Category: Ships

  • Japanese Battleship Iwami

    Japanese Battleship Iwami

    Japanese Battleship Iwami

    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.

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  • US Escort Carrier USS Barnes CVE-20

    US Escort Carrier USS Barnes CVE-20

    US Escort Carrier USS Barnes CVE-20

    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 CVE-20

    USS Barnes CVHE-20

    Captured Japanese Aircraft Being Transported

  • US Escort Carrier USS Altamaha CVE-18

    US Escort Carrier USS Altamaha CVE-18

    US Escort Carrier USS Altamaha CVE-18

    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.

    Photograph Menu

    USS Altamaha ACV-18

    USS Altamaha CVE-18

    Interior Photos

    Transporting Aircraft

    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.

    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.

    Grumman F6F Hellcat

    Grumman TBF Avenger

    Vought F4U Corsair