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"Last list — Starboard gun tubs of the aircraft
carrier U.S.S. Independence (CVL-22) etched against the
Pacific sky as she starts her death throes off the Central California
coast. The bow is nearest camera (left). She sank after a weapons test
Friday morning. The "Mighty I" was a veteran of two years of
war in the Pacific and a target ship in the Bikini atomic bomb tests.
(Official Navy photo)."
Photo Courtesy of Al Hiegel. |
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We would like to thank
Navsource for permission to use
their photographs of the USS Independence CVL-22. (above photos) _______________________________________________________________ The following pictures are from the Al Hiegel Collection. |
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Barge tied along side, March 16, 1943
The 5" guns were causing too much strain on the bow and
also stern. Both were removed and replaced with quad mount 40 MM guns on
return from shakedown cruise.
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Stern view underway. Taken from the USS Sigsbee DD502 Fletcher class destroyer, April 30, 1943. |
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Oct, 1943
Task Group Formation, Battleships first joined our
operations during the 2 day attack on Wake Island.
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Battle scene, this is why the Navy hired us. |
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November, 1943
Battle scene of attack on Task Group at Rabaul, New
Britton as seen from CVL 22.
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Oct 5, 1943
Wake Island under attack. . .
During 2 days of attacking, more than 800 sorties were
carried out by our fleet. 400 tons of projectiles deposited on the
island by bombardment, and over 300 tons by aircraft. Destroyed were:
barracks, administration buildings, power plants, water distillation
plants, gun emplacements, runways, etc. At least 60 aircraft, 30 of
which were in the air, were destroyed. We lost 13 planes in this operation.
Courtesy Vincent Hunt. |
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April 16, 1943
Twin 40 MM guns
Lunch time in the gun bucket
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April 16, 1943
Busy gun buckets and catwalk.
Note one 40 MM in recoil.
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