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List of escort carriers of the Royal Navy

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(Redirected from List of escort aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy) Royal Navy escort aircraft carrier directory

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    The escort aircraft carrier, also called a "jeep carrier" or "baby flattop" in the USN or "Woolworth Carrier" by the RN, was a small and slow type of aircraft carrier used by the Royal Navy in the Second World War. They were typically half the length and one-third the displacement of the larger fleet carriers. While they were slower, less armed, unarmoured and carried fewer aircraft, they were less expensive and could be built more quickly. This was their principal advantage, as escort carriers could be completed in greater numbers as a stop-gap when fleet carriers were scarce. However, the lack of protection made escort carriers particularly vulnerable and several were sunk with great loss of life. The light carrier (hull classification symbol CVL) was a similar concept to escort carriers in most respects, but they were designed for higher speeds for deployment with fleet carriers.

    Escort carriers were too slow to keep up with the main forces consisting of fleet carriers, battleships, and cruisers. Instead, they were used to defend convoys from enemy threats such as submarines and planes. In the invasions of mainland Europe and Pacific islands, escort carriers provided air support to ground forces during amphibious operations. Escort carriers also served as backup aircraft transports for fleet carriers and ferried aircraft of all military services to points of delivery.

    In addition, escort carriers such as HMS Vindex and HMS Nairana played an important role in hunter-killer anti-submarine sweeps in company with RN and RCN destroyers, frigates and corvettes (e.g. 6th Canadian Escort Group and 2nd British Escort Group). HMS Vindex is credited with the sinking, or taking part in the sinking, of four U-boats (U344, U653, U765, U394).

    Escort carriers should not be confused with the Merchant Aircraft Carrier or CAM ship.

    Key

    Main guns The number and type of the main battery guns
    Displacement Ship displacement at full combat load
    Propulsion Number of shafts, type of propulsion system, and top speed generated
    Service The dates work began and finished on the ship and its ultimate fate
    Laid down The date the keel began to be assembled
    Commissioned The date the ship was commissioned

    Audacity

    HMS Audacity
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Converted Commissioned Fate
    HMS Audacity 8 11,000 long tons (11,177 t) 2 diesels, 1 shaft 1941 17 June 1941 Sunk by torpedoes from U-751 21 December 1941

    Long Island class

    HMS Archer
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Converted Commissioned Fate
    HMS Archer 16 12,860 long tons (13,066 t) 4 x diesels driving 1 shaft 1941 18 November 1941 Became Empire Lagan 1946

    Avenger class

    HMS Avenger
    Main article: Avenger-class escort carrier
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Converted Commissioned Fate
    HMS Avenger 15 14,500 long tons (14,733 t) 2 diesels, 1 shaft 27 November 1940 2 March 1942 Torpedoed and sunk west of Gibraltar by U-155 on 15 November 1942
    HMS Biter 15 14,500 long tons (14,733 t) 2 diesels, 1 shaft 8 December 1940 1 May 1942. Sold to France and renamed Dixmude 1945
    HMS Dasher 15 14,500 long tons (14,733 t) 2 diesels, 1 shaft 12 April 1941 1 July 1942 Destroyed by an aviation fuel explosion on 27 March. 1943

    Attacker class

    HMS Attacker 1942
    Main article: Attacker-class escort carrier
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Laid down Commissioned Fate
    HMS Battler 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers
    2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft     		15 April 1941 15 November 1942 Returned to the USN on 12 February 1946
    HMS Attacker 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 17 April 1941 10 October 1942 Returned to the USN on 5 January 1946
    HMS Hunter 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 22 May 1942 11 January 1943 Returned to the USN on 29 December 1945
    HMS Chaser 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 28 June 1941 9 April 1943 Returned to the USN on 12 May 1946
    HMS Fencer 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 5 September 1941 20 February 1943 Returned to the USN on 11 December 1946
    HMS Stalker 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 6 October 1941 30 December 1942 Returned to the USN on 29 December 1945
    HMS Pursuer 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 31 July 1941 14 June 1943 Returned to the USN on 12 February 1946
    HMS Striker 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 15 December 1941 29 April 1943 Returned to the USN on 12 February 1946
    HMS Searcher 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 20 February 1942 7 April 1943 Returned to the USN on 29 November 1945
    HMS Ravager 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 11 April 1942 26 April 1943 Returned to the USN on 26 February 1946
    HMS Tracker 24 9,800 long tons (9,957 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers, 2 Westinghouse geared turbines driving 1 shaft 3 November 1941 31 January 1943 Returned to the USN on 29 November 1945

    Ruler class

    HMS Queen
    Main article: Ruler-class escort carrier
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Laid down Commissioned Fate
    HMS Slinger 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 25 May 1942 11 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 27 February 1946
    HMS Atheling 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 9 June 1942 31 July 1943 Returned to the USN on 13 December 1946
    HMS Emperor 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 23 June 1942 6 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 4 February 1946
    HMS Ameer 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 18 July 1942 20 July 1943 Returned to the USN on 17 January 1946
    HMS Begum 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 3 August 1942 2 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 4 January 1946
    HMS Trumpeter 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 25 August 1942 4 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 6 April 1946
    HMS Empress 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 9 September 1942 9 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 4 February 1946
    HMS Khedive 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 30 December 1942 25 August 1943 Returned to the USN on 26 January 1946
    HMS Speaker 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 9 October 1942 20 November 1943 Returned to the USN on 17 July 1946
    HMS Nabob 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 20 October 1942 7 September 1943, into the Royal Canadian Navy under Royal Navy control Returned to USN 16 March 1945
    HMS Premier 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 31 October 1942 3 November 1943 Returned to the USN on 2 April 1946
    HMS Shah 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 13 November 1942 27 September 1943 Returned to the USN on 6 December 1945
    HMS Patroller 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 27 November 1942 25 October 1943 Returned to the USN on 13 December 1946
    HMS Rajah 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 17 December 1942 17 January 1944 Returned to the USN on 13 December 1946
    HMS Ranee 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 5 January 1943 8 November 1943 Returned to the USN on 21 November 1946
    HMS Trouncer 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 1 January 1943 31 January 1944 Returned to the USN 3 March 1946
    HMS Thane 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 22 February 1943 19 November 1943 Returned to the USN on 5 December 1945
    HMS Queen 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 12 March 1943 7 December 1943 Returned to the USN on 31 October 1946
    HMS Ruler 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 21 March 1943 22 December 1943 Returned to the USN on 29 January 1946
    HMS Arbiter 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 26 April 1943 31 December 1943 Returned to the USN on 3 March 1946
    HMS Smiter 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 10 May 1943 20 January 1944 Returned to the USN on 6 April 1946
    HMS Puncher 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 21 May 1943 5 February 1944, into the Royal Canadian Navy under Royal Navy control Returned to the USN on 16 January 1946
    HMS Reaper 24 14,000 long tons (14,225 t) 2 Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 Westinghouse geared turbines, 1 shaft 5 June 1943 21 February 1944 Returned to the USN on 20 May 1946

    Activity

    HMS Activity
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Laid down Commissioned Fate
    HMS Activity 10 14,250 long tons (14,479 t) 2 × diesel engines 1 February 1940 1944 Sold in March 1946

    Nairana class

    HMS Nairana
    Main article: Nairana-class escort carrier
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Laid down Commissioned Fate
    HMS Nairana 15–20 14,050 long tons (14,275 t) 2 sets 5-cylinder Doxford Diesels. 2 shafts 20 May 1943 12 December 1943 Transferred to Netherlands 20 March 1946
    HMS Vindex 15–20 16,830 long tons (17,100 t) 1 July 1942 3 December 1943 Sold 1947 and became MS Port Vindex
    HMS Campania 15–20 16,830 long tons (17,100 t) 1 July 1942 3 December 1943 Sold 1947 and became MS Port Victor

    Pretoria Castle

    HMS Pretoria Castle
    Ship Aircraft Displacement Propulsion Service
    Laid down Commissioned Fate
    HMS Pretoria Castle 15 23,450 long tons (23,826 t) 2-shaft diesel engine: 16,000 bhp 12 October 1938 9 April 1943 Sold 26 January 1946

    Notes

    1. (1) "Escort Carrier" by Kenneth Poolman; (2) http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3298.html; (3) Misplaced Pages
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