the last Light Aircraft Carrier

[Blakrider]

back in 89, i happened to see a magaizine cover showing the return of the last light carrier USS Cabot from the spanish navy to New Orleans, where it was to be converted to a museum ship. years later i was in New Orleans but found out she hadn't been turned into a museum ship as the article had promised, but was instead just sitting there tied to the pier rusting out. it was finally towed to Brownsvlle Tx for scapping in about 2002.

i have oftened wondered what could have been her fate if the twilight war had started. would it have stayed a rusting hulk in New Orleans, or would the navy have pressed her into service and if they did as what a anti sub carrier (ASW) or a maybe a LPH helicopter landing ship

i have written up the states for both

so any ides or suggestions

[copeab]

Here's her history and stats in Spanish service, to give an idea of what her capabilities would have been like in the 90's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_aircraft_carrier_Ddalo

My rough guess is that the USN would have used it in a similar role, though a ski-jump might have been installed for improving the Harriers' performance.

[Raellus]

I like the idea of the US government buying her from her private owners in late '96 or early '97, refurbishing and refitting her (if she'd been neglected, this could take upwards of a year) and returned to service as an escort carrier in '98. On the other hand, the USN would be running short of amphibs by then so perhaps that would be her WWIII role. She already carried Harriers in Spahish service so it makes sense that she'd carry them again in USMC service.

I can see her running convoy escort duty carrying a mix of helis for ASW duties and Harriers optimized for air-to-air combat operations.

[Dog 6]

I like the idea of the US government buying her from her private owners in late '96 or early '97, refurbishing and refitting her (if she'd been neglected, this could take upwards of a year) and returned to service as an escort carrier in '98. On the other hand, the USN would be running short of amphibs by then so perhaps that would be her WWIII role. She already carried Harriers in Spahish service so it makes sense that she'd carry them again in USMC service.

I can see her running convoy escort duty carrying a mix of helis for ASW duties and Harriers optimized for air-to-air combat operations.

I 2nd that

[Abbott Shaull]

These type of ships would be used as the basis and I am sure more modern ones were in the works to serve as Escort Carriers of WWIII. The Navy has practically had several of these ships used to carry Marine landing forces, don't recall the name of the vessels, but they too could be press into Escort Carrier type service too.

In the Persian Gulf they could be used as staging asset for the Heli-borne forces. In and around Korea for the same reason and in the North Sea and Baltic Sea in support of the protecting Marine units in those areas.

[kalos72]

My group even has talked about using the old Intrepid in NYC as a landing platform for rotary wing assets. Of course I cant decide if I should give it to them with working engines or not. :P

[Targan]

My group even has talked about using the old Intrepid in NYC as a landing platform for rotary wing assets. Of course I cant decide if I should give it to them with working engines or not. :P

Its a nice idea and I can see why you'd get excited about it but seriously, even the smallest of carriers is a very large vessel. Where the hell do you get enough fuel oil to give it any kind of range And would it be an efficient use of what fuel oil you could source I don't want to rain on your parade here but in the late Twilight War I just don't see it happening.

[kalos72]

That was my position, then they countered with "We will move it around with tugs like the Wisla Krolowa, steam driven".

I have my hands full with these guys, all a bit too smart for their britches but at least they keep me on my toes.

[Abbott Shaull]

It would take several tugs to move her effectively without causing damage. Takes a lot horse power to start moving, and even more to stop a beast like that if she dead weight in the water.

Then factor in how many modern tugs have the room to be converted to wood/coal burning since there a limited amount of diesel.... After you convert, all the tugs would have limit power compared to before.

There are always ways around things...

[Blakrider]

here she is

this is the information i had been able to dig up in the USS Cabot as was in Spanish service

[Legbreaker]

Only one small problem I see with this:

The carrier remained moored in New Orleans until the middle of WWIII. Given a quick refit and re-equipped, she was recommissioned on 11 March 98.

New Orleans and the surrounding area got nuked in late 1997...

I doubt there'd have been much serious interest in the ship early enough to warrant it being moved. The war started less than a year earlier and am doubtful a 60 year old hull would have held much interest - the battle in the North Sea which destroyed "the last major fleet in being" did not occur until June 1997. Therefore, I can't see anyone in authority starting the process of refitting until a week or later (at best!). Then organising workmen who are probably heavily involved on other wartime projects, plus materials, machinery, etc would add at least another few months...
As the ship was stricken from the Spanish Navy in 89 it's been rusting away for quite a while. It's also highly likely that in it's last years in Spain, maintenance was minimal at best - why spend much time, effort and money on a ship which is about to be decommissioned anyway Therefore, it's unlikely to be a simple case of an oil change and fresh coat of paint.

So, the assessment is good idea, but it just doesn't quite work given the timelines.

[Targan]

+1 to what Leg said.

[pmulcahy11b]

I'll have to agree here too. By 1998, the resources to ready an aircraft carrier would no longer exist or be in very short supply, used elsewhere. The equipment to use and maintain the aircraft would similarly be in short supply. More likely, the ship may have been cut up for scrap, to use the metal plates for other projects.

[copeab]

I'll have to agree here too. By 1998, the resources to ready an aircraft carrier would no longer exist or be in very short supply, used elsewhere. The equipment to use and maintain the aircraft would similarly be in short supply. More likely, the ship may have been cut up for scrap, to use the metal plates for other projects.

Alternatively, it may have been used as a floating town, after being moved some distance from shore.

[kalos72]

Now I LIKE that idea actually...or even as a floating base.