USS Franklin (CV-13) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids History
USS Franklin underway in 1944
United States
Name	Franklin
Namesake	USS Franklin (1775), named for Benjamin Franklin
Builder	Newport News Shipbuilding
Laid down	7 December 1942
Launched	14 October 1943
Commissioned	31 January 1944
Decommissioned	17 February 1947
Reclassified	CVA-13, 13 October 1952 CVS-13, 13 August 1953 AVT-8, 8 May 1959
Stricken	1 October 1964
Identification	Callsign: NFBM Hull number: CV-13
Honors and awards	See Awards
Fate	Scrapped, 27 July 1966
General characteristics
Class and type	Essex-class aircraft carrier
Displacement	27,100 long tons (27,500 t) (standard) 36,380 long tons (36,960 t) (full load)
Length	820 feet (249.9 m) (waterline) 872 feet (265.8 m) (o/a)
Beam	93 ft (28.3 m) (waterline)
Draft	34 ft 2 in (10.41 m) (full load)
Installed power	8 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers 150,000 shp (110,000 kW)
Propulsion	4 × shafts; 4 × geared steam turbines
Speed	33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Range	14,100 nmi (26,100 km; 16,200 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	2,600 officers and enlisted men
Armament	4 × twin, 4 × single 5 in (127 mm) DP guns 8 × quadruple 40 mm (1.6 in) AA guns 46 × single 20 mm (0.8 in) AA guns
Armor	Waterline belt: 2.5–4 in (64–102 mm) Deck: 1.5 in (38 mm) Hangar deck: 2.5 in (64 mm) Bulkheads: 4 in (102 mm)
Aircraft carried	91–103 aircraft

The USS Franklin (CV-13) was a famous aircraft carrier from World War II. People often called her "Big Ben." She was one of 24 Essex-class carriers built for the United States Navy. She was also the fifth U.S. Navy ship to be named Franklin.

The ship started service in January 1944. She fought in many battles during the Pacific War. She earned four battle stars for her brave actions. In March 1945, a Japanese air attack badly damaged her. Over 800 of her crew members died. This made her the most damaged U.S. aircraft carrier to survive the war. You can even see real footage of this attack in the 1949 movie Task Force.

After the attack, Franklin went back to the U.S. for repairs. This meant she missed the rest of the war. She was taken out of service in 1947. During the war, 924 crew members from Franklin were killed. This was the highest number for any U.S. warship that survived. Only the USS Arizona had more losses.

While in reserve (meaning she was kept ready but not active), her type was changed several times. First, she became an attack carrier (CVA). Then, she was an antisubmarine carrier (CVS). Finally, she was an aircraft transport (AVT). However, she was never updated or used in active service again. Franklin and Bunker Hill were the only Essex-class carriers that did not serve as active aircraft carriers after World War II. Franklin was finally sold for scrap in 1966.

Images for kids

Franklin in January 1945
F4U-1D of VF-5 on Franklin in 1945
Franklin's bridge on 19 March 1945
Joseph T. O'Callahan gives last rites to an injured crewman aboard Franklin on 19 March 1945
Bow of the badly damaged Franklin in April 1945
Franklin and Marblehead off New York in 1945
Franklin under repair at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1945
Franklin laid up in the early 1960s

USS Franklin (CV-13) facts for kids

Images for kids

See also