A History of HMS RAVAGER

Laid down 11 April 1942, at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma, Washington, a C3-S-A1 type freighter, Maritime Commission  hull number 240, Seattle-Tacoma hull number 24; sponsored by Mrs. C. G. Mitchell. The hull was purchased by the US navy to be the USS RAVAGER ACV-24 (later changed to CVE-24 on July 15th 1943). She was launched on 16 July 1942. Her hull was towed to the Commercial Iron Works yard, Portland, Oregon, for completion and fitting out as an aircraft carrier. Whilst still under construction it had been decided that AVG-24 was to be transferred to the Admiralty on loan on her completion as an aircraft carrier. She was transferred to the Royal Navy on 25 April 1943 and commissioned in RN service, at Portland, as HMS RAVAGER (D70, Captain A. A. Murray RN in command.

After completing her builder’s sea trials and her acceptance by the Admiralty Ravager sailed to Vancouver, Canada to be modified to meet Admiralty requirements, receive her full crew compliment, complete sea trials and work up ready for beginning her active service. This work was undertaken by the Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Leaving Vancouver in July 1943 Ravager sailed for the Panama Canal, embarking the men and aircraft of 846 squadron from US Naval Air Station Quonset Point for transit to UK.

HMS Ravager initially saw service in the Atlantic convoy escort duties, operating the wildcats of 835 and Hellcats of 804 squadrons between September and October 1943. but From the end of 1944 Ravager was mainly employed as a Deck Landing Training carrier, operating off the Scottish coast.

CVE 24 arrived at Norfolk, Virginia on 9 February 1946 and was returned to USN custody on 27 February 1946; she was stricken for disposal 12 April 1946. She was sold to William B. St. John of New York City, 1 July 1947 and refitted for merchant service as the SS Robin Trent, later becoming Trent. She was scrapped in Taiwan in 1973.

Content revised: July 2008