A History of HMS RAVAGER
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HMS RAVAGER pictured in the aircraft ferry role, 11
November 944. |
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.
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HMS RAVAGER operating in her primary role as a Deck
Landing Training Carrier |
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.
A
fuller account of this ships history will be added at some time in
the future.
Content revised:
31 October 2021
Sources used in compiling this account:
Click here for a list of
Primary sources
Additional sources:
Fold3.com various documents including;
Admiralty War Diaries
Norfolk Navy Yard War Diaries
Mew York Navy Yard War Diaries
Miscellaneous documents
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