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
Developed from the Kawasaki Ki-45, the Ki-96 was a single-seat, twin engined heavy fighter designed for the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. Originally envisaged as a two-seat fighter, the Army requested a change to single-seat. The first of three prototypes therefore had a larger canopy than the final two, as it was already being built when the change was made.
First flying in September 1943, the Ki-96 demonstrated performance above that predicted. Despite this it was not ordered into production as the Army had again changed its requirements back to a two-seat version. Development of the Ki-96 was halted and a new design incorporating the wings and tail unit of the Ki-96, the Ki-102 was commenced.
Launched on 3 August 1901, Imperator Aleksandr III was a Borodino-class pre-dreadnought battleship built for the Imperial Russian Navy. Entering service in November 1903, she sailed on 15 October 1904, 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 by Japanese gunfire with the loss of 778 men, her entire crew.
Imperator Aleksandr III in Kronshtadt, August 1904Imperator Aleksandr IIIImperator Aleksandr III in Kronshtadt, August 1904Imperator Aleksandr III at Kronstadt, September 1903
