Keel Laid: December 1, 1941
           Launched: April 26, 1943
           Commissioned: August 16, 1943
           Decommissioned: March 14, 1974

           Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA.
           Propulsion system: 8 boilers; 4 Westinghouse geared 
            steam turbines; 150,000 shp
           Length, overall: 872 feet 
           Beam: 147 feet 6 inches
           Draft: 30,8 feet (10.4 meters)
           Displacement: 36,380 tons full load
           Speed: 33 knots
           Planes: 90-100  
           Crew: aprox. 3448; as CVS: 115 offiers and 1500 enlisted
           Armament: 
            - 4 twin 5 inch 38 caliber guns 
            - 4 single 5 inch 38 caliber guns
            - 8 quadruple 40-mm 56 caliber guns 
            - 46 single 20-mm 78 caliber guns