The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: U.S.S. Franklin CV-13 Namesake

From the CV-13 Franklin Dictionary of Naval Fighting Ships entry on the US Navy's Naval History and Heritage Command website:

Named for the two previous U.S. Navy ships that carried the name Franklin.

So, then we look at Franklin II - a Screw Frigate from 1867-1915 and Franklin I - a Schooner that served for a year in 1776 (both have the same intro):

Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was born in Boston but moved at an early age to Philadelphia where his countless talents and unlimited energies found expression in successful contributions as a statesman, diplomat, scientist, editor-author, and philosopher. During the Revolution he was appointed American Minister Plenipotentiary to the French Court enabling him to function also as the Navy's representative in Europe. He promoted the plan to bring the war to British shores, supporting Lambert Wickes' spectacular raids and enabling John Paul Jones to perform his daring feats by providing funds, attending to purchases and repairs, and determining questions of authority and discipline. His astute and visionary policies merit for him deserved recognition in the annals of the infant Navy as well as esteem as a founder of the United States. (The first four ships of the name honor Benjamin Franklin; CV-13 specifically perpetuates the names of the ship-of-the-line and the frigate).

Previous Message

I was hoping someone could shed some light on the naming of the U.S.S. Franklin of WW2 fame and tragedy. For years folks have always said she was named after Benjamin Franklin. That just doesn't seem to make sense since none of the other carriers in the fleet up until the FDR CV-42 were named after famous Americans. (U.S.S. Hancock was named so because of the massive fund-raising efforts dedicated undertaken by employees of the the John Hancock Insurance Company) Also, honestly Benjamin Franklin would seem an odd choice for a warship namesake. I read somewhere and it would seem more logical that she was named after the 1864 Union victory at the Battle of Franklin. At that time naming convention was that carriers were named for famous American battles (Lexington, Saratoga, Yorktown, Bunker Hill, Ticonderoga) or earlier famous warships (Enterprise, Wasp, Hornet, Essex) FDR was the first to really break with that convention and unfortunately we seem to be saddled with the current politically influenced conventions we have now. Egads..Carl Vinson, John Stennis, and too many presidents, good or bad, from both sides of the political spectrum) Too bad we don't have those glorious names of the old Yorktown, Essex, Midway, and Forrestal classes (Sorry not keen on Forrestal either) At least we have a new Enterprise on the ways. Would rather see her sailing into battle with a new Saratoga, Lexington or Ticonderoga.