Few People Know About the Two ‘Doomsday Ships’ the US Kept in Case Nuclear War Broke Out

During the Cold War, the United States developed Continuity of Operations plans, one of which was the establishment of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA). This comprehensive approach, encompassing air, land, and sea components, aimed to maintain the government’s functions during nuclear war.

To implement these plans, the US Navy converted two ships into mobile command centers, known as “Doomsday Ships.” These vessels were ready to act as maritime extensions of the White House during times of crisis.

Continuity of Operations

Following the conclusion of World War II and the introduction of nuclear weapons, the US government began the development of plans to ensure the continuity of operations and to safeguard key figures in the event of nuclear conflict. These consisted of three components – land-based key installations and mobile airborne and sea-based command posts – which together provided officials with flexibility.

Central to these plans was establishing secure communication channels between four command posts: the National Military Command Center (NMCC), the Alternate National Military Command Center (ANMCC), the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) and the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA).

The National Military and Alternate National Military Command Centers were established on land, situated at the Pentagon and a US military bunker near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania, respectively. The National Emergency Airborne Command Post was made up of aircraft operated by the US Air Force, and the National Emergency Command Post Afloat consisted of command ships operated by the US Navy.

These vessels remained on constant alert, ready to assume the role of floating White Houses, if required. They never had to fulfill this role, and their use was limited to hosting exercises and overnight stays and accompanying foreign trips by Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

USS Northampton (CLC-1/CC-1)

The USS Northampton (CLC-1/CC-1) was launched on January 27, 1951. She was an Oregon City-class heavy cruiser, but had very little resemblance to the other ships in her class. She was heavier, with a displacement of 13,700 long tons, while the rest had displacements of 13,260 long tons. The vessel was also faster, with a top speed of 38 MPH, with the others reaching 37.3 MPH.

Northampton boasted a different armament than the rest of her class. Initially, Oregon City cruisers has nine 8-inch guns in three turrets, twelve 5-inch guns in six turrets and various anti-aircraft guns. After 1953, these were changed. The 8- and 5-inch guns remained the same, and ten 3-inch guns in five turrets were added.

Northampton, however, was designed under project SCB 13 and made into a command cruiser on January 27, 1951, drastically changing the vessel from others in her class. For instance, Northampton had four 5-inch guns and eight 3-inch guns, which were later removed. She also had a considerable amount of antennas and other communications equipment, accompanied by large masts.

Less noticeable, while still significant, the ship had a larger crew. It took 2,000 sailors to control, while just 1,142 were needed for a typical Oregon City cruiser. In this role, she entertained many government officials and dignitaries, including King Baudouin of Belgium and King Olav V of Norway.

Northampton served in this role until 1961. On April 15, she was redesignated CC-1, with the purpose of acting as a floating White House as part of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat. Nicknamed “Sea Ruler,” she served in this capacity until April 8, 1970, when she was decommissioned.

USS Wright (CVL-49/AVT-7/CC-2)

The USS Wright (CVL-49/AVT-7/CC-2) began service with the US Navy on February 9, 1947, as a Saipan-class light aircraft carrier. Its initial role was as a pilot training vessel, completing 40 short operational cruises in this capacity.

On January 11, 1951, Wright departed from Norfolk, Virginia, heading to the Mediterranean to join the US 6th Fleet. It arrived in Gibraltar on January 21, and started its first deployment. After undergoing a refit in 1952, it became the flagship of Carrier Division 14, participating in joint exercises with NATO members, especially with the British Royal Navy.

After another overhaul in 1953 at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Wright set sail for the Pacific to join the US 7th Fleet. It transited the Panama Canal and made stops at San Diego and Pearl Harbor before arriving at US Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. With Marine Attack Squadron 211 on board, it carried out operations off the coasts of Korea and Okinawa.

This deployment ended on October 15, 1954, as Wright left Japanese waters for the US West Coast. Following this, it prepared for decommissioning and was eventually placed in inactive status in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Serving with the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA)

On March 15, 1962, Wright was converted into a command ship and redesignated CC-2. This only lasted a year, but saw extreme alterations to the ship in both function and appearance. Hangar bays were turned into command spaces, including elegant spaces for the president, and, most notably, the top deck, once used for aircraft to take off and land, saw various antennas installed atop large masts. Despite these changes, Wright could still operate helicopters at the rear.

Wright was recommissioned on May 11, 1963, and began operating off the West Coast, later moving to Norfolk. While part of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat, the vessel, nicknamed “Zenith,” became “the most sophisticated communications platform ever placed at sea.”

The aircraft carrier’s most noteworthy operations actually had nothing to do with her role. Between April 11-14, 1967, Wright operated off the coast of Uruguay, providing communications for President Lyndon B. Johnson during a conference at Punta del Este. As well, on May 8, 1968, she towed the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) 84 miles back to port after she’d suffered mechanical issues and became dead in the water.

In February 1969, during the Pueblo Crisis, Wright was put on high alert at Norfolk, although she never had to be used. The vessel was decommissioned on May 27, 1971.

National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP)

In the early-to-mid-1960s, the US government considered converting the USS Triton (SSRN-586) or a second Saipan-class ship into a third National Emergency Command Post Afloat. However, it was deemed unnecessary and the conversion never took place, with only the two remaining in the role until decommissioning in the 1970s.

If it was necessary for the president or other American commanders to use a ship in such a role, that could be arranged, although it was considered unnecessary to have one designated only for that. This led to the creation of a National Emergency Airborne Command Post, which came in the form of the Boeing E-4.

Based on Boeing’s incredibly successful 747 airliner, four E-4s were produced, with the E-4A entering service in late 1974 and the E-4B in ’80. Earlier variants were updated, with all four becoming E-4Bs by 1985. With a crew of four, operation was no different than when operated by an airline.

That being said, the E-4’s systems aren’t anything like an airliner’s. With advanced satellite communications systems, protection against electromagnetic pulses, and nuclear and thermal effects shielding, it’s a highly advanced and effective mobile command post.

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The US Air Force still operates the E-4, and while the service began developing a replacement in 2021 and ’22, it has yet to retire from duty. In addition to the E-4, two Boeing VC-25 – or Air Force Ones – are also equipped with similar systems and can act in such a role when called upon.