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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Langley (CV-1, later AV-3), 1922-1942.
Originally USS Jupiter (Collier # 3), 1913-1920

USS Langley, a 11,500-ton aircraft carrier, was converted from the collier USS Jupiter (Collier # 3) beginning in 1920. Commissioned in March 1922, Langley was the U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier. In October-November 1922, she launched, recovered and catapulted her first aircraft during initial operations in the Atlantic and Caribbean areas. Transferred to the Pacific in 1924, Langley was the platform from which Naval Aviators, guided by Captain Joseph M. Reeves, undertook the development of carrier operating techniques and tactics that were essential to victory in World War II. Though newer, larger and faster aircraft carriers arrived in the fleet in the later 1920s, the old "Covered Wagon" remained an operational carrier until October 1936, when she began conversion to a seaplane tender.

Reclassified AV-3 following completion of this work in early 1937, Langley was mainly employed in the Pacific for the rest of her days. She was sent to the Far East in 1939 and was still there when the Pacific War began in December 1941. Through the early months of the conflict, she supported seaplane patrols and provided aircraft transportation services. While carrying Army fighters to the Netherlands East Indies on 27 February 1942, Langley was attacked by Japanese aircraft. Hit by several bombs and disabled, she was scuttled by her escorting destroyers.

This page features selected views of USS Langley (CV-1, later AV-3).

For views of this ship prior to her conversion to an aircraft carrier, see: USS Jupiter (Collier # 3).

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 63545

USS Langley (CV-1)


At anchor, with an Aeromarine 39-B airplane landing on her flight deck, circa 1922.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 570 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 81279

USS Langley (CV-1)


Underway off San Diego, California, 1928, with Vought VE-7 aircraft on her flight deck.
USS Somers (DD-301) is in the background.

Collection of Lieutenant Gustave J. Freret, USN(Retired), 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-424475

USS Langley (CV-1)


In Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands, with 34 planes on her flight deck, May 1928.
Note booms rigged out from her sides.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 135KB; 600 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: 80-G-185915

USS Langley (CV-1)


At anchor off Christobal, Panama Canal Zone, 1 March 1930.
She has 24 aircraft on her flight deck.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 153KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: NH 63547

USS Langley (AV-3)


Photographed in 1937, following conversion to a seaplane tender.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 124KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92472

USS Langley (AV-3)


Being abandoned after receiving crippling damage from Japanese bombs, south of Java, 27 February 1942. USS Edsall (DD-219) is standing by off Langley's port side.
Photographed from USS Whipple (DD-217).

Courtesy of Captain Lawrence E. Divoll, USN(Retired), 1981.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 535 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 93178

Aeromarine 39-B airplane


Approaching the flight deck of USS Langley (CV-1) during landing practice, 19 October 1922.

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photographic Collection.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 595 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 47024

USS Langley (CV-1)


Docked at the carrier pier at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, California, with a Douglas DT-2 airplane taking off from her flight deck. This photo may have been taken during catapult tests in 1925.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 108KB; 740 x 580 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 72927

USS Langley (CV-1)


Aircraft in the ship's hangar, during the 1920s.
The larger plane in the foreground is a Douglas DT torpedo bomber, with its wings removed. Other aircraft are Vought VE-7s of Fighting Squadron Two (VF-2), including Bureau #s A5936 (marked "2-F-9") and A5938 (marked "2-F-8").
The ship's boats are stowed along the hangar sides.

Collection of Lieutenant Gustave J. Freret, USN(Retired), 1970.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 141KB; 740 x 550 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 81154

Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, USN
,
Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics (right)

Observing aircraft operations on board USS Langley (CV-1), circa 1925-26.
At left is Captain Joseph M. Reeves, Commander, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet.

Collection of Lieutenant Gustave J. Freret, USN(Retired), 1972.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 67KB; 620 x 675 pixels

 

For views of this ship prior to her conversion to an aircraft carrier, see: USS Jupiter (Collier # 3).


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

6 February 2000