The White House’s plan to escape nuclear fallout at sea on ‘Doomsday Ships’

During the 1960s, U.S. Continuity of Operations plans included the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA), aimed at ensuring government continued functioning in the event of nuclear conflict. This strategy was made up of three components: airborne, ground-based, and sea-based. For the sea-based component, the U.S. Navy repurposed two ships into mobile command centers, often referred to as “Doomsday Ships,” capable of acting as floating White Houses in times of crisis.

Continuity of Operations

With the advent of nuclear weapons at the end of World War II, the US government began developing plans for the continuity of operations and survival of key figures during a nuclear war. It was decided there would be three parts to this. One was key installations on land, and the other two were mobile airborne and sea-based command posts, allowing the government to move at will.

Communications were a key part of the plan. A system was established so secure communications would be maintained 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 land installations – the Pentagon and a US military bunker near Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania. The National Emergency Airborne Command Post would be aircraft operated by the US Air Force, while the National Emergency Command Post Afloat were command ships manned by the US Navy.

The two vessels would be on constant alert and ready to assume the role of floating White Houses, if needed. They ultimately never had to take on these roles, and only saw John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson visit for exercises, overnight stays and as part of foreign trips.

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)

On January 11, 1951, Wright set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, to join the US 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean. She arrived in Gibraltar on January 21, marking the start of her first deployment. In 1952, following an overhaul, she became the flagship of Carrier Division 14 and participated in exercises with NATO allies, including the British Royal Navy.

After another overhaul in 1953, Wright departed from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to join the US 7th Fleet in the Pacific. She crossed the Panama Canal and, after stops in San Diego and Pearl Harbor, arrived at US Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. With Marine Attack Squadron 211 aboard, she operated along the Korean and Okinawan coasts.

This deployment continued until October 15, 1954, when Wright left Japanese waters for the US West Coast. She then began preparations for inactivation and was decommissioned, joining the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Serving with the National Emergency Command Post Afloat (NECPA)

On March 15, 1962, the USS Wright was converted into a command ship and redesignated CC-2. While this status lasted only a year, the vessel underwent extensive upgrades, in both function and appearance. Hangar bays were transformed into command areas, including luxurious spaces for the president, and the top deck, once used for aircraft operations, was fitted with antennas mounted on large masts. Despite these modifications, Wright retained the ability to operate helicopters from the rear.

Recommissioned on May 11, 1963, Wright began operations off the West Coast before moving to Norfolk. As part of the National Emergency Command Post Afloat, the ship, nicknamed “Zenith,” became “the most sophisticated communications platform ever placed at sea.”

Ironically, Wright‘s most notable operations were unrelated to this role. From April 11-14, 1967, she provided communications support for US President Lyndon B. Johnson during a conference at Punta del Este, Uruguay. Additionally, on May 8, 1968, she towed the USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7) 84 miles back to port after mechanical issues left the ship stranded.

During the Pueblo Crisis in February 1969, Wright was placed on high alert in Norfolk, but she was never deployed. 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.

More from us: Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse: The German Bomber Destroyer That Was No Match for Allied Fighters

Are you a fan of all things ships and submarines? If so, subscribe to our Daily Warships newsletter!

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.