Mike's right, "Antenna Masts" they were. Lowered for flight operations. If you hit them in the lowered position, you were going to crash anyway.
The Hornet (CV-12) lost at least one, (the right-forward) perhaps two in Halsey's typhoon.

__________________
All opinions expressed here are those of "Little Green Men" and don't necessarily represent views, positions, policy, thoughts, actions, or anything else.