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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia Embarked Squadrons History Patch Gallery Image Gallery to end of page| Sorry, no coat of arms available. |  |
USS BISMARCK SEA was the 41st CASABLANCA - class escort carrier and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name. USS BISMARCK SEA was lost at Iwo Jima with 318 of her crew. The BISMARCK SEA was stricken from the Navy list on March 30, 1945.
| General Characteristics: | Awarded: 1942 |
| Keel laid: January 31, 1944 | |
| Launched: April 17, 1944 | |
| Commissioned: May 20, 1944 | |
| Sunk: February 21, 1945 | |
| Builder: Kaiser Shipbuilding Co., Vancouver, Wash. | |
| Propulsion system: four boilers | |
| Propellers: two | |
| Length: 512.5 feet (156.2 meters) | |
| Flight Deck Width: 108 feet (32.9 meters) | |
| Beam: 65 feet (19.9 meters) | |
| Draft: 22.6 feet (6.9 meters) | |
| Displacement: approx. 10,400 tons full load | |
| Speed: 19 knots | |
| Catapults: one | |
| Aircraft: 28 planes | |
| Armament: one 5-inch L/38 gun, 16 40mm guns, 20 20mm guns | |
| Crew: 860 |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS BISMARCK SEA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageEmbarked Squadrons:
| Period | Squadron (Aircraft) |
|---|---|
| January - February 1945 | VC-86 (16 FM and 12 TBM) |
| February 1945 | VC-81 |
back to top go to the end of the pageHistory of USS BISMARCK SEA:
BISMARCK SEA was launched 17 April 1944 by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Wash., under a Maritime Commission contract as ALIKULA BAY; sponsored by Mrs. M. C. Wallgren, wife of Senator Wallgren; renamed BISMARCK SEA 16 May 1944; transferred to the Navy 20 May 1944; and commissioned the same day, Captain J. L. Pratt in command.
During July and August 1944 BISMARCK SEA escorted convoys between San Diego, Calif., and the Marshall Islands. After repairs and additional training at San Diego, she steamed to Ulithi, Caroline Islands, to join the 7th Fleet. During 14-23 November 1944 she operated off Leyte in support of the operations and later took part in the Lingayen Gulf landings (9-18 January 1945). On 16 February she arrived off Iwo Jima to support the invasion. On 21 February 1945 despite damaging gunfire two Japanese suicide planes hit and started uncontrollable fires and set off ammunition. All efforts to save the ship were halted by the exploding ammunition and she sank in 90 minutes with the loss of 318 men.
BISMARCK SEA received three battle stars for her World War II operations.
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USS BISMARCK SEA Patch Gallery:
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USS BISMARCK SEA Image Gallery:
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