The Commencement Bay-class escort aircraft carriers were based on the Maritime Commission T3 type tanker hull, which gave them a displacement of approximately 23,000 tons and a length of 557 feet (170 m). Unlike earlier CVE classes which were laid down as something else and converted to aircraft carriers mid-construction the Commencement Bays were built as carriers from the keel up. They entered service late in World War II—USS Commencement Bay launched on 9 May 1944—so most of them saw little or no operational service. Thirty-three of them were ordered but many were cancelled prior to completion. After the war they were seen as potential helicopter, anti-submarine, or auxiliary (transport) carriers. They were similar to the Sangamon class carriers but some of the Sangamon's engineering shortcomings were addressed.

External Links

• USS Commencement Bay Class Escort Carriers from Global Security.Org
• USS Commencement Bay Class from Battleships-Cruisers.co.uk