During WWII, American industrial might turned out war materiel by the boatload…literally. Shipbuilders made everything from troop transports to battleships and aircraft carriers as quickly as possible to support the war effort. In early 1945, though Germany looked to be just about beaten, Japan showed no signs of giving up. As a result, warships continued to be built in anticipation of the heavy losses projected for the invasion of Japan. On March 20, 1945, the Commencement Bay-class escort carrier, USS Tinian (CVE-123), was laid down at Tacoma, Washington.
Like other WWII warships, Tinian was completed quickly. However, she was not built quickly enough to make it into the war. Tinian wasn’t launched until September 5th, three days after the formal Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.
The Navy accepted the ship on July 30, 1946, but never commissioned her or placed her on active duty. Rather, Tinian was immediately assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet, 19th Fleet, and remained at Tacoma. On June 12, 1955, the escort carrier was reclassified as an escort helicopter aircraft carrier. She was subsequently redesigned CVHE-123.
In June 1958, USS Tinian was towed from Tacoma to San Diego, California where she stayed for the remainder of her Navy service. The next May, she was reclassified again to a cargo ship and aircraft ferry. Tinian was redesigned AKV-23. She was assigned to the Reserve Fleet’s San Diego Group until June 1, 1970 when she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register. On December 15, 1971, Tinian was sold for scrap having never been commissioned and serving exclusively in the Reserve Fleet.