CVE-89 (later CVU-89 and AKV-31) was named Takanis Bay for a bay on the southwest coast of Yakobi Island, Alexander Archipelago, Alaska (NS0308914). Takanis (also spelled Takhanis) is a Tinglit Indian name published by Captain Mikhail Dmitrievich Tebenkov, IRN, in 1852.

(Map courtesy of Google Maps.)

"Concerted Action Gets Results. Close cooperation and planning paid dividends again to riggers, shipwrights and shipfitters on Berth 2 of the Outfitting dock, who set a new record in the installation of the gun buckets on carriers. Shown above from left: (first row) B. Coverdale, L. Ochs, F. Thrall, B. Adams, D. Payne, C. Lamb, F. Rogers, Young, R. Stark. (Second row) L. Garner, R. Whitney, L. j Jaynes, S. Moore, R. Johnson, A. Black, J. Ammerman, G. Nevitt, C. Morgan. (Third row) Y. Cole, Q. Nims, J. Owen, E. Clawson, J. Udell. (Vancouver Photo)"

[...]

"The gun turrets on the U.S.S. Takanis Bay were all hung in the record time of two hours and 10 minutes. The two previous ships were completed in eight hours each but, to the three crews engaged on the work, that was only a beginning. [...]"

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 4, No. 7; March 24, 1944; page 5).

Takanis Bay was sponsored on Friday, 10 March 1944, by Mrs. Alden Ream Sanborn. Her mother, Mrs. Don M. Wright, was matron of honor, and her son, Donald Sanborn (photo) was flower boy.

(From "Bo's'n's Whistle," Vol. 4, No. 6; March 17, 1944; page 8).

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.034.013.

A milestone in the carrier's history: the first take off, by a Wildcat.

Undated photograph of USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89) in dry dock.

A Grumman F6F Hellcat in trouble. Good detail of the ship's island and SK radar antenna.

F4U Corsair making 5,000th "trap" aboard USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89).

SB2C Helldiver during barrier crash aboard USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89), 5 February 1945. Pilot was Ensign E.E. Wood. Photographs by PHOM2/c George Dekoven.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photos, # (top-down) 80-G-372692, 80-G-372693, 80-G-372694 and 80-G-372695.

FM Wildcat going over portside of USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89) on take-off. Pilot was Lieutenant Junior Grade F.R. Sharp. Photographed by PHOM2/c George Dekoven, 6 March 1945. Note pilot and life-raft in the water (NS0308915b).

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photos, # 80-G-372696 (top), 80-G-372697 (center), and 80-G-372698 (bottom).

F6F Hellcat crashed on deck of USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89), 18 March 1945. Shown after tailhook pulled out in landing.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photos, # (top-down) 80-G-372703 and 80-G-372704.

CAPT Courtney Shands relieves CAPT Anthony R. Brady as Commanding Officer, USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89), 3 June 1945.

CAPT Brady presents the Silver Star to CAPT Shands, probably on 3 June 1945.

Another milestone in the carrier's history: the 20,000 landing, made by an Avenger. According to the source "Takanis Bay holds the record for landings aboard vessels of her class. From commissioning to inactivation over 20,000 landings were made. A record only topped by a very few first line carriers."

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, May 23, 1946. Port side view of USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89) at time of inclining experiment. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo #871-46.

Seattle Branch of the National Archives. Record Group 181.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, May 23, 1946. Bow view of starboard side at time of inclining experiment. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo #873-46.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, May 23, 1946. Topside view of island structure at time of inclining experiment. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard photo #882-46.

Ship's Mess personnel seen aboard USS Takanis Bay (CVE-89). African-Americans and Asian-Americans. Photograph received 6 June 1946.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-372709.