H.M.S. SLINGER Gllery

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HMS SLINGER gallery

Images marked ♠ are from the private collection of Mr John Lawson, former Coder. Images marked ♦ are from the private collection of Reg Hunt, Stores Assistant. Images marked ♣ are kindly supplied by Mr David Yates, part of a collection of materials that belonged to his grandfather, Able Seaman Herbert Wilkinson, who served on SLINGER from September 1944 to December 1945. Images marked ★ are kindly supplied by Rita Truman, part of a collection of materials that belonged to her father, Able Seaman Alfred Jones, who served on SLINGER. Images marked ♥ are kindly supplied by Mr Mike Roshier; Mike kindly loaned two rolls of film negatives shot by his father, Alan John Roshier, while serving on SLINGER in the ship's photographic department in 1945. Images marked ⚑ are from the private collection of Mr Cyril Davies, former Able Seaman, D/JX651199. Images marked ⛊ are from the private collection of Mr E.M. 'Mac' McCarthy, a former Writer who served with MONAB 8 and took passage to Hong Kong on SLINGER. Images marked ▲ are from the private collection of Mr Gerald Sutton, former Able Seaman. Images marked ● are from the private collection of Mr George Blanchard, former Air Mechanic with 1845 Squadron. Additional Images, marked © IWM, are reproduced under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence..

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Under construction at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington: May – September 1942

This is AVG-46 (RANEE) at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington. The hull and flight deck support beams are complete, and the ship is ready for launching. Whereas this vessel was completed on site, AVG-32 (SLINGER) is to be towed up the Pacific coast to the shipyard of Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Oregon, for the completion of her construction as an escort carrier (1) Image via Navsource.net

This is AVG-46 (RANEE) being launched at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington. The hull and flight deck support beams are complete. Whereas this vessel was completed on site, AVG-32 (SLINGER) is to be towed up the Pacific coast to the shipyard of Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Oregon, for the completion of her construction as an escort carrier. Image via Navsource.net

Fitting out and working up : September 1942 - September 1943

Willamette Iron & Steel shipyard in Portland, Oregon, where SLINGER’s build was completed. For 326 days, work progressed on creating and equipping internal compartments, the hangar deck, fitting the flight deck, accelerator and arrestor gear, the island superstructure, sponsons, and armament. Two CVEs are moored alongside the fitting-out wharf in this image. The frronnt carrier (SPEAKER ) appears to have its island and most of the flight deck in place; the rear one (PREMIER ) is less advanced.

Willamette Iron & Steel shipyard in Portland, Oregon, where SLINGER’s build was completed. For 326 days, work progressed on creating and equipping internal compartments, the hangar deck, fitting the flight deck, accelerator and arrestor gear, the island superstructure, sponsons, and armament. The same two CVEs are moored alongside the fitting-out wharf in this overhead view. The carrier on the right (SPEAKER ) appears to have its island and most of the flight deck in place; the one on the left (PREMIER ) is less advanced.

Departing from Portland to pass down the Willamette River from Portland to join the Columbia River on passage to US Navy Station Seattle to begin working up

Departing from Portland, approaching Longview Bridge as she passes down the Columbia River to enter the Pacific Ocean on her maiden voyage.

Testing the flight deck machinery, September 1943

September 15th, 1943: Avenger JZ102 of 848 Squadron from TRUMPETER, the first aircraft to operate from the ship, is about to touch down on SLINGER during exercises to put her flight deck equipment through its paces on passage from Seattle to Balboa. ♠

September 15th, 1943: Avenger JZ102 of 848 Squadron from TRUMPETER attempting to recover flying speed after an arrester wire parted while testing the ship’s flight deck equipment on passage from Seattle to Balboa. ♠

September 15th, 1943: Avenger JZ102 failed to recover sufficient airspeed and ditched off the starboard bow and was overtaken by the ship. The pilot, Lt. P. F. McClintock RNVR, was rescued safely. One end of the broken arrester wire can be clearly seen disappearing into the starboard catwalk where it struck and severely injured an Oerlikon Gunner. ♠

Working-up and a tour as the duty Deck Landing Training Carrier: October - December 1944

October 28th 1944: An Avenger from 778 Service Trials Unit at RNAS Arbroath was testing the ship’s flight deck equipment, making arrested landings and catapult-assisted take-offs. On its final landing, it ended up in the barrier. ♠

C. November 1944 SLINGER, accompanied by her plane guard, turns into the wind in preparation for launching Seasies. ♠

The members of the flight deck handling party c. November 1944

c. November 1044: Seafire NF565 belonging to 768 Deck Landing Training Squadron from RNAS Abbotsinch is ready for take-off; the chocks have been removed, and the pilot is running his engine up to full power.★

c. November 1044: an unidentified Seafire belonging to 768 Deck Landing Training Squadron from RNAS Abbotsinch during take-off.★

c. November 1044: an unidentified Seafire belonging to 768 Deck Landing Training Squadron from RNAS Abbotsinch has had a barrier crash; the force of the impact has caused the aircraft to pitch onto its nose.

c. December 1944: Practice shoot of the 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns. © IWM (A 26910)S

1845 Squadron joins the ship : December 1945

Corsair 7T of 1845 Squadron, on its nose after entering the barrier. Date not known.

Corsair 7P of 1845 squadron coming in to make a shaky landing - date not known.

Corsair 7P of 1845 Squadron, having made a poor landing approach, has missed all the wires and is caught by the barrier. Date not known. (1)

Corsair 7P of 1845 Squadron, having made a poor landing approach, has missed all the wires and is caught by the barrier. Date not known. (2)

January 3rd 1945: Corsair 7M of 1845 Squadron about to begin its takeoff run for an unaccelerated takeoff.

January 3rd 1945: Corsairs of 1845 Squadron make a practice attack run on the ship as part of the ship and squadron work-up before sailing for the Pacific.

Passage to Australia: January 11th - February 25th 1945

January 19t 1945, Malta: Entrance to Valletta harbour. ●

c. mid-January 1945, SPEAKER following SLINGER on passaage to PortSaid. ●

January 28th 1945, Aden: Flint Island oil storage tanks.★

January 28th 1945, Aden: view of Steamer Point, looking out toward the harbour.★

February 4th 1945, Ceylon: Entering Colombo harbour (1) ●

February 4th 1945, Ceylon: Entering Colombo harbour (2) ●

Aomeshere in the Indian ocean: HMS ESKIMO comming alonside to collect stores via jackstay. ●

February 25th 1945, off the New South Wales coast approaching Sydney: The majority of 1845 Squadron Corsairs fly over the ship before departing for RNAS Schofields.

February 25th 1945, entering Sydney Harbour: approaching the bridge, a Battleship, either KING GEORGE V or HOWE, is moored off Kirribilli Point. ♣

February 25th 1945, entering Sydney Harbour: SLINGER has passed under the bridge; the remaining aircraft are ranged on the flight deck for entering harbour. She is making her way to a mooring at Pyrmont where she will unload her damaged and reserve aircraft.. (1) ♣

February 28th 1945, Sydney: SLINGER passing the Walsh Bay Piers, approaching the bridge, moving from Pyrmont to a berth at Circular Quay. With the aid of the Tug HERO. ♣

Crossing the line ceremony: February 8th 1945

King Neptune, accompanied by his loyal assistant Davey Jones and Her Royal Highness Princess Amphitrite, comes aboard. ♣

The royal party are escorted by their guards to meet the captain. ♣

King Neptune and Her Royal Highness Princess Amphitrite hold court. ♣

The Captain welcomes the visitors. ♣

The Commander is decorated. ♣

The King, the Princess and retinue. ♣

H.M. King Neptune ♣

A last minute introduction to the guard of honour. ♣

King Neptune addresses the ships company. ♣

Commander "Big Willie" Roberts is attacked by the Bears. ♣

The Commander waits for a ducking ♣

He’s had it ♣

Everyone completing the ceremony received a certificate: this is the template. ♣

This one was awarded to Able Seaman Herbert Wilkinson and is a particularly fine example. ♣

This one was awarded to Able Seaman Gerald Sutton, a little less embellished example. ▲

This far more basic one was awarded to Naval Airman George Blanchard of 1845 Squadron. ●

Operations in the Pacific with the British Pacific Fleet: March – November 1945

March 26th 1945: SLINGER at anchor in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, the Philippines, where she became part of Logistic Support Group Task Unit 112.2.3. ♣

March 26th 1945: SLINGER at anchor in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, the Philippines. A load of external fuel tanks is taken aboard from a lighter using one of the ship's A-frame derricks. ♣

View of SPEAKER sailing in company with SLINGER in the fleet refuelling area to issue spare airframes during the replenishment period April 2nd - 5th off the Philippines. ⚑

c. April 3rd 1945: A reserve Hellcat sits on the flight deck with its engine running and chocks in place, ready to launch bound for one of the fleet carriers as a replenishment airframe carried aboard SLINGER to replace operational losses.♣

c. April 3rd 1945: A reserve Hellcat being readied for a catapult launch. The bridle is attached to the aircraft and the catapult shuttle; the flight deck party are about to attach the holdback clamp, which will restrain the aircraft until the catapult is fired.

c. April 3rd 1945: A Corsair leaves the deck bound for one of the fleet carriers as a replenishment airframe carried aboard SLINGER to replace operational losses during a fleet replenishment period in the Pacific.

April 4th 1945: Casualties from INDEFATIGABLE are taken on board by jackstay transfer from destroyers. These are men from fleet carrier hit by Kamikaze attacks; they are to be transferred to the Hospital ship OXFORDSHIRE at Leyte.

April 4th 1945: Casualties from INDEFATIGABLE are taken on board by jackstay transfer from destroyers. The transfer is made using the starboard derrick, and crewmen use ropes to haul the litter across between the destroyer and the carrier, with the casualty received on the 5-inch gun sponson below. Replacement Fireflies are parked on the rounddown ⚑.

April 4th 1945: A casualty from INDEFATIGABLE is taken on board by jackstay transfer using a special stretcher with canvas sides. ⚑

April 4th 1945: A long line of men manning the line that hauls the casualty stretcher over from the destroyer, keeping station on the starboard side. (1) ⚑

April 4th 1945: A long line of men manning the line that hauls the casualty stretcher over from the destroyer, keeping station on the starboard side. (2) ⚑

April 4th 1945: A casualty has arrived safely on the starboard 5-inch gun sponson.

April 6th 1945: A burial at sea is held for Petty Officer Mitchell, one of the casualties taken off the fleet carrier INDEFATIGABLE. He died of injuries sustained in a Kamikaze attack after being taken aboard SLINGER (1) ⚑

c. April 8th 1945 at Leyte: a US Navy Sikorsky R4 visits the ship (1) ⚑

c. April 8th 1945 at Leyte: a US Navy Sikorsky R4 visits the ship (2) ⚑