Peace thru Strength
(U. S. Navy Aviation Strengths)
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels
U. S. Destroyer Squadrons
US Ship Force Levels
1886-Present Part 1 of 2
This tabulation was compiled from such sources as the Navy Directory (issued at varying intervals to 1941); the Annual Reports of the Secretary of the Navy (issued annually to 1931); Comptroller of the Navy (NAVCOMPT) compilations; Department of the Navy (DON) 5-Year Program, Ships & Aircraft Supplemental Data Tables (SASDT); and records and compilations of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-802K, now N804J1D) Ship Management Information System (now Ship Management System), refined and edited with the assistance of the annual Naval Vessel Register.
For consistent historical comparison, Naval Reserve Force (NRF) and Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force (NFAF) ships, and Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet support ships, are included in current and recent active totals. Figures, and conclusions drawn from them, would, otherwise, be historically inconsistent, and comparisons would be skewed.
From 1963 through 1974, former guided-missile frigates (DLG/DLGN) are counted under the categories (cruisers, destroyers) to which they were assigned on 30 June 1975: DLG 6 class Became DDG 37 class; DLG 16 class became CG 16 class; DLG 26 class became CG 26 class; DLGN 25, 35, 36 classes became CGN 25, 35, 36 classes.
Surface warfare ship totals do not include submarines, mine warfare, patrol or auxiliaries.
TABLES:
1886-1891 | 1892-1897 | 1898-1903 | 1904-1909 | 1910-1916 | 1917-1923 |
1924-1930 | 1931-1937 | 1938-1944 | 1945-1951 | 1951-1957 | 1958-1964 |
1965-1971 | 1972-1978 | 1979-1985 | 1986-1992 | 1993-1999 | 2000-present
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels, 1886-1891
|
DATE
|
12/86
|
12/87
|
12/88
|
12/89
|
12/90
|
12/91
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CRUISER*
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
7
|
8
|
|
MONITOR
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
TORPEDO BOATS
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
1
|
|
STEEL GUNBOATS**
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
5
|
7
|
|
AUXILIARIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
SCREW STEAMER***
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
|
SCREW SLOOPS^
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
10
|
10
|
|
GUNBOATS~
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
SAILING VESSELS@
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
STEEL NAVY
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
8
|
13
|
18
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Mostly protected cruisers plus two armored cruisers and three unprotected cruisers.
** Although not a gunboat, the steel-hulled despatch boat Dolphin was part of the "New Navy". The great increase in numbers after 1897 includes new building, conversions, and war prizes.
***All wooden or iron ships until 1898 when the wartime expansion included eleven merchant ships temporarily converted to auxiliary cruisers.
^ Includes one steam sloop and one steam sloop-of-war.
~ Includes wooden, composite, and iron gunboats.
@ Includes one sloop-of-war and three training ships.
$ The distinction between "Old" Navy and "Steel" Navy is somewhat artificial, the former being the old iron-hulled vessels with early steam engines, while the latter term covers (with a few exceptions) the new steel-hulled triple-expansion steam engine warships that become the standard ships of 20th-century navies.
|
|
Events
|
|
• U. S. authorized first vessels of the "steel navy" in 1883 and 1885.
• First battleship (pre-dreadnought) authorized in 1886.
• Publication of Alfred Thayer Mahan's widely read but often misunderstood The Influence of Sea Power Upon History in 1890.
|
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels, 1892-1897
|
DATE
|
12/92
|
12/93
|
12/94
|
12/95
|
12/96
|
12/97
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
|
|
|
3
|
5
|
6
|
|
CRUISER
|
8
|
9
|
16
|
17
|
16
|
16
|
|
MONITOR
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
6
|
|
TORPEDO BOATS
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
|
STEEL GUNBOATS
|
7
|
9
|
10
|
10
|
11
|
14
|
|
AUXILIARIES#
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
SCREW STEAMER
|
9
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
7
|
|
SCREW SLOOPS
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
5
|
|
GUNBOATS
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
10
|
|
SAILING VESSELS
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
STEEL NAVY
|
18
|
22
|
30
|
35
|
40
|
49
|
|
OLD NAVY
|
25
|
21
|
20
|
20
|
19
|
23
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
43
|
43
|
50
|
55
|
59
|
72
|
|
Notes
|
|
•First three battleships commissioned in 1895.
|
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels, 1898-1903
|
DATE
|
12/98
|
12/99
|
12/00
|
12/01
|
12/02
|
12/03
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
6
|
5
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
|
CRUISER
|
18
|
15
|
13
|
9
|
16
|
19
|
|
MONITOR
|
14
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
16
|
|
TORPEDO BOATS
|
12
|
15
|
18
|
24
|
27
|
27
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
|
|
1*
|
1
|
1
|
8
|
|
STEEL GUNBOATS
|
34**
|
28
|
30
|
29
|
29
|
29
|
|
AUXILIARIES#
|
30
|
26
|
25
|
25
|
26
|
26
|
|
SCREW STEAMER
|
16
|
13
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
|
SCREW SLOOPS
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
|
SAILING SHIPS
|
1
|
1***
|
|
|
|
|
|
GUNBOATS @@
|
25
|
20
|
26
|
25
|
25
|
22
|
|
STEEL NAVY
|
114
|
95
|
100
|
103
|
123
|
142
|
|
OLD NAVY
|
46
|
38
|
40
|
38
|
37
|
33
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
160
|
133
|
140
|
141
|
160
|
175
|
|
Events
|
|
•Spanish-American War, April-August 1898.
•First submarine enters service in 1900. First torpedo boat destroyers enter service in 1902.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Holland, although technically a submersible torpedo boat, was the first of some 500 or so diesel-electric boats commonly referred to as "submarines."
*** About 20 steel ships, converted to gunboats, were bought by the Navy in 1898 because of the war with Spain.
# Before the Spanish-American War, this category included the small freight carrier Fern. For the wartime period and after, it covers colliers, supply ships, water supply ships, a transport, a hospital ship, and a refrigerator ship.
*** By the turn of the century, the only active sailing ship left in the Navy (the rest had become stationary receiving or training ships or had been transferred to State Militias or Marine Schools) was the bark Severn, used to train midshipmen at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. The category is therefore closed.
@@ Twenty-three converted yachts, fourteen revenue cutters transferred from the Treasury Department, war prizes, and conversions of private craft temporarily increased the number of non-steel "gunboats" in the Navy during and after 1898.
|
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels, 1904-1909
|
DATE
|
12/04
|
12/05
|
12/06
|
12/07
|
12/08
|
12/09
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
12
|
12
|
18
|
22
|
25
|
25
|
|
CRUISER
|
23
|
24
|
27
|
25
|
27
|
27
|
|
MONITOR
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
20
|
|
TORPEDO BOATS*
|
29
|
32
|
32
|
32
|
33
|
33
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
12
|
16
|
|
STEEL GUNBOATS
|
29
|
28
|
25
|
22
|
20
|
19
|
|
AUXILIARIES
|
28
|
27
|
29
|
30
|
30
|
29
|
|
SCREW STEAMER
|
4
|
4
|
2**
|
|
|
|
|
SCREW SLOOPS
|
2***
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GUNBOATS
|
21
|
19
|
19
|
18
|
16
|
16
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
177
|
174
|
180
|
180
|
181
|
187
|
|
Notes
|
|
* A number of torpedo boats went in and out of commission during this time period, often seeing service with reserve units or State Militias. Most, however, came back into the Navy in 1917 and therefore remain on the list.
** By 1906, all the screw steamers had either decommissioned or had become station ships, tenders, trainers, or auxiliaries, thus this category is closed down.
*** After 1904, the remaining two sloops, Hartford and Mohican, only served as training or station ships, thus closing down this category.
**** By 1906, the distinction between old and steel navy is no longer useful.
|
Former Congressman West said our Navy was at 1915 levels. In 1922 the first aircraft carrier was built using the USS Jupiter, the first electric ship using coal, thereafter becoming USS Langley and as of October 23, 2012 we have eleven aircraft carriers, while USS Enterprise (CVN-65) was inactivated on 1 December 2012.
“USS George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Commissioned Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The 41st President of the United States George H. W. Bush christened the CVN-77 at the christening ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard on 7 October 2006. The Island lifted into place on 8 July 2006. On 26 January 2001, Newport News Ship building signed a $3.8 billion deal with the Navy to build CVN-77. Keel was laid down on 6 September 2003. The Navy took delivery of its newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding May 11.
The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be 1,092 feet in length and have a beam of 134 feet. The flight deck will be 256 feet wide, and the ship will be able to operate at speeds in excess of 34 knots. Enterprise will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va. “The Navy awarded Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding a $5.1 billion contract to begin construction of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on 10 September 2008. The keel laying and authentication ceremony for Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) was held at Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Newport News shipyard on 14 November 2009. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) launched, holding a Christening ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News on 9 November 2013.
Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) (66th CC) will replace USS Nimitz (CVN-68), former CVA(N)-68 (56th CC) in 2020.
As of July 8, 2016, there were ten commissioned aircraft carriers. As 2019, their were eleven.
In addition, several carriers are under going DPIA or PIA from 6 to 12 months annually.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) (60th CC) completed RCOH in 2017 and USS George Washington (CVN-73) (61st CC) commenced RCOH in 2017.
Today the U. S. Navy has more ships then America had in 1915.
Before WW II the U.S. Navy had fewer carriers then today and we have submarines as well, so what does Congressman West mean when he says our Navy is at 1915 levels?
Where did this idea originate that there were more U. S. Navy Ships in 1915 then 2012?
1910 to 1916 (245) & 2012 (287) Deployable Battle Force of U. S. Navy Ships
U. S. Navy Ship Force Levels, 1910-1916
|
DATE
|
12/10
|
12/11
|
12/12
|
12/13
|
12/14
|
12/15
|
12/16
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
29
|
30
|
32
|
32
|
34
|
32
|
36
|
|
CRUISER
|
27
|
25
|
24
|
27
|
28
|
30
|
30
|
|
MONITOR
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
27
|
36
|
42
|
46
|
50
|
57
|
61
|
|
TORPEDO BOATS*
|
31
|
30
|
30
|
25
|
19
|
18
|
18
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
17
|
17
|
23
|
26
|
36
|
37
|
44
|
|
STEEL GUNBOATS
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
17
|
17
|
17
|
17**
|
|
AUXILIARIES
|
29
|
28
|
28
|
27
|
26
|
26
|
25
|
|
GUNBOATS
|
16
|
15
|
12
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11**
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
196
|
202
|
211
|
214
|
224
|
231
|
245
|
|
*A number of torpedo boats went in and out of commission during this time period, often seeing service with reserve units or State Militias. Most, however, came back into the Navy in 1917 and therefore remain on the list.
|
**These two categories are merged together with the great wartime expansion of gunboat numbers in 1917. Not Active.
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org9-4b.htm#1910
I think Congressman West was refereeing to 1917 ship forces and or the result of 700 billion in military cuts which would force a number of ships to decommission.
In the 20’s and 30’s there was a new construction ship tonnage treaty between the U. S. and other industrial nations that WW II changed, yet in 1917 there was a 342 U. S. Navy Active Ship Force Level as Mit Romney pointed out as compared to 287 as of 23 October 2012.
U. S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1917-1923
|
DATE
|
4/6/17
|
11/11/18
|
7/1/19
|
7/1/20
|
7/1/21
|
7/1/22
|
7/1/23
|
|
BATTLESHIP
|
37
|
39
|
36
|
26
|
22
|
19
|
18
|
|
MONITORS, COASTAL
|
7
|
7
|
5
|
1
|
2@
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CRUISERS
|
33
|
31
|
28
|
27
|
10
|
12
|
13
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
66
|
110
|
161
|
189
|
68 (208rc)
|
103
|
103
|
|
FRIGATES
|
17
|
17
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
44
|
80
|
91
|
58
|
69 (11rc)
|
82 (7rc)
|
69 (5rc)
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
-
|
53
|
62
|
48
|
50 (8rc)
|
36
|
38
|
|
PATROL
|
42
|
350
|
65
|
45
|
59 (1rc)
|
43
|
41
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
96
|
87
|
304
|
173
|
104
|
83
|
82
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
160
|
204
|
230
|
243
|
102
|
134
|
134
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
342
|
774
|
752
|
567
|
384 (228rc)
|
379 (7rc)
|
365 (5rc)
|
|
Events
|
|
• U.S. enters WWI 6 April 1917
|
|
• Bolshevik Revolution begins 28 October (Old Style) 1917
|
|
• WWI ends 11 November 1918
|
|
• Washington Treaty in force 17 August 1923
|
|
Notes
|
|
@ The last Coast Defense Monitor went out of commission in 1921.
|
|
rc Reduced Commission: not included in "active" total. The drop in ship numbers evident from 1920-21 is a post-WWI readjustment to a peacetime strength, with limited budgets and naval arms limitation. Not Active.
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org9-4.htm
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1924-1930
|
DATE
|
7/1/24
|
7/1/25
|
7/1/26
|
7/1/27
|
7/1/28
|
7/1/29
|
7/1/30
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
18
|
18
|
15(3rc)
|
15(3rc)
|
16(2rc)
|
16(2rc)
|
16(2rc)
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CRUISERS
|
16
|
18
|
18
|
16
|
16
|
16
|
20
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
103
|
105
|
106
|
106
|
106
|
103
|
103
|
|
FRIGATES
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
77(3rc)
|
76(3rc)
|
80
|
77
|
77
|
80
|
81
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
39
|
40
|
39
|
40
|
40
|
37
|
36
|
|
PATROL
|
37
|
37
|
37
|
32
|
33
|
32
|
29
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
84
|
73
|
71
|
69
|
68
|
68
|
68
|
|
RIGID AIRSHIPS
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
376 (3rc)
|
370 (3rc)
|
368 (3rc)
|
357 (3rc)
|
360 (2rc)
|
356 (2rc)
|
357 (3rc)
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
137
|
141
|
139
|
137
|
138
|
135
|
139
|
|
Events
|
|
• Battleship modernization program in effect 1926-1934.
• London Treaty in force 31 December 1930.
|
|
Events
|
|
rc Reduced Commission: not included in "active" total.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1931-1937
|
DATE
|
7/1/31
|
7/1/32
|
7/1/33
|
7/1/34
|
4/1/35*
|
7/1/36
|
9/1/37*
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
12(3rc)
|
11(4rc)
|
11(4rc)
|
14(1rc)
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3@
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CRUISERS
|
20
|
19
|
20
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
87^
|
102
|
101
|
102^^
|
104
|
106
|
111
|
|
FRIGATES
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
56
|
55
|
55
|
54
|
52
|
49
|
52
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
33
|
33
|
26
|
26
|
26
|
26
|
30
|
|
PATROL
|
27(1rc)
|
24
|
26
|
24
|
23
|
23
|
22
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
69
|
65
|
68
|
71
|
71
|
73
|
75
|
|
RIGID AIRSHIPS
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
119
|
132
|
132
|
140
|
144
|
147
|
153
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
308 (4rc)
|
313 (4rc)
|
311 (4rc)
|
320 (1rc)
|
320
|
322
|
335
|
|
Events
|
|
• Japan enters Manchuria 18 September 1931. Hitler to power 30 January 1933.
• Failure of the International Economic Conference to stabilize world currencies in July 1933 leads to growing instability.
• Vinson-Trammell Act, 27 March 1934, authorizes--though it does not fund--Navy construction to Treaty strength.
• Japan renounces Washington Treaty 29 December 1934, effective 31 December 1936.
• Germany renounces disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles 16 March 1935.
• Spanish Civil War begins 18 July 1936.
• Japan begins large-scale military operations in China 7 July 1937.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Data for 1 July not available.
@ CV-1 to AV-1 (auxiliary).
^ London Treaty exchange of new DD for older types allowed.
^^ New DD begin to appear.
rc Reduced Commission: not included in "active" total.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1938-1944
|
DATE
|
6/30/38
|
6/30/39
|
6/30/40
|
12/7/41
|
12/31/42
|
12/31/43
|
12/31/44
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
17
|
19
|
21
|
23
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
4
|
19
|
25
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
12
|
35
|
65
|
|
CRUISERS
|
32
|
36
|
37
|
37
|
39
|
48
|
61
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
112
|
127
|
185
|
171
|
224
|
332
|
367
|
|
FRIGATES
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
234
|
376
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
54
|
58
|
64
|
112
|
133
|
172
|
230
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
27
|
29
|
36
|
135
|
323
|
551
|
614
|
|
PATROL
|
34
|
20
|
19
|
100
|
515
|
1050
|
1183
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
121
|
673
|
2147
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
101
|
104
|
116
|
210
|
392
|
564
|
993
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
159
|
178
|
237
|
225
|
282
|
635
|
827
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
380
|
394
|
478
|
790
|
1782
|
3699
|
6084
|
|
Events
|
|
• WWII begins in Europe when Germany and the USSR invade Poland September 1939.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1945-1950
|
DATE
|
8/14/45*
|
6/30/46
|
6/30/47
|
6/30/48
|
6/30/49
|
6/30/50
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
23
|
10
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
28
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
11
|
11
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
71
|
10
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
4
|
|
CRUISERS
|
72
|
36
|
32
|
32
|
18
|
13
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
377
|
145
|
138
|
134
|
143
|
137
|
|
FRIGATES
|
361
|
35
|
24
|
12
|
12
|
10
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
232
|
85
|
80
|
74
|
79
|
72
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
586
|
112
|
55
|
54
|
52
|
56
|
|
PATROL
|
1204
|
119
|
74
|
50
|
50
|
33
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
2547
|
275
|
107
|
86
|
60
|
79
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
1267
|
406
|
306
|
273
|
257
|
218
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
833
|
226
|
198
|
180
|
174
|
161
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
6768
|
1248
|
842
|
737
|
690
|
634
|
|
Events
|
|
• WWII in Europe ends 8 May 1945.
• V-J Day 14 August 1945 (15 August in western Pacific).
• Pacific War formally ends 2 September 1945.
• U.S.-USSR relations deteriorate 1945-1950.
• Chinese Civil War won by communists 1949
• Korean War begins 25 June 1950.
|
|
Events
|
|
* V-J Day.
The increase in fleet size after 1950 is due to the mobilization, begun after North Korea invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1951-1957
|
DATE
|
6/30/51
|
6/30/52
|
6/30/53
|
6/30/54
|
6/30/55
|
6/30/56
|
6/30/57
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
|
CARRIERS, FLEET
|
17
|
19
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
22
|
|
CARRIERS, ESCORT
|
9
|
10
|
10
|
7
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
CRUISERS
|
15
|
19
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
16
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
206
|
243
|
247
|
247
|
249
|
250
|
253
|
|
FRIGATES
|
38
|
56
|
56
|
57
|
64
|
70
|
84
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
83
|
104
|
108
|
108
|
108
|
108
|
113
|
|
SSG/SSBNS *
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
91
|
114
|
121
|
117
|
112
|
113
|
104
|
|
PATROL
|
40
|
29
|
23
|
22
|
15
|
11
|
12
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
208
|
189
|
226
|
223
|
175
|
139
|
134
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
269
|
309
|
287
|
288
|
262
|
236
|
224
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
262
|
322
|
326
|
326
|
333
|
339
|
355
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
980
|
1097
|
1122
|
1113
|
1030
|
973
|
967
|
|
Events
|
|
• Korean War Armistice signed 1953.
• Taiwan Straits patrol begins 1955.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Guided Missile Submarine/Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (nuclear powered).
|
|
DATE
|
6/30/58
|
6/30/59
|
6/30/60
|
6/30/61
|
6/30/62
|
6/30/63
|
6/30/64
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS
|
24
|
23
|
23
|
24
|
26
|
24
|
24
|
|
CRUISERS
|
15
|
12
|
13
|
12
|
13
|
18
|
24
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
245
|
237
|
226
|
223
|
240
|
222
|
215
|
|
FRIGATES
|
71
|
61
|
41
|
41
|
68
|
40
|
40
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
109
|
109
|
106
|
105
|
104
|
102
|
102
|
|
SSG/SSBNS
|
2
|
4
|
7
|
10
|
14
|
17
|
23
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
77
|
82
|
81
|
83
|
84
|
84
|
84
|
|
PATROL
|
12
|
6
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
121
|
120
|
113
|
110
|
130
|
132
|
133
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
213
|
205
|
197
|
206
|
218
|
216
|
212
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
331
|
310
|
280
|
276
|
321
|
280
|
279
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
890
|
860
|
812
|
819
|
900
|
857
|
859
|
|
Events
|
|
• Lebanon landings 1958.
• Cuban quarantine October-December 1962.
• Tonkin Gulf incident 1964
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Guided Missile Submarine/Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (nuclear powered).
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1965-1971
|
DATE
|
6/30/65
|
6/30/66
|
6/30/67
|
6/30/68
|
6/30/69
|
6/30/70
|
6/30/71
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS
|
25
|
23
|
23
|
23
|
22
|
19
|
19
|
|
CRUISERS
|
27
|
29
|
35
|
35
|
34
|
31
|
30
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
221
|
217
|
216
|
219
|
201
|
155
|
152
|
|
FRIGATES
|
39
|
42
|
46
|
50
|
43
|
47
|
61
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
104
|
104
|
105
|
105
|
100
|
103
|
100
|
|
SSG/SSBNS
|
30
|
37
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
84
|
84
|
83
|
84
|
74
|
64
|
59
|
|
PATROL
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
6
|
7
|
15
|
17
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
135
|
159
|
162
|
157
|
153
|
97
|
95
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
213
|
212
|
216
|
210
|
207
|
171
|
177
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
287
|
288
|
296
|
304*
|
279
|
249
|
262
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
880
|
909
|
932
|
933
|
885
|
743
|
751
|
|
Events
|
|
• Carrier strikes on North Vietnam and Market Time Operations begin 1965.
• Sea Dragon amphibious operations 1966-1968.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Vietnam era high.
The dramatic fall in ship numbers after 1968-1969 is due to the decision to limit the use of American military force in Vietnam and the decommissioning of many WWII-era ships.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1972-1978
|
DATE ^
|
6/30/72
|
6/30/73
|
6/30/74
|
6/30/75
|
6/30/76
|
6/30/77
|
9/30/78
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS
|
17
|
16
|
14
|
15
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
|
CRUISERS
|
27
|
29
|
28
|
27
|
26
|
26
|
28
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
132
|
139
|
119
|
102
|
99
|
92
|
95
|
|
FRIGATES
|
66
|
71
|
64
|
64
|
64
|
64
|
65
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
94
|
84
|
73
|
75
|
74
|
77
|
81
|
|
SSBNS
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
31
|
34
|
34
|
34
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
|
PATROL
|
16
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
13
|
6
|
3
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
77
|
65
|
65
|
64
|
65
|
65
|
67
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
153
|
148
|
135
|
123
|
116
|
114
|
113
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
225
|
239
|
211
|
193
|
189
|
182*
|
188
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
654
|
641
|
587
|
559
|
536
|
523
|
531
|
|
Events
|
|
• Last U.S. forces withdraw from South Vietnam following the ceasefire 1973.
• South Vietnam falls to North Vietnamese communists 1975.
|
|
Notes
|
|
^ Beginning with FY 78, the fiscal year runs 1 October through 30 September.
* Post-Vietnam low for surface warships.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1979-1985
|
DATE
|
9/30/79
|
9/30/80
|
9/30/81
|
9/30/82
|
9/30/83
|
9/30/84
|
9/30/85
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
CARRIERS
|
13
|
13
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
|
CRUISERS
|
28
|
26
|
27
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
97
|
94
|
91
|
89
|
71
|
69
|
69
|
|
FRIGATES
|
65
|
71
|
78
|
86
|
95
|
103
|
110
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
80
|
82
|
87
|
96
|
98
|
98
|
100
|
|
SSBNS
|
41
|
40
|
34
|
33
|
34
|
35
|
37
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
25
|
21
|
21
|
21
|
|
PATROL
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
67
|
63
|
61
|
61
|
59
|
57
|
58
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
114
|
110
|
101
|
117
|
103
|
120
|
121
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
190
|
191
|
196
|
202
|
195
|
203
|
211
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
533
|
530
|
521*
|
555
|
533
|
557
|
571
|
|
Events
|
|
• Grenada operation 1983.
• Attempted peacekeeping in Lebanon 1983.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Post-Vietnam War low (total active ships).
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1986-1992
|
DATE
|
9/30/86
|
9/30/87
|
9/30/88
|
9/30/89
|
9/30/90
|
9/30/91
|
9/30/92
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
1
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
13
|
15
|
14
|
|
CRUISERS
|
32
|
36
|
38
|
40
|
43
|
47
|
49
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
69
|
69
|
69
|
68
|
57
|
47
|
40
|
|
FRIGATES
|
113
|
115
|
107
|
100
|
99
|
93
|
67
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
101
|
102
|
100
|
99
|
93
|
87
|
85
|
|
SSBNS
|
39
|
37
|
37
|
36
|
33
|
34
|
30
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
21
|
22
|
22
|
23
|
22
|
22
|
16
|
|
PATROL
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
58
|
59
|
59
|
61
|
59
|
61
|
58
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
123
|
127
|
114
|
137
|
137
|
112
|
102
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
217
|
223^
|
217
|
212
|
203
|
188
|
156
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
583
|
594*
|
573
|
592
|
570
|
529
|
471
|
|
Events
|
|
• Fall of the Berlin Wall and many East European communist governments, 1989-1990.
• Gulf mobilization and war, 1990-1991.
• Dissolution of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War, 1991.
|
|
Events
|
|
^ 1980s high for surface warships.
* 1980s high for total active ships.
A rapid decline in force level is evident after the anticommunist revolutions in Eastern Europe and the collapse of the Soviet Union, 1989-1991.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 1993-1999
|
DATE
|
9/30/93
|
9/30/94
|
9/30/95
|
9/30/96
|
9/30/97
|
9/30/98
|
8/17/99
|
|
BATTLESHIPS
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
CARRIERS
|
13
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
|
CRUISERS
|
52
|
35
|
32
|
31
|
30
|
29
|
27
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
37
|
41
|
47
|
51
|
56
|
50
|
52
|
|
FRIGATES
|
59
|
51
|
49
|
43
|
42
|
38
|
37
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
88
|
88
|
83
|
79
|
73
|
65
|
57
|
|
SSBNS
|
22
|
18
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
|
COMMAND SHIPS
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
15
|
16
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
|
PATROL
|
2
|
7
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
52
|
38
|
39
|
40
|
41
|
40
|
41
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
110
|
94
|
80
|
67
|
52
|
57
|
57
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
148
|
127
|
128
|
123
|
122
|
109
|
106
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
454
|
404
|
392
|
375
|
359
|
344
|
336
|
|
Notes
|
|
End of the Cold War 'peace dividend' leads to decommissioning of many older ships, especially cruisers and auxiliaries, in a manner similar to downsizing at the end of the Vietnam war.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2000 – 2006
|
DATE
|
9/30/00
|
9/30/01
|
9/30/02
|
9/30/03
|
9/30/04
|
9/30/05
|
9/30/06
|
|
CARRIERS
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
|
CRUISERS
|
27
|
27
|
27
|
27
|
25
|
23
|
22
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
54
|
53
|
55
|
49
|
48
|
46
|
50
|
|
FRIGATES
|
35
|
35
|
33
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
|
SUBMARINES
|
56
|
55
|
54
|
54
|
54
|
54
|
54
|
|
SSBN
|
18
|
18
|
18
|
16
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
SSGN
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
18
|
18
|
17
|
17
|
17
|
17
|
16
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
41
|
41
|
41
|
38
|
37
|
37
|
35
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
57
|
57
|
56
|
52
|
51
|
45
|
44
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
128
|
127
|
127
|
118
|
115
|
111*
|
114
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
318
|
316
|
313
|
297
|
292
|
282
|
281
|
|
Notes
|
|
• 9/11 and the GWOT does not increase Navy ship force levels.
• START treaty limits encourage creation of SSGN class, fleet ballistic missile submarines converted to carry conventional strike cruise missiles. Older surface warships continue to be replaced at a less than one-to-one ratio.
* Low since 1921
• To clarify the ship numbers included in this table, the year 2000 entries include active commissioned ships, those in the Naval Reserve Force (NRF) and ships operated by the Military Sealift Command (MSC). Row entries are self-explanatory, with the auxiliary category including combat logistic ships (such as oilers, ammunition, combat store ships), mobile logistics ships (such as submarine tenders) and support ships (such as command, salvage, tugs and research ships). Command ships have been subsumed into that category and the separate line entry removed. A new row has been added for guided missile submarines (SSGN).
• Post-1999 data provided by N8F.
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2007 to 2010
|
DATE
|
9/30/07
|
9/30/08
|
9/30/09
|
9/30/10
|
|
CARRIERS
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
|
CRUISERS
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
52
|
54
|
57
|
59
|
|
FRIGATES
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
29
|
|
LCS
|
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
PATROL COASTAL
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
SSN
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
|
SSBN
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
SSGN
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
33
|
34
|
33
|
33
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
46
|
45
|
46
|
47
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
115
|
118
|
121
|
123
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
279
|
282
|
285
|
288
|
U. S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2007 to 2011
|
Date
|
9/30/07
|
9/30/08
|
9/30/09
|
9/30/10
|
9/30/11
|
|
Carriers
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
|
Cruisers
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
|
Destroyers
|
52
|
54
|
57
|
59
|
61
|
|
Frigates
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
29
|
26
|
|
LCS *
|
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
Submarines
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
|
SSBN
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
SSGN
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
Mine Warfare
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
Amphibious
|
33
|
34
|
33
|
33
|
31
|
|
Auxiliary
|
46
|
45
|
46
|
47
|
47
|
|
Surface Warships
|
115
|
118
|
121
|
123
|
122
|
|
Total Active
|
278**
|
282
|
285
|
288
|
285
|
|
Events
|
|
• Korean War Armistice signed 1953.
• Taiwan Straits patrol begins 1955.
|
|
Notes
|
|
* Guided Missile Submarine/Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine (nuclear powered).
|
U. S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2007 to 2012
|
DATE
|
9/30/07
|
9/30/08
|
9/30/09
|
9/30/10
|
9/30/11
|
9/30/12
|
|
CARRIERS
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
|
CRUISERS
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
52
|
54
|
57
|
59
|
61
|
62
|
|
FRIGATES
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
29
|
26
|
23
|
|
LCS
|
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
PATROL COASTAL
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
SSN
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
54
|
|
SSBN
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
SSGN
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
33
|
34
|
33
|
33
|
31
|
29
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
46
|
45
|
46
|
47
|
47
|
52
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
115
|
118
|
121
|
123
|
122
|
121
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
278
|
282
|
285
|
288
|
285
|
288
|
U. S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2007 to 2015
|
DATE
|
9/30/07
|
9/30/08
|
9/30/09
|
9/30/10
|
9/30/11
|
9/30/12
|
|
CARRIERS
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
11
|
|
CRUISERS
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
|
DESTROYERS
|
52
|
54
|
57
|
59
|
61
|
62
|
|
FRIGATES
|
30
|
30
|
30
|
29
|
26
|
23
|
|
LCS
|
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
PATROL COASTAL
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
SSN
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
53
|
54
|
|
SSBN
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
SSGN
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
MINE WARFARE
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
AMPHIBIOUS
|
33
|
34
|
33
|
33
|
31
|
29
|
|
AUXILIARY
|
46
|
45
|
46
|
47
|
47
|
52
|
|
SURFACE WARSHIPS
|
115
|
118
|
121
|
123
|
122
|
121
|
|
TOTAL ACTIVE
|
278
|
282
|
285
|
288
|
285
|
288
|
|
^ Patrol Coastal (PC) were counted in the battle force level only for FY 2014.
|
|
Published: Wed Jan 13 09:46:02 EST 2016
|
|
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/us-ship-force-levels.html
|
U.S. Navy Active Ship Force Levels, 2011 to 2016
|
Combatant (Warship)
|
221
|
222
|
217
|
222
|
201
|
204
|
|
Aircraft Carrier (CVN)
|
11
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
10
|
|
Cruiser (CG)
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
22
|
|
Destroyer (DDG)
|
61
|
62
|
62
|
62
|
62
|
62
|
|
Destroyer (DDG 1000)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
Frigate (FFG)
|
26
|
23
|
17
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
|
Littoral (LCS)
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
8
|
|
Patrol Coastal (PC)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10^
|
-
|
-
|
|
Attack Submarine (SSN)
|
53
|
54
|
54
|
55
|
54
|
52
|
|
Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN)
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN)
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
Amphibious Assault Ship [General] (LHA)
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
Amphibious Transport Dock (LHD)
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
|
Amphibious Assault Ship [Multi] (LPD)
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
9
|
10
|
|
Landing Dock Ship (LSD)
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
|
Combatant (Other)
|
63
|
65
|
68
|
67
|
70
|
71
|
|
Mine Countermeasures Ship (MCM)
|
14
|
14
|
13
|
8
|
11
|
11
|
|
Ammunition Ship (T-AE)
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
|
Fleet Replenishment Oiler (T-AO)
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
15
|
|
Fast Combat Support Ship (T-AOE)
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
|
Dry Cargo & Ammunition Ship (T-AKE)
|
11
|
11
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
|
Command Ship (LCC)
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Submarine Tender (AS)
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
*Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)
Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF)
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
5
|
7
|
|
Surveillance Ship (T-AGOS)
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
|
Salvage Ship (T-ARS)
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
Fleet Ocean Tug (T-ATF)
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
(MPS T-AKE)
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB)
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
*Afloat Forward Staging Base/
Expeditionary Sea Base (T-ESB)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
*Mobile Landing Platform (MLP)
Expeditionary Transfer Dock (T-ESD)
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
|
Hospital Ship (T-AH)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
High Speed Transport (T-HST)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
TOTAL BATTLE FORCE LEVEL
|
284
|
287
|
285
|
289
|
271
|
275
|
|
Patrol Coastal (PC) were counted in the battle force level only for FY 2014.
|
|
*JHSV and MLP classifications changed to T-EPF and T-ESD in August 2015. Additionally, the classification T-ESB was created for AFSBs used for expeditionary support.
|
Footnotes
Published: Fri Nov 17 08:03:59 EST 2017
The Navy Fact File contains descriptions of the roles and characteristics of Navy ships.
The make-up of a Carrier Strike Group (CSG)
The make-up of a Carrier Air Wing (CVW)
The make-up of an Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG)
Navy Personnel
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/nav_legacy.asp?id=146
