GMorrison
is an interesting problem. I
Quite.
The fact that the '42 plan used a deck shorter than an Essex pokes at my knowledge of Naval achitecture.
But, I have my suspicions.
The sheer in the 01 deck on a BB is not a huge deal. But, it makes a significant impact on how/where you spot the hangar deck (which is a spar deck). The level of the hangar deck sets the height of the flight deck (which will be another spar--not armored--deck).
Becasue of the sheer, a hurricane bow, like Saratoga and Lexington was out of the question.
Now, much of the apparent depth of WWII flight decks is due to the "stuff" associated with them (catapaults, hydralics for elevators, ordnance lifts). Which is doubled by the drop catwalks surrounding them.
The actual deck structure is pretty light. If a fascinating engineering exercise in coping with upward moment from wind, and waves.
American design did tend towards more "beefy" looking members at wider spacing--which I think OP has well captured. So, totally unlike the lack, narrow, perforated, "eggcrate" seen on IJN ships of the era.
It's an interesting question.