U.S. Navy ship numbers are actually the assigned hull numbers from their shipyard construction program; one thing that isn't widely known publicly is that the numbers are actually painted inside the weld marks on the hull itself that spell the number (there are other weld marks around a hull besides on the bow). By doing this, if a ship is ever sunk and her numbers weren't visible, she could be identified by the number weld marks on the hull.
The Navy program office in charge of the building project will assign the numbers, typically based on historical class, or if a new class, a new series will be adopted. In cases where numbers have become high due to so many hulls over time, the Navy will opt to start at the beginning again. A good example is the Seawolf and Virginia-class SSN's, which started its hull series in the 20's rather than continue in the 700 series of the Los Angeles class boats.
Up until a ship is actually commissioned, it's referred to by its hull number; only after commissioning is it referred to by its name and hull number.
The US Navy reached it's maximum number of ships in 1945 at the end of World War 2
Absolutely not - the U.S. Navy currently has the largest afloat Navy in the world, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, no other nation is even close in size or strength. Army ships are generally logistics, landing, or electronics telemetry receiving ships and tugs. They are few in number compared to the Navy, since the Navy's mission is to keep global sea lanes open. A link below shows the current list of Army ships, excluding the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Not a traditional morgue.
The current listing of ships in the US Navy is too long to list here, however, for a complete alphabetical listing by ship name, follow the included web link to the Naval Vessel Register, which is maintained by the US Navy.
Of course, navy aircraft are military aircraft.
The Air Force has Aircraft not Ships. The Navy has Ships.
245 active ships
To protect the ships and bases of the US Navy.
Privateers and more powerful ships.
The US Navy reached it's maximum number of ships in 1945 at the end of World War 2
Hi there, My research shows that the US Military is ranked #1 for its Navy Ship quantity, it is also ranked #1 for the overall strength. Currently the US Military own 1,599 Navy Ships. Hope this helped!
Prior to about 1975, asbestos was a common material in insulation around pipes and boilers in Navy Ships.
At least 200
it is basic form of camouflage.
Absolutely not - the U.S. Navy currently has the largest afloat Navy in the world, and with the collapse of the Soviet Union, no other nation is even close in size or strength. Army ships are generally logistics, landing, or electronics telemetry receiving ships and tugs. They are few in number compared to the Navy, since the Navy's mission is to keep global sea lanes open. A link below shows the current list of Army ships, excluding the US Army Corps of Engineers.
600 (at the climax of the Cold War)
3