Evolution of the Aircraft Carriers 1924 - 1940

In November 29, 1924, the Navy's first aircraft carrier, the USS Langley, tied up to the pier at the naval air station at North Island. A converted coal transport, she had a flight deck 500 feet in length and could carry more than 30 aircraft.

By 1928, the aircraft carriers USS Saratoga and USS Lexington, both constructed on cruiser hulls, joined Langley in San Diego waters where they were used in training naval aviators. This training played a significant role in American's victory at the Battle of Midway 14 years later.

As tactics were developed, new missions were created for the Navy's airborne weapon. Soon aircraft were assigned specialized duties as fighters, attack bombers, torpedo bombers, scouts, observers, patrol, and general utility aircraft. All of these roles were developed in and around the growing naval aviation facilities bordering San Diego's bay.

The carriers Yorktown and Enterprise also called San Diego their home port in 1940. On the eve of World War II, North Island and San Diego were, in every sense of the word, home to carrier aviation.

By the end of 1940, San Diego was home port to four Aircraft carriers. Naval facilities in the area included:
Naval Air Station North Island
32nd Street Naval Station
Balboa Naval Hospital in Balbo Park
Naval Radio Transmitter Facility at



Chollas Heights
Navy Supply Center and pier at the foot of Broadway
Naval Training Center (West Coast)
Marine Corps Recruit Depot (West Coast)

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