The World at War

Light Carriers

Light carriers drew heavily on the experience of the escort carriers. The intent was to provide near-fleet-carrier air capability on a smaller hull. Only two classes of light carriers were built -- the 9-ship Independence-class, converted from Cleveland-class light cruiser hulls, and the purpose-built 2-ship Saipan-class.

Smaller, carrying only 30 aircraft, and less heavily armed than her larger counterparts, the light carrier still provided a respectable attack capability. Often, light and fleet carriers operated together in task groups consisting of four or five carriers, several battleships and cruisers and a couple of dozen destroyers.

Only one Independence-class carrier, CVL-23 USS Princeton, was sunk by enemy action during World War Two.

The last surviving Independence-class carrier, CVL-28 USS Cabot, was sold in October 1999 for scrap. A multi-year effort to recover her and convert her into a museum was ultimately unsuccessful in 2001, although parts of the ship will be salvaged and placed on display at other museums.

Neither Saipan-class ship survives, although both were subsequently converted for other duty prior to decommissioning and scrapping.

Dedication

Light Carriers