Ship Commissionings of 1951: A Chronological Overview
The year 1951 marked a significant period of naval reactivation and strategic deployment. As global tensions shifted in the post-World War II era, several nations focused on bringing existing vessels back into active service. This process, known as commissioning—the formal act of placing a ship into active service—often involved recommissioning ships from reserve fleets to meet immediate operational needs.
While some vessels entered service through official ceremonies, others were integrated into their respective fleets based on their date of service entry. The majority of activity in 1951 was driven by the United States Navy, though the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Polish Navy also expanded their capabilities during this time.
[no image illustration]Key Facts
- The United States Navy was the most active operator, primarily recommissioning aircraft carriers and destroyers from reserve.
- The Essex-class and Commencement Bay-class aircraft carriers were the most frequently reactivated vessel types.
- The Royal Netherlands Navy acquired two Van Amstel-class frigates, formerly operated by the US Navy.
- The Polish Navy added a specialized hospital ship converted from a merchant cargo vessel.
- The Military Sea Transportation Service integrated Casablanca-class aircraft transports into its fleet.
Detailed Analysis of 1951 Naval Entries
United States Navy Reactivations
A primary theme of 1951 was the return of heavy aviation assets. The US Navy recommissioned several Essex-class aircraft carriers—large, versatile carriers designed during WWII—including the Bon Homme Richard, Antietam, Essex, Tarawa, Wasp, and Bennington. Additionally, the fleet saw the return of multiple Commencement Bay-class escort carriers, which were smaller carriers designed for convoy protection and aircraft transport.
Beyond carriers, the US Navy recommissioned the Fletcher-class destroyer Abbot in San Diego on February 26. The Military Sea Transportation Service also placed two Casablanca-class aircraft transports, the Corregidor and Windham Bay, into active service from the reserve.
International Naval Developments
Other nations also updated their fleets in 1951. The Royal Netherlands Navy commissioned two Van Amstel-class frigates, the De Zeeuw (formerly USS Eisner) and the Van Zijll (formerly USS Stern), on May 3. Meanwhile, the Polish Navy expanded its medical capabilities on July 10 by commissioning the Zetempowiec, a hospital ship converted from the merchant cargo ship Opole.
[no image illustration]Summary of Ship Commissionings in 1951
| Date | Operator | Ship Name | Class and Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 January | United States Navy | Rendova | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 15 January | United States Navy | Bon Homme Richard | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 17 January | United States Navy | Antietam | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 1 February | United States Navy | Essex | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 3 February | United States Navy | Tarawa | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 26 February | United States Navy | Abbot | Fletcher-class destroyer | Recommissioned from reserve in San Diego |
| 28 April | United States Navy | Block Island | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 3 May | Royal Netherlands Navy | De Zeeuw | Van Amstel-class frigate | Ex- USS Eisner |
| 3 May | Royal Netherlands Navy | Van Zijll | Van Amstel-class frigate | Ex- USS Stern |
| 19 May | Military Sea Transportation Service | Corregidor | Casablanca-class aircraft transport | Placed in service from US Navy reserve |
| 21 May | United States Navy | Gilbert Islands | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 20 June | United States Navy | Salerno Bay | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 3 July | United States Navy | Kula Gulf | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 10 July | Polish Navy | Zetempowiec | Hospital ship | Converted from merchant cargo ship Opole |
| 26 July | United States Navy | Point Cruz | Commencement Bay-class escort carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 28 September | United States Navy | Wasp | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
| 31 October | Military Sea Transportation Service | Windham Bay | Casablanca-class aircraft transport | Placed in service from US Navy reserve |
| 30 November | United States Navy | Bennington | Essex-class aircraft carrier | Recommissioned from reserve |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when a ship is "recommissioned from reserve"?
Recommissioning from reserve refers to the process of taking a ship that was previously decommissioned (placed in "mothballs" or inactive storage) and restoring it to full operational status for active duty.
Which aircraft carrier classes were most common in 1951?
The most common classes were the Essex-class aircraft carriers and the Commencement Bay-class escort carriers.
Did any non-US navies commission ships in 1951?
Yes, the Royal Netherlands Navy commissioned two Van Amstel-class frigates, and the Polish Navy commissioned the hospital ship Zetempowiec.
What was the origin of the Polish hospital ship Zetempowiec?
The Zetempowiec was converted from a merchant cargo ship originally named the Opole.
Which US Navy destroyer was recommissioned in 1951?
The Fletcher-class destroyer Abbot was recommissioned from reserve in San Diego on February 26, 1951.