Sangamon Class, U.S.
Escort Carriers (original) (raw)
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The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia | |
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| Tonnage | 11,412 tons standard displacement |
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| Dimensions | 553' by 75' by 32'168.6m by 22.9m by 9.8m |
| Maximum speed | 19.3 knots |
| Complement | 1080 |
| Aircraft | 502' (153m) flight deck1 catapult2 elevators25 aircraft |
| Armament | 2 5"/38 dual-purpose guns4x2 40mm Bofors AA guns12 20mm Oerlikon AA guns |
| Machinery | 2-shaft Allis-Chalmers geared turbine (13,500 shp)4 Babcock and Wilcox boilers |
| Bunkerage | 12,876 tons fuel oil135,000 gallons (510,000 liters) aviation gasoline |
| Range | 23,900 nautical miles (44,300 km) at 15 knots |
| Cargo | 676.5 tons munitions |
| Sensors | SC search radar |
| Modifications | 1944: Second catapult installed.1945: Armament typically 10x2, 2x4 40mm and 27 20mm guns. Radar upgraded to SC-2 or SK |
The _Sangamons_were completed in 1942 and were converted Maritime Commission T3-S2-A1 oilers, the supply of convertible C3 hulls having already been exhausted with the Bogues. The Sangamons were also tough ships, with very great hull strength. Their hangars were actually more capacious than those of the Independence-class light fleet carriers, and they were the only escort carriers with decks long enough to permit the operation of F6F Hellcat fighters. The open hangar design, characteristic of all U.S. carriers, also allowed these ships to continue to function as oilers when necessary. They thus had a remarkable range and the ability to refuel their own task groups. They had bulkheads around their magazines that provided some splinter protection.
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References
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