(1986) MiNr. 86 ** BL 2 - Marshall Islands - Aircraft carrier "USS Saratoga"

Marshall Islands - Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga

The aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) was one of the first American aircraft carriers built in the 1920s. Originally planned as a battle cruiser, she was converted to an aircraft carrier during construction, making her one of the pioneers of this new class of vessel. She was part of the U.S. Navy during World War II, where she participated in a number of key operations in the Pacific.

In 1946, the USS Saratoga was selected for the Operation Crossroads nuclear tests conducted at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was one of the targets of two nuclear explosions. The first test, Able, the ship survived with heavy damage, but the second detonation, Baker, sank her. Saratoga thus ended her service as part of one of the most important test programs of the Cold War.

Today, the wreck of the USS Saratoga is a popular destination for divers. Located at a depth of around 50 metres, its structure remains well preserved despite the effects of nuclear testing. The aircraft carrier is thus not only a historical witness to the war, but also an important underwater monument.