These Are the Most Mass-Produced US Navy Ships of World War II

After Pearl Harbor, the United States went into overdrive in producing military weapons, ships, and planes. Defense companies increased production while commercial companies were transformed to help the war effort. American shipyards began manufacturing vessels at a rapid pace. By the time fighting was done, the number of active ships in the U.S. military had grown from 790 to 6,768. (Also see every carrier-based aircraft the United States used during WWII.)

24/7 Wall St. reviewed warship production figures from Military Factory, an online repository of military equipment data, to determine the most mass-produced American military ships used during the Second World War. We exclusively considered ship classes that served in WWII and had a minimum production of nine units during the class’s lifespan. The classes are ranked by their total production count, including those built before or after the war. Additional information regarding the type, notable ships, crew, and year of service also originated from the Military Factory. Ships within the same class often exhibited distinct crew complements.

Why Does This Matter?

World War II was a unique time for the American economy in terms of the war effort (bonds, material drives, rationing) and the mass production of weapons and vehicles by some of its biggest manufacturers, many of which are still around today. The biggest American shipbuilders were Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, and the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock is currently owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries, one of the top current shipbuilders of the United States Navy.

Here are the most mass-produced US Navy ships in World War II:

29. Independence-class

Number produced: 9
Type: Conventionally-powered light aircraft carrier
Notable ship(s): USS Independence (CVL-22), USS Cabot (CVL-28), USS Cowpens (CVL-25)
Year USS Independence (CVL-22) entered service: 1943
USS Independence (CVL-22) personnel: 1,569

28. Sims-class

Number produced: 12
Type: Destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS Wainwright (DD-419)
Year USS Wainwright (DD-419) entered service: 1940
USS Wainwright (DD-419) personnel: 192

27. Fargo-class

Number produced: 13
Type: Light cruiser
Notable ship(s): USS Fargo (CL-106)
Year USS Fargo (CL-106) entered service: 1945
USS Fargo (CL-106) personnel: 1,255

26. Baltimore-class

Number produced: 14
Type: Heavy cruiser
Notable ship(s): USS Fall River (CA-131), USS Saint Paul (CA-73)
Year USS Fall River (CA-131) entered service: 1945
USS Fall River (CA-131) personnel: 1,142

25. Mahan-class

Number produced: 18
Type: Multicole destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS Downes (DD-375)
Year USS Downes (DD-375) entered service: 1937
USS Downes (DD-375) personnel: 158

24. PT 95

Number produced: 18
Type: Motorized torpedo fast boat
Notable ship(s): Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo)
Year Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) entered service: 1942
Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) personnel: 11

23. Rudderow-class

Number produced: 22
Type: Destroyer escort
Notable ship(s): USS Rudderow (DE-224)
Year USS Rudderow (DE-224) entered service: 1944
USS Rudderow (DE-224) personnel: 221

22. Essex-class

Number produced: 24
Type: Conventionally-powered aircraft carrier
Notable ship(s): USS Essex (CV-9), USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Franklin (CV-13)
Year USS Essex (CV-9) entered service: 1942
USS Essex (CV-9) personnel: 2,600

21. Cleveland-class

Number produced: 29
Type: Light cruiser
Notable ship(s): USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Oklahoma City (CL-91), USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103)
Year USS Cleveland (CL-55) entered service: 1942
USS Cleveland (CL-55) personnel: 1,255

20. Benson-class

Number produced: 30
Type: Destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS Laffey (DD-459)
Year USS Laffey (DD-459) entered service: 1942
USS Laffey (DD-459) personnel: 208

19. Tolland-class

Number produced: 33
Type: Attack cargo ship
Notable ship(s): USS Alamance (AKA-75)
Year USS Alamance (AKA-75) entered service: 1944
USS Alamance (AKA-75) personnel: 395

18. Bogue-class

Number produced: 45
Type: Escort carrier/aircraft carrier
Notable ship(s): USS Bogue (CVE-9)
Year USS Bogue (CVE-9) entered service: 1942
USS Bogue (CVE-9) personnel: 890

17. Lapwing-class

Number produced: 49
Type: Minesweeper
Notable ship(s): USS Lapwing (AM-1)
Year USS Lapwing (AM-1) entered service: 1918
USS Lapwing (AM-1) personnel: 78

16. Casablanca-class

Number produced: 50
Type: Escort carrier
Notable ship(s): USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84)
Year USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) entered service: 1943
USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) personnel: 860

15. Allen M. Sumner-class

Number produced: 58
Type: Destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Laffey (DD-724), USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774)
Year USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) entered service: 1944
USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) personnel: 336

14. Crater-class freighter

Number produced: 62
Type: Cargo ship
Notable ship(s): USS Serpens (AK-97)
Year USS Serpens (AK-97) entered service: 1943
USS Serpens (AK-97) personnel: 206

13. Gleaves-class

Number produced: 66
Type: Destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS Gleaves (DD-423), USS McCalla (DD-488)
Year USS Gleaves (DD-423) entered service: 1940
USS Gleaves (DD-423) personnel: 276

12. John C. Butler-class

Number produced: 83
Type: Destroyer escort
Notable ship(s): USS John C. Butler (DE-339), USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)
Year USS John C. Butler (DE-339) entered service: 1944
USS John C. Butler (DE-339) personnel: 186

11. Edsall-class

Number produced: 85
Type: Destroyer escort
Notable ship(s): USS Pillsbury (DE-133)
Year USS Pillsbury (DE-133) entered service: 1943
USS Pillsbury (DE-133) personnel: 209

10. Gearing-class

Number produced: 98
Type: Destroyer/submarine hunter
Notable ship(s): USS Gearing (DD-710), USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884)
Year USS Gearing (DD-710) entered service: 1945
USS Gearing (DD-710) personnel: 336

9. Admirable-class

Number produced: 123
Type: Minesweeper / anti-submarine warfare vessel
Notable ship(s): USS Improve (AM-247)
Year USS Improve (AM-247) entered service: 1944
USS Improve (AM-247) personnel: 104

8. Clemson-class

Number produced: 156
Type: Destroyer
Notable ship(s): USS John D. Ford (DD-228), USS McCalla (DD-253), USS Reuben James (DD-245)
Year USS John D. Ford (DD-228) entered service: 1920
USS John D. Ford (DD-228) personnel: 122

7. Fletcher-class

Number produced: 175
Type: Destroyer / anti-submarine warfare platform
Notable ship(s): USS Fletcher (DD-445), USS Stoddard (DD-566), USS The Sullivans (DD-537)
Year USS Fletcher (DD-445) entered service: 1942
USS Fletcher (DD-445) personnel: 273