Paddlewheel Aircraft Carriers

During World War 2 two sidewheel excursion steamers were converted to aircraft carriers. These ships operated on Lake Michigan and were used to train Navy pilots. Nearly 18,000 pilots made 116,000 landings and casualties were rare, though airplanes did end up in the lake. In recent years http://www.atrecovery.com/ has recovered 31 of those planes.

USS Sable



USS Wolverine

Lots of info here.   Pictures here.