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Amateur Cinema League Home Movie Shot Aboard U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Uss Saratoga 31504 (1932)

1932 · Short film · 15 min

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Synopsis

This beautiful home film from the 1930’s shows a visit aboard the USS Saratoga. It was shot by an unknown member of the "Amateur Cinema League" -- a national club of amateur filmmakers who supported one another's efforts and shared tips concerning 8mm and 16mm movie making. The ACL was founded in New York City in 1926. The film likely dates to 1932, as it shows aircraft that were deployed on the carrier in that time period, plus Captain George S. Steele is shown in command. Steele, who was widely viewed as a candidate for admiral, was appointed to the ship in July of 1932 but the vessel ran agound in a fog that same year. Although he successfully freed the vessel and it was not damaged in the incident, Steele was passed over for promotion and retired on December 31, 1932 after 36 years of naval service. The USS Saratoga was a Lexington class aircraft carrier constructed in the 1920’s for the U.S. Navy. Initially laid down as a battlecruiser, it was then converted to an aircraft carrier after the Washington Naval Treaty in 1922. The Saratoga entered service as an aircraft carrier in 1928 for the Pacific Fleet. This vessel, the Enterprise and the Ranger all saw service throughout WWII. It was sunk in July of 1946 during atomic bomb tests. The USS Saratoga is first seen from the air, from aboard a biplane, at (:50). The ship's complement of planes are seen in formation in the sky above (1:11). Close up footage shows the carrier’s anchor being drug up as they prepare to move…

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Details

Running time
15 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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