Independence shown right after completion. At this time, she was designated CV-22. Also note the 5"38 single gun forward that was later removed.

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Independence hits the water for the first time at the New York Shipbuilding Yard, Camden, NJ..

Independence off of the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 13 July 1943. Her hull number was changed to CVL-22 two days later.

Hauling in her anchor off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, on 13 July 1943.

Independence in San Francisco Bay, California, on 15 July 1943. She is officially CVL-22. She has nine SBD scout bombers parked amidships and aft, and nine TBM torpedo planes parked amidships and forward.

Overhead view of CVL-22 in San Francisco Bay, 15 July, 1943.

Independence off of San Francisco in 1945.

Aerographer's Mates prepare to launch a weather balloon aboard USS Independence , during the carrier's shakedown cruise, 30 April 1943.

Radioman-Gunner of an SBD "Dauntless" scout-bomber aims his plane's twin .30 caliber machine guns aboard USS Independence (CV-22), during the carrier's shakedown period, 30 April 1943.

Independence seen in the Pacific later in the war.

USS Independence afire aft, soon after the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst test at Bikini on 1 July 1946. The bomb had exploded off the ship's port quarter, causing massive blast damage in that area, and progressively less further forward.

View of the ship's port quarter, showing severe blast damage caused by the "Able Day" atomic bomb air burst at Bikini on 1 July 1946. Photographed at Bikini anchorage on 23 July 1946

Salvage and viewing team heads in to check the destruction at Bikini.

Independence seen under fire off the California coast in January 1951. She was being used as a Naval gunfire target at this time.

A proud lady settles beneath the waves.