[PAR] [TLE] Iowa-class battleship [SEP] The "Iowa"-class battleships were a class of six fast battleships ordered by the United States Navy in 1939 and 1940 to escort the Fast Carrier Task Forces that would operate in the Pacific Theater of World War II.  Four were completed, two more were laid down but canceled in August 1945, at war's end, and both hulls were scrapped in 1958.  Like other third-generation American battleships, the "Iowa"s followed the design pattern set forth in the preceding "North Carolina"-class and "South Dakota"-class battleships, which emphasized speed in addition to secondary and anti-aircraft batteries.  Based on wartime experience, they were to serve as fast escorts for "Essex"-class aircraft carrier s. [PAR] [TLE] Essex-class aircraft carrier [SEP] The "Essex" class was a class of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy that constituted the 20th century's most numerous class of capital ships.  The class consisted of 24 vessels, which came in "short-hull" and "long-hull" versions.  Thirty-two ships were originally ordered, but as World War II wound down, six were canceled before construction, and two were canceled after construction had begun.  No "Essex"-class ships were lost to enemy action, despite several vessels sustaining very heavy damage.  The "Essex"-class carriers were the backbone of the U.S. Navy's combat strength during World War II from mid-1943 on, and, along with the addition of the three "Midway"-class carriers just after the war, continued to be the heart of U.S. naval strength until the supercarriers began to come into the fleet in numbers during the 1960s and 1970s.
[PAR] [TLE] Iowa - class battleship [ SEP ] The " Iowa"-class battleships were a class of six fast battleships ordered by the United States Navy in 1939 and 1940 to escort the Fast Carrier Task Forces that would operate in the Pacific Theater of World War II . Four were completed , two more were laid down but canceled in August 1945 , at war 's end , and both hulls were scrapped in 1958 . Like other third - generation American battleships , the " Iowa"s followed the design pattern set forth in the preceding " North Carolina"-class and " South Dakota"-class battleships , which emphasized speed in addition to secondary and anti - aircraft batteries . Based on wartime experience , they were to serve as fast escorts for " Essex"-class aircraft carrier s. [PAR] [TLE] Essex - class aircraft carrier [ SEP ] The " Essex " class was a class of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy that constituted the 20th century 's most numerous class of capital ships . The class consisted of 24 vessels , which came in " short - hull " and " long - hull " versions . Thirty - two ships were originally ordered , but as World War II wound down , six were canceled before construction , and two were canceled after construction had begun . No " Essex"-class ships were lost to enemy action , despite several vessels sustaining very heavy damage . The " Essex"-class carriers were the backbone of the U.S. Navy 's combat strength during World War II from mid-1943 on , and , along with the addition of the three " Midway"-class carriers just after the war , continued to be the heart of U.S. naval strength until the supercarriers began to come into the fleet in numbers during the 1960s and 1970s .
Which class of ships was larger, Iowa-class battleship or Essex-class aircraft carrier?
Which class of ships was larger , Iowa - class battleship or Essex - class aircraft carrier ?
"Essex" class
"Essex" class