Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier, was renamed Independence (CV-22) on 12 February 1942, and reordered from New York S.B. on 18 March 1942.

Her new name was selected to commemorate "famous ships of the past" by that name. Independence means "freedom of control by others; self-government."

A brigantine named Independence served in the Massachusetts State Navy in 1776–77 and cruised off New England until captured by the Royal Navy.

1. The first American Independence was a Continental Navy sloop. She was in Quiberon Bay, 14 February 1778, when John Paul Jones in Ranger received the first national salute to the flag, first official recognition of the American Republic by a foreign power.
2. A ship-of-the-line.
3. A transport.

(Map NS022225a courtesy of Google Maps. NS022225: US Navy illustration.)

Christening of the future USS Independence (CV-22) by Mrs. Dorothy Warner, wife of Rawleigh Warner, President of the Pure Oil Company. Saturday, 22 August 1942.

Seen just over three months after entering service, Independence is camouflaged in Measure 14, and has a few SBDs and TBMs on the flight deck forward. The contours of the port hull bulge can be seen. A few weeks after this photo was taken, the bow and stern 5"/38 guns, fitted as original equipment, were each exchanged for one 40-mm quad. SK, SC-2 and SG radars were carried. (Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided additional info).

USS Independence (CV-22) photographed soon after completion, circa early 1943, while she still carried a 5"/38 gun at the bow.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC), photo # NH 88416.

USS Independence, location unknown. USN photo, 1943. Note the early war aircraft markings on the planes on deck.

USS Independence, "Attention to colors," 1943.

USS Independence (CV-22), 12 March 1943. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 3 - 1 April 1943.

USS Independence (CV-22), 12 March 1943. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 3 - 1 April 1943.

(Top) Starboard stern view. The ship is still on shakedown cruises off the east coast and is camouflaged in Measure 14 scheme. The stern mounted 5"/38 mount is visible here. Independence was the only member of her class so completed with 5"/38 guns, and these were replaced by quadruple 40mm mounts before leaving San Francisco for the Pacific War Zone.

(Bottom) Stern overhead view, during shakedown cruises. The general layout of the ship is easily seen in this photo with two centerline elevators and four offset stacks behind the island.

The newly completed small aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-22) underway off Philadelphia Navy Yard on 12 March 1943, still showing her original battery, which included a single 5"/38 gun forward and aft, in Mk.24 Mod. 11 mountings. Both forward and aft guns were replaced by quad 40mm Bofors in June 1943. Note, too, the flight-deck extension to port to allow aircraft to be wheeled around a lowered forward elevator. The large flight-deck crane was necessary because there was no way to transfer aircraft from a pier or barge into the closed hangar deck.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 19-N-42069.

Partial text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

Aerographer's Mates prepare to launch a weather balloon aboard USS Independence (CV-22), during the carrier's shakedown period, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-K-777).

SBD-4 Dauntless dive bombers from Composite Squadron (VC) 22 launch from the light ("small," in official terminology) aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV-22), April 1943. By the time the light carriers went to combat, later in the year, SBDs had been omitted from their Air Groups.

CVL-22 official site photos, taken by US Navy employee(s) during official duties.

USS Sigsbee (DD-502) refueling along the port side of USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph released 30 April 1943.

Actual date may be 18 April 1943, when Sigsbee came along port side to refuel (0743–0852).

NS022223b: Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54445.

Firing 40mm, twin mount, anti-aircraft, USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54451.

Firing 40mm, twin mount, anti-aircraft, gun crew eating while at General Quarters, USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54452.

Firing 40mm, twin mount, anti-aircraft guns aboard USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54453.

Island of USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54455.

Radioman-Gunner of an SBD Dauntless scout-bomber aims his plane's twin .30 caliber machine guns aboard USS Independence (CV-22), during the carrier's shakedown period, 30 April 1943. Note the guns' armor plate, gunsight, and variety of bullet types (with tip marking sequence: red, black, light blue & plain).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (# 80-G-K-787).

Same photo as NS022223g, below. Original color photo, as indicated by the "K" in its id number.

Aerial gunner aboard USS Independence (CV-22) draws a bead. Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54460.

(Larger, B&W copy of photo NS022223a, above. Original is a color photo.)

A plane director spots a TBF Avenger in the exact position for catapulting on the flight deck of USS Independence (CV-22). Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54470.

SBD Dauntless launching from the deck of USS Independence (CV-22). As the Flight Operations Director looks on from Flight Control, the time consumed in take-off is carefully noted by the enlisted man on the left. Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54490.

Starter on the flight deck of USS Independence (CV-22) signaling the pilot, who watches to see when the checkered flag drops so he can launch. Photograph, 30 April 1943.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54492.

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighters and two Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bombers on the light aircraft carrier USS Independence sometime in 1943. Note that the F6Fs are in various states of repainting, as the omission of the right wing star and the addition of two white bars to the stars on the left wings and fuselage was ordered in June 1943. These had a red border which was changed to blue in August 1943. Courtesy of the USS Independence Reunion Group, Inc.

Maintenance on U.S. Navy Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers of Composite Squadron (VC) 22 on the light aircraft carrier USS Independence in mid-1943. By the time the light aircraft carriers went to combat in late 1943, SBDs had been omitted from their air groups. Courtesy of the USS Independence Reunion Group, Inc.

TBF Avenger aircraft, Composite Squadron (VC) 22, launching from the deck of USS Independence (CV-22), 1 May 1943.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-54484.

USS Independence (CV-22) moored at Mare Island Navy Yard, 3–13 July 1943, just prior to heading to Pearl Harbor. Originally commissioned with two 5-inch/38 guns, these were removed and each was replaced with a quad 40-mm mount, as seen in this photograph. The ship is camouflaged in Measure 14.

National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), Photo No. 2001.268.022.001.

Aft plan view of USS Independence (CV-22) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 11 July 1943. Navy photo # 5083-43.

Stern view of USS Independence (CV-22) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 13 July 1943. Navy photo # 5099-43.

Broadside view of USS Independence (CV-22) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 13 July 1943. Her hull number was changed to CVL-22 two days later. Navy photo # 5101-43.

[Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (# 19-N-48266)]

Bow on view of USS Independence (CV-22) off Mare Island Navy Yard on 13 July 1943. Navy photo # 5103-43.

[Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives (# 19-N-48269)]

USS Independence (CVL-22) in San Francisco Bay, California, on 15 July 1943, the day her hull number was changed from CV-22 to CVL-22. She has nine SBD scout bombers parked amidships and aft, and nine TBM torpedo planes parked amidships and forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-74433.

USS Independence (CVL-22) underway in San Francisco Bay. The ship was commissioned in Philadelphia Jan. 14, 1943. The ship served throughout World War II. [USN 74435   15 Jul 1943]

Another view, as above.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-74436).

An aerial photo of USS Independence (CVL-22) underway probably in the second half of 1943, [(appears to have been taken within minutes from the photos above)], with a few TBM Avenger and SBD Dauntless aircraft on her flight deck. The bow 40mm quad is now in place. Note the crane, visible in front of the small island, the four cranked smokestacks, the edge of the port bulge, and the twin 40mm AA guns, the latter being exclusive to Independence-class ships. Photo USN.

Text and photo from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

Off Mare Island in July 1943, the Independence shows the forward end of her blister as well as the forward end of her hangar deck. The original CVL design called for a bridge and pilot house in that area, which later housed only a secondary steering station.

Photo and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

"Butch" O'Hare's section of VF-6 squadron aboard USS Independence (CVL-22) on 6 September 1943. Left to right: LT(JG) Alex Vraciu (Butch's wingman), LCDR Butch O'Hare, LT Sy Mendenhall and ENS A. Willy Callan.

Alex Vraciu was the leading Navy "ace" between late June and late October 1944. He was shot down by AAA near Bamban Airfield (Philippines) on 14 December 1944; he was scooped up by friendly Filipino guerillas and spent some six weeks with them, behind enemy lines. Vraciu is listed as the Navy's #4 ace, with 19 victories.

Edward H. "Butch" O'Hare, first U.S. Navy ace in WW II and Medal of Honor awardee, was reported as MIA not long after this photo was taken, on the night of 26–27 November 1943.

"Butch" O'Hare and Chief Willie Williams, the lead crew chief that took care of his F6F Hellcat, 6 September 1943. Fighting Squadron (VF) 6.

Independence class. ONI 54-CV, Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, 11-43.

Photos of USS Princeton (CVL-23) and USS Cowpens (CVL-25).

USS Independence (CVL-22) torpedo damage diagram, 20 November 1943, off Tarawa.

Source: Navy Department Library, USS Independence (CVL-22) War Damage Report No. 52.

Lawrence Lewis Swartz, sadly among those KIA on 20 November 1943 when the torpedo struck USS Independence (CVL-22) while supporting the Tarawa and Makin Island invasion.

"He was the light of our family and he died a hero. He was nominated for a Silver Star. He died a Gunnar holding his gun and it was blown up beneath him."

"He sacrificed his life for his ship, his navy mates and his country. He was loved more than I can ever express."

Burial at sea, Battle of Tarawa, Nov. 22, 1943.

Twelve sailors were killed and five missing in action as result of torpedo Nov. 20, 1943.

USS Independence (CVL-22) off Hunters Point in June 1944. Independence shows the unusual tumble-home hull form of her class. The deck cargo consists of twin-engined Lockheed PV-1 Ventura patrol bombers en-route to the combat area. USN photo.

Photo and text from U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.

USS Independence around mid-1944, with Design 8A camouflage, the colours probably being those of Measure 32. The support structure for the four smokestacks is clearly visible. Photo USN.

Photo and text from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

One of many violent rolls during typhoon in the Pacific, 4 October 1944.

"The ship went through at least 6 heavy weather episodes including the worst of all on 17/18 Dec. 1944, when a bomb magazine broke loose and all its bombs nearly destroyed us." (Don Labudde).

"I was in charge of the bomb magazine at the time. Those bombs would just tumble end over end. I would jump up, grab an I beam overhead, lift my legs, and let the bombs roll by. When it stopped on one side momentarily, I would tie one or two down. Then I would grab hold the I beam again and hang up there like a monkey until the bombs rolled to the other bulkhead and I could secure a couple more. I could hear the speakers telling the crew to make ready to abandon ship. So I was down there doing my job and thinking to myself, if this thing blows up, I'm going to die anyway so it [doesn't] make any difference where I am." (Herman Backlund).

This is National Archives and Records Administration photo # 80-G-290007.

USS Independence (CVL-22), damaged 40mm, #1 gun mount as result of typhoon and heavy seas. Shown: Damage done to splinter shield. Gunner's Mate making repairs and adjustment, and the debris. Photograph released 4 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-290011.

USS Independence (CVL-22), damaged 40mm, #1 gun mount as result of typhoon and heavy seas. Shown: Gun director. Photograph released 4 October 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-290013.

Portside of USS Independence's (CVL-22) island at Hunters Point, 19 June 1944. A YE radio beacon is mounted atop the foremast, with the antenna of an SG surface-search radar fitted to the platform immediately below the beacon. An SM fighter-direction radar antenna is mounted on the foremast platform.

USS Independence (CVL-22), damaged aircraft caused by shifting positions during typhoon and heavy seas. Shown: Starboard wing of TBM Avenger damaged and radar equipment—AIA antenna night flying. Photograph released 6 October 1944.

The ship's War Diary for 3 October 1944 reads:

Anchored as before. The wind increased in velocity beyond 30 knots. At 0544 we got underway with the rest of Task Group 38.2 in obedience to ComThirdFleet's despatch dated 3 October 1944 and headed south to ride out the storm. At 0705 formed disposition 5-R-5, axis 160 degrees T., this vessel and U.S.S. Intrepid composing Task Unit 38.2.1 (Rear Admiral G. F. Bogan, USN). U.S.S. Cabot and Bunker Hill joined later in the morning as they caught up with the formation. All day we encountered intermittent heavy rain squalls and heavy seas. At 1356, due to a 27 degree roll to port, a portable crane broke her lashings and went over the side. On the next roll to starboard, one F6F carried away over the side. Planes carried away on the hangar deck causing irreparable damage to 1 TBM and 3 F6Fs. This evening, as we turned into the wind to return to Ulithi, green seas, driven by 50 knots of relative wind, consistently came over the flight deck, beating up the forecastle considerably. The storm caused various items of damage throughout the ship, all within the ability of the ship's force to repair.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-290039.

USS Independence (CVL-22), plane activity on flight deck. F6F Hellcat aircraft is taxied forward to port catapult while pilot receives last minute instructions. Photograph released 10 October 1944.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-290027.

The lead ship of the Independence class, USS Independence (CVL-22) is seen from the port side on 30 December 1944, while leaving Ulithi, the Pacific anchorage. The camouflage pattern here is Measure 33 Design 8A. The colors appear to be Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O) and Light Gray (5-L) with Pale Gray (5-P) used in some places as counter shading. The most prominent panel of pale gray under the bow flight deck overhang was commented on by Everett Warner during his survey of the Pacific Fleet as being too visible, so may have been darkened before this photo. This photo was taken from USS Hancock (CV-19).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-300095.

Hornet and Independence (CVL-22) together, 25 January 1945, as seen from Lexington (CV-16).

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.245.010. Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection.

Members of the crew of the light carrier USS Independence (CVL-22), including possibly the ship's commanding officer, Captain Nolan Kindell, at far left, pictured in front of the scoreboard painted on the carrier's island, 1945. Image is part of a photograph album relating to the service of Independence during World War II.

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum (photo # 2001.268.022.004).

August 1945, with F6F-5 Hellcats of VF-27 tied down on the forward flight deck.

National Archives and Records Administration photo, # 80-G-469034.

Radar and radio room aboard USS Independence (CVL-22), August 1945.

National Archives and Records Administration photo, # 80-G-469037.

Official, undated (possibly post-war) photo of USS Independence (CVL-22).

Afire aft, soon after the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst test at Bikini on 1 July 1946. The bomb had exploded off the ship's port quarter, causing massive blast damage in that area, and progressively less further forward.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-627502).

View of the ship's port quarter, showing severe blast damage caused by the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst at Bikini on 1 July 1946. Photographed at Bikini anchorage on 23 July 1946.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-627471).

Atomic blast damage to the starboard quarter of USS Independence (CVL-22) during Operation Crossroads, Bikini Atoll, 2 July 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-627430.

Port side close-up view of the damage to ex-USS Independence (CVL-22) in July 1946 after the "Able Day" atomic bomb burst at Bikini Island.

LIFE magazine, Bob Landry photographer, shared by Peter DeForest.

Correspondents aboard an LCU view the badly damaged USS Independence (CVL-22), 3 July 1946, two days after the "Able Day" burst. This was the unengaged side of the ship.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-627512.

USS Independence (CVL-22), 4 June 1946, being readied for Operation Crossroads.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA II), College Park, photo # 74-BO-H7 CVL22 01.

Effects of Test "Able" aboard Independence, 7 July 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA II), College Park, photo # 74-BO-L9 CVL22 01.

Effects of Test "Able" aboard Independence, 7 July 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA II), College Park, photo # 74-BO-L8 CVL22 01.

Effects of Test "Able." Left to right: heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), light carrier USS Independence (CVL-22), Japanese battleship Nagato.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA II), College Park, photo # 74-BO-N8 CVL22 01.

Operation Crossroads, "Baker Day" underwater atomic bomb test, Bikini Atoll, 25 July 1946. Frame 2 of a series of ground level views, taken about one-and-a-half seconds after detonation. Identifiable ships are, (left to right): ex-USS Pennsylvania (BB-38); ex-USS New York (BB-34); ex-USS Saratoga (CV-3); ex-USS Salt Lake City (CA-25); ex-USS Arkansas (BB-33); ex-USS Independence (CVL-22); ex-Japanese battleship Nagato; and ex-USS Nevada (BB-36).

Naval History & Heritage Command (NH&HC) Photograph Collection, # NH 96240.

The badly damaged hulk of ex-USS Independence (CVL-22) moored at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard. Two Essex-class aircraft carriers that had already been mothballed can also be seen: Hornet (CV-12), left, and Intrepid (CV-11), right. Photo from Warship Boneyards, by Kit and Carolyn Bonner.

Previously classified, this photo from the files of San Francisco Naval Shipyard (Hunters Point) documents ex-USS Independence's condition and how access to the ship was controlled while moored there.

USS Iowa (BB-61) passes the burned-out hulk of ex-USS Independence (CVL-22) in San Francisco Bay, July 1947. Independence had been a target ship in the Bikini atom bomb tests the year before.

Courtesy of Ted Huggins, San Francisco, California, 1970.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo # NH 70264.

Aerial view of ex-USS Independence at anchor in San Francisco Bay, California, January 1951. There is visible damage from the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll.

The remains of Independence are resting in 2,600 feet of water off California's Farallon Islands. Read the press release.

"Last list — Starboard gun tubs of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Independence (CVL-22) etched against the Pacific sky as she starts her death throes off the Central California coast. The bow is nearest camera (left). She sank after a weapons test Friday morning. The "Mighty I" was a veteran of two years of war in the Pacific and a target ship in the Bikini atomic bomb tests. (Official Navy photo)."

NS022235 & NS022235a: The shipwreck site of the former aircraft carrier, USS Independence (CVL-22), is located in the northern region of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Half Moon Bay, California was the port of operations for the Independence survey mission. The first multibeam sonar survey of the Independence site was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Okeanos Explorer in 2009.

NS022235b: Frame from a video of Boeing's Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Echo Ranger.

NS022235c: Features on an historic photo of Independence are captured in a three-dimensional (3D) low-resolution sonar image of the shipwreck in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The Coda Octopus Echoscope 3D sonar, integrated on the Boeing Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Echo Ranger, imaged the shipwreck during the first maritime archaeological survey. The sonar image with oranges color tones (lower) shows an outline of a possible airplane in the forward aircraft elevator hatch opening.

Resting in 2,600 feet (≅800 meters) of water off California's Farallon Islands, the carrier is "amazingly intact," said NOAA scientists.

NS022235d: An image of the wreck of Independence from the Coda Octopus Echoscope 3D sonar, which was integrated on the Boeing Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Echo Ranger.