description USS Wasp (CV-7) Overview
USS Wasp (CV-7) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier commissioned before American entry into the Second World War. She supported operations around Guadalcanal until 15 September 1942, when the Japanese submarine I-19 struck her with multiple torpedoes southeast of San Cristobal Island. Uncontrollable fires and explosions forced the crew to abandon ship, after which the destroyer USS Lansdowne sank the damaged carrier.
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How was the USS Wasp (CV-7) sunk during World War II?
The USS Wasp (CV-7) was sunk on 15 September 1942 when the Japanese submarine I-19 fired a spread of torpedoes that struck the carrier southeast of San Cristóbal in the Solomon Islands. The torpedo hits caused massive fuel and bomb detonations that led to uncontrollable fires and the ship's abandonment.
What role did USS Wasp play at Guadalcanal?
The USS Wasp supported operations around Guadalcanal by ferrying aircraft and providing air cover for U.S. Marine forces during the critical early months of the Guadalcanal campaign. She delivered Marine Corps fighter and dive bomber squadrons that were essential to holding Henderson Field against Japanese attacks.
Has the wreck of USS Wasp been found?
Yes, the wreck of USS Wasp was discovered in early 2019 by the research vessel R/V Petrel, lying at a depth of approximately 4,200 meters (about 14,000 feet) on the seafloor of the Coral Sea. The discovery confirmed the vessel's remarkably intact condition despite the damage that sank her.
How big was the USS Wasp (CV-7)?
The USS Wasp displaced approximately 14,700 tons at standard load and was about 236 meters (741 feet) in length overall. She was smaller and less well-protected than the Yorktown-class carriers, built under the tonnage constraints of the Washington Naval Treaty.
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