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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 88416:  USS Independence as first completed, circa early 1943

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Independence (CVL-22, originally CV-22), 1943-1951

USS Independence, lead ship of a class of nine 11,000 ton small aircraft carriers, was built at Camden, New Jersey. Begun as the light cruiser Amsterdam (CL-59), she was converted to a carrier before launching and commissioned in January 1943 with the hull number CV-22. In July 1943, following shakedown operations in the Caribbean, Independence joined the Pacific Fleet and was redesignated CVL-22. During the rest of 1943, she took part in raids on the Japanese bases at Marcus, Wake and Rabaul and in the campaign to seize the Gilbert Islands. She was damaged by a Japanese aerial torpedo attack on 20 November, while operating off the Gilberts, and had to return to the United States for repairs.

Independence returned to the Pacific operational area in July 1944 and trained to serve as a night carrier. She participated in the Palaus operation in September 1944, air strikes in the Philippines and Okinawa and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October, and further offensive operations in the Western Pacific during November-December 1944 and January 1945. After an overhaul, Independence rejoined the fast carrier task force in March. Over the next six months, she took part in the Ryukyus campaign and conducted strikes against targets in the Japanese Home Islands. Following Japan's capitulation in mid-August 1945, the carrier supported occupation operations and helped bring U.S. service veterans home as part of Operation "Magic Carpet". In 1946, Independence was assigned to target duty as part of the atomic bomb tests at Bikini. She was badly damaged by the 1 July 1946 air burst and further contaminated by radioactivity in the 25 July underwater test. Formally decommissioned in August 1946, she was later used as a radiological research hulk. USS Independence was sunk as a target off the California coast in January 1951.

This page features selected views of USS Independence (CVL-22).

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 88416

USS Independence (CV-22)


Photographed soon after completion, circa early 1943, while she still carried a 5"/38 gun at the bow.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 520 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-48266

USS Independence (CV-22)


Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 13 July 1943.
Her hull number was changed to CVL-22 two days later.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 535 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 19-N-48269

USS Independence (CV-22)


Hauling in her anchor, while off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 13 July 1943.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-74436

USS Independence (CVL-22)


In San Francisco Bay, California, on 15 July 1943, the day her hull number was changed from CV-22 to CVL-22.
She has nine SBD scout bombers parked amidships and aft, and nine TBM torpedo planes parked amidships and forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 125KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-74433

USS Independence (CVL-22)


In San Francisco Bay, California, on 15 July 1943, the day her hull number was changed from CV-22 to CVL-22.
She has nine SBD scout bombers parked amidships and aft, and nine TBM torpedo planes parked amidships and forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 133KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-777 (Color)

Aerographer's Mates

Prepare to launch a weather balloon aboard USS Independence (CV-22), during the carrier's shakedown period, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 44KB; 490 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-787 (Color)

Radioman-Gunner of an SBD "Dauntless" scout-bomber

Aims his plane's twin .30 caliber machine guns aboard USS Independence (CV-22), during the carrier's shakedown period, 30 April 1943.
Note the guns' armor plate, gunsight, and variety of bullet types (with tip marking sequence: red, black, light blue & plain).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 90KB; 490 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-627502

USS Independence (CVL-22)


Afire aft, soon after the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst test at Bikini on 1 July 1946.
The bomb had exploded off the ship's port quarter, causing massive blast damage in that area, and progressively less further forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-627471

USS Independence (CVL-22)


View of the ship's port quarter, showing severe blast damage caused by the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst at Bikini on 1 July 1946.
Photographed at Bikini anchorage on 23 July 1946.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 27 April 2000
Link added 27 October 2001