 1951, HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) transported 35 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2 aircraft to EuropeHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), carrying 46 RCAF Canadair CL-13 Sabres cocooned on deck. The Sabres were being repatriated from Germany, 1957
Transporting Canadian Army Equipment
HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), unloading Canadian Army vehicles in Port Said for UNEF January 1957
Aircraft Operations
Douglas A-1 Skyraider (US Navy)
U.S. Navy Douglas AD-1B Skyraider from Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) and Grumman Avengers on HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953
Fairey Firefly
Fairey Firefly being launched from HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly FR. Mk IV, TW753, 825 Sqn swerved off the flight deck on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly accident, 1951Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Hawker Sea Fury and a Fairey Firefly aboard HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)
Grumman Avenger
Grumman TBM-3W Avenger aircraft on the flight deck of HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), circa 1953Grumman A.S.4 Avenger flying over HMCS MagnificentU.S. Navy Douglas AD-4B Skyraider from Attack Squadron 75 (VA-75) and Grumman Avengers on HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3 on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Grumman Avenger AS.3 Sep 1953 on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NASGrumman Avengers on the deck of HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), visiting Rotterdam, with RCN Grumman TBM-3 Avengers on deck, 1950HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), in 1952. Viewed from a Grumman Avenger, while others are parked on her deckHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), with Grumman Avengers on deck 1952
Hawker Sea Fury
Hawker Sea Fury taking off from HMCS MagnificentSea Fury catches the #2 wire on HMS MagnificentHawker Sea Fury crashed into the crash barrier on HMCS MagnificentHawker Sea Fury and a Fairey Firefly aboard HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Hawker Sea Fury flying over HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) in the mid-1950s with 15 Grumman Avenger AS.3 of No. 881 NAS and two Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 fighters of No 871 NAS
