Midway (CV 41) - Naval Cruise Book

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ik-H- ! - SECOND RENOVATION AND A VISIT FROM AN HONORED VIP ,»-K ,— J --J ' . ' SKata ' ' -w- ffira - , . 3 i9Q ?- s«apS ' C -»t -»tl»-54- 5«- H-5tJt USS MIDWAY sponing her first oi many renovations magic . Center left, in 1958 a VIP visit by General I President of Republic of Nationalist Cfiina. v the crew of MIDWAY ;w look in May of 1958. This would be the hat took place during her 40 years of ' Chrang Kai-Shek, distinct honor for 2.S2 to 4.02 acres. The elevators could now lift I30.0CO pounds compared with 74.000 pounds of her sister ships. ROOSEVELT and CORAL SEA. The powerful new catapults on the bow. three new arresting gear engines, and one barricade were installed and rearranged to accommodate a change of 13 degrees to the angle deck. The smaller waist catapult was removed since it was ineffective in launching the now heavier aircraft. Mod- ern electronic systems were installed, a central chilled water air conditioning system replaced hundreds of individual units, and MIDWAY became the first ship to have the aviation fueling system completely converted from aviation gas to JP-5. Delays caused partially by the simultaneous con- struction of USS HORNE. modernization of USS CHICA- GO, and unscheduled repairs to the fire-damaged USS ORISKANY. drove the initial modernization estimate of 87 million dollars to 202 million dollars. MIDWAY was recommissioned in January 1970. She was capable of operating the most modern fleet air- craft. MIDWAY was expected to deliver at least an- other 15 years of service life to the fleet. Perhaps it was MIDWAY Magic that kept her afloat well past the 15 years originally hoped for. More realistically it was the dedication and hard work of the crew that kept her afloat so long. MIDWAY was underway in March 1970. It took another year of working out discrepanies. fol- lowed by numerous sea trials before she deployed again. In April 1971. MIDWAY began her sixteenth deploy- ment 13.000 tons heavier than her original full load figure. When she arrived off the coast of Vietnam, her Airwing commenced strikes and flew over 6.000 sorties in support of allied operations. After 146 continous days at sea. MIDWAY returned home and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Arriving at Alaineda in November, the ship then returned to the war zone seven weeks earlier than her scheduled deployment date. Pages 8 and 9. MIDWAY ' S maiden launch Ne and Dry-dock Company. March X . 1945.

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