USS Independence (CV-62)

The contract to build ''Independence'', the fourth ''Forrestal''-class carrier was awarded to the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard]] on 2 July 1954,{{cite web |url={{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV62}} |title=Independence (CV 62)(ex-CVA 62): Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier |website=National Vessel Register |publisher=Naval Sea Systems Command, United States Navy |date=1 March 2006 |access-date=27 November 2011}} with the ship being [[laid down]] on 1 July 1955.{{sfn|Baker|1998|page=992}} ''Independence'' was constructed in Drydock 6 at the [[New York Naval Shipyard]] in Brooklyn, New York. During early construction, the ship was positioned with her stern at the head of the drydock to facilitate delivery of materials via a truck ramp leading from the head of the dock to the hangar deck at the stern.{{cite book |last=Hone |first=Thomas C. |title=Evolution of Aircraft Carriers |publisher=Office of the Chief of Naval Operations |year=1964 |page=72}} The island and associated sponson were deliberately not installed during this phase in order to avoid obstructing the yard's large traveling crane.

The contract to build ''Independence'', the fourth ''Forrestal''-class carrier was awarded to the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard]] on 2 July 1954,{{cite web |url={{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=CV62}} |title=Independence (CV 62)(ex-CVA 62): Multi-Purpose Aircraft Carrier |website=National Vessel Register |publisher=Naval Sea Systems Command, United States Navy |date=1 March 2006 |access-date=27 November 2011}} with the ship being [[laid down]] on 1 July 1955.{{sfn|Baker|1998|page=992}} ''Independence'' was constructed in Drydock 6 at the [[New York Naval Shipyard]] in Brooklyn, New York. During early construction, the ship was positioned with her stern at the head of the drydock to facilitate delivery of materials via a truck ramp leading from the head of the dock to the hangar deck at the stern.{{cite book |last=Hone |first=Thomas C. |title=Evolution of Aircraft Carriers |publisher=Office of the Chief of Naval Operations |year=1964 |page=72}} The island and associated sponson were deliberately not installed during this phase in order to avoid obstructing the yard's large traveling crane.

In August 1957, while approximately 65 percent complete, Independence was transferred from Drydock 6 to Drydock 5 within the shipyard to allow completion of flight deck work using facilities available at that location.{{cite news |title=BIG MOVE: Navy tugs maneuver supercarrier Independence |publisher=Associated Press |date=26 August 1957 |url=https://www.navsource.net/archives/02/62.htm |access-date=19 February 2026}} Contemporary accounts described the transfer as an "extraordinarily complex job" that was accomplished smoothly and efficiently. She was launched on 6 June 1958 by the wife of [[Thomas S. Gates]], the [[Secretary of the Navy]],{{cite AV media |date=9 June 1958 |title=Video: Brooklyn, N.Y. 1958/06/09 (1958) |url=https://archive.org/details/1958-06-09_Brooklyn_NY |publisher=[[Universal Newsreel]] |access-date=21 February 2012}} and commissioned on 10 January 1959.{{sfn|Baker|1998|page=992}}

In August 1957, while approximately 65 percent complete, ''Independence'' was transferred from Drydock 6 to Drydock 5 within the shipyard to allow completion of flight deck work using facilities available at that location.{{cite news |title=BIG MOVE: Navy tugs maneuver supercarrier Independence |publisher=Associated Press |date=26 August 1957 |url=https://www.navsource.net/archives/02/62.htm |access-date=19 February 2026}} Contemporary accounts described the transfer as an "extraordinarily complex job" that was accomplished smoothly and efficiently. She was launched on 6 June 1958 by the wife of [[Thomas S. Gates]], the [[Secretary of the Navy]],{{cite AV media |date=9 June 1958 |title=Video: Brooklyn, N.Y. 1958/06/09 (1958) |url=https://archive.org/details/1958-06-09_Brooklyn_NY |publisher=[[Universal Newsreel]] |access-date=21 February 2012}} and commissioned on 10 January 1959.{{sfn|Baker|1998|page=992}}

==Operational history==

==Operational history==