Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers in the Second World War, Escort Carriers: HMS Audacity, HMS Archer, HMS Avenger, HMS Biter, HMS Dasher, HMS Charger, HMS Attacker, HMS Battler, HMS Chaser, HMS Fencer, HMS Hunter, HMS Pursuer, HMS Stalker, HMS Striker

Royal Navy Escort Carriers in the Second World War

(IWM Photo, A 5449)

HMS Audacity - 11,000 tons deepload, 15 knots, 6 aircraft, laid down in 1941. Ex-German prize ‘Hannover’ lost:(Cdr D W MacKendrick+), 21st December 1941, North Atlantic, NE of Azores(43.55N, 19.50W) - torpedoed by German ‘U.751 (Bigalk). Providing air cover forGibraltar/UK convoy HG.76; 73 men lost (Casualty List) (Battle of the Atlantic).

HMS Audacity was a British escort carrier of the Second World War and the first of her kind to serve in the Royal Navy. She was originally the German merchant ship Hannover, which the British captured in the West Indies in March 1940 and renamed Sinbad, then Empire Audacity. She was converted and commissioned as HMS Empire Audacity, then as HMS Audacity. She was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat in late 1941. (Wikipedia)

Archer-class, Archer, Avenger, Biter, Dasher, (Charger), 5 ships built in US -8,200 tons, 17 knots, 15 aircraft, 550 crew, 1941-42. 'Charger' retained by US Navy as training ship, 2 lost: HMS Avenger and HMS Dasher.

HMS Archer (D78)

(IWM Photo)

HMS Archer (D78) underway in 1943, with Fairey Swordfish of No. 819 Squadron FAA, and Grumman Martlets of No. 892 Squadron FAA on deck.

Long Island-class escort carrier built by the United States in 1939–1940 and operated by the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was built as the cargo ship Mormacland, but was converted to an escort carrier and renamed HMS Archer. Her transmission was a constant cause of problems which led to her being withdrawn from front-line service. She was used as a stores ship and then as an accommodation ship before a refit and subsequent use as a merchant aircraft ferry ship, Empire Lagan.She was returned to the US Navy, then laid up as Archer before being sold into merchant service and converted to a passenger ship, Anna Salén. She was used to take emigrants to Australia and Canada in the early 1950s. She was sold and renamed Tasmania and after further service as an emigrant ship was converted back to a cargo ship. She was later sold and renamed Union Reliance. She was scrapped after a collision and fire in 1961. (Wikipedia)

HMS Avenger (D14)

(IWM Photo, FL 1268)

HMS Avenger (D14) (ex-mercantile Rio Hudson) underway in rough seas, date and location unknown. Note the unusual camouflage scheme on her flight deck. Six Sea Hurricane IIC fighters are lined-up on the centre line.

HMS Avenger (D14) (Capt A P Colthurst), 15 November 1942, North Atlantic off the Strait of Gibraltar (36.15N, 07.45W)- torpedoed by German ‘U.155’ (Piening). Providing air cover for return NorthAfrica/UK convoy MKF.1 following Operation 'Torch'; 504 crew lost, 17 saved (Casualty List) (French North Africa Campaign).

HMS Avenger (D14) was a Royal Navy escort aircraft carrier during the Second World War. In 1939 she was laid down as the merchant ship Rio-Hudson at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company yard in Chester, Pennsylvania. Launched on 27 November 1940, she was converted to an escort carrier and transferred under the lend lease agreement to the Royal Navy. She was commissioned on 2 March 1942.Avenger's capacity allowed for a maximum of 15 aircraft. In September 1942, she took part in what was the largest and most successful Russian convoy to date. Upon her return home, after observing a number of design faults, Avenger's captain drew up recommendations for future escort carrier design. In November 1942 she took part in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, where she suffered engine problems. While leaving North Africa to start the journey home Avenger was sunk by the German submarine U-155 on 15 November 1942 at 3:20am GMT, 9 hours after leaving Gibraltar for Britain, with a heavy loss of life among her crew. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo, FL 10982)

Inside the hangar of the Royal Navy escort carrier HMS Avenger (D14), showing the lift bringing down a Hawker Sea Hurricane of 802 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm from the deck. Several mechanics are stood on the lift and in the hangar to move the aircraft into position.

HMS Biter (D97)

(IWM Photo, FL 2164)

HMS Biter (D97) underway. On deck are a Grumman Martlet and a Fairey Swordfish, c1943.

HMS Biter (D97) was a Royal Navy escort carrier during the Second World War. She was laid down as a merchant ship at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company yard at Chester, Pennsylvania. Laid down on 28 December 1939, she was converted to an escort carrier and commissioned in the Royal Navy on 6 May 1942. She was returned to the United States in 1945 and subsequently lent to France. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo, A 12577)

The Royal Navy escort carriers HMS Biter (D97) and HMS Avenger (D14) underway in line astern from the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (R38). Two Supermarine Seafires of 884 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, can be seen at the far end of the flight deck of HMS Victorious.

HMS Dasher (D37)

(RN/Alamy Photo)

HMS Dasher (D37) (Capt L A Boswell), 27 March 1943, Western Europe, 5 miles south of Cumbraes Island in Firth of Clyde,SW Scotland - by aviation gasoline explosion. Working up after repairs to storm-damage sustained during Russian convoy JW.53 the previous month; 358 crew lost, 149 saved (Casualty List) (following Russian Convoy).

(RN Photo)

HMS Dasher (D37)

(RN Photo)

HMS Dasher (D37)

(RN Photo)

HMS Dasher (D37) was a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier, of the Avenger class, converted merchant vessels, and one of the shortest-lived escort carriers. She served in the Second World War and sank on 27 March 1943.

HMS Charger (D27)

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Charger (CVE-30) underway at sea, in 1943. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 22.

USS Charger (CVE-30) was an escort carrier of the United States Navy during the Second World War converted from a commercial C3-P&C cargo/passenger liner hull built as Rio de la Plata intended for the Moore-McCormack company's American Republics Line serving the east coast of South America. The ship was requisitioned for conversion to an escort carrier type intended for Royal Navy use and initially commissioned as HMS Charger (D27). Days later the transfer was rescinded with the ship returning to U.S. Navy control to become USS Charger which operated throughout the war as a training ship on the Chesapeake Bay with two ferry missions to Bermuda and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. After decommissioning in March 1946 the ship was sold in January 1947 to become the Italian Fairsea engaged largely in refugee and immigrant voyages from Europe to Australia. After a disabling engine room fire in January 1969 the ship was sold for scrap in Italy. (Wikipedia)

(USN Photo)

U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Charger (AVG-30) underway in 1942. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 12 (Modified).

Attacker-class, Attacker, Battler, Chaser, Fencer, Hunter, Pursuer, Stalker, Striker, 8 ships all built in US, none lost - 11,400 tons, 17 knots, 18 aircraft, 650 crew, laid down in 1942-43.

HMS Attacker (D02)

(USN Photo)

HMS Attacker (D02) at anchor in San Francisco Bay on 13 November 1942. A Fairey Swordfish biplane of 842 Squadron RAF can be seen on the flight deck just ahead of the superstructure.

HMS Attacker (D02) was an American-built escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Converted from a merchantman under construction, she was commissioned by the United States Navy on 30 September 1942, as USS Barnes (CVE-7), a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was decommissioned and transferred to the Royal Navy on the same day under the Lend-Lease agreement. Attacker served throughout the war, first as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. After further conversion by the Royal Navy in October 1943, into an assault carrier, the ship was active in the Mediterranean, and later the war in the Pacific. In late August 1945, Attacker witnessed the Japanese surrender of Penang, in Malaya, as part of Operation Jurist. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo, A 13452)

HMS Attacker (D02) at anchor at Greenock, Scotland.

(IWM Photo, A 25184)

A view from HMS Pursuer of HMS Attacker (D02), and other assault carriers,other assault carriers in the naval task force which took part in the landings in the south of France, 7 August 1944.

HMS Battler (D18)

(IWM Photo, A 16641)

HMS Battler (D18), one of the American built escort carriers which helped to fight U-Boats in the Atlantic, moored at Greenock, Scotland.

HMS Battler (D18) was an American-built escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Converted from a merchantman under construction, she was acquired by the United States Navy on 31 October 1942, as a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned Battler on the same day under the Lend-Lease agreement. Battler's first duty was as a convoy escort in the Battle of the Atlantic. The ship was active in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and later, the war in the Pacific. She served as a convoy escort, aircraft ferry, and anti-submarine escort during the war. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo, A 16643)

HMS Battler (D18) moored at Greenock, Scotland.

(IWM Photo, A 16649)

Maintenance crew bringing a torpedo-loaded Fairey Swordfish of No. 835 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm onto the flight deck of HMS Battler (D18) by hydraulic lift. The escort carrier's island can be seen in the background.

‍HMS Chaser (D32)

(IWM Photo, A 29289)

The Escort Carrier HMS Chaser (D32) arrives at Cochin on the Malabar Coast of India with its flight deck packed with aircraft. The aircraft were to be delivered to the Reception Unit, Royal Naval Air Station Cochin. Some arrived practically fully assembled lashed to the flight deck. Others arrived in packing cases.

HMS Chaser (D32/R306/A727) was an American-built Attacker-class escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.Acquired by the United States Navy for conversion to a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as Chaser on 9 April 1943, under the Lend-Lease agreement. She spent most of her career escorting convoys in Arctic, she transferred to the British Pacific Fleet in March 1945. (Wikipedia)

HMS Fencer (D64)

(IWM Photo, FL 13104)

HMS Fencer (D64), 1943.

HMS Fencer (D64/R308) was an American-built Attacker-class escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.Acquired by the United States Navy for conversion to a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as Fencer on 1 March 1943, under the Lend-Lease agreement. She spent most of her career escorting convoys in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, she transferred to the British East Indies Fleet in October 1944. (Wikipedia)

HMS Hunter (D80)

(IWM Photo, FL 10531)

HMS Hunter (D80), on completion.

USS Block Island (CVE-8) (originally AVG and then ACV) was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served during the Second World War.The ship was laid down on 15 May 1941 as Mormacpenn under Maritime Commission contract at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by Ingalls Shipbuilding, acquired by the United States Navy on 9 January 1943 and simultaneously transferred via the Lend-Lease program to the United Kingdom as Trailer. On 11 January 1943, the ship was renamed HMS Hunter (D80) and commissioned by the Royal Navy. In March 1945 was attached to the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. She participated in Operation Jurist and Operation Tiderace in August 1945, the reoccupation of Malaya and Singapore from the Japanese. The vessel was returned to United States' custody 29 December 1945 and sold into merchant service on 17 January 1947 as Almdijk. In October 1965 the ship was sold for scrapping in Spain. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo, A 17693)

HMS Hunter (D80), Greenock, Scotland.

HMS Pursuer (D73)

((IWM Photo, A 22179)

HMS Pursuer (D73), Greenock, Scotland.

USS St. George (CVE-17) (originally AVG-17 then ACV-17) was laid down on 31 July 1941 as a C3-S-A2 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Hull 296 of Pascagoula, Mississippi, under Maritime Commission contract as the (second) SS Mormacland for Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc., (MC Hull 163). She was renamed St. George (AVG-17) by the United States Navy on 7 January 1942; and assigned to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease as HMS Pursuer (D73) on 24 February 1942. The vessel was launched on 18 July 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Mary Ann S. Bartman. The escort carrier was reclassified ACV-17 on 20 August 1942, acquired by the US Navy and simultaneously transferred to Britain on 14 June 1943. She was reclassified CVE-17 on 15 July 1943. (Wikipedia)

(IWM Photo)

A Grumman Wildcat fighter of No. 882 Squadron Fleet Air Arm being manoeuvred into position for takeoff from HMS Pursuer (D73) off the northern coast of Norway.

HMS Stalker (D91)

(IWM Photo, FL 19295)

HMS Stalker (D91) off the coast near San Francisco, California, 1942.

USS Hamlin (CVE-15) was one of a large group of escort aircraft carriers built on Maritime Commission C-3 hulls and transferred to the Royal Navy under Lend Lease during the Second World War. The ship was launched by Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California, on 5 March 1942, as AVG-15, aircraft escort vessel. She was sponsored by Mrs. William H. Shea. Her designation was changed to ACV-15, auxiliary aircraft carrier, 20 August 1942, and she was acquired and simultaneously transferred to the United Kingdom 21 December 1942. Hamlin's designation was changed to CVE-15, escort aircraft carrier, 15 July 1943.

Renamed HMS Stalker (D91), the escort carrier played a vital part in allied operations in the Atlantic. She participated in the Salerno landings in September 1943, providing effective on the spot air support for assault forces. Stalker also took part in the important landings in southern France in August 1944. From March to April 1945 she was attached to the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. Returned to the United States 29 December 1945, she was struck from the Navy Register 20 March 1946 and sold to Waterman Steamship Corp. of Mobile, Alabama, 18 December 1946. Waterman in turn sold her to the Netherlands in August 1947 where she was converted to the merchant ship Riouw. Later renamed Lobito in 1968, she was scrapped in Taiwan in September 1975. (Wikipedia)

(RN Photo)

HMS Stalker (D91).

HMS Striker (D12)

(IWM Photo, A 30929)

HMS Striker (D12), underway in the Pacific Ocean in 1943.

The name Prince William (CVE-19) (earlier AVG-19 then ACV-19) was assigned to MC hull 198, a converted C3 laid down by the Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California, 15 December 1941. Designated for transfer to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease Agreement, she was renamed and launched as HMS Striker (D12), 7 May 1942; redesignated ACV-19, 20 August 1942; delivered to the United States Navy 28 April 1943; and transferred to the Royal Navy 18 May 1943. Redesignated CVE-19, on the US Navy List, 15 July 1943. During November and December 1944, she was in transit between Scotland and Australia with HMS Fencer ferrying Mosquito aircraft for use in the Far East Theatre. From March to August 1945 the ship was part of the British Pacific Fleet attached to the 30th Aircraft Carrier Squadron as its flagship. She served with the Royal Navy throughout the remainder of the Second World War. She was returned to the US Navy, at Norfolk, on 12 February 1946 and struck from the Naval Register on 28 March 1946. The ship was then sold to the Patapsco Steel Scrap Co., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on 5 June 1948 and scrapped. (Wikipedia)