Navy's Newest Plane Carrier Starts on Shakedown Trials Quincy, Mass -- The United State Navy's Newest airplane carrier, The $21,000,000 U.S.S. Wasp, passed under a drawbridge here, Dec. 18th. As she starts out from the Bethlehem Steel Company's fore river yards on her first builder's shakedown cruise. Parts of her decks were shrouded with Tarpaulins to protect secret Equipment from prying eyes. The Wasp is eighteen months behind schedule, her construction Having been delayed to allow time to Install machinery and Equipment perfected during her building. She was launched last April. December 18, 1939. (Photo by ACME).