AVENGER CLASS
Modified US Long Island Class
The first batch of escort carrier conversions utilizing merchant C3
passenger-cargo liners; generally similar to Archer but conversions
carried out prior to the vessels completion as freighters. All four
vessels ordered for RN service, but Charger was retained by USN for
joint USN/RN training purposes. Avenger had no Island. ARCHER was the prototype and had a displacement of: 15,700 tons tons gross
Specifications:
Displacement 15,120 tons gross
Length 465 ft (Hull) 492 ft (Flight deck)
Beam 69ft 6 in (Hull) 78 ft (Flight deck)
Speed: 16.5 Knots
5 Ships: ARCHER, AVENGER, BITER, CHARGER, DASHER
ATTACKER CLASS
US BOGUE CLASS (C3 conversions)
Developed from, and generally similar to, Avenger class, this design
was the final development of the US C3 type conversion program.
Converted from incomplete C3 merchant hulls, this class of CVE
benefited from a greater degree of conversion being possible
compared to the earlier C3 conversions which were completed on
completed hulls.
Specifications:
Displacement 14,630 tons gross
Length 465 ft, (Hull)
495 ft 6 in (Flight deck)
Beam 69ft 5 in (Hull)
111 ft 6in (Flight deck)
Speed: 18 Knots
11 Ships:
ATTACKER
BATTLER
CHASER
FENCER
HUNTER
PURSUER
RAVAGER
SEARCHER
STALKER
STRIKER
TRACKER
NAIRANA CLASS
British built
Two fast freighters converted into escort carriers by British
shipyards. Although there are two vessels in this class, HMS VINDEX
was not a duplicate of HMS NAIRANA.
Specifications:
Displacement 17,210 tons gross
Length 424 ft,
Beam 68 ft
Sped: 16 Knots
2 Ships:
NAIRANA
VINDEX
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AMEER CLASS
US BOGUE CLASS ( Purpose built based on C3 hulls)
A second batch of Bogue class vessels, ordered in response to a
continued need for escort carriers. Built from the keel up as
carriers, these ships were almost identical to the first batch of
Bogue conversions. All but one of this batch of ships were to be
transferred to the RN.
Specifications:
Displacement 15,646 tons gross
Length 465 ft (Hull)
495 ft 6 in (Flight deck)
Beam 69.5 in (Hull)
111 ft 6 in (Flight deck)
Speed: 18 Knots
17 Ships:
AMEER
ARBITER
ATHELING
BEGUM
EMPEROR
EMPRESS
KHEDIVE
NABOB
PREMIER
QUEEN
RAJAH
RANEE
RULER
SHAH
SPEAKER
THANE
TRUMPETER
SMITER CLASS
US BOGUE CLASS (Purpose built based on C3 hulls)
A sub class of the second batch of Bogue class vessels named with
aggressive action names, possibly carried over from the ATTACKER
Class.
Specifications:
Displacement 15,646 tons gross
Length 465 ft (Hull)
495 ft 6 in (Flight deck)
Beam 69.5 in (Hull)
111 ft 6 in (Flight deck)
Sped: 18 Knots
6 Ships:
PATROLLER
PUNCHER
REAPER
SLINGER
SMITER
TROUNCER
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ONE OFF
VESSELS
AUDACITY
Audacity was the RNs first escort carrier, intended to provide
basic air cover for convoys. This was a very basic conversion, but
well over 100 merchant-hulled escort carriers followed her.
Specifications:
Displacement 15,646 tons gross
Length 465 ft
Beam 69 ft 6 in
Speed: 18 Knots
ACTIVITY
Second RN-converted escort carrier, taken over prior to completion
as a merchant ship she was converted to an improved design which
included a small hanger and a small Island.
Specifications:
Displacement 14,250 tons gross
Length 512ft
Beam 66 ft 6 in
Speed: 18 Knots
CAMPANIA
A fast freighter converted before completion. Very similar in layout
to the two NAIRANA class vessels.
Specifications:
Displacement 15,970 tons gross
Length 540 ft
Beam70 ft
Speed: 16 Knots
PRETORIA CASTLE
The largest of the RN escort carriers, Pretoria Castle could operate
up to 21 aircraft. Converted from a passenger liner she was
initially employed as an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC) early in the
war, Purchased by the Admiralty in 1943 for conversion to an escort
carrier.
Specifications:
Displacement 23,450 tons gross
Length 592 ft,
Beam 76 ft
Speed: 18 Knots
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