The paddle wheel aircraft carriers of Lake Michigan
4 days ago
- #World War II
- #US Navy
- #Aircraft Carriers
- USS Wolverine and USS Sable were coal-powered paddle wheel aircraft carriers used by the US Navy during World War II.
- Originally luxury passenger liners, they were converted into training carriers stationed in the Great Lakes.
- They lacked hangars, storing all aircraft on the flight deck, and were not officially classified as aircraft carriers by the Navy.
- These ships trained over 17,000 pilots, including future US President George H.W. Bush, in carrier operations.
- Their safe, inland location made them ideal for training away from combat zones.
- The USS Wolverine and USS Sable are unique as the only coal-fired carriers in US Navy history.