I’ve got a dim memory of seeing pictures/news footage of a USN carrier berthing/sailing using piston engined aircraft lined up down both sides of the flight deck as thrusters,I seem to recall there quite a few overheated engines as a result.I guess this must have been late 1940s or early 50s.
Colin.

I think there’s a scene like that in “The Bridges at Toko-Ri”