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

Interior 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 Seagull

USS Altamaha (CVE-18) with a deck load of Army P-51 Mustang fighters off San Francisco, California, on 16 July 1943 — USS Altamaha leaves San Francisco, 16 July 1943, with her decks crammed with P-51 Mustangs and a lone SOC Seagull

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.