Over the course of the Second World War, aircraft carriers gained acclaim for their role in reshaping aerial combat. Once confined to flying in proximity to land, these massive vessels assumed the role of mobile runways, facilitating aircraft takeoffs and landings in virtually any location. While the majority of carriers operated in the world’s oceans during the conflict, two exceptions, the USS Wolverine (IX-64) and Sable (IX-81), were deployed in the freshwater expanses of the Great Lakes.
Turning luxury vessels into aircraft carriers
The notion of acquiring civilian vessels and retrofitting them for training purposes originated from Cmdr. Richard F. Whitehead, an aviation aide stationed at the Great Lakes Training Center at Glenview Naval Air Station, Chicago. He believed utilizing civilian ships could provide an effective means of training pilots for combat, given the protected environment of the Great Lakes, situated away from the threats of enemy combatants.
Initially met with indifference from military officials, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor swiftly altered perspectives. Faced with a limited number of available aircraft carriers, all crucially required on the frontlines, Adm. Ernest J. King expedited the approval of Whitehead’s proposal.
USS Wolverine (IX-64)
Launched in November 1912 as the Seeandbee, the USS Wolverine was a luxury side-wheel paddle steamer that operated in the Great Lakes region. Capable of carrying up to 6,000 passengers and 1,500 tons of cargo, her typical route saw her travel between Cleveland, Ohio and Buffalo, New York.
In 1942, Seeandbee was acquired by the US Navy, with the intention of transforming her into an aircraft carrier. She was of particular interest to the service because her side-wheel paddles offered improved stability and maneuverability. To turn the steamer into an aircraft carrier, a 550-foot-long wooden flight deck, superstructure and arresting cables were installed.
Subsequently renamed Wolverine, the vessel, on the outside, looked like a miniature aircraft carrier. However, she was missing a number of key features that would have made her comparable to her larger, ocean-worthy counterparts. She wasn’t equipped with armaments, nor coated in armor, and was missing elevators and a hangar deck. As well, her flight deck was lower to the water.
USS Sable (IX-81)
Launched in October 1924 as the Greater Buffalo, the USS Sable began life as a side-wheel excursion steamboat. Everything about her oozed luxury, with her Renaissance design affording her the nickname, “Majestic of the Great Lakes.” While operating in the Great Lakes in this capacity, she could hold over 1,500 passengers, 103 vehicles and around 1,000 tons of cargo.
Upon being acquired by the US Navy, Greater Buffalo had her cabins and superstructure removed. Steel supports were added, and, unlike Wolverine, she received a steel flight deck. While the vessel was initially meant to have a wooden one installed, the decision was ultimately made to go with metal, so the military could test non-skid coatings. Just like her sister ship, she was renamed – Sable – and wasn’t equipped with armaments, armor, elevators or a hangar deck.
An interesting fact about Sable during this time is that a large number of her crew members 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)
Following the conclusion of World War II, the USS Wolverine and Sable were decommissioned and removed from the Naval Vessel Register. Wolverine was made available for public purchase, for either flag operations or scrapping, and was ultimately sold for scrap in December 1947.
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The Great Lakes Historical Society’s attempt to transform Sable into a museum proved unsuccessful. Subsequently, the vessel was sold to the US Maritime Commission, dismantled and scrapped.
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