1 9 4 3
October 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 Close Range AA guns.)
November
8th Build completion and transferred to the Royal Navy
Commissioned as HMS RANEE.
Commenced sea trials and shakedown.
Passage to Esquimalt for completion of modifications to suit deployment by RN for convoy defence
Taken in hand for modification by HM Canadian Dockyard.
December Modification work in continuation.
1 9 4 4
January On completion of modifications carried out sea trials off Vancouver
28th Assisted HM Escort Aircraft Carrier HMS NABOB which had run aground.
Sustained structural damage to stern whilst attempting to refloat the stranded sister ship.
(Note: Stores and fuel had to be jettisoned before HMS NABOB could be refloated)
Taken in hand for repair.
February
2nd
Nominated for detached services for use by the US Navy
as a Ferry Carrier
On completion of repair took passage to San Francisco
Called at San Francisco to embark aircraft for delivery to Cochin, India.
8th Took passage to Wellington, New Zealand
25th Arrived at Wellington
26th Took passage to Fremantle, Australia
March Passage in Indian Ocean
18th Arrived at Cochin and disembarked aircraft.
31st Took return passage to Vancouver with call at Melbourne, Australia.
June
28th On completion took passage to San Francisco
July
17th At Cristobal, Panama after transit of Panama Canal.
Passage to Norfolk, Va
August
17th Deployed at Norfolk
September Embarked aircraft for transport of US Navy aircraft to Cape Town.
5th Took passage to Cape Town.
23rd Deployed at Cape Town and disembarked aircraft.
October Return passage to USA after disembarking aircraft.
Returned to RN control
Deployed at New York and embarked 18 CORSAIR aircraft for delivery to UK.
Passage to Clyde from New York.
November
2nd Disembarked aircraft at Belfast.
Took passage to Norfolk for collection of aircraft for RN use.
18th At Norfolk, Va and embarked 18 CORSAIR aircraft for delivery to UK
(Note: Embarkation of Squadron personnel to be confirmed)
December
3rd Disembarked aircraft in Clyde area on arrival.
(Note: Further passage to Norfolk and return to Clyde to be confirmed.
Took passage to Forth
27th Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Rosyth
(Note: The Fuel Distribution System may have been modified..)
1 9 4 5
January Nominated for service as a Deck Landing Training Carrier.
Deployed in Clyde area for training.
Nominated for further deployment as a Ferry Carrier for US Navy.
21st Took passage to San Diego to embark aircraft.
Nominated for deployment with Training Squadron in Home waters
February On arrival deployed for transport of US Navy aircraft
March Detached service with US Navy in continuation.
to
April
May Released from US Navy detached service
2nd Sailed from San Diego for New York
24th Sailed from New York for Clyde.
Nominated for refit and passage to Forth
June Under refit by HM Dockyard Rosyth,
to Nominated for deployment as a troopship.
August
September Conversion to be completed by Tyneside commercial shipyard
Passage to Tyne
12th Under conversion.
(Note: Hangar area modified to provide accommodation for passengers
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes was changed to R323 to conform
with US Navy identity for this type of warship.)