During World War II, aircraft carriers were instrumental in transforming aerial combat. Initially confined to coastal operations, these huge vessels evolved into mobile airbases, allowing for aircraft deployment and retrieval in various locations. Although the majority of carriers operated on the world’s oceans, two significant exceptions—the USS Wolverine (IX-64) and the USS Sable (IX-81)—were deployed in the freshwater expanse of the Great Lakes.
Turning luxury vessels into aircraft carriers
The idea of using civilian vessels to train pilots was initially suggested by Cmdr. Richard F. Whitehead, an aviation aide stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center, Glenview Naval Air Station, Chicago. Recognizing the potential for training pilots away from the hazards of combat, Whitehead advocated for this innovative approach.
Initially, military authorities showed little enthusiasm for the idea. However, the events of December 1941, including the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, swiftly changed their perspective. With the scarcity of aircraft carriers becoming clear on the frontlines, Adm. Ernest J. King promptly threw his support behind Whitehead’s proposal.
USS Wolverine (IX-64)
Launched in November 1912 as the Seeandbee, the USS Wolverine began its journey as a lavish side-wheel paddle steamer, serving the Great Lakes region. Equipped to accommodate up to 6,000 passengers and transport 1,500 tons of cargo, it regularly traversed between Cleveland, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York.
In 1942, the Seeandbee was acquired by the US Navy with plans for conversion into an aircraft carrier. Its design garnered attention for the stability and maneuverability advantages provided by its side-wheel paddles. The conversion included the addition of a 550-foot-long wooden flight deck, a superstructure, and arresting cables.
Renamed the Wolverine, the vessel bore a striking resemblance to a smaller aircraft carrier externally. However, it lacked several key features typical of larger, ocean-faring carriers, such as armament, armor, elevators, and a hangar deck. Additionally, its flight deck was situated closer to the waterline.
USS Sable (IX-81)
Originally christened as the Greater Buffalo in October 1924, the USS Sable commenced her journey as a side-wheel excursion steamboat. She exuded opulence, boasting a Renaissance-inspired design that earned her the nickname “Majestic of the Great Lakes.” While operating in the Great Lakes in this capacity, she accommodated over 1,500 passengers, 103 vehicles, and approximately 1,000 tons of cargo.
Upon being acquired by the US Navy, the Greater Buffalo underwent significant alterations. Her cabins and superstructure were dismantled, replaced by steel supports, and unlike her counterpart, Wolverine, she received a steel flight deck. Initially slated for a wooden deck, the decision shifted to metal to facilitate the military’s testing of non-skid coatings. Renamed Sable, akin to her sister ship, she lacked armaments, armor, elevators, or a hangar deck.
An intriguing facet of Sable’s history during this period is the large presence of crew members who were survivors of the USS Lexington (CV-2), which had been lost during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Training pilots in the Great Lakes
By 1943, both the USS Wolverine and Sable – nicknamed the “Corn Belt Fleet” – were stationed out of Navy Pier, in Chicago. They were assigned to the 9th Naval District Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU), and operated throughout Lake Michigan.
Trainees were taught how to takeoff and land on aircraft carriers, with the idea being that, if they could successfully accomplish their tasks on the shorter flight decks, then the larger ones wouldn’t be an issue. While conducting their training, the pilots were made to keep their cockpits open, in the event of a crash, and to “graduate” they had to carry out 10 (later eight) takeoffs and landings.
Training occurred seven days a week. However, it was often curtailed due to a lack of wind over the decks of the aircraft carriers. In order for aircraft to effectively take off, they need a certain amount of wind, and the lack of it over Lake Michigan meant that heavy aircraft like the Grumman F6F Hellcat, Vought F4U Corsair, Douglas SBD Dauntless and Grumman TBM Avenger were unable to operate from them.
Over the course of the Second World War, Wolverine and Sable trained 17,820 pilots, including future US President George H.W. Bush, and were the sites of 116,000 landings. Fewer than 300 aircraft were lost. On top of training aviators, Sable was also used to test the TDR-1, a wooden remote-controlled drone.
Decommissioning of the USS Wolverine (IX-64) and Sable (IX-81)
After World War II ended, the USS Wolverine and Sable were taken out of commission and struck from the Naval Vessel Register. Wolverine was put up for sale to the public, either for flag operations or scrapping, and was eventually sold for scrap in December 1947.
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The Great Lakes Historical Society’s effort to convert Sable into a museum was not successful. Following that, the ship was sold to the US Maritime Commission, where it was disassembled and scrapped.
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