1 9 4 4
January Contractor’s trials.
(Note: Three US Navy radars were fitted during build, Type SK for aircraft detection,
Type SG for surface warning and a fire-control outfit for the control of Close Range
AA Armament.
The main armament comprised two 5in standard US Navy guns and over 50 smaller
calibre Close Range AA guns.
28th Build completion
31st Transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned at Tacoma as HMS TROUNCER
February Commenced sea trials and shakedown.
29th Passage to Esquimalt for modifications to suit RN service.
March Under modification by HM Canadian Dockyard, Esquimalt.
to (Note: Some sea trials may have been carried out.)
April
May Nominated for deployment by US Navy as a Ferry Carrier.
15th Took passage to Norfolk, Va to embark aircraft.
Transit of Panama canal.
June
4th Arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard.
Embarked US aircraft for transport to Casablanca.
18th Sailed from Norfolk
(Note: Passage as part of US military convoy to be confirmed.)
July
10th Disembarked aircraft at Casablanca.
13th Took return passage to Norfolk
(Note: Passage with US military convoy to be confirmed.)
Award of Battle Honour ATLANTIC 1944 may be related to
this deployment.)
28th Took passage from Norfolk for New York to embark aircraft for RN use.
August
2nd Embarked CORSAIR aircraft in New York for transport to UK.
Atlantic passage
(Note: Passage as part of routine convoy to be confirmed.)
22nd Arrived at Liverpool after disembarking aircraft.
(Note: Delivery to Belfast to be confirmed.)
26th Sailed from Clyde for return passage to Norfolk
(Note: No shipyard capacity was available for further modification of this ship.
It is assumed that this would include changes to petrol distribution system
following the loss of HMS DASHER after an explosion of petrol vapour.)
Ship continued service as a Ferry Carrier.)
September Embarked US aircraft at Norfolk on arrival
5th Took passage from Norfolk with aircraft for delivery Gibraltar
Disembarked aircraft at Gibraltar
Deployed at Gibraltar
(Note: Delay in return to USA may have been due to availability of convoy.)
October
2nd Sailed from Gibraltar to Norfolk, Va
22nd Sailed from Norfolk to Clyde
Nominated for use as a Deck Landing Training Carrier
November
2nd Deployed in Clyde as deck landing training carried
December Resumed ferry carrier deployment and embarked aircraft for return to USA
8th Passage to New York
On arrival disembarked aircraft and loaded further consignment for transport to UK
1 9 4 5
January Passage to Clyde and disembarked aircraft on arrival
18th Under repair in Clyde shipyard
Nominated for refit.
February Taken in hand for refit in Belfast shipyard.
to
August