As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of US Navy aircraft carrier aviation, it is a good time to reflect on the ship that started it all. Although we have had great programs discussing the technology of today’s naval aviation, it all started with the United State's first aircraft carrier, the USS Langley (CV-1).
The USS Langley started its career as the collier USS Jupiter. The USS Jupiter transported coal for the Navy but was converted into an aircraft carrier in the Norfolk Navy Yard by adding a flight deck and aircraft elevators. The large holds that were once used to transport coal within the ship made ideal airplane hangers once the conversion was complete. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 52365)
The namesake for the USS Langley was Samuel Pierpont Langley, aviation pioneer and third Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Langley tested his aircraft, the Langley Aerodrome, on a houseboat in the Potomac River, connecting him in a way to naval aviation. (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM 2003-30822)
The USS Langley was officially commissioned as the US Navy’s first aircraft carriers on March 20, 1922. The new ship attracted numerous visitors during its early months, including US President Warren G. Harding (far left, in light topcoat) who took the opportunity to ride the ships large aircraft elevators while the USS Langley was at anchor in the Potomac River off Washington, D.C, probably on Monday, June 11, 1922. (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM 00161547)
The USS Langley served as a place for the US Navy to experiment with tactics and techniques as they learned to incorporate the airplane into naval operations. The Langley first served in the Atlantic before moving to the Pacific, allowing numerous early naval aviators to practice landing and takeoffs on the deck. The Langley is seen here underway off San Diego, California, 1928, with Vought VE-7 aircraft on the flight deck. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 81279)
Many technologies still in use on modern aircraft carriers, such as catapults to launch aircraft off the flight deck, were first experimented with aboard the USS Langley. A Douglas DT-2 is seen here with catapult deck gear preparing to launch in 1925. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 72930)
Early naval aviators practiced landing on the USS Langley to help develop the skills needed for future naval aviation operations. Landing and arrester gear can be seen on the deck of the USS Langley as pilot Tony fear lands on board in 1923. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 72937)
The large hold of the USS Langley allowed numerous aircraft to be stored when not performing flight operations. 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). (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 72927)
Numerous other flight experiments were also conducted using the USS Langley as the testbed. A Pitcairn XOP-1 (PCA-2) Autogiro can be seen here piloted by Lt. Alfred Pride in flight off the starboard bow of the USS Langley, while the carrier is underway, probably on September 23, 1931, when the XOP-1 became the first rotary-wing aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier. (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM A-47855)
The crew of the USS Langley often referred to it as “The Covered Wagon” since the conversion from the USS Jupiter gave the ship a unique look. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 82611-KN)
In 1937, the USS Langley was converted into a seaplane tender and reclassified as AV-3. The flight deck was shortened, and equipment was added that allowed US Navy seaplanes to be repaired and refueled on board while at sea. (US Naval History and Heritage Command, NH 81918)
As the United States entered World War II, the USS Langley was still operational and was put into service in the Pacific. On February 27, 1942, the Langley was carrying 32 Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk" aircraft for the defense of Java when it was attacked by Japanese air assets. The USS Langley was crippled during the attack and was later scuttled by torpedoes from the USS Whipple (seen here) after being abandoned.
The USS Langley offered incredible service during its career with the US Navy and provided naval aviators with the training and experience needed for a new era of naval warfare. US aircraft carriers built with the lessons learned from the Langley served throughout World War II, and US aircraft carriers continue to be a critical component of the US military to this day.