Keel Laid: September 13, 1943
                 Launched: December 14, 1944
                 Commissioned: April 16, 1945
                 Decommissioned: December 1, 1969

                 Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Newport News, VA.
                 Propulsion system: 8 boilers; 4 Westinghouse geared 
                  steam turbines; 150,000 shp 
                 Length, overall: 888 feet 
                 Beam:  width at flight deck: 147½ feet
                 Draft: 28 feet 7 inches 
                 Displacement: approx. 27,100 tons 
                 Speed: 33 knots 
                 Planes: 81-85
                 Crew: 3448
                 Armament: 12 5-inch guns