G e n e r a l I n
f o r m a t i o n
One of
the earliest lessons learnt in the first year of the Battle of the Atlantic was
the need for continuous air cover of convoys. As no shore based aircraft were
available, submarines were able to approach convoys in daylight without the
need to submerge until about to attack ships. Once enemy aircraft were able to
operate from French bases the convoys made easy targets without any fighter
defence unless near to UK coasts.
In April
1941 four naval auxiliaries were fitted with a catapult which enabled a fighter
aircraft to be launched for defence of convoys being attacked by enemy fighter
bombers. These vessels were known as Catapult Armed Merchant Ships (CAM Ships).
Their greatest disadvantage was that the aircraft could not be recovered and
the pilot had to rely on being rescued by one of the ships in convoy. To
overcome this disadvantage it was decided to fit a flight deck on a merchant
ship so that aircraft could both take off and land. The first ship to be
converted was an Ex German freighter (HANNOVER) taken as Prize in 1940 and
renamed EMPIRE AUDACITY. She was then commissioned as HMS AUDACITY and had a
gallant and successful, but brief, career before being torpedoed in 1941 during
defence of Convoy HG76 in December 1941. As a result it was decided to
similarly convert 10 Bulk Carriers being built in UK shipyards and 9 oil
tankers already in service. These Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC ships) performed
a dual role as The number of aircraft carried was
however limited to four.
The MAC
ships were an interim solution and their introduction into use during 1943
enabled a larger aircraft carrier to be built which could operate 15 aircraft
and therefore provide far better convoy defence. The first 4 of these Escort Carriers (CVE) were built in UK shipyards followed by over 40
constructed in the USA.
It should
be noted that all these types, whether CAM ship, MAC or CVE were intended for
use in the defence of convoys. However, when more CVE's
became available and after May 1945, some CVE's were
deployed in the Mediterranean for defence of Fleet units as well as for support
of operations in Burma and the Pacific.
Light
Fleet Aircraft Carriers ("COLOSSUS" Class) included HMS VENGEANCE
built by Swan Hunter. They were smaller than the earlier Fleet Aircraft
Carriers of the ILLUSTRIOUS-Class and carried fewer aircraft. However
they were fitted with all the necessary equipment needed to carry out air operations
with the Fleet.
Nominal List of
Escort Aircraft Carriers
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search
Intended deployment on completion
|
Name
|
Convoy Escort
|
ACTIVITY
|
Assault Carrier
|
AMEER
|
Ferry
|
ARBITER
|
Convoy Escort
|
ARCHER
|
Convoy Escort
|
ATHELING
|
Assault Carrier
|
ATTACKER
|
Convoy Escort
|
AUDACITY
|
Convoy Escort
|
AVENGER
|
Convoy Escort
|
BATTLER
|
Convoy Escort
|
BEGUM
|
Convoy Escort
|
BITER
|
Convoy Escort
|
CAMPANIA
|
Convoy Escort
|
CHASER
|
Convoy Escort
|
DASHER
|
Assault Carrier
|
EMPEROR
|
Assault Carrier
|
EMPRESS
|
Convoy Escort
|
FENCER
|
Assault Carrier
|
HUNTER
|
Assault Carrier
|
KHEDIVE
|
Convoy Escort
|
NABOB
|
Convoy Escort
|
NAIRANA
|
Ferry
|
PATROLLER
|
Convoy Escort
|
PREMIER
|
Training
|
PRETORIA CASTLE
|
Convoy Escort
|
PUNCHER
|
Convoy Escort
|
PURSUER
|
Convoy Escort
|
QUEEN
|
Ferry
|
RAJAH
|
Ferry
|
RANEE
|
Training
|
RAVAGER
|
Ferry
|
REAPER
|
Assault Carrier
|
RULER
|
Assault Carrier
|
SEARCHER
|
Convoy Escort
|
SHAH
|
Ferry
|
SLINGER
|
Convoy Escort
|
SMITER
|
Assault Carrier
|
SPEAKER
|
Assault Carrier
|
STALKER
|
Convoy Escort
|
STRIKER
|
Assault Carrier
|
THANE
|
Convoy Escort
|
TRACKER
|
Ferry
|
TROUNCER
|
Convoy Escort
|
TRUMPETER
|
Convoy Escort
|
VINDEX
|