These WWII Navy Ships Were a Amazing Feats of Engineering

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• The Casablanca-class escort carrier from 1943 had 50 ships made, highlighting the shift towards aircraft carriers during the war.
• During World War II, U.S. Navy personnel grew by 894%.
• The U.S. Navy and its rapid technological advancements during the war played a critical role in the Allied victory.
• Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

World War II represented a period of significant growth for the U.S. Navy. The Navy had just 380,000 personnel at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Recognizing a need for increased maritime power and stronger naval infrastructure, the Navy implemented changes – in personnel, vessels, and strategy – to increase its ability to perform on a global stage. By the time World War II was finished, the Navy had grown by 894% to a total of 3.4 million personnel. This also necessitated an increase in ships and vessels that could be used in the war and in the decades after. (These American warships and submarines have the biggest crews.)

During the war, the U.S. sent a variety of vessels, including cruisers and aircraft carriers, to contribute to the Allies’ victory. Many of these vessels had only recently been built during the war efforts. However, many more of the ships were much older and needed significant upgrades. To understand what naval power looked like during World War II, and how it transformed during the course of the war, 24/7 Wall St. looked at the different warship classes by analyzing data from the World War II Database, an online collection of data regarding the people, events, equipment, and ships of WWII. (If you’re curious, here are the most important events of World War II.)

We’ve ranked the list in order of the date the ships were first launched. Not every ship is listed, but we’ve included aircraft carriers, cruisers, and battleships. We’ve also added supplementary information such as ship classes, type, crew, aircraft capacity, and armament. The data came from the WWII Database and third-party military and historical sources.

The New York-class battleships, represented by the USS New York (BB-34) and USS Texas (BB-35), played an important role despite being older vessels. Commissioned before World War II, these ships were originally launched in 1912 but underwent upgrades and modernization to remain effective in combat. With the addition of anti-aircraft weaponry and enhanced firing systems, these ships proved to be crucial assets for the U.S. Navy.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Casablanca-class warships were some of the newest additions to the fleet in WWII, entering service in 1943. Among them, the USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84), was the largest series of carriers in the Navy, with a total of 50 vessels constructed from 1942 to 1944. Distinguished by smaller size compared to traditional fleet carriers, these ships played supporting roles in various situations. Their adaptability allowed them to engage in operations such as anti-submarine warfare, convoy protection, and air support for amphibious assault landings.

Interestingly, the ships with the highest production numbers on this list were built in the later years of the conflict. Though the Washington Naval Treaty had restricted production of large vessels in the 20s and 30s, the treaty had fallen apart by 1936 and did not restrict building during war time. This group included mostly larger vessels, such as aircraft carriers and cruisers. In contrast, battleships tend to occupy older positions on the list, having been primarily used during World War I. With technological advancements and the rise of aircraft carriers in naval warfare, battleships gradually became less relevant.

This post was updated on August 25, 2025 to clarify inaccuracies regarding which ships were used during World War II, crew and aircraft numbers, armaments, and the timeline of the Washington Naval Treaty.

Here are the oldest and newest classes of U.S. warships used in World War II:

Why Are We Covering WWII Ships?

World War II was the deadliest conflict in human history, with an estimated 50 to 85 million people losing their lives. The outcome of the war had lasting effects on our world today. Naval ships used by the United States were instrumental in determining the course and outcome of the war, influencing not just the battles themselves but strategic decisions. 

29. New York-class battleship

• Launched in: 1912
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 1,080–1,200
• Armament: 10 × 14 in/45 caliber main guns (5 twin turrets), 21 x 5 in single guns, 4 x 21 in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft Capacity: 2

28. Nevada-class battleship

• Launched in: 1914
• Ships built: 2
• Crew:1,200–1,500
• Armament: 10 x 14 in/.45cal guns, 21 x 5 in/.51cal guns, 4 x 21 in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft Capacity: 2-3

27. Pennsylvania-class battleship

• Launched in: 1915
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: about 1500
• Armament: 12 x 14-inch/.45cal triple guns, 12 x 130 mm/.51cal guns, 12 x 130 mm/.25cal anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 3

26. New Mexico-class battleship

25. Tennessee-class battleship

• Launched in: 1919
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 1,400
• Armament: 12 × 14 in/50 caliber, 4 x 14 in triple guns, 14 x 5 in single guns, 4 x 3 in single guns, 2 x 21 in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft Capacity: 3

24. Colorado-class battleship

• Launched in: 1920
• Ships built: 4
• Crew: about 1,500
• Armament: 8 x 16 in/.45cal Mark 1 guns, 12 x 5 in/.51-cal guns, 4x3in/0.23-cal guns, 2x21in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft Capacity: 3

23. Omaha-class light cruiser

• Launched in: 1921
• Ships built: 10
• Crew: 681
• Armament: 12 x 6 in/.53-cal guns, 2 x 3 in single anti-aircraft guns, 10 x 21 in torpedo tubes
• Aircraft Capacity: 2

22. Lexington-class aircraft carrier

• Launched in: 1924
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 2,122
• Armament: 4 x 8 in/.55-cal twin guns, 12 x 5 in anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 91

21. Northampton-class heavy cruiser

20. Pensacola-class heavy cruiser

• Launched in: 1929
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 653
• Armament: 10 x 203 mm/.55-cal guns, 4 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 4

19. Portland-class heavy cruiser

18. New Orleans-class heavy cruiser

17. Ranger-class aircraft carrier

• Launched in: 1933
• Ships built: 1
• Crew: 2,461
• Armament: 8 x 5 in/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 40 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 86

16. Yorktown-class aircraft carrier

• Launched in: 1936
• Ships built: 3
• Crew: 2,217
• Armament: 8 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 4 x 1.1 in/.75-cal machine guns, 24 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 90

15. Brooklyn-class light cruiser

• Launched in: 1937
• Ships built: 9
• Crew: 868
• Armament: 5 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 8 x 127 mm/.25-cal anti-aircraft guns, 8 x .50-cal machine guns, dozens of 40 mm and 20 mm AA
• Aircraft Capacity: 4

14. St. Louis-class light cruiser

• Launched in: 1938
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 888
• Armament: 15 x 6 in/.50-cal Mark 6 guns, 8 x 5 in/.50-cal Mark 8 guns, 16 x 1.1 in guns, 12 x 20 mm saluting guns, 1 depth charge rack
• Aircraft Capacity: 4

13. Wasp-class aircraft carrier

• Launched in: 1939
• Ships built: 1
• Crew: 1,800
• Armament: 8 x 5 in guns, 4 x 1.1 in anti-aircraft guns, 24 x .50-cal machine guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 80

12. Long Island-class escort carrier

• Launched in: 1940
• Ships built: 1
• Crew: 970
• Armament: 1 x 5 in/.51-cal gun, 2 x 3 in/.50-cal gun
• Aircraft Capacity: 21

11. North Carolina-class battleship

• Launched in: 1940
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 1,880
• Armament: 9 x 16 in Mark 6 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 16 x 1.1 in machine guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 4

10. Atlanta-class light cruiser

9. Bogue-class escort carrier

• Launched in: 1941
• Ships built: 45
• Crew: 890
• Armament: 2 x 5 in/.38-cal guns, 8 x 40 mm twin Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and 20 x 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannon
• Aircraft Capacity: 24

8. Cleveland-class light cruiser

• Launched in: 1941
• Ships built: 29
• Crew: 1,255
• Armament: 4 x 152 mm/.47-cal triple guns, 6 x 127 mm/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 40 mm quad Bofors guns, 6 x 40 mm twin Bofors guns, 10 x 20 mm twin Oerlikon cannons
• Aircraft Capacity: 4

7. South Dakota-class battleship

• Launched in: 1941
• Ships built: 4
• Crew: 2,364
• Armament: 9 x 406 mm/.45-cal Mark 6 guns, 16 x 127 mm/.38-cal DP guns, 68 x 40 mm guns, 76 x 20 mm guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 2

6. Baltimore-class heavy cruiser

5. Essex-class aircraft carrier

• Launched in: 1942
• Ships built: 24
• Crew: 2,600
• Armament: 4 x 5 in/.38-cal twin guns, 4 x 5 in/.38-cal singe guns, 8 x 1.6 in/.56-cal quad guns, 46 x 0.8 in/.78-cal anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 90

4. Independence-class light carrier

• Launched in: 1942
• Ships built: 9
• Crew: 1,569
• Armament: 24 x 40 mm Bofors guns, 22 x 20 mm anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 30

3. Iowa-class battleship

• Launched in: 1942
• Ships built: 4
• Crew: 1,921
• Armament: 3 x 16 in/.50-cal triple Mark 7 guns, 20 x 5 in/.38-cal Mark 12 guns, 80 x 40mm/.56-cal Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 49 x 20 mm/.70-cal Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 3

2. Casablanca-class escort carrier

• Launched in: 1943
• Ships built: 50
• Crew: 860
• Armament: 1 x 5 in/.38-cal DP gun, 8 x 40 mm twin Oerlikon cannons, 28 x 20 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 28

1. Alaska-class large cruiser

• Launched in: 1943
• Ships built: 2
• Crew: 2,251
• Armament: 9 x 305 mm guns, 12 x 127 mm dual purpose guns, 34 x 20 mm guns, 56 x 40 mm guns
• Aircraft Capacity: 4