Ordered 9 September 1940 as a Cleveland-class light cruiser, this ship was assigned hull number CL-79 and named Wilmington, for a city in Delaware (NS022826a).

Designated for completion as an aircraft carrier, she was redesignated CV-28 on 2 June 1942, and renamed Cabot on 23 June 1942.

The first Cabot, a Continental Navy brig (1775–1777), was named after Giovanni Caboto (1450?-1499?), a Venetian navigator better known to the English-speaking world by the anglicized form of his name, John Cabot. Although most details of Cabot's life and voyages are a subject of debate among historians, it is certain that he was the first European (after the Vikings) to reach the North American continent, 24 June 1497, while sailing under the sponsorship of King Henry VII of England. On the ground that Cabot had been the first explorer to reach the mainland, England later claimed all of North America.

(The name Cabot was temporarily assigned to CV-16.)

The second Cabot, CVL-28, was named for the old "famous ship of that name." (Very special thanks to Robert J. Cressman, Naval History & Heritage Command.)

(Map NS022826a courtesy of Hamstermap.com.)

NS022826: The Continental Fleet at sea. Left to right are the brig Cabot, brig Andrew Doria, ship Alfred, sloop Hornet, schooner Fly, ship Columbus, sloop Providence, and schooner Wasp. Modern painting by W. Nowland Van Powell, from The American Navies of the Revolutionary War, 1974.

Mrs. Albert C. Read (Elizabeth "Bess" Burdine Read), ship's sponsor of USS Cabot (CV-28), before launching at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. Photograph released 4 April 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-41536.

Mrs. Albert C. Read (Elizabeth "Bess" Burdine Read), ship's sponsor of USS Cabot (CV-28), christening the ship at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey. Photograph released 4 April 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-41539.

The future USS Cabot (CV-28), launching at Camden, New Jersey. Photographed on Sunday, 4 April 1943.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-41832.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) underway, date and location unknown.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) underway, date and location unknown.

This picture was taken on 29 October 1943, off Philadelphia Navy Yard, with the usual radar equipment, but with an incomplete flight deck identification number. Cabot evidently carried Measure 14 camouflage on commissioning, and, like Langley (CVL-27) and Lexington (CV-16) was never given a multi-color camouflage design.

(Thanks to Robert Hurst, who provided this information).

Closeup view of the ship's port side bridge wing, showing her insignia, circa 1943-44. The design is based on the slogan of Cabot's first Commanding Officer, Captain Malcolm F. Schoeffel: "Up Mohawks, At 'Em!". "Mohawk" was the ship's voice radio call sign at the time. (See also NS022848).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-263253).

US Marine Detachment aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28), crossing the Equator, January 1944.

Platoon Sergeant Francis J. Hayde, USMC, 1943–1945, is in the photo, in the dark blue tunic, wiping something from his eye.

Marine Detachment aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28) exercising 20-mm gun, port side amidships. Date and location unknown.

Burial at sea, 30 April 1944. AMM2/c Wallace James Schuetz, Torpedo Squadron (VT) 8, Carrier Air Group (CAG) 8, USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) was killed in action the previous day, while attacking Truk, when his aircraft (TBF-1C Avenger BuNo 47922, #27), was hit by Japanese AAA. Since the flight deck of his own carrier was fouled, and believing his gunner was seriously wounded but still alive, pilot, ENS (LT(JG)?) L.G. Mason, recovered aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28). Sadly, 22-year-old Schuetz was already dead. He was buried at sea with full military honors at 1116, 30 April.

Japanese carrier Chiyoda is hit aft and near-missed several times during air attacks by Task Force (TF) 58 planes, 20 June 1944. Photographed by USS Cabot (CVL-28).

NS022891: Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-263175.

NS022891a: Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), #80-G-263175.

Last photo of Figthing Squadron (VF) 31 "Flying Meataxers" aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28). With 165.6 victories, VF-31 was the highest-scoring CVL (light carrier) squadron, and the 7th Navy squadron. With half the planes and pilots, it equalled or even outscored some VF squadrons aboard Essex-class carriers. They had the highest kill ratio per pilot of any squadron in the U.S. Navy, a record that stands today. Cabot carried Air Group 31 from the time of her shakedown cruise until they were rotated out of active duty in October of 1944. Air Group 31 was replaced by Air Group 29, that served aboard Cabot until 11 July 1945. AG31 was in turn relieved by Air Group 32, that served for the last six weeks until the end of hostilities.

VF-31's second cruise, aboard USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24) in July 1945, produced only three days of air combat, but added 19 kills to their score.

(Partial text from U.S. Navy Fighter Squadrons in World War II, by Barrett Tillman.)

LT Adolph J. "Al" Mencin was the Executive Officer (XO) of VF-31. During his tenure aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28) he was awarded the Silver Star twice, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with three Gold Stars. He was an air combat Ace with six victories over Japanese aircraft. The "Flying Meataxers" destroyed 165.6 Japanese airplanes in aerial combat, top among all CVL (light carrier) squadrons. They deployed with Cabot from November 1943 through September 1944. The squadron was established on 1 May 1943, under command of LCDR Robert A. Winston, and left San Diego NAS in November 1943, to take part in the havoc that the Fast Carrier Task Force wreaked upon the Japanese Navy in 1944.

A view of the island of USS Cabot (CVL-28). USN photo. Judging from Air Group 29's (VF-29 & VT-29) scoreboard this picture was probably taken in October (or perhaps November) 1944.

The curved antenna of the surface search SG radar is seen on the raised circular platform. Forward of and below it is the SC-2 air search radar antenna. A second air search radar (SK) was installed on a stub mast between the pairs of uptakes—all fleet carriers were fitted with two air search sets as insurance against the failure of one of them in combat, and the wide separation of both main radars aboard CVLs often resulted in better radar performance than that enjoyed by the heavier and larger CVs.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) is hit by a Kamikaze, while operating with Task Force 38 off Luzon, 25 November 1944.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-289608).

"Destroyed gun tub."

Memorial service aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28). USN photo via Floating Drydock.

In all probability this picture shows the burial at sea, November 26, 1944 of five of the victims of the kamikaze attack the day before.

Donald F. Hayde comments: "The group on the left are Marines and the body no doubt is of Sergeant Major Lewis J. Camp, since he was the only Marine KIA [that day]."

(For a list of casualties, see "The Kamikaze Attack and Related Stories," Chapter 7 of J. Ed Hudson's A History of the USS Cabot (CVL-28): A Fast Carrier in World War II.)

"RIP Sgt Maj Lewis J. Camp."

Captain Stanley J. Michael, commanding officer of USS Cabot (CVL-28), presents the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Arthur Ray Hawkins, 1944–1945. Hawkins was awarded three Navy Crosses and three Distinguished Flying Crosses while serving with Fighting Squadron (VF) 31 aboard Cabot and USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24), and went on to become one of the original members of the "Blue Angels."

Commander William Henry Anderson served in Torpedo Squadron (VT) 29, embarked aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28) between 1944 and 1945. During this period then Lieutenant Anderson was awarded the Navy Cross (October 1944) and two Distinguished Flying Crosses (January–February 1945 and April 1945).

Citation (Navy Cross): "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to William Henry Anderson, Jr. (0-116656), Lieutenant, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron TWENTY-NINE (VT-29), embarked from the U.S.S. Cabot (CVL-28), in the Philippine Sea on 24 October 1944. Lieutenant Anderson participated in torpedo attacks which severely crippled an enemy Battleship Task Force. The action, in which he was an integral part, successfully accomplished in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft barrages, removed a serious threat to our ground forces. His outstanding courage and determination in the face of great danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Commander, 2d Carrier Task Force, Pacific: Serial 0876 (11 January 1945).

Port broadside photo of USS Cabot (CVL-28) during flight operations, circa 1945. An F6F Hellcat fighter is in the process of recovering aboard.

Underway at sea, 26 July 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-262768).

Cabot had departed Pearl Harbor on 24 July as part of Task Force 12.3 with battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38), a destroyer screen, and a new Air Group (AG32) aboard. En route to Eniwetok, the carrier launched three strikes on Wake Island on 1 August; Pennsylvania and DD's also used their guns against the Japanese-held island—the main goal of the strikes was to destroy all shore batteries.

Another view of USS Cabot (CVL-28) at sea. It appears to have been taken shortly after photo NS022813, above.

USS Cabot (CVL-28), Cuba, 27 April 1946.

Undated (late 1940s) aerial photo of USS Cabot (CVL-28).

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum photo.

Official US Navy Photograph of USS Cabot (CVL-28,) as a Naval Reserve Training Carrier, berthed at Alleghany Pier Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL in 1949.

The photo is from Headquarters Naval Air Training Command, NAS Pensacola.

Photo believed to have been taken aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28) in 1949, in Miami, Florida.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) underway. Planes on deck appear to be from Glenview, Illinois, based VF-721 Reserve squadron. USN photo, dated February 1949.

"Every flight student mades at least six landings aboard USS Cabot; here she steams past Fort Barrancas on way home."

US Navy photo (probably 1940s) of USS Cabot (CVL-28) underway.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) in February 1950, from the banks of the Mississippi River near New Orleans, LA.

Picture was taken by Lise M. Detruit.

A photo of USS Cabot (CVL-28), shown with the AF Guardians of ASW squadron VS-24 on deck, in the early 1950s. USN photo via Floating Drydock.

USS Cabot (CVL-28) underway, first half of the 1950s.

USS Cabot (CVL-28), loading supplies in preparation for her single Mediterranean cruise, 9 January–26 March 1952. This photo was taken on 30 December 1951, most likely in Pensacola, Florida.

The Cabot is seen in 1952 as a training and Anti-Submarine warfare carrier. Decommissioned in 1947, the Cabot was recommissioned in this role on October 27, 1948.

Note: This image and at least another, similar one, have been several times miscaptioned as "World War 2 images." In fact, they were taken after the ship's FY51 ASW modernization (project SCB-54), as indicated by her port H-4B catapult, modernized island and two, rather than four, funnels. An SNJ trainer is spotted on her flight deck.

John F. Floberg, in an SNJ-5C, landing on USS Cabot (CVL-28), April 18, 1952. Official US Navy photograph #441730.

Mr. Floberg, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air (December 5, 1949–July 23, 1953), qualified as a carrier pilot that day: "On April 18, he made 10 carrier landings and take-offs from the USS Cabot at Pensacola, the last three of them piloting his SNJ without a safety pilot in the rear seat." ("Naval Aviation News," June 1952 issue.)

Alfred Ravo by a twin Bofors 40mm gun mount, aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28), 1952.

Alfred Ravo and mates on the flight deck, 1952.

Sikorsky HRS-2 Chickasaw, BuNo 129033, modex HT6, from Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron (HMR) 262 "Flying Tigers," 1952.

Marines on the flight deck of USS Cabot (CVL-28), 1952. Note a Midway-class carrier on the opposite side of the pier, and a Piasecki HUP-1 Retriever helicopter from Helicopter Utility Squadron (HU) 2 "Fleet Angels" forward of the island.

Workmen guide USS Cabot (CVL-28) into drydock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, 19 April 1953. One workman is using a pointer to communicate directions and the line at the left is actually pulling and spotting the ship in the drydock.

Courtesy of the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Collection, photo # P556189B.

Reserve Fleet Basin, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania, photographed on 19 May 1955 with numerous cruisers, escort carriers, and auxiliaries in reserve.

The nearest ship is the never-completed Hawaii (CB-3), which lacks her previously-installed three 12" gun turrets.

The cruisers outboard of Hawaii are (in unknown order) Honolulu (CL-48), Columbia (CL-56), Denver (CL-58), Galveston (CL-93), and Portsmouth (CL-102).

To their left are Tranquility (AH-14), Sanctuary (AH-17), and Pocono (AGC-16).

Behind Hawaii (from left to right) are Montpelier (CL-57), Houston (CL-81), Huntington (CL-107), Savannah (CL-42), Cleveland (CL-55), and Wilkes Barre (CL‑103).

Beyond them (from left to right) are Wichita (CA-45), Oregon City (CA-122), Chester (CA-27), and New Orleans (CA-32).

The cruisers on the left side of the basin (from front to rear) are Minneapolis (CA-36), Tuscaloosa (CA-37), San Francisco (CA-38), Augusta (CA-31), Louisville (CA-28), and Portland (CA-33).

Among the other ships in reserve in the basin are Fomalhaut (AE-20), Webster (ARV-2), Albemarle (AV-5), Tangier (AV-8), Pocomoke (AV-9), Chandeleur (AV-10), Abatan (AW-4), Mission San Carlos (AO-120), Prince William (CVE-31), Anzio (CVE-57), Block Island (CVE-106), Palau (CVE-122), and San Carlos (AVP-51).

Moored in the shipyard at the extreme left are Tennessee (BB-43), California (BB-44), and Cabot (CVL-28).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-668655).

A photo of Cabot (CVL-28), taken in Delaware Bay, 24 August 1967, six days before she was commissioned in the Spanish Navy as Dédalo (PH-01). Note that she is still flying US Colors, but has Spanish flight deck markings in process of being applied.

USN Photo.

Ship's patch: "Up An At-Em Mohawks." (See NS022811).

"USS CABOT CVL 28"

USS Cabot (CVL-28).

Model and plate on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

In Spanish service Cabot was named Dédalo (Daedalus), after the first Spanish seaplane carrier. Built in 1901 as the German merchantman Neuenfels, she was one of six vessels handed over to Spain after World War I as war reparations, and was given the temporary name España nº 6. In 1921 she was transferred to the Spanish Navy, converted into a seaplane carrier and renamed Dédalo. The carrier took part in the Rif War and in September 1925 her seaplanes supported the amphibious landing at Al Hoceima (Alhucemas, the first amphibious landing in history with significant seaborne air support). Dédalo made history again on 7 March 1934, when a rotorcraft (piloted by its inventor, Juan de la Cierva), landed on and took off from a ship, near the port of Valencia, Spain (NS022876, photo signed by de la Cierva himself. The original picture is in the Museo Naval, Madrid). The veteran vessel was decommissioned in January 1935.

NS022876b: Watercolor © by Manuel García García, depicting the first Spanish Dédalo.

NS022876c: The photograph that inspired the above watercolor.

NS022876a: In Greek mythology, Daedalus was a skillful craftsman and artist. He created the Labyrinth for king Minos of Crete, where the Minotaur (a half-man, half-bull creature) was kept. When he was imprisonedin a tower to prevent the secret of his Labyrinth from spreading to the public, he made two sets of wingswith feathers and wax, for himself and his young son Icarus (NS022876a, Daedaulus and Icarus, painting by Charles Le Brun, circa 1645). They jumped off a window and flew toward freedom (unfortunately, Icarus forgot his father's advice, flew too high and the sun melted the wax in his wings, causing him to fall to his death).

Ex-USS Cabot (AVT-3) on the day she was transferred to the Spanish Navy as SPS Dédalo (PH-01). Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, 30 August 1967.

Courtesy of Temple University Digital Collections, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs.

The Spanish flag is hoisted during the transfer ceremony for USS Cabot as she becomes Dédalo. Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, 30 August 1967.

Courtesy of Temple University Digital Collections, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs.

Returning the salute from two Spanish seamen after the ceremony are 7-year old Peter Durban, of West Hereford, Conn., grandson of RADM Michael, WW II captain of Cabot, and Spanish Lieutenant San Martín. Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, 30 August 1967.

Courtesy of Temple University Digital Collections, George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs.

Dédalo at anchor, circa 1968. She has three Sikorsky CH-19E Chickasaw (HRS-3 under the pre-1962 designation system) parked on the flight deck; they were assigned to the "Segunda Escuadrilla" (Second Squadron) and affectionately nicknamed Pepos in the Spanish Navy. The small helicopter, aft, appears to be a Bell 47 from "Primera Escuadrilla" (First Squadron).

Another view of Dédalo (PH-01), very similar to the one above and probably taken on the same occasion.

The Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo, ex-USS Cabot, underway, date and location unknown. Note early flight deck markings.

Helicopter carrier Dédalo (PH01), ex-USS Cabot, underway in 1969, location unknown. Official Spanish Navy photo.

Location unknown, sometime in 1972-1981. The three small helicopters on the flight deck, forward, are Hughes 500M (the export version of the Hughes 369) assigned to the "Sexta Escuadrilla" (Sixth Squadron) and were received by the Spanish Navy starting in April 1972. The quad 40-mm/56-cal Bofors gun mount on the forecastle was swept overboard by a wave in 1981 or earlier.

Circa 1974, location unknown. As received by the Spanish Navy, Dédalo had somewhat upgraded electronics, including an SPS-40 air search radar.

Anchored off Alborán island, Mediterranean Sea, between Spain and Morocco; 1976 (thanks to Manuel Oliva, who provided this information). The Sea King helicopter parked on the flight deck appears to be number "005-4," an SH-3D which was lost in an accident in April 1976.

SPS Dédalo (PH-01), ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3), with USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1) in the background. Rota, Spain, 3 July 1976.

SPS Dédalo (PH-01), ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3). USS Oak Ridge (ARDM-1) in the background, with a submarine aboard and an APL alongside. Rota, Spain, 3 July 1976.

SPS Dédalo (PH-01), ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3), with USS Raleigh (LPD-1) forward. Rota, Spain, 3 July 1976.

SPS Dédalo (PH-01), ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3), with USS Elmer Montgomery (FF-1082) and USS Spiegel Grove (LSD-32) in the background. Rota, Spain, 4 July 1976.

The Spanish Navy helicopter carrier Dédalo (PH-01) moored pierside at Naval Station Rota, Spain, 1(?) September 1976. Oak Ridge (ARDM-1) is in the background, and the ship on the right, painted white, may be the survey ship USNS Wyman (T-AGS 34).

Department of Defense photo # DN-ST-87-06233.

The Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo, ex-USS Cabot, underway after 1976, location unknown. Note four Harrier (Matador) V/STOL jets on deck. Spanish Navy photo.

The Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo, ex-USS Cabot, underway circa 1978, location unknown. Note three Harrier (Matador) V/STOL jets forward and ASW helicopters aft. Spanish Navy photo.

Spanish Navy AH-1G Huey Cobra of the Séptima Escuadrilla (Squadron Seven) (USAF # 71-15091), on the flight deck of Dédalo. Late 1970s.

A port beam view of the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R-01), formerly USS Cabot (AVT-3), foreground, and the guided-missile frigate Baleares (F-71), participating in exercise Ocean Venture '81, September 1981, in the Atlantic Ocean.

U.S. Navy photo by JO1 Lon Cabot (DVIC id.: DN-ST-82-04670).

During the 1980–1981 [19 November 1980–10 June 1981] Med-Indian Ocean cruise aboard USS Independence (CV-62) we stopped at Rota [early June 1981] to take on some stores. Dédalo was pierside taking on sodas.

A view of ships docked at the pier at Naval Station Rota, Spain, dated 1 November 1981. The docked ships include the Spanish small aircraft carrier Dédalo (R01), left. Two tugboats nudge the destroyer USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938) into docking position, and the guided missile cruiser USS Wainwright (CG-28) is off Jonas Ingram's starboard bow.

U.S. Navy photo, author unknown. DVIC id: DN-ST-82-01789.

An aerial view of ships anchored, 13 February 1982 (Rota, Spain?). The ships are, from front to back, the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R-01), the amphibious transport dock USS Raleigh (LPD-1) and the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA-2).

Source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Photo VIRIN : DN-SC-82-08574.

Arsenal de Cartagena, Spain, circa September 1982. Note gangway with "R-01" hull number: Dédalo received a new, "R"-series number, in accordance with European NATO navies practice for aircraft carriers, in 1980 — many months before Spain's official entry into the Organization, in May 1982.

Then Seaman Aira with one of the Sea Kings assigned to "Quinta Escuadrilla" (Fifth Squadron) on the flight deck of Dédalo, Arsenal de Cartagena, Spain, circa September 1982. The Spanish Navy received 18 SH-3's between 1966 and 1981, of which 14 remained in service at the time this photo was taken — four having been lost in accidents.

Barcelona, Spain, January 22, 1983 — Dédalo (R-01) with four AV-8A Harrier (Matador, in the Spanish Navy) parked forward. Dédalo was the first carrier in the world to operate these VSTOL aircraft in a strike role.

Note the flight-deck extension to port, needed to wheel aircraft around the forward elevator well.

Dédalo (R-01) at Barcelona, Spain, 21 January 1984, flying the flag of VADM Enrique Contreras, General Commander of the Fleet. Parked on deck are four AV-8A Matador (Harrier) VSTOL aircraft, and four SH-3D Sea King and four Agusta-Bell AB-212 helicopters.

The aircraft carrier was to receive her second Battle Ensign on 22 January. Her first (Spanish) Battle Ensign had also been presented by the city of Barcelona, on 12 October 1968. The change was needed to match the new, constitutional Spanish flag.

A photograph of the SNS Dédalo, formerly USS Cabot (CVL-28) taken in April 1984 in Rota, Spain.

Aboard Dédalo (R-01), somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Spanish coast, circa 1984.

Twin Bofors 40mm gun mount. Rota, Spain. Date unknown.

Aboard Dédalo (R-01), Rota, Spain, circa 1984.

A photo of Cabot in Spanish service (R-01 Dédalo). Photo was taken May 1985 at Muelle del Centenario (Centennial Pier),^* La Coruña, Spain during Dia de las Fuerzas Armadas.

^*  (Thanks to Francisco Javier Santos Vazquez.)

In port, Vigo, Spain, June 1987.

An aerial port bow view of the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R01) underway in the Mediterranean Sea, 1 June 1988. Note the four AV-8S Matadors aft, plus a Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King and two Agusta-Bell 212s on the flight deck.

USN photo by LCDR John Leenhouts (# DN-SC-88-08303).

An air-to-air front view of a Spanish AV-8S Matador aircraft in flight over the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R01), below, in the Mediterranean Sea, 1 June 1988.

USN photo by LCDR John Leenhouts (# DN-SC-88-08301).

An aerial port view of the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R01) underway in the Mediterranean Sea, 1 June 1988 (see above).

USN photo by LCDR John Leenhouts (# DN-SC-88-08302).

Island of the Spanish aircraft carrier Dédalo (R01), Rota, Spain, circa late 1988.

Compared to photo NS022866, note absence of SPS-8A radar antena, and two stays supporting the mast, after a helicopter accident in 1986.

Commemorative Medal.

Dédalo arrives in New Orleans, LA, 2 August 1989.

NS022856: About to pass under the Huey P. Long Bridge.

NS022856a: A harbor tug shoots her fire hoses in salute. Photo by Alexander Barkoff.

NS022856b: The same photo, as shown on The Times-Picayune, Thursday, 3 August 1989.

NS022856c: Moored, close to Bourbon Street.

NS022856d: Decommissioned and stricken from the Spanish Navy, and handed over to the Cabot/Dédalo Association, 5 August 1989.

NS022856e–NS022856h: More photos taken on the same occasion. Note, in photo NS022856g, two men are in the uniform of the Granaderos de Galvez. These pictures were probably taken by Mr. Howard H. Skidmore, CAPT, USN (Ret.).

NS022856i: Ex-Cabot, ex-Dédalo, as seen from the Huey P. Long Bridge, 7 August 1989.

Mississippi River, New Orleans, 11 November 1989. Note US flag flying astern and US name (Cabot) on the starboard quarter. Spanish flag was flying on the bow and Spanish name (Dédalo) appeared on the port quarter.

Photo by Mr. Howard H. Skidmore, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

Mississippi River, New Orleans, 12 November 1989.

Starboard broadside view of Cabot/Dédalo.

Spanish flag.

US flag.

Photos by Mr. Howard H. Skidmore, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

"Ship that served 2 navies comes home"

"Warship that served America and Spain comes home"

Navy Times, 5 March 1990.

The bridge and a portion of the flight deck of Cabot ("The Iron Woman")/Dédalo reconstructed in the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida, 20 December 1992.

Photo by Mr. Howard H. Skidmore, CAPT, USN (Ret.)

A series of photos of ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3), ex-SPS Dédalo (PH-01/PA-01/R-01).

A series of photos of ex-USS Cabot (CVL-28/AVT-3), ex-SPS Dédalo (PH-01/PA-01/R-01).

New Orleans, 1994.

New Orleans, 29 September 1995. The red steeple of St. Vincent de Paul (now known as Blessed Francis X. Seelos) Church, Bywater, is visble in the distance.

Brownsville—21 March 2001. In a last minute effort to preserve something of the ship, the Texas Air Museum (Rio Hondo, Tx) acquired the island, CIC, and pilot briefing room for a museum exhibit which would have served as the USS Cabot Memorial.

NS022820a: The island, however, was finally demolished. (See video here.)