The USS Hornet (CV-8) belonged to the Yorktown class, which was composed of three aircraft carriers. She and her two sisters, the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Yorktown (CV-5), took part in the Battle of Midway in early June 1942. Although she survived this naval engagement, the Hornet would be sunk by the Japanese on October 27, 1942, during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. However, she had already become famous as she carried the sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers that carried out the first air raid on Tokyo in April 1942; this operation was known as the Doolittle Raid.
The USS Hornet had been laid down on September 25, 1939, and launched on December 14, 1940. After almost one year of sea trials, she would be commissioned on October 20, 1941, seven weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In January 1942, this aircraft carrier embarked the first North American B-25 Mitchell bombers for the Doolittle Raid, which would take place on April 18, 1942. On June 6, 1942, she was damaged during the Battle of Midway and later repaired. In August, that year, she, along with US Wasp and Saratoga, provided air cover to the US Marines that landed on Guadalcanal. On October 26, 1942, the Hornet was attacked and hit by Japanese dive-bombers and torpedo-bombers (Aichi D3A 'Val' and Nakajima B5N respectively). Being severely damaged, and with a list to starboard, she was abandoned. Finally, on October 27, she was given the coup de grace by a Japanese destroyer that struck her with several torpedoes.
Technical Description
The USS Hornet (CV-8) was designed to carry an air group of up to 100 aircraft. Her flight deck was part of the superstructure and not integral with the hull. The hangar deck ran the full length of the ship. She was fitted with three centerline elevators and three catapults, two on the flight deck and one on the hangar deck. Her propulsion system was located amidships, with the engine rooms lying behind the boiler rooms. Her three main uptakes were routed to the starboard side, ending in a single large funnel, which was integrated into the island structure. She had a high degree of water-tight integrity, which was obtained by extensive compartmentation of the hull (she had more bulkheads than other warships).
Specifications
Type: Yorktown class carrier
Displacement: 19,875 tons (standard)
Length: 251.4 m (825 feet)
Beam: 34.8 m (109.5 feet)
Draft: 7.9 m (26 feet)
Propulsion: Parsons geared steam turbines, with four shaft, and 9 boilers, generating 120,000 sHP.
Maximum Speed: 32.5 knots
Aircraft: 96
Compliment: 2,175 men
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| Above, the USS Hornet in late October 1941, after being commissioned and prior to fitting of armament and radar. |
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| Her flight deck on April 18, 1942. A B-25 is about to take off for the Doolittle Raid. |
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| The USS Hornet during the Battle of Midway in early June, 1942. She is under attack by Japanese dive-bombers. |