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 the starts out from the Bethlemhem 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. December 18, 1939. (Photo by ACME).