A History of HMS SEARCHER

Laid down 20 February 1942, at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma, Washington, a C3-S-A1 type freighter Maritime Commission hull number 238, Seattle-Tacoma hull number 22; purchased by the US navy, to become AVG-22 (no name announced) 27 July 1942. Whilst still under construction it had been decided that AVG-22 9later changed to ACV-22) was to be transferred to the Admiralty on loan on her completion as an aircraft carrier. ACV -22 was launched on 20 June 1942 and was towed from Seattle to Astoria, Washington on June 24th by th USS Tatnuck (AT--27). ACV-22 was assigned to Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, for the completion of her construction as an escort carrier.. She was transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend Lease and delivered on 7 April 1943; commissioned into RN service at Portland, Oregon as HMS SEARCHER (D40), Captain G.O.C. Davies RN in command. US Navy designation changed from ACV to CVE on 15 July 1943

In UK water Feb - April 1945, DLTs by 746 Night Fighter Interception Unit from RNAS Ford.

CVE-22 was returned to US Navy custody on 29 Nov 1945, and was stricken for disposal 7 Feb 1946. She was sold into merchant service as Captain Theo. Later renamed Oriental Banker in 1965. She was scrapped at Taiwan starting 21 April 1976.

Content revised: July 2008