{{short description|US Navy training ship in service 1943–1945}} {{For|ships with a similar name|USS Sablefish (SS-303)}} {{Use American English|date=December 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=USS Sable (IX-81).jpg |image_caption=USS ''Sable'' (IX-81) underway on Lake Michigan in 1944–45 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country=United States |flag={{shipboxflag|United States|1912}} |name=''Greater Buffalo'' |owner=Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company |registry=Detroit |route=Buffalo to Detroit |builder=American Ship Building Company, Lorain, Ohio |original_cost=$3,500,000.00 |yard_number= |way_number=00786 |launched=27 October 1924 |maiden_voyage=13 May 1925 |nickname="Majestic of the Great Lakes" |identification=*United States Official Number 223663 * Code Letters WSBH (1934–42) * {{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Hotel}} |fate=Acquired by the United States Navy on 7 August 1942. }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header=title |country=United States |flag={{USN flag|1945}} |name=USS ''Sable'' |namesake=Sable |acquired=7 August 1942 |commissioned=8 May 1943 |decommissioned=7 November 1945 |identification=*Code Letters NYZP * 15px 15px 15px 15px<ref name= "Navsource">{{cite web|title=NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive USS Sable (IX-81)|url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/09/46/46081.htm|website=NavSource|access-date=25 November 2015}}</ref> * Hull number IX-81 |struck=28 November 1945 |honors=* 50px * American Campaign Medal * 50px * World War II Victory Medal<ref name= "Navsource"/> |fate=Sold on 7 July 1948 for scrapping. }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics |tonnage={{GRT|7,739}} as ''Greater Buffalo'' |displacement={{convert|6584|LT|t|abbr=on}} (as ''Sable'') |length=*{{convert|518.7|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} (as ''Greater Buffalo''); * {{convert|535|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} (as ''Sable'') |beam={{convert|58|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} (as ''Greater Buffalo'' '''and''' ''Sable'') |height={{convert|21.3|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} (as ''Greater Buffalo'') |draft= |decks=7 (as ''Greater Buffalo'') |power=*Inclined compound steam engine * Piston #1: {{convert|66|in|cm|abbr=on}} * Piston #2: {{convert|96|in|cm|abbr=on}} * Piston #3: {{convert|96|in|cm|abbr=on}} * Stroke length: {{convert|108|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref name="mercy" /> * 9 boilers * 3 × 100 kW turbo generators for ship lighting and operation.<ref name="Somers"/> |speed= {{convert|18|kn|km/h|lk=in}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H|year=1965|title=US Warships of World War II|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-773-9}}</ref> |propulsion= * Sidewheel * {{convert|32.75|ft|m|abbr=on|1}} diameter * 11 floats (paddles) that were {{convert|14.833|ft|m|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5|ft|m|abbr=on}} wide * 30 revolutions per minute<ref name="Somers"/> |capacity= |crew=300 (as ''Greater Buffalo'') |notes=2 × {{convert|6000|lbs|kg|abbr=on}} anchors fore and 1 × {{convert|6000|lbs|kg|abbr=on}} anchor aft (as ''Greater Buffalo'')<ref name="Somers"/> }} }} '''USS ''Sable'' (IX-81)''' was a United States Navy training ship during World War II,<ref name="heritage">{{cite web| title = The Greater Buffalo & The U.S.S. Sable| publisher = WNY Heritage Press| year = 2005| url =https://www.wnyheritage.org/content/the_greater_buffalo_the_uss_sable/index.html| access-date =25 July 2017}}</ref> originally built as the passenger ship ''Greater Buffalo'', a sidewheel excursion steamboat. She was purchased by the Navy in 1942 and converted to a training aircraft carrier to be used on the Great Lakes. She lacked a hangar deck, elevators, or armament and was not a true warship, but she provided advanced training of naval aviators in carrier takeoffs and landings.
On her first day of service, 59 pilots became qualified within nine hours of operations, with each making eight takeoffs and landings. Pilot training was conducted seven days a week in all types of weather conditions.<ref name=":5" /> George H. W. Bush, later president of the United States, was one of the aviators who trained on ''Sable''.<ref name="heritage" />
''Sable'' was decommissioned on 7 November 1945. She was sold for scrapping on 7 July 1948 to the H. H. Buncher Company. She and her sister ship USS ''Wolverine''{{snd}} which together were used for the training of over 17,000 pilots, landing signal officers, and other navy personnel<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrier Qualification Training Great Lakes 1942–1945|url=http://www.navy.mil/features/CQTU%20Glakes%201942-45%20flat%201800x1200.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411232230/http://www.navy.mil/features/CQTU%20Glakes%201942-45%20flat%201800x1200.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 April 2012|website=United States Navy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Heroes on Deck – Documentary on USS Sable & Wolverine|url=http://warbirdsnews.com/aircraft-restoration/heroes-deck-documentary-uss-sable-wolverine.html|website=Warbirds News|access-date=25 November 2017|date=2 July 2016}}</ref>{{snd}}hold the distinction of being the only freshwater, coal-fired, side paddle-wheel aircraft carriers used by the United States Navy.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" />
==Construction== Formerly named ''Greater Buffalo'', ''Sable'' was built in 1924 by the American Ship Building Company of Lorain, Ohio, as a sidewheel excursion steamer designed by marine architect Frank E. Kirby. Her hull number was 00786 and the official number assigned to her was 223663.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessel/view/002489|title = Greater Buffalo Registry and Rig Information|access-date = 1 August 2015|website = Great Lakes Vessels Online Index|publisher = Bowling Green State University}}</ref>
The interior of the ship was designed by W & J Sloane & Company of New York City in what was referred to as "an adaptation of the Renaissance style".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url = http://acbs-bslol.com/boating-history/porthole/cruiseshiptowarship/|title = From Cruiseship to Warship|date = February 2001|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = Lakeland Boating|last = Duff|first = Steven|series = Vol LV, No. 2}}</ref> The ship's saloon was on two decks, and there were 650 staterooms and more than 1,500 berths for passengers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = The Coming of the Comet: The Rise and Fall of the Paddle Steamer|last = Robins|first = Nick|publisher = Seaforth Publishing|year = 2012|isbn = 978-1-84832-134-2|pages = 115|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=J0SuCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA181}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn84024315/1924-10-27/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&index=10&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1|title = Marine News|date = 27 October 1924|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = The Ogdensburg Republican Journal|location = Ogdensburg, New York|page = 2}}</ref> A {{convert|22|ft|m|adj=on}}-long transportation-themed mural, painted by New York City artists Francklyn Paris and Frederick Wiley, was created on board ''Greater Buffalo''.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://9b89905824dbbe48d35e-8d12143b7207df0130c1614aff9bd659.r73.cf1.rackcdn.com//042675.pdf#|title = Beautiful Mural Paintings Installed on Passenger Boats|date = 14 August 1924|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = Augusta Beacon|location = Augusta, Michigan}}</ref> On the promenade deck at the stern of the ship was a smoking room with a line of windows that arced from one side of the ship to the other. Each room had a telephone connected by a central switch board located in the ship's lobby.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn94057567/1925-05-02/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&index=3&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1|title = Peak of Luxury in Great Lakes Vacation Travel Provided by Two New Leviathans Costing $7,000,000|date = 2 May 1925|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = The Medina Daily Journal|page = 4|location = Medina, New York}}</ref> The highest priced staterooms offered a private bathroom, couch and balcony.<ref name="historicdetroit"/> Her dining room could seat 375 with amenities including distilled water and what was advertised as "washed and cooled air".<ref name="historicdetroit">{{cite web|title=Greater Buffalo – Historic Detroit|url=http://historicdetroit.org/building/greater-buffalo/|website=historicdetroit.org}}</ref> Foot lights were incorporated into the hallways and staircases so that the main lights could be turned off for the passengers sleeping comfort.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Lake Vessels Have More Room Than Leviathan|url=http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn88075670/1924-02-19/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&index=5&date2=12%2F31%2F1945&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1945&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=greater+buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=Oswego Daily Palladium|date=19 February 1924}}</ref> ''Greater Buffalo'' could transport up to 103 vehicles on her main deck and 1,000 tons of freight.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kelly|first1=Alex|title=The Retrofit of USS Sable {{!}} Military History of the Upper Great Lakes|url=http://ss.sites.mtu.edu/mhugl/2016/10/16/the-retrofit-of-uss-sable/|website=ss.sites.mtu.edu|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> At the time she was given the nickname "Majestic of the Great Lakes".<ref name="historicdetroit"/>
To protect against a shipboard fire, safety features that were included in her construction included an automatic fire alarm system, a sprinkler system throughout the ship and fire safety walls.<ref name="historicdetroit"/><ref>{{cite web|title=2013.042.291 – Blueprint|url=http://detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com/archive/10DFD462-3A48-4B5D-B455-985434104113|website=detroithistorical.pastperfectonline.com|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref> Her hull was all steel with eleven watertight compartments and a double bottom divided into sixteen watertight compartments. Hydraulically controlled watertight doors could be remotely operated from the engine room.<ref name="Somers">{{cite book|last1=Somers|first1=Paul M.|title=Lake Michigan's aircraft carriers|date=2003|publisher=Arcadia|location=Charleston, SC|isbn=9781439614778}}</ref> A full-time watchman was on duty to add an extra layer of protection for the ship and passengers.<ref name="historicdetroit"/> Navigation equipment included a Sperry gyro compass and log, a Haynes automatic sounding machine along with high powered searchlights at each end of the ship.<ref name="Somers"/> The ship was also equipped with twelve 60-person capacity lifeboats along with an assortment of life rafts and floats.<ref name="Somers"/>
When completed, ''Greater Buffalo'' was {{convert|518.7|ft|m|abbr=on}} in length, a beam of {{convert|58|ft|m|abbr=on}}, height of {{convert|21.3|ft|m|abbr=on}} and measured 7,739 gross register tons. She had nine boilers installed and was powered by a three-cylinder inclined compound steam engine.<ref name="mercy">{{cite web| title = Greater Buffalo.| work = Fr. Edward J. Dowling, S.J. Marine Historical Collection| publisher = University of Detroit Mercy| url =http://libraries.udmercy.edu/archives/special-collections/index.php?collectionCode=gls&record_id=1| access-date =25 July 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://quod.lib.umich.edu/t/tbnms1ic/x-65945.65947/0065945_001_F_GREATERBUFFALO.TIF?from=index;lasttype=boolean;lastview=thumbnail;med=1;resnum=3;size=20;start=1;subview=detail;view=entry;rgn1=ic_all;q1=greater+buffalo|title = GREATER BUFFALO; 1924; Steamer; US223663|access-date = 1 August 2015|publisher = Great Lakes Maritime Database}}</ref> The engine, built by American Shipbuilding, had one cylinder of {{convert|66|in|cm}} diameter and two of {{convert|96|in|cm}} diameter by {{convert|108|in|cm}} stroke. It was rated at 1,915NHP.<ref name=GB34>{{cite web |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0347.pdf |title=Lloyd's Register, Navires a Vapeur et a Moteurs |author=Lloyd's of London |year=1934 |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=26 November 2017}}</ref>
She was seven decks high, carried three funnels along her top and was equipped with rudders at both ends of the ship for improved maneuverability. She carried a crew of 300 officers and enlisted with their cabins stationed on the lowest deck fore and aft of the ship's machinery.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19250513&id=-KFQAAAAIBAJ&pg=3987,2218728&hl=en|title = Largest Lake Liner Arrives at Buffalo|date = 13 May 1925|work = The Milwaukee Journal|access-date = 2 August 2015|page = 1}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Somers"/> The final cost for construction was $3,500,000.00.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.dbusiness.com/March-April-2014/Transformer-Ships/#.Vb1d3_NViko|title = Transformer Ships|last = Ahrens|first = Ronald|date = 6 May 2014|access-date = 1 August 2015|publisher = Dbusiness Daily News}}</ref>
==History== Following a period of company growth during World War I, the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company was able to order a pair of new ships for their Great Lakes routes.<ref name=":2" /> ''Greater Buffalo'', along with her sister ship {{SS|Greater Detroit||2}}, was among the largest side-wheel paddle ships on the Great Lakes when she entered service in 1924.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/shipwrecks/mpdf/mpdf2.php|title = Minnesota's Lake Superior Shipwrecks – History and Development of Great Lakes Water Craft|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = Minnesota Historical Society}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = {{NHLS url|id=79001171}}|title = National Register of Historic Places Registration Form – Maritime Heritage of the United States NHL Theme Study Large Vessels – Columbia (Steamer)|date = 19 December 1991|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = National Park Service|page = 9}}</ref> Her port of registry was Detroit, Michigan.<ref name=GB34/> thumb|left|''Greater Buffalo'' underway in 1942 On her maiden voyage to Buffalo, New York, on 13 May 1925 ''Greater Buffalo'' carried a capacity number of passengers including T.V. O'Connor, who was president of the shipping board at the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn94057567/1925-05-14/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&index=0&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&words=Buffalo+Greater+steamer&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=steamer+Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1|title = Ford May Buy and Operate 400 Government Ships, Greater Buffalo Made Maiden Trip|date = 14 May 1925|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = The Medina Daily Journal|page = 1}}</ref> ''Greater Buffalo'' was used as a palatial overnight service boat transporting up to 1,500 passengers from Buffalo to Detroit, Michigan, for the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company.<ref name="heritage" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url = http://www.historicdetroit.org/building/city-of-detroit-iii/|title = City of Detroit III|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = Historic Detroit.org|last = Austin|first = Dan}}</ref> Guests were entertained by an orchestra for dancing in the main dining room following dinner service as well as radio programming provided in the main salon.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn94057567/1929-09-19/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&sort=relevance&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&index=6&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=7|title = Lake Season Continues Another Month|date = 19 September 1929|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = The Medina Daily Journal|location = Medina, New York|page = 1}}</ref> Along with passenger service ''Greater Buffalo'', as well as other Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company ships, offered their customers the option of transportation for 125 automobiles on their voyage.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1996&dat=19280604&id=dKsiAAAAIBAJ&pg=979,3850507&hl=en|title = Lake Tours via D&C Lake Lines|date = 4 June 1928|newspaper = The Daily Times|location = Beaver, Pennsylvania|page = 6}}</ref>
During the Great Depression ''Greater Buffalo'' along with her sister ship were taken out of service from 1930 through 1935. This, along with union disputes and worker strikes, caused continuing losses for her owners.<ref name=":0" /> In 1934, she had been allocated the Code Letters WSBH.<ref name=GB34/> In 1936 ''Greater Buffalo'' was docked at Cleveland and used as a "floating hotel" for attendees of the Republican Convention. The ship was reported to have broken free of her moorings and drifted out into the harbor during a storm but was brought back by harbor tugs.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/digitize/newspapers/gpreview/1935-39/1936/1936-06-18.pdf#xml=http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/dtsearch2.asp?cmd=pdfhits&DocId=170&Index=C%3a%5cProgram%20Files%20%28x86%29%5cdtSearch%20Developer%5cUserData%5cGPRVW&HitCount=2&hits=2d8+2d9+&hc=2&req=Greater+Buffalo|title = Many Grosse Pointers Attended the Republican Convention at Cleveland|date = 18 June 1936|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = The Grosse Pointe Review|location = Grosse Pointe, Michigan|archive-date = 4 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185524/http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/digitize/newspapers/gpreview/1935-39/1936/1936-06-18.pdf#xml=http://digitize.gp.lib.mi.us/dtsearch2.asp?cmd=pdfhits&DocId=170&Index=C%3a%5cProgram%20Files%20%28x86%29%5cdtSearch%20Developer%5cUserData%5cGPRVW&HitCount=2&hits=2d8+2d9+&hc=2&req=Greater+Buffalo|url-status = dead}}</ref> During the 1938 season ''Greater Buffalo'' along with ''Greater Detroit'' were removed from service only to be returned to service the following year.<ref name=":2" />
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 there was a need for large vessels that could be converted into training aircraft carriers for pilot training.<ref name=":0" /> ''Greater Buffalo''{{'}}s length, following conversion, would be roughly two-thirds the length of an {{sclass|Independence|aircraft carrier|2}} and it was felt by the navy that if pilots could master takeoffs and landings on the shorter deck they would have fewer problems transitioning to a standard length carrier. Other benefits of using her for training were that an active duty combat ship would not have to be used for training and with her location on the Great Lakes she would be out of the reach of enemy submarines and mines.<ref name=":1" /> ''Greater Buffalo'' was acquired by the Navy on 7 August 1942 by the War Shipping Administration to be converted into a training aircraft carrier and renamed ''Sable'' on 19 September 1942.<ref name="DANFS" />
==Naval service==
===Refit=== When leaving her port in Detroit for the last time heading for her refit, it was reported that ''Greater Buffalo'' was "saluted" by those on board the other vessels in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19420803&id=izMdAAAAIBAJ&pg=3645,1075937&hl=en|title = Convert Lakes Ship into Aircraft Carrier|date = 3 August 1942|work = The Milwaukee Journal|access-date = 1 August 2015|publisher = Associated Press}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> ''Sable'' was converted at the Erie Plant of American Shipbuilding Company<ref>Erie Plant of American Shipbuilding Company</ref> at Buffalo, New York.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web| title = Sable| work = Dictionary of American Navy Fighting Ships| url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s2/sable.htm| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121213000701/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s2/sable.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 13 December 2012| access-date =19 July 2009 }}</ref> The cabins and superstructure of the ship were removed leaving the main deck. Along with additional supports, a steel flight deck was installed instead of the originally planned Douglas-fir wooden deck similar to what was installed on {{USS|Wolverine|IX-64|6}}.<ref name="heritage" /> The steel deck also allowed ''Sable'' to be used for the testing a variety of non-skid coatings applied to the flight deck.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/421/The-Great-Lakes-Paddlewheeler-Aircraft-Carriers.aspx|title = USS Wolverine & USS Sable Paddle Wheel Flattops of the Great Lakes|date = 2013|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = Vintage Wings of Canada|last = O'Malley|first = Dave|archive-date = 26 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150726185502/http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/421/The-Great-Lakes-Paddlewheeler-Aircraft-Carriers.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref> The deck of ''Sable'' was equipped with eight sets of arresting cables as well.<ref name=":4" /> A bridge island or superstructure was constructed on the starboard side of the ship along with outriggers forward of the island for storing damaged aircraft''.''<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title = Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events|last = Polmar|first = Norman|publisher = Potomac Books|date = 24 October 2006|isbn = 1574886630|pages = 272–273|volume = 1. 1909-1945|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=buiaej5-nPUC&pg=PR4}}</ref> On the main deck a lecture room, along with projection equipment, was constructed that could accommodate more than forty aviators with bunks for twenty one aviators. She was also equipped with a sick bay, operating room, laundry, tailor shop, crew quarters, a cafeteria style galley for the crew, a mess hall for the officers, storerooms and a refrigerator.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn84031165/1943-05-08/ed-1/seq-5/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&index=2&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1|title = Well-Known Great Lakes Steamer Enters Service As Training Ship; Greater Buffalo Named U.S.S. Sable|date = 8 May 1943|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = Ogdensburg Journal|page = 5|location = Ogdensburg, New York}}</ref> ''Sable'' lacked a hangar deck, elevators or armament, as her role was for the training of pilots for carrier take-offs and landings.<ref>{{cite web| title = IX-64 Wolverine| publisher = Global Security.org| url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/ix-64.htm| access-date =19 July 2009 }}</ref> A number of crew members assigned to ''Sable'' prior to her commissioning were survivors of {{USS|Lexington|CV-2|6}}, which had been lost earlier during the Battle of the Coral Sea.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.uscs.org/society-archives/member-of-the-month/archive/lewis-c-klotzbach/|title = Lewis C. Klotzbach|access-date = 1 August 2015|publisher = Universal Ship Cancellation Society|last = Morain|first = Dick|archive-date = 1 December 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044300/http://www.uscs.org/society-archives/member-of-the-month/archive/lewis-c-klotzbach/|url-status = dead}}</ref> ''Sable'' was commissioned on 8 May 1943. thumb|right|A TDN-1 assault drone aboard ''Sable'' 10 August 1943
===Training duty===
The completed ''Sable'' departed Buffalo on 22 May 1943 and arrived at her assigned homeport of Chicago, Illinois, on 26 May 1943 and were docked at Navy Pier joining her sister ship USS ''Wolverine'' in what was casually referred to as the "Corn Belt Fleet".<ref name="DANFS" /><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1893&dat=19700416&id=qWcfAAAAIBAJ&pg=2344,4979655&hl=en|title = Cornbelt Fleet Ends Service|date = 17 April 1970|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = UPI|newspaper = The Southeast Missourian}}</ref> ''Sable'' along with her sister ship, ''Wolverine'', were assigned to the 9th Naval District Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) and were tasked with qualifying pilots for carrier operations. With the flight deck shorter and lower to the water it was felt that if a pilot could master take offs and landings they would have less trouble when they were stationed on a standard size carrier.<ref name=":5" /> Pilot training was conducted seven days a week with the fifty-nine pilots becoming qualified within nine hours of her first day of service.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Navy Pier: A Chicago Landmark|last = Bukowski|first = Douglas|publisher = Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority|year = 1996|isbn = 978-1-56663-115-0|pages = 41|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bbUqZ1N3ctkC&pg=PR4}}</ref> One issue that arose was that because of the lower top speed and height of ''Sable'' there wasn't enough "wind over deck" needed in order to launch certain types of aircraft or even carry out training on calm days.<ref name=":3" /> In August 1943 ''Sable'' was used as a base for testing the experimental TDN-1 torpedo drone aircraft.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url = http://www.nnapprentice.com/alumni/letter/PADDLEWHEEL_AIRCRAFT_CARRIERS_082109.pdf|title = PADDLEWHEEL AIRCRAFT CARRIERS|access-date = 26 July 2015|page = 7|archive-date = 7 January 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180107180954/http://www.nnapprentice.com/alumni/letter/PADDLEWHEEL_AIRCRAFT_CARRIERS_082109.pdf|url-status = dead}}</ref>
===Decommissioning and disposal===
Following the end of World War II, ''Sable'' was decommissioned on 7 November 1945 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 28 November 1945.<ref name="DANFS" /> Before she was to be auctioned off a proposal was made by the Great Lakes Historical society to have ''Sable'' become a museum for Great Lakes history at Put-in-Bay, Ohio near the Commodore Perry monument.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19480616&id=-KEuAAAAIBAJ&pg=5278,1920158&hl=en|title = Famed Lake Vessel Sought As National Museum|date = 16 June 1948|work = Toledo Blade|access-date = 1 August 2015|publisher = Associated Press|page = 1}}</ref> When that proposal failed she was sold by the Maritime Commission to H. H. Buncher Company on 7 July 1948 and was reported as "disposed of" on 27 July 1948.<ref name="DANFS" /> In order to fit through the Welland Canal, ''Sable'' was cut down prior to her journey to the ship breaking yard at Hamilton, Ontario. It was reported that {{convert|28|ft|m}} of her beam along with {{convert|50|ft|m}} of her stern flight deck were removed prior to her being moved by tugboats.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn84031165/1948-10-21/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=01%2F01%2F1920&sort=relevance&date2=12%2F31%2F1950&searchType=advanced&SearchType=phrase&sequence=0&index=15&words=Buffalo+Greater&proxdistance=&to_year=1950&rows=20&ortext=&from_year=1920&proxtext=&phrasetext=Greater+Buffalo&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=7|title = USS Sable Heads For Scrap Yard|date = 21 October 1948|access-date = 2 August 2015|newspaper = Odgensburg Journal|location = Ogdensburg, New York|page = 1}}</ref> Even with the modifications ''Sable'' only had {{convert|5|ft|m}} of clearance on each side while passing through the canal locks.
===Legacy=== right|thumb|An FM-2 Wildcat upended on USS ''Sable'' during a training flight May 1945
Together, ''Sable'' and ''Wolverine'' trained 17,820 pilots in 116,000 carrier landings. Of these, 51,000 landings were on ''Sable'' alone. One of the pilots qualified on ''Sable'' was a 20-year-old Lieutenant, junior grade, future president George H. W. Bush.<ref name="heritage" /> Of the estimated 135–300 aircraft lost during training, 35 have been salvaged and the search for more is underway.<ref>{{cite web| title = Historic WWII Aircraft Pulled From Lake| publisher = CBS News| date = 25 April 2009| url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/historic-wwii-aircraft-pulled-from-lake/| access-date =19 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title =NOAA SUPPORTS NAVY'S SEARCH FOR "SUNKEN WARBIRDS"| publisher =NOAA| date =30 June 2004| url =http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2004/jun04/noaa04-r458.html| access-date =19 July 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090509085645/http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2004/jun04/noaa04-r458.html| archive-date =9 May 2009}}</ref> Both USS ''Sable'' and USS ''Wolverine'' hold the distinction of being the only freshwater, coal-driven, side paddle-wheel aircraft carriers used by the United States Navy.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url = http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/news/tv-special-lake-michigan-carriers-aircraft-recovery-operations/|title = TV Special-Lake Michigan Carriers and the Aircraft Recovery Operations|date = 1 March 2013|access-date = 26 July 2015|publisher = National Naval Aviation Museum}}</ref> USS ''Sable'' earned both the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal during her Naval career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Naval Cover Museum – SABLE IX 81|url=http://www.navalcovermuseum.org/restored/SABLE_IX_81.html|website=www.navalcovermuseum.org|access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref>
==Awards== USS ''Sable'' received the following awards for its World War II Service.
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan="3"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |colspan=2| American Campaign Medal |colspan=2| World War II Victory Medal |}
==See also== * {{USS|Wolverine|IX-64}} * {{SS|Greater Detroit}} - sister ship * {{ship||Edward M. Cotter|fireboat}} * {{SS|Canadiana}} * {{MV|Aquarama}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== * {{cite journal |last1=Olson |first1=Steven|last2=Wilde|first2=Douglas B.|title=Question 22/51: Engines of Training Carriers ''Wolverine'' (IX-64) and ''Sable'' (IX-81)|journal=Warship International |date=2015 |volume=LII |issue=3 |pages=208–212 |issn=0043-0374|name-list-style=amp}} * {{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H|year=1965|title=US Warships of World War II|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=0-87021-773-9}} * {{cite journal|last1=Wilde|first1=Douglas B.|year=2006|title=Question 33/04: Training Carriers ''Sable'' (IX-81) and ''Wolverine'' (IX-64)|journal=Warship International|volume=XLIII|issue=4 |pages=354–360 |issn=0043-0374}} * {{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/sable.html}}
==External links== {{Commons category|USS Sable (IX-81)}} * {{navsource|09/46/46081}} * {{Historical Collections of the Great Lakes page}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sable (IX-81)}} Category:1924 ships Category:Great Lakes ships Category:History of Buffalo, New York Category:History of Chicago Category:Paddle steamers of the United States Category:Passenger ships of the United States Category:Ships built in Lorain, Ohio Category:Training ships of the United States Navy Category:Unclassified miscellaneous vessels of the United States Navy Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United States Category:World War II naval ships of the United States Category:Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company