Did the US Navy Ever Use Torpedo Tubes on Its Aircraft Carriers?

The question of whether the US Navy ever considered or used torpedo tubes on its aircraft carriers is an interesting historical inquiry. The answer, as we will explore, is a resounding No. This is due to the inherent design principles and operational needs of aircraft carriers.

Why Torpedo Tubes Were Never Integrated on Aircraft Carriers

Aircraft carriers are designed with the primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft. Their location and defensive capability make it impractical to include torpedo tubes, which would require a ship to get close to the enemy's force to be effective. Torpedoes are typically used in scenarios where submarines or surface combatants need to engage targets that are within close proximity, making aircraft carriers a prime target for such attacks rather than the launch platform.

Examining historical conflicts, such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, provides a vivid illustration of this concept. During this naval battle, the U.S. Task Groups (codenamed "Taffy") consisting of small escort carriers (CVEs) were within range of Admiral Kurita's surface warships. The limited effective range of torpedoes, combined with the defensive capabilities of aircraft carriers, made the inclusion of torpedo tubes unfeasible and counterproductive.

Using Torpedoes Against Enemy Carriers

While the US Navy never integrated torpedo tubes on its aircraft carriers, it was not uncommon for destroyers and other destroyers to fire torpedoes at enemy carriers. This practice was particularly prevalent during World War II, where a significant number of enemy carriers were sunk using torpedo attacks.

One notable instance is the sinking of the Japanese carriers Shōkaku and Kazagumo by U.S. torpedo bombers during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Similarly, the U.S. Navy successfully targeted and damaged several Japanese carriers with torpedoes during various other engagements.

Destroyer-Operated Torpedoes on Damaged Carriers

There were instances where the US Navy used torpedoes on damaged aircraft carriers. For example, the Lexington (CV-2) and the Hornet (CV-8) were fired upon with torpedoes by U.S. Navy destroyers after sustaining severe damage. These torpedoes were used as a final attempt to sink or severely damage the vessels before they could be fully secured and abandoned.

The effectiveness of these torpedoes, however, varied. The American torpedoes used in Combat Information Center (CIC) trials often failed, as evidenced by the case of the Hornet. Although the ship was initially set alight by Japanese cruisers using real torpedoes, the damage from the American torpedoes was insufficient to disable it completely. The final resolution came when Japanese cruisers used real torpedoes to complete the destruction of the Hornet.

Conclusion

In summary, the US Navy did not use torpedo tubes on its aircraft carriers due to the operational principles of these vessels. Destroyers and other surface combatants often used torpedoes against enemy carriers, and there were instances where torpedoes were used on damaged US carriers. However, these tactics and the use of torpedoes against enemy carriers were separate from the design and operational strategy of the aircraft carrier fleet.

For further reading, you may want to check out these sources:

US Navy History Website HistoryNet Article on the Battle of Leyte Gulf