Stairs or Ladders?

The USS Midway has approximately 58 miles of passageways interconnected by hundreds of ladders. Color coding systems were employed throughout the ship's ladders and passageways to assist sailors in navigating the complex interior. The mid-deck ladders connecting crew quarters were often designated "up only" or "down only" during busy periods to prevent congestion, while emergency battle lanterns were positioned near key ladders throughout the mid and lower decks to provide illumination during power failures. The ladders leading to the engine rooms on the lowest decks are among the steepest on the ship, often approaching 70-degree angles, and some ladder wells in the mid-decks served as natural ventilation shafts.