The USS Gambier Bay was informally referred to as Kaiser’s “Bonus Baby” because she was built in a record 171 days. She was the 19th carrier delivered in 1943. The yard had originally projected 16 carriers would be delivered before the end of 1943, however, in September the Navy asked the yard to increase that number by at least two more. To rally the workers, Kaiser initiated a campaign called “18 or more by ’44” to meet the new challenge. Gambier Bay – being the 19th and last Kaiser-built carrier commissioned in 1943 – hence was dubbed the “Bonus Ship”.

No ships in her class survive to this day

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73 Ship’s Plaque
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard –  Vancouver, Washington

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Keel Laid – Hull 319
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
July 10, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Building the Hull 319
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Hull 319 On Ways
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
July 10, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Before Launch
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
November 22, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Island Structure
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
November 22, 1943
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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Christened
Mrs. Betty Zitzewitz, wife of Lt Cmdr H.C. Zitzewitz,
Senior Naval Liaison Officer Assigned to
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard From the Navy’s Bureau of Ships
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
November 22, 1943
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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Sliding Down Ways
Kaiser’s Vancouver Yard – Vancouver, Washington
November 22, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Bonus Baby’s First Baptism in Deep Water
Hull 319 Launched Under the Maritime Commission Contract
by The Kaiser Ship Building Company
Vancouver, Washington
November 22, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Ships Commissioning Newspaper First Edition
Astoria, Oregon
December 28, 1943

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Plank Owner
Astoria, Oregon
December 28, 1943
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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Preparing for Berthing by Tug
Astoria, Oregon
December 1943
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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Colorized Post Card
Astoria, Oregon
December 1943
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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Destination War Zone
VC-10 Plane of Flight Deck
South Pacific – 1943*
USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Awaiting Berthing
San Diego, California
April 1944

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
In Dry Dock –  Scrapping Barnacles and Changing the Screws
San Diego, California
April 1944

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Loading Planes for Trip to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
San Diego, California
April 1944

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USS Gambier Bay/CVE-73
Berthed at Pear Harbor
Waiting to Unload Planes
May 1944