U.S.S. Saipan
CVL-48
1948
(Neptun 2312)
- Class: Saipan - 2 light aircraft carriers of 1943
- Displacement: 14,500 tons standard, 17,800 tons trial
- Dimensions: 664' (wl) 683'7" (oa) x 76'8" (108' max) x 27'
- Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 120,000 = 33 knots
- Armament: 40-40mm (5x4+10x2) A.A.
- Aircraft: 48
- Complement: 1,821
- Builder: New York Shipbuilding, Camden, NJ
- Keel Laid: 10 Jul 1944
- Launched: 8 Jul 1945
- Commissioned: 14 Jul 1946
- Decommissioned: 3 Oct 1957
- Notes: Saipan and her sister Wright were ordered as replacements for the anticipated wastage of Independence-class carriers, with design based on the Baltimore-class heavy cruiser hull, instead of a Cleveland-class light cruiser conversion. Completed too late for World War II, they were cramped for jet aircraft and were laid up after use as training carriers. Reclassified as an auxiliary aircraft transport (AVT-6) but remained inactive. Saipan was originally slated to be converted like her sister into a command ship (CC-3), but instead she was converted and recommissioned as the communications ship Arlington AGMR-2, serving 1966-70.
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