The USA scrapped 24 carriers, & preserved one, between 1960 & 1992. It has decommissioned eight since then, one of which it’s sunk, one of which is currently scheduled for dismantling, two of which are “awaiting disposal” & two “on donation hold” – which I think means donation of spares for active ships.
One issue with scrapping them is, where? The US worries about other countries getting a look at the innards of its carriers.
Donation hold actually means waiting for a group to scrape together the money to buy the ship as a museum I think.
Grim901 you are mostly correct. “Donation hold” does indeed refer to “donation for museum”, but the groups do not actually buy the ship… it will remain the property of the USN, just as do almost all current museum ships*.
CV-61 USS Ranger and CV-67 John F. Kennedy are both subjects of “preservation as museum” efforts.
Both organizations have had their Phase I applications approved, and are preparing their Phase II applications. There are 3 phases to the process.
Swerve, your numbers are off.
27 carriers decommissioned 1960-1992 (24 Essex, 3 Midway), 5 preserved (Yorktown, Hornet, Intrepid, Lexington, Midway).
Additionally, those carriers to be scrapped will be scrapped within the US.
Towing and complete dismantlement of multiple CV-59/CV-63 Class Aircraft Carriers in the United States
Solicitation Number: N0002412R4211
Agency: Department of the Navy
Office: Naval Sea Systems Command
Location: NAVSEA HQ
Jan 26, 2012 3:27 pm The Naval Sea Systems Command intends to solicit for the towing and complete dismantlement of multiple CV-59/CV-63 Class Aircraft Carriers in the United States, removal and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations, and processing and sale of scrap metals and reusable items. Ownership of the vessels remains with the United States. Towing will be required from the carriers’ locations in Philadelphia, PA and Bremerton, WA to the Contractors’ facilities in accordance with the U.S. Navy Tow Manual. The contract(s) will be five-year Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts awarded on a firm fixed-price basis at the net cost to the government, considering the estimated value to the Contractor of the resulting scrap metals and reusable items….
* The only exceptions that come to mind immediately are USS Texas BB-35 (now the property of the State of Texas) and LST-325 (purchased outright from the Greek government {who had bought it outright from the USN}, repaired, sailed back to the US, and restored as a “traveling museum”).
I am sure there are others… all smaller vessels.
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