List of escort carriers by country
Encyclopedia
The list of escort carriers by country includes all escort aircraft carriers organized by country of origin and service. Where appropriate, a single ship may be listed under multiple countries. For the list of fleet and light carriers see List of aircraft carriers by country.
Escort carriers and similar aviation vessels operated by the Japanese Imperial Army:
Activity (D94) - 1942 onwards
Nairana class
- 17,000 tons, 15-20 aircraft
Pretoria Castle (F61)
(former merchant cruiser converted 1943), 23,000 tons, 21 aircraft, used for trials and training only.
Campania (D48)
(1944), 13,000 tons 18 aircraft
Carriers operated
Nation | Planned | Built | Cancelled | Operated | Lost |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||
UK | 6 | 45 | 5 | ||
US |
Japan
- Taiyo class
- TaiyoJapanese aircraft carrier TaiyoTaiyō was the lead ship of Taiyō-class of escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and Conversion:...
(1941) - UnyōJapanese aircraft carrier UnyoUnyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and conversion:The liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in December 1938, launched in October 1939 and commissioned in July 1940, was...
(1942) - ChuyoJapanese aircraft carrier ChuyoChūyō was a Taiyō-class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.-Construction and Conversion:The was an ocean liner of the Nippon Yusen shipping line, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in May 1938, launched in May 1939 and commissioned on 23 March 1940...
(1942)
- Taiyo
- KaiyoJapanese aircraft carrier Kaiyowas a escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. The ship was originally built as the ocean liner Argentina Maru. She was purchased by the IJN on 9 December 1942, converted into an escort carrier, and renamed Kaiyo. The ship was primarily used as an aircraft transport,...
(1943) - damaged by aircraft and abandoned - ShinyoJapanese aircraft carrier Shinyowas an escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy, converted from the German ocean liner , which had been purchased by the Japanese Navy. The liner had been trapped in Kure, Japan following the outbreak of World War II in Europe, which prevented any attempt for the ship to return to...
(1943) - torpedoed and lost
Escort carriers and similar aviation vessels operated by the Japanese Imperial Army:
- Shimane Maru class escort carrier - 2 ships not completed by end of war
- Yamashio MaruJapanese aircraft carrier Yamashio Maruwas a Japanese Escort carrier of the Second World War converted from a Merchant Tanker for use by the Imperial Japanese Army. It was sunk by American aircraft before it could be operationally used as a carrier.-Construction:...
- Nigitsu Maru
- Kumano MaruKumano Maruwas a landing ship with flight deck built for the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Launched and completed in early 1945, the ship saw no significant action.-Construction:...
United Kingdom
- Audacity (D10)HMS Audacity (D10)|HMS Audacity was a British escort carrier of the Second World War and the first of her kind. She was originally the German merchant ship Hannover, captured by the Royal Navy in the West Indies in March 1940 and renamed Sinbad, then Empire Audacity. She was converted and commissioned as HMS Empire...
(1941) - torpedoed and lost 1941 - Long Island classLong Island class escort carrierThe Long Island-class escort carrier was a two-ship class, originally listed as "AVG" . They were converted from merchant ships....
- Archer (D78)HMS Archer (D78)HMS Archer was a built by the United States in 1939–1940 and operated by the Royal Navy during World War II. She was built as the cargo ship Mormancland, but was converted to an escort carrier and renamed HMS Archer. Her transmission was a constant cause of problems which led to her being...
- Archer (D78)
- Avenger classAvenger class escort carrierThere were three Avenger class escort carriers in service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. All three were originally American merchant ships in the process of being built at the Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Chester, Pennsylvania...
, 15,000 tons full load, 15-30 aircraft- Avenger (D14)HMS Avenger (D14)HMS Avenger was a Royal Navy escort aircraft carrier during the Second World War. In 1939 she was laid down as the merchant ship Rio-Hudson at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company yard in Chester, Pennsylvania. Launched on 27 November 1940, she was converted to an escort carrier and transferred...
- torpedoed and lost 1942 - Biter (D97)HMS Biter (D97)HMS Biter was a Royal Navy escort carrier during the Second World War. She was laid down as a merchant ship at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company yard at Chester, Pennsylvania. Launched on 28 December 1939, she was converted to an escort carrier and commissioned in the Royal Navy on 6 May...
- ChargerUSS Charger (CVE-30)USS Charger was an escort carrier of the United States Navy during World War II....
- not delivered, retained by USN - DasherHMS Dasher (D37)HMS Dasher was a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier, of the Avenger class – converted merchant vessels – and one of the shortest lived escort carriers.-Design and description:...
- exploded 1943
- Avenger (D14)
- Bogue classBogue class escort carrierThe Bogue-class were a group of escort carriers built in the United States for service with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy during World War II....
- Tracker group - 9,800 tons, 20 aircraft
BattlerHMS Battler (D18)USS Altamaha was an Attacker-class escort carrier that served during World War II as HMS Battler in the Royal Navy.-Pre-commission:...
- AttackerHMS Attacker (D02)HMS Attacker was an American-built Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War....
- HunterHMS Hunter (D80)USS Block Island was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served during World War II....
- ChaserHMS Chaser (D32)The USS Breton was an Attacker-class escort aircraft carrier that served during World War II....
- FencerHMS Fencer (D64)USS Croatan was transferred to the United Kingdom on 27 February 1943 under lend-lease where she served as HMS Fencer ...
- StalkerHMS Stalker (D91)The USS Hamlin was one of a large group of escort aircraft carriers built on Maritime Commission C-3 hulls and transferred to the United Kingdom under lend-lease during World War II. Launched by Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California, 5 March 1942, as AVG-15, aircraft escort...
- PursuerHMS Pursuer (D73)The USS St. George was laid down on 31 July 1941 as a C3-S-A2 by Ingalls Shipbuilding, Hull 296 of Pascagoula, Mississippi, under Maritime Commission contract as the SS Mormacland for Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc. . She was renamed St...
- StrikerHMS Striker (D12)The name Prince William was assigned to MC hull 198, a converted C3 laid down by the Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California, 15 December 1941....
- SearcherHMS Searcher (D40)HMS Searcher was an Ruler-class escort carrier escort carrier of the Royal Navy. Built in Seattle in the United States she was transferred to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease. Launched in 1942 she served until 29 November 1945. She was sold into merchant service and renamed Captain Theo...
- RavagerHMS Ravager (D70)HMS Ravager was an Ruler class escort carrier escort carrier built in the United States and operated by the Royal Navy during World War II....
- TrackerHMS Tracker (D24)|...
- Tracker group - 9,800 tons, 20 aircraft
Battler
- Ruler group - 8,000 tons
- SlingerHMS Slinger (D26)The USS Chatham was built at the Seattle-Tacoma S/Y, Hull #27, Seattle WA and transferred to the United Kingdom 11 August 1943 under lend-lease and renamed HMS Slinger . Outfitted by the British as a transport carrier, the ship was mined on 5 February 1944 but returned to service, 17 October...
- AthelingHMS Atheling (D51)The second USS Glacier was an escort aircraft carrier built by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation. of Tacoma, Washington, under Maritime Commission Contract. Glacier was launched 7 September 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Richard P. Luker, and commissioned 12 July 1943, Comdr. Ward C...
- EmperorHMS Emperor (D98)The USS Pybus was laid down 23 June 1942 as MC Hull No. 245 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Washington; originally classified AVG-34, she was reclassified as ACV-34 on 20 August 1942; launched 7 October 1942; commissioned 31 May 1943 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Wash.; reclassified as CVE-34 15...
- AmeerHMS Ameer (D01)The escort carrier USS Baffins was launched 18 October 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. Laurence Bennett, wife of Commander Bennett; and commissioned 28 June 1943, Captain W. L. Rees in command...
- BegumHMS Begum (D38)The USS Bolinas was an escort aircraft carrier launched 11 November 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding, Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. G. B. Sherwood, wife of Commander Sherwood; and commissioned 22 July 1943, Captain H. L...
- TrumpeterHMS Trumpeter (D09)The USS Bastian was an escort aircraft carrier built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding of Tacoma, Washington, laid down on 25 August 1942 and launched 15 December 1942...
- EmpressHMS Empress (D42)The USS Carnegie was an escort aircraft carrier built in 1942-43 for transfer to the United Kingdom. She was reclassified ACV-38 on 20 August 1942, and CVE-38 on 15 July 1943...
- KhediveHMS Khedive (D62)The USS Cordova was an escort aircraft carrier launched 27 December 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding of Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. A. E. Mitchell. Reclassified CVE-39 on 15 July 1943, Cordova was transferred to the Royal Navy on 25 August 1943, as HMS Khedive ...
- SpeakerHMS Speaker (D90)HMS Speaker , a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier, based on a "C3" hull, was originally the USS Delgada which was transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease program.-Design and description:...
- NabobHMS Nabob (D77)HMS Nabob was a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier which served in the Royal Navy during 1943 and 1944. The ship was built in the United States as USS Edisto but did not serve with the United States Navy.She was laid down on 20 October 1942, launched 22 March 1943, and transferred under...
- damaged by torpedo, not repaired - PremierHMS Premier (D23)The first USS Estero was an escort aircraft carrier launched 22 March 1943 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Seattle, Washington, and sponsored by Mrs. C. N. Ingraham. She was reclassified CVE-42 on 15 July 1943...
- ShahHMS Shah (D21)The USS Jamaica , was an escort aircraft carrier of World War II that served in the British Royal Navy as HMS Shah . Returned to the USA at War's end, she was converted into a merchant vessel and she was sold into civilian service in 1946 as Salta...
- PatrollerHMS Patroller (D07)HMS Patrollor was an escort carrier in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Laid down in 1942 at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding company, she was originally named the USS Keeweenaw....
- RajahHMS Rajah (D10)The USS Prince was an escort aircraft carrier laid down 17 December 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation of Tacoma, Washington, renamed Prince 13 November 1942; launched 18 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. J. L...
- RaneeHMS Ranee (D03)The USS Niantic , was a US escort aircraft carrier, that served in the Royal Navy as HMS Ranee .Niantic, originally given the designation AVG-46, was redesignated as ACV-46 on 20 August 1942. She was laid down by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation of Tacoma, Washington on 5 January 1943;...
- TrouncerHMS Trouncer (D85)The USS Perdido was laid down as ACV-47 under Maritime Commission contract by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding of Tacoma, Washington, 1 February 1943; launched 16 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. H. M...
- ThaneHMS Thane (D48)The USS Sunset was assigned on 23 August 1942 to MC hull 259, a modified C3-S-A1 laid down on 23 February 1943 by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding of Tacoma, Washington; launched on 15 July and redesignated CVE-48 the same day; sponsored by Mrs. C.E...
- damaged by torpedo, not repaired - QueenHMS Queen (D19)The USS St. Andrews was assigned to MC hull 260 on 23 August 1942, a ship to be built to modified C3-S-A1 plans. She was laid down on 12 March 1943 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation of Tacoma, Washington; redesignated CVE-49 on 15 July; and launched on 31 July; sponsored by Mrs....
- RulerHMS Ruler (D72)HMS Ruler was an escort aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy during World War II. Built in the United States as St. Joseph for lend-lease to the UK, it was a Bogue-class carrier....
- ArbiterHMS Arbiter (D31)The USS St. Simon , an escort aircraft carrier originally classified as an auxiliary aircraft carrier, was laid down on 26 April 1943 at Tacoma, Washington, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, under a Maritime Commission contract ; reclassified as an escort aircraft carrier, CVE-51, on...
- SmiterHMS Smiter (D55)The USS Vermillion was laid down on 10 May 1943 by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation as a Bogue-class auxiliary aircraft carrier; redesignated an escort aircraft carrier, CVE-52, on 10 June 1943; assigned to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease on 23 June 1943; launched on 27 September...
- PuncherHMS Puncher (D79)USS Willapa was a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier in the United States Navy, leased to the United Kingdom....
- ReaperHMS Reaper (D82)The USS Winjah was a Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, leased to the Royal Navy during World War II....
- Slinger
Nairana class escort carrier
The Nairana-class escort carrier was a British-built class of three escort carriers. They were constructed one each in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to the same basic design during the Second World War for service with the Royal Navy....
- 17,000 tons, 15-20 aircraft
- Nairana (D05)HMS Nairana (D05)HMS Nairana was the lead ship of the Royal Navy's s that saw service in the Second World War. She was built at John Brown & Company shipyards in Clydebank, Scotland...
(1943) - to Royal Netherlands NavyRoyal Netherlands NavyThe Koninklijke Marine is the navy of the Netherlands. In the mid-17th century the Dutch Navy was the most powerful navy in the world and it played an active role in the wars of the Dutch Republic and later those of the Batavian Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
as Karel Doorman 1946-1948 - Vindex (D15)HMS Vindex (D15)HMS Vindex was a of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was built at Swan Hunter shipyards in Newcastle upon Tyne...
(1943) - decommissioned 1947 and into merchant use
HMS Pretoria Castle (F61)
HMS Pretoria Castle was an armed merchant cruiser and escort aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy that saw service during World War II...
(former merchant cruiser converted 1943), 23,000 tons, 21 aircraft, used for trials and training only.
HMS Campania (D48)
HMS Campania was an escort aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. After the war, the ship was used as a floating exhibition hall for the 1951 Festival of Britain and as the command ship for the 1952 Operation Hurricane, the test of the prototype British atomic...
(1944), 13,000 tons 18 aircraft
US
- Long Island classLong Island class escort carrierThe Long Island-class escort carrier was a two-ship class, originally listed as "AVG" . They were converted from merchant ships....
, 2 built - 1 to UK - Bogue classBogue class escort carrierThe Bogue-class were a group of escort carriers built in the United States for service with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy during World War II....
- Sangamon classSangamon class escort carrierThe Sangamon class were a group of four escort aircraft carriers of the United States Navy that served during World War II.-Overview:These ships were originally MARAD type T3-S2-A1 oilers, launched in 1939 for civilian use. They were acquired and commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1940-41...
11,400 4 built, 25-32 aircraft - Charger classAvenger class escort carrierThere were three Avenger class escort carriers in service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War. All three were originally American merchant ships in the process of being built at the Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company Chester, Pennsylvania...
, 4, 3 to UK - Casablanca classCasablanca class escort carrierThe Casablanca class escort aircraft carriers were the greatest number of not only escort carriers, but also any size aircraft carrier ever built to a like-design by any nation at any time. Fifty were laid down, launched and commissioned within the space of less than two years - 3 November 1942...
7,800 tons, 28 aircraft, 50 built - Commencement Bay classCommencement Bay class escort carrierThe Commencement Bay-class escort aircraft carriers were based on the Maritime Commission T3 type tanker hull, which gave them a displacement of approximately 23,000 tons and a length of 557 feet...
, 11,000 tons 34 aircraft 19 of 33 built
See also
- List of escort aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy
- List of escort aircraft carriers of the United States Navy