USS Gambier Bay

Model of the USS Gambier Bay at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

This is a model of the USS Gambier Bay, registry CVE 73, at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon. The Gambier Bay was the 19th member of the Casablanca-class of escort carriers. She was built in 1943 by the Kaiser Shipbuilding Company of Vancouver, Washington, and commissioned December 28, 1943 in Astoria. The Gambier Bay was 512.5 feet long, had a top speed of 19 knots and carried a crew of 860 and 28 fighter planes. The Gambier Bay was sunk on October 25, 1944 in the Battle of Samar against the Japanese Navy. She was one of four American ships from Escort Carrier Task Unit 19 lost in the battle. The Gambier Bay received four battle stars in World War II.

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