The Mass Produced Navy Ships of WWII, Ranked

The United States did not immediately get involved in World War II when Germany attacked Poland in 1939. It would take an attack on American soil in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii before the full brunt of US forces was brought into the war. Ship production became a critical need for all involved, and the United States picked up the pace on behalf of the Allied powers.

The naval fleet grew drastically during this time. A reported nearly 9,000 major combatant ships were manufactured in America by the war’s end for the US and their allies. Of these, the US held 1,200 by 1945. These ships include destroyers, aircraft carriers, amphibious assault vessels, and patrol boats. The swift production pace and rapid deployment played a crucial role in securing victories. For example, the USS Essex was finished in just 20 months, underscoring the urgent need for carriers at that time.

The Fletcher-class destroyer, introduced in 1942, constituted the majority of the U.S. Navy’s destroyer force in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Armed with five main guns, ten torpedo tubes, and two anti-submarine weapon depth charge racks, this destroyer class produced a total of 175 ships, actively participating in numerous naval encounters in the Pacific Theater.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed warship production figures from Military Factory, an online repository of military equipment data, to determine the most mass-produced American military ships used during the Second World War. We exclusively considered ship classes that served in WWII and had a minimum production of nine units during the class’s lifespan. The classes are ranked by their total production count, including those built before or after the war. Additional information regarding the type, notable ships, crew, and year of service also originated from the Military Factory. Ships within the same class often exhibited distinct crew complements.

Why Does This Matter?

This story delves into United States Navy ships that were the most mass-produced during World War II. These ships represent a diverse array of functions and capabilities and serve as crucial elements in determining the outcomes of numerous engagements and the course of the war itself. We’re covering this story because World War II was a unique time for the American economy in terms of both the war effort (bonds, material drives, rationing) as well as the mass production of weapons and vehicles by some of its biggest manufacturers, many of which are still around today. The biggest American shipbuilders at the time were Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock, New York Shipbuilding Corporation, and the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock is currently owned by Huntington Ingalls Industries, one of the top current shipbuilders of the United States Navy.

Here are the most mass-produced US Navy ships in World War II: every ship ranked.

29. Independence-class

• Number produced: 9
• Type: Conventionally-powered light aircraft carrier
• Notable ship(s): USS Independence (CVL-22), USS Cabot (CVL-28), USS Cowpens (CVL-25)
• Year USS Independence (CVL-22) entered service: 1943
• USS Independence (CVL-22) personnel: 1,569

28. Sims-class

• Number produced: 12
• Type: Destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS Wainwright (DD-419)
• Year USS Wainwright (DD-419) entered service: 1940
• USS Wainwright (DD-419) personnel: 192

27. Fargo-class

• Number produced: 13
• Type: Light cruiser
• Notable ship(s): USS Fargo (CL-106)
• Year USS Fargo (CL-106) entered service: 1945
• USS Fargo (CL-106) personnel: 1,255

26. Baltimore-class

• Number produced: 14
• Type: Heavy cruiser
• Notable ship(s): USS Fall River (CA-131), USS Saint Paul (CA-73)
• Year USS Fall River (CA-131) entered service: 1945
• USS Fall River (CA-131) personnel: 1,142

25. Mahan-class

• Number produced: 18
• Type: Multicole destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS Downes (DD-375)
• Year USS Downes (DD-375) entered service: 1937
• USS Downes (DD-375) personnel: 158

24. PT 95

• Number produced: 18
• Type: Motorized torpedo fast boat
• Notable ship(s): Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo)
• Year Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) entered service: 1942
• Huckins PT Boat (Patrol Torpedo) personnel: 11

23. Rudderow-class

• Number produced: 22
• Type: Destroyer escort
• Notable ship(s): USS Rudderow (DE-224)
• Year USS Rudderow (DE-224) entered service: 1944
• USS Rudderow (DE-224) personnel: 221

22. Essex-class

• Number produced: 24
• Type: Conventionally-powered aircraft carrier
• Notable ship(s): USS Essex (CV-9), USS Hancock (CV-19), USS Franklin (CV-13)
• Year USS Essex (CV-9) entered service: 1942
• USS Essex (CV-9) personnel: 2,600

21. Cleveland-class

• Number produced: 29
• Type: Light cruiser
• Notable ship(s): USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Oklahoma City (CL-91), USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103)
• Year USS Cleveland (CL-55) entered service: 1942
• USS Cleveland (CL-55) personnel: 1,255

20. Benson-class

• Number produced: 30
• Type: Destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS Laffey (DD-459)
• Year USS Laffey (DD-459) entered service: 1942
• USS Laffey (DD-459) personnel: 208

19. Tolland-class

• Number produced: 33
• Type: Attack cargo ship
• Notable ship(s): USS Alamance (AKA-75)
• Year USS Alamance (AKA-75) entered service: 1944
• USS Alamance (AKA-75) personnel: 395

18. Bogue-class

• Number produced: 45
• Type: Escort carrier/aircraft carrier
• Notable ship(s): USS Bogue (CVE-9)
• Year USS Bogue (CVE-9) entered service: 1942
• USS Bogue (CVE-9) personnel: 890

17. Lapwing-class

• Number produced: 49
• Type: Minesweeper
• Notable ship(s): USS Lapwing (AM-1)
• Year USS Lapwing (AM-1) entered service: 1918
• USS Lapwing (AM-1) personnel: 78

16. Casablanca-class

• Number produced: 50
• Type: Escort carrier
• Notable ship(s): USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56), USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84)
• Year USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) entered service: 1943
• USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) personnel: 860

15. Allen M. Sumner-class

• Number produced: 58
• Type: Destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Laffey (DD-724), USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774)
• Year USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) entered service: 1944
• USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) personnel: 336

14. Crater-class freighter

• Number produced: 62
• Type: Cargo ship
• Notable ship(s): USS Serpens (AK-97)
• Year USS Serpens (AK-97) entered service: 1943
• USS Serpens (AK-97) personnel: 206

13. Gleaves-class

• Number produced: 66
• Type: Destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS Gleaves (DD-423), USS McCalla (DD-488)
• Year USS Gleaves (DD-423) entered service: 1940
• USS Gleaves (DD-423) personnel: 276

12. John C. Butler-class

• Number produced: 83
• Type: Destroyer escort
• Notable ship(s): USS John C. Butler (DE-339), USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)
• Year USS John C. Butler (DE-339) entered service: 1944
• USS John C. Butler (DE-339) personnel: 186

11. Edsall-class

• Number produced: 85
• Type: Destroyer escort
• Notable ship(s): USS Pillsbury (DE-133)
• Year USS Pillsbury (DE-133) entered service: 1943
• USS Pillsbury (DE-133) personnel: 209

10. Gearing-class

• Number produced: 98
• Type: Destroyer/submarine hunter
• Notable ship(s): USS Gearing (DD-710), USS Floyd B. Parks (DD-884)
• Year USS Gearing (DD-710) entered service: 1945
• USS Gearing (DD-710) personnel: 336

9. Admirable-class

• Number produced: 123
• Type: Minesweeper / anti-submarine warfare vessel
• Notable ship(s): USS Improve (AM-247)
• Year USS Improve (AM-247) entered service: 1944
• USS Improve (AM-247) personnel: 104

8. Clemson-class

• Number produced: 156
• Type: Destroyer
• Notable ship(s): USS John D. Ford (DD-228), USS McCalla (DD-253), USS Reuben James (DD-245)
• Year USS John D. Ford (DD-228) entered service: 1920
• USS John D. Ford (DD-228) personnel: 122

7. Fletcher-class

• Number produced: 175
• Type: Destroyer / anti-submarine warfare platform
• Notable ship(s): USS Fletcher (DD-445), USS Stoddard (DD-566), USS The Sullivans (DD-537)
• Year USS Fletcher (DD-445) entered service: 1942
• USS Fletcher (DD-445) personnel: 273

6. Higgins PT Boat

• Number produced: 199
• Type: Patrol boat/motor torpedo boat
• Notable ship(s): N/A
• Year entered service: 1942
• Personnel: 11

5. PT 103-class

• Number produced: 326
• Type: Patrol boat/motor torpedo boat
• Notable ship(s): N/A
• Year entered service: 1941
• Personnel: 14

4. Landing Craft Infantry (Large)

• Number produced: 923
• Type: Amphibious assault ship
• Notable ship(s): N/A
• Year entered service: 1943
• Personnel: 24

3. Landing Ship, Tank MkII (LST2)

• Number produced: 1,051
• Type: Amphibious assault transport vessel
• Notable ship(s): N/A
• Year entered service: 1942
• Personnel: 265

2. EC2-S-C1-class (Liberty Ship)

• Number produced: 2,751
• Type: Cargo ship vessel
• Notable ship(s): SS John Brown B4611
• Year SS John Brown B4611 entered service: 1942
• SS John Brown B4611 personnel: 87

1. Higgins Boat LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel)

• Number produced: 20,000
• Type: Amphibious assault landing craft
• Notable ship(s): N/A
• Year entered service: 1941
• Personnel: 39

The post The Mass Produced Navy Ships of WWII, Ranked appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..