USS Midway - Guide 193 

Pinned post for Q&A :)

Naming a new ship class rolling out after a battle from the same war is one hell of a flex.

"Inconvient secession of existence " I laughed hard at this euphemism 😅🤣

I’m glad that when Drach says ‘5 minute guide (more or less)’ he normally means more.

I was lucky enough, as a kid, to go on board the Midway 3 times when she visited Perth, West Australia during the 1970s. Obviously she was still in active service and it wasn’t that long after the Vietnam war. We were made to feel so welcome by the ships crew, Answering all my questions patiently. Fond memories I’ll always cherish. I believe she’s a museum ship in San Diego now, and one of my goals is to visit her again.

The Midway class were the first three US warships that were too large to go through the Panama Canal. Built at Newport News, Virginia they had to go around Cape Horn to get to the Pacific.

The phrase "inconvenient cessation of existence" is a usage worthy of the most polished mafia Don. Well done , Drach. 👍

USS Midway in the 70s and 80s made regular visits to Fremantle in Western Australia. We had a dial a sailor line. We could phone the ship and and say we would like to have a sailor as a guest while they were here. Home cooked meals and being with a family was a real attraction. Also a lot of single women called to give a sailor an entertaining time for their liberty.

Next on the list: -Graf Zeppelin ah yes, the secondaries

Drachism of the day, "President Roosevelt suffered an inconvenient cessation of existence."

I've been on the ship a few times down here in San Diego. For the average person that looks huge. For anybody who's been the Navy in the last 20 years, it's small because we're used to the Nimitz class, which incidentally is right across the bay at Coronado.

My Dad was XO of the Coral Sea's fighter squadron when she was launched.

Drach's teasing us us leaving us on that gorgeous shot of the angled flight deck right at the end of the video!

Did someone say Midway? *Inhales* _Far from shore, a Pacific war_ _Bombs are falling from the skies_

At one point or another during my Navy career I did some support work for Midway and FDR and tagged along behind Coral Sea as 'Plane Guard destroyer.' Sea Story: While I was stationed in Hawaii we were tracking the Soviet response to a three carrier exercise. The birdfarms were Enterprise, Kitty Hawk (or Constellation) and Midway. The Soviets were more interested in the two larger CVs and not so much in Midway ... and the Midway Battlegroup Commander took exception to that. He made his battlegroup of about a dozen ships vanish. He parked Midway and her group under a weather front (similar to what the Japanese did prior to 7 December) and also instituted electronic silence and waited for Soviet paranoia to provide the entertainment. The Soviets verified they had fixes on the positions of Enterprise and Kitty Hawk ... but where was Midway? The Soviet Pacific Fleet and Pacific Air Force started turning the Northern Pacific upside down looking for her. She was the oldest carrier in the fleet by then, but like all the others was armed with nukes, and you don't JUST lose track of a nuclear threat. Midway stayed out of sight both visually (hiding in the weather) and electronically for nearly two days while the Soviets were getting more and more anxious and paranoid. Finally CINCPACFLT stopped laughing and ordered "enough fun ... Exercise complete. Midway head for Hawaii in company with Enterprise and Kittyhawk. Well done Midway." After the Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Vladivostok breathed a sigh of relief a couple of senior heads over there did roll.

For anyone who happens to find themselves in San Diego post-pandemic, the USS Midway Museum is well worth a visit

One thing that non-shipbuilders don't understand is the difference between Length at Waterline (L.W.L.) vs Length Over All (L.O.A.). Although I'm retired, I still have my 50 ft., 100 ft., and 200 ft. measuring tapes. Speaking of waterlines, mark midship draft marks was straightforward, it was the bow an aft that where a pain.

The only US carriers built with 8 inch guns were the USS Lexington & Saratoga, which had them replaced with 5" ones at the beginning of WWII. From your video, it's clear that some in the navy still thought they should have been kept and added to the other carriers. They seemed to have taken the wrong lesson from the HMS Glorious fiasco. I'm glad that better minds went with the 5" guns that could contribute for AA which in hindsight was clearly more important. I wasn't aware that they had put that many 5" guns on the class though. Seems the tradition of adding guns to any empty space continued.

After the war dad went to the Midway when it was new in 1945.It was painted Navy blue and had its ww2 airgroup on it.This is in his Division picture the took on the flight deck..

Anytime I hear an adult say "interesting" it's code for "Generally, it sucks".

In late 1988 or early 1989 I was stationed on the USS Saratoga CV-60 (Air Department/V-1/Fly 1). For about a week we were tied up next to the Midway in Norfolk after we left the shipyard in Portsmouth. It was quite the comparison standing on our flight deck looking down at the Midway's. Thanks Drach for bringing back a few fond old memories.

The USS Midway was the first of three carriers I served on between 1970 and 1984. I was a member of the recommissioning crew in 1970 and made the Vietnam cruise in 1971. Still look back very fondly on my two years on her.

In the US Navy, carriers were originally considered a type of cruiser, hence the 'C' in 'CV'. The 'V' was the Navy designation for 'heavier than air craft' (regular, fixed-wing airplanes) as contrasted with 'lighter than air' dirigibles; so 'CV' indicated 'cruiser that operates regular airplanes'. This concept obviously still lingered with the consideration of 8" guns for independent raiding and surface action.

My wife and I got to tour her last January during a trip to San Diego. She is an absolutely beautiful ship. The armored deck worried them though and they made the ceiling heights of her island very short. I had to be really careful at 6'3". Apparently the height limit for crew members was 6'8". -__-

My grandpa was a pilot on the Midway in Vietnam, cool to see it here finally

Thank you for your wonder videos. Midway was my ship 1981-1985. Best ship I served on. Perhaps no other class of carriers was as heavily modified as the Midways.

I'm spoiled to see her almost every day on my runs at San Diego harbor.

I was fortunate to be able to see the Midway Magic first hand in the summer of 1991 in the gulf. Pretty cool to see the old girl in action

Cool! My first ship when I joined the Navy. Still say "Good Morning Midway" (when I was aboard the ships CO used say that over the 1MC every morning) as I pass her on my way to work. Looking forward to the follow-up videos.

I went on Midway in 90 around the time of desert storm, will never forget how choppy it was in the boat in HK harbour, and then how stable it was when we actually got on board. Made quite an impression. Thanks for doing these gives me something to watch! :)

my late uncle was on the brand new FDR. his job was to wear the hot/heavy flame resistant suit, and climb aboard a crashed/burning aircraft and pull the aviator out the top. he was aboard her about a year. and eventually retired as a police sgt.

Amazing how long lived they became. Long enough to see the F/A-18.

"Thus starting a new tradition in US Navy carrier names" I would say a boring tradition in carrier names. I much preferred naming our carriers after major battles in US history than mainly politicians. I also prefer more ambiguous naming schemes that give us names like Enterprise and Intrepid. On that note, I do actually like the name for CVN-81: USS Doris Miller. Also I heard rumors that Midway was built off of the keel from Montana (assuming they hadn't laid any machinery spaces out), any truth to that? Everything else I have read either doesn't mention that or says it's not true. I'd just like to know because someone I know likes to keep saying that but I am suspicious.

The Coral Sea was the first of three ships I served on beginning in Sept. of '87 till the Spring of '89. I disembarked CV-43 about two weeks prior to the gun turret explosion on the USS Iowa during FLEETEX 3-89, the same exercise that the Coral Sea was participating in. I was an enlisted man, PO3, Electronic Warfare.

I stayed a week aboard the USS Midway as a museum while in the cub scouts. It’s probably the coolest thing I ever did while a part of that organization.

For anyone who likes tours of museum ships, you can visit the USS Midway in San Diego California... well, after the pandemic anyway.

The Midway is in nice shape, wish the Hornet had that level of funding.

I was ship's company from 1980 -1984, some of the most memorable times of my life and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world

Incredible that an aircraft carrier commissioned at the end of WW2 would serve all the way through Desert Storm.

Awesome!! Huge soft spot for Coral Maru The Best in the West, The Ageless Warrior, USS Coral Sea CV-43! Looking forward to three separate videos on the sisters! 😉 I don't get it, a most enjoyable, excellent, informative, educational channel like this, still....only 168K subscribers!? 🤨🤔

Yeah. An interim design between the Essex Classes and the Super Carriers beginning with CV-59. As I heard it, the FDR's angled flight deck, which was something of an experiment, was so large they filled the starboard empty spaces in the hull with concrete to counter balance it. I think it was the Midway that was the carrier home ported in Japan for so long it was nick named the Midway Maru. The US definitely got their money's worth out of these ships, with them (iirc) "soldiering" on long after the last of the Essex Classes were gone. They were big enough to use the F-4 Phantom's when the older Essex classes couldn't. .

Best thing about the COVID lockdown those months ago, was discovering Drachinifel's channel here. Brilliant stuff!! Thanks for all the work you put into these uploads. Magnificent.

The more I learn about us carrier development the more I think that some one probably had a dream of 16 inch armed carrier and was trying to slowly warm the more sane members of the navy to the idea. Start small 5 then, 6 then, 8 then, 12 then, 16 inch guns.

I’ve been waiting for this one!

Holding off the full history for later? U wot m8? U 'avin' a giggle there, m8? :P I hope one day to visit the Midway in her museum resting place. Already saw the Essex-class Yorktown, now I want to see the follow-up.

Can't wait for the follow-up on this. That photo of the F-4 Phantom jets on the deck near the end is epic. The Essex class carriers also served long, into the 70s.

"inconvenient cessation of existence" XD This is why I love your channel, cheers Drach!

Thanks Drach, love these 5ish min videos and your narration style!

Can you do a story on the USS West Virginia, please. I've always been intrigued by her tale of sinking at Pearl Harbor, only to be moored next to the USS Missouri at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay in 1945. One of the Pearl Harbor "Heroes"was Doris Miller, a Black cook aboard the West Virginia. We don't hear that much about him either.

How well timed, visited this ship last Saturday. Even talked to a tour guide who had served on her during Korea. It was an excellent experience

Another great video, Drach! Tho’ I have to say “inconvenient cessation of life” really caught my ear!

This channel here has been a delight.....Last week I enjoyed watching a movie called Sink the Bismarck and afterwards enjoyed Drachinifel's Operation Rheinubung Video.... AWESOME !!!!

The Coral Sea visited Halifax in the late 80's, they gave public guided tours and I got to board her. She is the only carrier I have ever set foot on. I was in awe of her sheer size, even though she was smaller than Nimitz and Enterprise I was still very impressed with her.

Bout to spend half a day at the museum! Had to watch this before

"The Midway class would go on to have a long and interesting history with many modifications during that service.. But that's the subject for another video"... o_0 Oh! you cheeky tease you!! >_< Now there simply must be a follow-up video on the developmental history of the Midway Class... ~_^

Very nicely done. Looking forward to seeing the next part.

Love your videos

Since I discovered the Midway, I love this carrier since (with the most angled deck) it is so unique and long lived. If I ever get back to San Diego, I will visit her!

Great video! I learned a lot!

Wait a (seven) minute!! I was just getting lathered up when you say "that's the subject for another video." Say what? I want my modifications and I want them now!!

Awesome video, as always.

This was my first ship. I was stationed on it from January of 1990 to 1992 for decommissioning. It was the best ship during my four years in the U.S. Navy.

YAY!!! Storytime with Uncle Drach!

Drach, love the analysis, esp when it comes to what influenced the design. Love to see one on USS Pittsburgh, heavy cruiser.

While we’re suggesting ships: I have great affection for the USN WWI flushdeck destroyers. You’ve already done one video, but I think they deserve more. Because they were so numerous, it seems anybody with a bright idea could get one to experiment with. They were converted into minelayers, minesweepers, fast attack transports, and seaplane tenders, among other things. They were traded to the Royal Navy for naval bases. USS Ward fired the first shot during the Pearl Harbor attack. The fictional USS Caine was a converted flushdeceker. I think they deserve another look. Take care.

"Inconvient secession of existence ". This is why i fucking love your videos.

My father served on the Midway in the late 40s to early 50s. I will be looking forward to more information on this ship from you!

I love the Midways, all time favorite carrier class.

"Suffered an inconvenient cessation of existence" Lol.

Ah, the proto-super carrier...now museum in San Diego. Take a peek if you are in the area, lovely ship.

Looking forward to the video on the history of the Midway Class carriers upgrades over the long careers.

Recently discovered your channel and love it, some great videos on here. My ambition as a teenager was always to go to sea, first choice was the merchant marine although the RN would have done nicely. Not sure then why I ended up spending 18 years in the RAF!

Midway was CVA 41, You have more pictures of USS Coral Sea CVA 43 which I served on during Vietnam. : )

First aircraft carrier I ever built. In its 1946 configuration, covered with guns.

Hello again Midway I see you almost every day in San Diego! 👍

You know the drill: ''Far from shore, a Pacific war Bombs are falling from the skies!''

Intro music level still seems low relative to your voice, and to the ratio of intro/voice volume you've used in the past. The last few vids have been like that, maybe your shiny new PC has a setting a little different from your old setup! On the plus side though, that final *BOOM* on the intro that I always forget about, even after hundreds of videos, hasn't shredded my eardrums recently! I always remember a split-second before it happens and don't have time to pull my headphones out 🤪

I got to tour the Coral Sea. Sure it was mostly a tourist attraction at the time, headed for retirement, but it was an experience none the less.

Took a tour of the Midway in San Diego. Well worth it. FYI it was the carrier McCaine served on when he was shot down and captured.

I was actually stationed on that ship back in the 80s in Japan.

Midway is a great museum ship. I recommend it for anyone in the San Diego area.

For anyone wondering wether the USS Midway in San Diego is worth checking out I’d say that even if you aren’t too interested in carriers or museum ships she’s definitely worth visiting if you’re ever near the area. I’ve lived in San Diego my whole life and I’ve been on the USS Midway upwards of like eight times but I’m still learning more and more new stuff about it each time. Many of the guides/staff, and even some of the guests (at least when I’ve been there) have served on the ship too and each have their own stories to tell if you ask them, which makes it all the more interesting to me It’s also been kept in what I’d consider surprisingly good condition for a ship of its size, despite the admission fee being not a bad price and group coupons popping up from time to time. But I’m sure if they changed the pricing since last I went it’ll be on their website

Awesome woodie at 1:35

That sweet woodie at 1:35 🔥

I was in Yokasucka, JA with the Midway in 83-85. Did a couple months TAD on her. I was on CG-24, Battle group Alpha.

I visited Midway two weeks ago, she's in San Diego. It's a great museum.

I like big decks I can not lie, it gives us a place from whence to fly!

Thank you

Lived on USS Midway for many years, great ship......she's a museum in San Diego now, probably the last carrier museum you'll ever see since the nukes will have to be gutted like a fish to deactivate them...

I toured her a few years ago. Impressive ship.

Served aboard USS MIDWAY from 1981 to 1985 with VF-161 F-4 phantom squadron

If you're ever in San Diego, it's a great museum ship to visit. I can spend the whole day there.

Let's not forget the US Navies decision to launch a V2 off the stern of a carrier. I'd love to see Drachs take on that bit of maddness

My Dad was a Blank Holder on th CV -42 FDR. Rear seat on a SB2c5e. Helldiver He is the one in the Arcive footage of the FDR's Maiden Voyage film, going off the Front on take off and crashing into the sea. Incident Report blames a Catapult Failure.

i've been waiting for over a year for the Tennessee video. we're almost there

Midway Class stayed in service in some form into the 1980's. Almost as long as Iowa Class BB's.

i resubscribed i appreciate your effort ..keep it true

Have visited Midway in San Diego as Museum ship. Covered with various planes

Nice to see a local museum ship featured

Interesting. I served aboard USS Coral Sea from 1975 to 1978 and I had been led to understand that it had been built on a battleship hull and that it had originally been laid out as a battleship. Apparently not. Thanks for posting! Also was unaware of the differences between Coral Sea and Midway. Wish I could find a Coral Sea model kit. No one apparently makes them anymore. To get a pre-built model is over $1000!!!