USS Essex may refer to:USS Essex (1799) was a 32-gun sailing frigate launched in 1799 and captured in 1814 Essex Junior was a British whaler captured by Essex and put into service until recaptured in 1814 USS Essex (1856) was an ironclad steamer during the American Civil War, sold in 1865 USS Essex (1874) was a wooden screw steamer launched in 1876 and sold in 1930 USS Essex (CV-9) was an Essex-class aircraft carrier commissioned in 1942, which served through World War II, the Korean War, and Apollo 7 before being decommissioned in 1969 USS Essex (LHD-2) is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1992 and currently in active service