The First Year
of the War
and the Expansion
of the U.S. Navy

“Since the Japanese attack, more than 332,000 tons of battleships, aircraft carriers, and cruisers have been launched to date. And this is far from being a complete roster of the new ships of the American Fleet, since these launchings include only the larger naval vessels of the 150-odd types coming from shipyards all over the country, The present size of our mightily growing Navy, the full numbers of the ships commissioned, built and building for it, and the details of their construction were, of course, shrouded in secrecy. Yet this much is was certain: at least 41 ships were launched between January 1 and November 30; more than 120 keels were laid. And it was likewise certain that the list was incomplete. This year’s announced launchings include three battleships, three regular aircraft carriers, three carriers converted from ships originally designed as 10,000-ton carriers, and ten cruisers. There were, in addition, swarms of smaller craft launched. And Rear Admiral Emory S. Land (1879 – 1971), chairman of the Maritime Commission, announced that as of October 1 the Navy had 14,192 vessels under construction: combatant, 1.341, patrol, 1,034; mine, 563, auxilary, 336; and district and small craft, 10,918.”

Click here to learn where the U.S. Navy stood at the close of the war…

Click here to learn about the growth of the U.S. Army during the same period.