Which ship was designed from the hull up and was the first aircraft carrier built by NNS?

The USS Ranger CV-4 is recognized as the first aircraft carrier designed from the hull up specifically for that purpose by Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS). This distinction is significant because, prior to the Ranger, aircraft carriers were often conversions of existing ship types, which did not fully capitalize on the design possibilities that a purpose-built aircraft carrier could offer.

The Ranger’s design included dedicated flight decks, hangars, and facilities necessary for aircraft operations, making it a groundbreaking vessel in naval aviation. By being the first to be constructed explicitly as an aircraft carrier, the Ranger set a precedent for future carrier designs, emphasizing the importance of integrating aviation needs into the ship’s overall structure and operational capabilities.

In contrast, USS Enterprise, while also an important aircraft carrier, was not the first built from the ground up for this function. Similarly, the USS Robert E. Lee was a fleet ballistic missile submarine, and Tugboat Dorothy was not an aircraft carrier at all. Hence, the USS Ranger holds a pivotal place in maritime history.