In the vastness of the Atlantic, the storied USS America, a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, met an unprecedented fate beneath the waves.

On May 14, 2005, at approximately 11:30 am, the retired vessel was deliberately sunk after over three decades of naval service, including combat operations in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.

But America’s descent to the ocean floor was not a somber surrender to the elements; it was a controlled and valiant contribution to naval research and future carrier designs.

Originally envisioned to be powered by nuclear energy, rising costs during her construction in the 1960s led to a shift in design, and the USS America was equipped instead with four steam turbines generating a formidable 280,000 horsepower.

Measuring over 1,000 feet in length and capable of housing over 4,600 personnel along with roughly 80 aircraft, she was a titan of the seas, embodying the intermediate advancement from the Forrestal-class carriers before her.

Throughout her service, the USS America was a formidable presence in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, marking her prowess in significant historical events. However, with the advent of more advanced nuclear-powered carriers in the 1990s, America’s role shifted from frontline service to that of a research subject to improve future warships.

Despite the emotional appeals from veterans who once called her decks home, the Navy stood its ground on the carrier’s fate.

Then-Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John B. Nathman, expressed the significance of America’s final mission in a letter: “America will make one final and vital contribution to our national defense, this time as a live-fire test and evaluation platform… It is essential we make those ships as highly survivable as possible.”

Embarking on her last voyage, America was subjected to a barrage of live-fire tests starting April 19, 2005. Engineers and naval architects observed as the vessel endured sustained damage, proving her exceptional resilience.

Blake Horner, a mechanical engineer, noted her extraordinary structural integrity: “She is not only far larger than WWII battleships, but she is also a lot tougher… She does have a double layered hull, meaning weapons have to push through alternative layers of steel and empty pockets to reach her internals.”

Despite the punishing tests, the USS America’s sinking was not easily accomplished. It took additional measures—four weeks of efforts—and finally, Navy personnel boarding the vessel to scuttle her.

The USS America’s indomitable spirit endured even in her sinking, which required direct intervention from on board the ship.

Her final moment was marked by a solemn silence from the Navy as she descended to her resting place, upright and intact, 16,860 feet below the surface southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Today, the USS America rests on the ocean floor, a hallowed relic of American naval might and a treasure trove of knowledge for future carrier designs. Her sacrifice remains a testament to naval endurance and innovation, embodying the pride and resilience of a nation.

As a research subject, even in her silence, she continues to guide the hand that forges the future fleet, ensuring the protection and advancement of those who follow in her wake.

Relevant articles:
– USS America: Why the Navy Tried (and Failed) To Sink Its Own Aircraft Carrier, The National Interest
– USS America: Why the U.S. Navy Sunk Its Own Aircraft Carrier, nationalinterest.org
– USS America: Why the Navy Tried (and Failed) To Sink Its Own Aircraft Carrier, The National Interest