Two-Ocean Navy Act
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Two-Ocean Navy Act, (a.k.a. Vinson-Walsh Act) was an American Act of Congress passed on July 19th, 1940,[1] to increase the size of the United States Navy by 70%, making it the largest naval procurement bill in U.S. history.[1]
On June 17th, a few days after German troops had entered Paris and effectively conquered France, Chief of Naval Operations Harold Stark requested four billion USD from Congress in order to increase the size of the American combat fleet by 70%; an additional 257 ships amounting to 1,325,000 tons. It was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt two days later.[1]
Items authorized by the Two-Ocean Navy Act include: [1][2]
- 2 Iowa class battleships
- 5 Montana class battleships
- 6 Alaska class cruisers
- 18 aircraft carriers
- 27 cruisers
- 115 destroyers
- 43 submarines
- 15,000 aircraft
- The conversion of 100,000 tons of auxiliary ships
- $50 million for patrol, escort and other vessels
- $150 million for essential equipment and facilities
- $65 million for the manufacture of ordnance material or munitions
- $35 million for the expansion of facilities
