HMS Fencer (D64): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Royal Navy escort carrier}} |
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{{otherships2|USS Croatan|HMS Fencer}} |
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{{other ships|USS Croatan}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}} |
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{{Use British English|date=February 2017}} |
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{|{{Infobox ship begin}} |
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{{Infobox ship image |
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|Ship image= |
|Ship image=HMS Fencer D64.jpg |
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|Ship caption=HMS ''Fencer'' |
|Ship caption=HMS ''Fencer'' c. 1945 |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox ship career |
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|Hide header= |
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|Ship country= |
|Ship country= United States |
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|Ship flag={{USN flag|1942}} |
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1942}} |
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|Ship name= |
|Ship name= ''Croatan'' |
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|Ship namesake= |
|Ship namesake= [[Croatan Sound]], North Carolina |
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|Ship ordered = as type ([[Type C3-class ship|C3-S-A1]]) hull, [[Maritime Commission|MC]] hull 197{{sfn|Gerhardt}} |
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|Ship operator= |
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|Ship |
|Ship awarded= 30 September 1940 |
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|Ship builder= [[Western Pipe and Steel Company]], [[San Francisco]], California |
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|Ship awarded= |
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|Ship |
|Ship original cost= $7,992,456 |
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|Ship |
|Ship yard number= 77 |
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|Ship |
|Ship way number= 4 |
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|Ship way number= |
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|Ship laid down= 5 September 1941 |
|Ship laid down= 5 September 1941 |
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|Ship launched= 4 April 1942 |
|Ship launched= 4 April 1942 |
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|Ship commissioned= 20 February 1943 |
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|Ship sponsor= |
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|Ship |
|Ship recommissioned= |
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|Ship decommissioned= 27 February 1943 |
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|Ship completed= |
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|Ship in service= |
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|Ship commissioned=20 February 1943 and immediately transferred under lend lease to the Royal Navy |
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|Ship out of service= |
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|Ship renamed= |
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|Ship reclassified= *ACV, 20 Aug 1942 |
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*CVE, 15 July 1943 |
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|Ship refit= |
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|Ship identification= *[[Hull classification symbol#Aircraft carrier type|Hull symbol]]: AVG-14 |
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*ACV-14 |
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*CVE-14 |
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|Ship captured= |
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|Ship struck= |
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|Ship reinstated= |
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|Ship fate= Transferred to the [[Royal Navy]], 27 February 1943 |
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|Ship notes= |
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}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship country= |
|Ship country= United Kingdom |
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|Ship flag={{shipboxflag| |
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}} |
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|Ship name= |
|Ship name= ''Fencer'' |
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|Ship namesake= |
|Ship namesake= One who participates in the sport of [[fencing]] |
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|Ship |
|Ship acquired= 27 February 1943 |
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|Ship commissioned= 1 March 1943 |
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|Ship recommissioned= |
|Ship recommissioned= |
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|Ship decommissioned= |
|Ship decommissioned= 11 December 1946 |
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|Ship in service= |
|Ship in service= |
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|Ship out of service= |
|Ship out of service= |
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|Ship identification=* [[Pennant number]]: D64 (Atlantic service) |
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*R308 (Pacific service) |
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|Ship renamed= |
|Ship renamed= |
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|Ship reclassified= |
|Ship reclassified= |
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|Ship refit= |
|Ship refit= |
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|Ship |
|Ship captured= |
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|Ship struck= |
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|Ship reinstated= |
|Ship reinstated= |
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|Ship fate= Returned to the [[US Navy]], 11 December 1946 |
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|Ship homeport= |
|Ship homeport= |
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|Ship honours= *Atlantic 1943–1944 |
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|Ship identification= |
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*Salerno 1943 |
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|Ship motto= |
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*South France 1944 |
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|Ship nickname= |
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*Aegean 1944{{sfn|Fleet Air Arm Officers Association}} |
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|Ship honours= |
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}} |
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|Ship captured= |
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{{Infobox ship career |
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|Ship fate= Sold as a merchant ship; scrapped 1975 |
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|Ship status= |
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|Ship |
|Ship country=United States |
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|Ship |
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1946}} |
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|Ship name= ''CVE-14'' |
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|Ship acquired= 11 December 1946 |
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|Ship commissioned= |
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|Ship recommissioned= |
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|Ship decommissioned= |
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|Ship in service= |
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|Ship out of service= |
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|Ship reclassified= |
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|Ship struck= 28 January 1947 |
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|Ship fate= Sold for commercial use, 30 December 1947 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Infobox ship characteristics |
{{Infobox ship characteristics |
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|Header caption= |
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|Ship class= |
|Ship class=*{{sclass|Bogue|escort carrier}} (USA) |
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*{{sclass|Attacker|escort carrier}} (UK) |
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|Ship type= |
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|Ship displacement= |
|Ship displacement= |
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*{{cvt|10200|LT|lk=on|-1}} [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|(standard)]] |
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|Ship length= {{convert|491|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} |
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*{{cvt|14400|LT|-1}} [[Displacement (ship)#Loaded displacement|(full load)]] |
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|Ship beam= {{convert|105|ft|m|abbr=on}} |
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|Ship |
|Ship length= |
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*{{convert|465|ft|abbr=on}} ([[Waterline length|wl]]) |
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*{{convert|496|ft|abbr=on}} ([[Length overall|oa]]) |
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|Ship depth= |
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*{{convert|440|ft|abbr=on}} ([[Flight deck|fd]]) |
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|Ship hold depth= |
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|Ship beam= |
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*{{cvt|69|ft|6|in}} wl |
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*{{cvt|82|ft}} (fd) |
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*{{cvt|111|ft|6|in}} (extreme width) |
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|Ship draught= |
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*{{cvt|23|ft|3|in}} (mean) |
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*{{cvt|26|ft}} (deep load) |
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|Ship power= |
|Ship power= |
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*2 × [[Water-tube boiler#Babcock & Wilcox boiler|Foster-Wheeler]] {{cvt|285|psi|lk=on}} boilers |
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|Ship propulsion=Steam turbines, 1 shaft, 8,500 shp (6.3 MW) |
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*{{cvt|8500|shp|lk=on}} |
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|Ship speed= {{convert|18|kn|km/h}} |
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|Ship |
|Ship propulsion= |
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*1 × [[General Electric]] or [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation|Westinghouse]] [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbine]] |
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*1 × [[Propeller|Screw]] |
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|Ship speed={{cvt|18|kn|lk=in}} |
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|Ship range={{cvt|27300|nmi|lk=in}} at {{cvt|11|kn}} |
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|Ship endurance= |
|Ship endurance= |
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|Ship boats= |
|Ship boats= |
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|Ship capacity= |
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|Ship complement=646 officers and enlisted |
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*{{cvt|3100|LT|0|lk=in}} ([[fuel oil]]) |
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*{{cvt|50000|usgal}} ([[Avgas]]) |
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|Ship complement=646 |
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|Ship time to activate= |
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|Ship sensors= |
|Ship sensors= |
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|Ship EW= |
|Ship EW= |
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|Ship armament=2 × |
|Ship armament=*2 × single [[5"/51 caliber gun|{{cvt|5|in|0}}/51 caliber gun]] (removed by RN) |
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*2 × single [[QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun|QF {{cvt|4|in}} Mk V]] [[dual-purpose gun]]s (installed by RN) |
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*4 × twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|{{cvt|40|mm|2}} Bofors]] [[anti-aircraft warfare|antiaircraft]] (AA) guns |
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*8 × twin [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{cvt|20|mm|2}} Oerlikon cannons]] |
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*10 × single 20 mm Oerlikon cannons |
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|Ship armour= |
|Ship armour= |
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|Ship |
|Ship armor= |
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|Ship aircraft= 24 |
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|Ship aircraft facilities= |
|Ship aircraft facilities= |
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*1 × [[aircraft catapult|hydraulic catapult]] |
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*2 × [[Elevator#Elevators for aircraft|elevators]] |
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|Ship notes= |
|Ship notes= |
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}} |
}} |
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{{service record |
{{Infobox service record |
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|is_ship=yes |
|is_ship=yes |
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|label= |
|label= |
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|partof=[[British Pacific Fleet]] ( |
|partof=[[British Pacific Fleet]] (1944–1945) |
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|codes= |
|codes= |
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|commanders= |
|commanders= |
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|operations=[[Battle of the Atlantic |
|operations=*[[Battle of the Atlantic]] (1943–1944) |
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*[[Operation Tungsten]] (1944) |
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|victories= |
|victories= |
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|awards= |
|awards= |
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}} |
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'''HMS ''Fencer'' (D64/R308)''' was an American-built {{sclass|Attacker|escort carrier}} that served with the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]]. |
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'''USS ''Croatan'' (CVE-14)''' (originally '''AVG-14''' then '''ACV-14''') was transferred to the [[United Kingdom]] on 20 February 1943 under [[lend-lease]] where she served as '''HMS ''Fencer'' (D64)'''. As an [[anti-submarine warfare]] carrier, ''Fencer'' escorted [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]], [[Russia]]n and [[Africa]]n convoys, even participating in a strike on the German battleship [[German battleship Tirpitz|''Tirpitz'']] before being transferred to the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]]. Following [[World War II]], she returned to the [[United States]] 21 December 1946, stricken for disposal on 28 January 1947 and sold into merchant service 30 December as ''Sydney''. |
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Acquired by the [[United States Navy]] for conversion to a {{sclass|Bogue|escort carrier}}; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as ''Fencer'' on 1 March 1943, under the [[Lend-Lease]] agreement. She spent most of her career escorting [[convoys]] in the [[North Atlantic]] and [[Arctic Ocean]], she transferred to the [[East Indies Fleet|British East Indies Fleet]] in October 1944. |
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The ship went through a series of renamings, first to ''Roma'' in 1967, then ''Galaxy Queen'' in 1970, ''Lady Dina'' in 1972 and finally ''Caribia'' in 1973 before being scrapped in [[Spezia]] in September 1975. |
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==Construction== |
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''Fencer'' was laid down 5 September 1941, as a [[Type C3-class ship|C3-S-A1]] freighter, under [[Maritime Commission]] contract, MC hull #197, by [[Western Pipe and Steel Company]], in [[San Francisco]], California. The hull was purchased by the [[US Navy]] to be converted to a {{sclass|Bogue|escort carrier}} and named ''Croatan'' (AVG-14). While under construction she was transferred to the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] under the [[Lend-Lease]] agreement, with a [[Royal Navy]] commissioning crew arriving in May 1942, under the command of Commander C.N. Lentaigne, RN. She was launched on 4 April 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Powers Symington. She was redesignated as ACV-14, on 20 Aug 1942. She was commissioned into the US Navy on 20 February 1943, as ''Croatan'', and decommissioned and transferred to the RN, on 27 February 1943. She was commissioned into the RN, on 1 March 1943, as HMS ''Fencer'' (D64), with Captain E.W. Anstice, RN in command.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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==Design and description== |
==Design and description== |
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''Fencer'' was the fourth ship in what became the Royal Navy's {{sclass|Attacker|escort carrier|0}} of 11 ships; one of 38 escort carriers built in the United States for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.{{sfn|Morison|2002|p=344}}{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=79}} The Western Pipe & Steel shipyards built three other ships in the class.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=79}} Once completed she was supplied under the terms of Lend-Lease agreement to the Royal Navy. There was a ships complement of 646 men, who lived in crew accommodation that was significantly different from the arrangements that were normal for the Royal Navy at the time. The separate [[mess]]es no longer had to prepare their own food, as everything was cooked in the galley and served [[cafeteria]] style in a central dining area. They were also equipped with a modern laundry and a barber shop. The traditional [[hammock]]s were replaced by three-tier bunk-beds, 18 to a cabin, which were hinged and could be tied up to provide extra space when not in use.{{sfn|Poolman|1972|pp=74-75}} |
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There were eight [[Attacker class escort carrier]]s in service with the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[Second World War]]. They were built between 1941 and 1942 by [[Ingalls Shipbuilding]] and [[Western Pipe & Steel]] shipyards in the United States, both building four ships each.<ref name=co79>Cocker (2008), p.79.</ref> |
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''Fencer'' had an [[Length overall|overall length]] of {{cvt|496|ft}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{cvt|69|ft|6|in}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{cvt|24|ft}}. She displaced {{cvt|14400|LT}} at [[full load]]. Power was provided by two boilers feeding steam to a [[steam turbine|turbine]] driving one [[propeller|shaft]], giving {{cvt|8500|bhp|lk=on}}, which could propel the ship at {{cvt|18|kn}}.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|pp=80-81}} |
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The ships had a complement of 646 men and crew accommodation was different from the normal Royal Navy's arrangements. The separate [[mess]]es no longer had to prepare their own food, as everything was cooked in the galley and served [[cafeteria]] style in a central dining area. They were also equipped with a modern laundry and a barber shop. The traditional [[hammock]]s were replaced by three tier bunk beds, eighteen to a cabin which were hinged and could be tied up to provide extra space when not in use.<ref>Poolman (1972), pp.74–75.</ref> |
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She had the capacity for up to 24 aircraft which could be a mixture of [[anti-submarine]] and [[fighter aircraft]]; the British [[Hawker Sea Hurricane]] and [[Supermarine Seafire]] naval fighters, [[Fairey Swordfish]] torpedo bomber or the American-supplied [[Grumman F4F Wildcat#Royal Navy Martlets|Grumman Martlet]] and [[Vought F4U Corsair]] fighters or [[Grumman Avenger]] torpedo bomber could be carried.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=80}} The exact composition of the embarked squadrons depended upon the mission. Some squadrons were composite squadrons for convoy defence and would be equipped with both anti-submarine and fighter aircraft,{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=98}} while other squadrons working in a strike carrier role would only be equipped with fighter aircraft.{{sfn|Morison|2002|p=342}} Aircraft facilities were a small combined bridge–flight control on the [[starboard]] side and above the {{convert|450|x|120|ft|abbr=on}} flight deck,{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=57}} two aircraft lifts {{convert|42|x|34|ft|abbr=on}}, and nine [[Arresting gear|arrestor wires]]. Aircraft could be housed in the {{convert|260|x|62|ft|abbr=on}} hangar below the flight deck.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=80}} |
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The ships dimensions were; an [[Length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|492.25|ft}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|69.5|ft}} and a height of {{Convert|23.25|ft|m|abbr=on}}. They had a displacement of {{convert|11420|LT|t|abbr=on}} at [[deep load]].<ref name=co80>Cocker (2008), p.80.</ref> Propulsion was provided by four diesel engines connected to one shaft giving 8,500 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|brake horsepower]] (BHP), which could propel the ship at {{convert|17|kn|lk=in}}.<ref>Cocker (2008), pp.80–81.</ref> |
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[[File:Twin 40mm bofors gun on escort carrier.jpg|thumb|left|A typical twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] [[anti-aircraft gun]] mounting on the ''Attacker''-class.]] |
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Aircraft facilities were a small combined bridge–flight control on the [[starboard]] side and above the {{convert|450|ft}} x {{convert|120|ft}} flight deck,<ref>Poolman (1972), p.57.</ref> two aircraft lifts {{convert|42|ft}} by {{convert|34|ft}}, and nine [[Arresting gear|arrestor wires]]. Aircraft could be housed in the {{convert|260|ft}} by {{convert|62|ft}} hangar below the flight deck.<ref name=co80/> Armament comprised two [[4"/50 caliber gun|4 inch DP,AA guns]] in single mounts, eight [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40 mm]] [[anti-aircraft gun]] in twin mounts and twenty-one [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm anti-aircraft cannons]] in single or twin mounts.<ref name=co80/> They had the capacity for up to eighteen aircraft which could be a mixture of [[Grumman Martlet]], [[Hawker Sea Hurricane]], [[Vought F4U Corsair]] [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] aircraft and [[Fairey Swordfish]] or [[Grumman Avenger]] [[anti-submarine]] aircraft.<ref name=co80/> |
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The ships armament concentrated on [[anti-aircraft]] (AA) defence and comprised two [[QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun|QF {{cvt|4|in}} MK V dual purpose guns]] in single mounts, eight [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|{{cvt|40|mm|2}} Bofors guns]] in twin mounts and ten [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{cvt|20|mm|2}} Oerlikon cannons]] in single and eight in twin mounts.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=80}} |
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''Fencer'' was designed to accompany other ships forming the escort for convoys.{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=155}} The anti-submarine aircraft employed were initially the Fairey Swordfish and later the Grumman Avenger, which could be armed with torpedoes, [[depth charge]]s, {{cvt|250|lb}} bombs or [[RP-3]] rocket projectiles.{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=135}} As well as carrying out their own attacks on U-Boats, these aircraft identified their locations for the convoy's escorts to mount an attack.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=147}} Typically anti-submarine patrols would be flown between dawn and dusk. One aircraft would fly about {{cvt|10|mi}} ahead of the convoy, while another patrolled astern. Patrols would last between two and three hours, using both radar and visual observation in their search for U-Boats.{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=79}} |
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[[File:HMS Fencer clearing snow.jpg|thumb||HMS ''Fencer'' May 1944, clearing snow from the flight deck during an Arctic convoy.Two [[Fairey Swordfish]] aircraft of [[842 Naval Air Squadron]], [[Fleet Air Arm]] can be seen at the far end of the flight deck.]] |
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''Fencer'' also had a secondary role, providing oil and provisions for her accompanying destroyers. This could be a lengthy process and was done on the move. It took 40 minutes from firing a line across to the destroyer to start pumping oil, while it took another two hours to pump 98 tons of oil and a further 35 minutes to disconnect the hose pipe and secure the equipment.{{sfn|Poolman|1972|p=102-103}} |
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==Service history== |
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As an [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW) carrier, ''Fencer'' escorted convoys in the [[Atlantic convoys|North Atlantic]] and to |
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[[Arctic convoys of World War II|Russia]]. |
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On 10 February 1944, while escorting [[Convoy ON-223]] in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, one of her [[Fairey Swordfish]] from [[842 Naval Air Squadron|842]] squadron, sank {{GS|U-666||}}, with [[depth charge]]s, 51 dead (all hands lost).{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}}<ref>[http://uboat.net/boats/u666.html List of all U-boats. U-666] uboat.net Retrieved 29 March 2023</ref> |
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On 3 April 1944, along with her [[sister ship]]s {{HMS|Pursuer|D73|2}} and {{HMS|Searcher|D40|2}} and the {{sclass|Ruler|escort carrier|2}} {{HMS|Emperor|D98|2}}, she participated in the [[Operation Tungsten]], the strike on the German battleship [[German battleship Tirpitz|''Tirpitz'']]. The escort carriers provided ASW cover for the battleships {{HMS|Duke of York|17|2}} and {{HMS|Anson|79|2}} and fleet carriers {{HMS|Victorious|R38|2}} and {{HMS|Furious|47|2}}.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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[[File:HMS Fencer clearing snow.jpg|left|thumb|''Fencer'', May 1944, clearing snow from the flight deck during an Arctic convoy. Two Fairey Swordfish aircraft of [[842 Naval Air Squadron]], [[Fleet Air Arm]] can be seen at the far end of the flight deck.]] |
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When Operation Tungsten completed ''Fencer'' set sail for the [[Kola Inlet]]. On 28 April 1944, ''Fencer'' left Kola Inlet, as an escort for the 45 ship convoy [[Convoy RA 59|RA 59]], for [[Loch Ewe]], in Scotland. On 30 April, {{SS|William S. Thayer||2}} was sunk by {{GS|U-307||2}} at {{coord|73|46|N|19|10|E|display=inline}}, she would be the only allied ship lost in the convoy. For the next three days, Swordfish from 842 squadron, flying from ''Fencer'', would sink one U-boat a day. On 1 May, {{GS|U-277||2}} was sunk at {{coord|73|24|N|15|32|E|display=inline}} by depth charges,{{sfn|U-277}} on 2 May, {{GS|U-674||2}} was sunk at {{coord|70|32|N|04|37|E|display=inline}} by rockets,{{sfn|U-674}} and on 3 May, {{GS|U-959||2}} was sunk at {{coord|69|20|N|00|20|W|display=online}} by depth charges.{{sfn|U-959}} The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe, on 6 May.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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''Fencer'' was assigned to the [[East Indies Fleet]] in late October 1944. She departed [[Greenock]], with her sister ship {{HMS|Striker|D12|2}}, for [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]], present day Sri Lanka, with the [[DeHavilland Mosquito]] fighter bombers of [[No. 618 Squadron RAF|618]] squadron on their decks. After stops at [[Gibraltar]], [[Port Said]], and transit through the [[Suez Canal]], she arrived at [[Trincomalee Harbour]]. On 23 December 1944, the escort carriers arrived in [[Melbourne]].{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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She was converted to trooping duties at the [[Selborne Graving Dock|Selborne]] [[dry dock]] at [[Simon's Town]], South Africa, from 9–11 July 1944. ''Fencer'' was then tasked with ferrying civilian and military personnel to [[Mombassa]], then Ceylon, and then the UK.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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==Decommissioning== |
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Following World War II, she returned to the USN, 11 December 1946, stricken for disposal on 28 January 1947, and sold into merchant service 30 December 1947.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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==Civilian service== |
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''Fencer'', along with the ''Ruler''-class {{HMS|Atheling||2}}, were sold to the Italian businessman [[Achille Lauro]], for conversion to passenger ships for the Italy-Australia service. ''Fencer'' was moved to [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], Florida, for stripping before being sent to [[Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia|SA Navalmeccanica Cantieri]], where she was converted and renamed ''Sidney''. She had accommodations for 92 first class passengers and 666 tourist class passengers, with an increase to {{GRT|14708}}.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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During the winter of 1958–1959, ''Sidney'' was modernized at [[Genoa]], which increased her first class capacity to 119 and her tourist class capacity to 994. She was renamed ''Roma'' in 1968, after ''Roma'', ex-''Atheling'', was scrapped. She was laid up in [[La Spezia]], in October 1970, and sold in December 1970, to joint owners [[Cosmos Holidays|Cosmos Tours]] and [[Sovereign Cruises]], [[Cyprus]], and renamed ''Galaxy Queen''. Her registry was moved to [[Greece]], in 1973, and renamed ''Lady Tina'', before being sold and renamed ''Caribia 2''. In September 1974, ''Caribia 2'' arrived at La Spezia, to await scrapping. She was sold in September 1975, for breaking.{{sfn|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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==FAA squadrons== |
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{|class="wikitable" |
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|+[[Fleet Air Arm]] Squadrons stationed on ''Fencer''{{sfn|Sturtivant|Ballance|1994|p=395}} |
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! Squadron !! Dates !! Aircraft type |
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|- |
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| [[700 Naval Air Squadron|700W]] || September 1943 – November 1943 || [[Fairey Swordfish|Fairey Swordfish Mks.II]] |
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|- |
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| [[842 Naval Air Squadron|842]] || August 1943 - August 1944 || Fairey Swordfish Mks.II/[[Supermarine Seafire|Supermarine Seafire L.I/II]] |
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|- |
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| 842Q || November 1943 - November 1944 || [[Grumman F4F Wildcat#Royal Navy Martlets|Grumman Wildcat Mk.V]] |
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|- |
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| [[850 Naval Air Squadron|850 det]] || September 1944 - October 1944 || Grumman Wildcat Mk.V |
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|- |
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| [[852 Naval Air Squadron|852 det]] || September 1944 - October 1944 || Grumman Wildcat Mk.VI |
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|- |
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| [[881 Naval Air Squadron|881]] || June 1944 || Grumman Wildcat Mk.V |
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|} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{reflist|20em}} |
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;Bibliography |
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==Bibliography== |
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*{{cite book|last=Cocker|first=Maurice|year=2008|title=Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy|publisher=The History Press|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=978-0-7524-4633-2}} |
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{{refbegin}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Poolman|first=Kenneth|year=1972|title=Escort Carrier 1941–1945|publisher=Ian Allen|location=London|isbn=0-7110-0273-8}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|first=Frank A. |
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|last=Gerhardt |
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|url= https://usmaritimecommission.de/query.php?datalist=1&typeofquery=Name%20of%20Ship&valueofquery=Croatan&code=A0197a |
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|title= USS ''Croatan'' |
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|work=United States Maritime Commission 1936 thru 1950 |
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|access-date= 22 June 2021 |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|access-date=7 October 2010 |
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|publisher=Fleet Air Arm Officers Association |
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|title=Seaplane and Aircraft Carriers |
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|url=http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/asp/fleetairarm.asp?ServiceType=1 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|Fleet Air Arm Officers Association}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|url= http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/FENCER.htm#.YNH80mhKg2w |
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|title= A History of HMS Attacker |
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|date= 11 June 2020 |
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|work=Royal Navy Research Archive |
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|access-date= 22 June 2021 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|Royal Navy Research Archive|2020}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite DANFS |
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|work= DANFS |
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|title= Croatan |
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|url= https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/c/croatan.html |
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|date=27 April 2016 |
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|access-date= 22 June 2021 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|DANFS}} |
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}}{{PD-notice}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|first= Guðmundur |
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|last= Helgason |
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|url= https://uboat.net/boats/u277.htm |
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|title= U-277 |
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|access-date= 28 June 2021 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|U-277}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|first= Guðmundur |
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|last= Helgason |
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|url= https://uboat.net/boats/u674.htm |
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|title= U-674 |
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|access-date= 28 June 2021 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|U-674}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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|first= Guðmundur |
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|last= Helgason |
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|url= https://uboat.net/boats/u959.htm |
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|title= U-959 |
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|access-date= 28 June 2021 |
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|ref= {{sfnRef|U-959}} |
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}} |
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* {{cite book |
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|last=Cocker |
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|first=Maurice |
|||
|year=2008 |
|||
|title=Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy |
|||
|publisher=The History Press |
|||
|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire |
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|isbn=978-0-7524-4633-2 |
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}} |
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* {{cite book |
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|last=Morison |
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|first=Samuel |
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|year=2002 |
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|title=History of United States Naval Operations in World War II |
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|publisher=University of Illinois Press |
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|location=Urbana, Illinois |
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|isbn=978-0-252-07062-4 |
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}} |
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*{{cite book |
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|last= Plowman |
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|first= Peter |
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|year= 2006 |
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|title= Australian Migrant Ships 1946-1977 |
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|location= Kenthurst New South Wales |
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|publisher= Rosenberg Publishing |
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|isbn= 978-1-877058-40-0 |
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}} |
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*{{cite book |
|||
|last=Poolman |
|||
|first=Kenneth |
|||
|year=1972 |
|||
|title=Escort Carrier 1941–1945 |
|||
|publisher=Ian Allan |
|||
|location=London |
|||
|isbn=0-7110-0273-8 |
|||
}} |
|||
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant |first1=R. |last2=Ballance |first2=T. |title=The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm |year=1994 |publisher=Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd |location=[[Tonbridge]], [[Kent]], UK |isbn=0-85130-223-8 }} |
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{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{Commons category|HMS Fencer (D64)}} |
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[[Category:Ships built in San Francisco |
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Revision as of 05:25, 29 March 2023
HMS Fencer c. 1945
| |
History | |
---|---|
United States | |
Name | Croatan |
Namesake | Croatan Sound, North Carolina |
Ordered | as type (C3-S-A1) hull, MC hull 197[1] |
Awarded | 30 September 1940 |
Builder | Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California |
Cost | $7,992,456 |
Yard number | 77 |
Way number | 4 |
Laid down | 5 September 1941 |
Launched | 4 April 1942 |
Commissioned | 20 February 1943 |
Decommissioned | 27 February 1943 |
Reclassified |
|
Identification |
|
Fate | Transferred to the Royal Navy, 27 February 1943 |
United Kingdom | |
Name | Fencer |
Namesake | One who participates in the sport of fencing |
Acquired | 27 February 1943 |
Commissioned | 1 March 1943 |
Decommissioned | 11 December 1946 |
Identification |
|
Honours and awards |
|
Fate | Returned to the US Navy, 11 December 1946 |
United States | |
Name | CVE-14 |
Acquired | 11 December 1946 |
Stricken | 28 January 1947 |
Fate | Sold for commercial use, 30 December 1947 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type |
|
Displacement |
|
Length | |
Beam |
|
Draught |
|
Installed power |
|
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
Range | 27,300 nmi (50,600 km; 31,400 mi) at 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
Capacity | |
Complement | 646 |
Armament |
|
Aircraft carried | 24 |
Aviation facilities |
|
Service record | |
Part of: | British Pacific Fleet (1944–1945) |
Operations: |
|
HMS Fencer (D64/R308) was an American-built Attacker-class escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Acquired by the United States Navy for conversion to a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as Fencer on 1 March 1943, under the Lend-Lease agreement. She spent most of her career escorting convoys in the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, she transferred to the British East Indies Fleet in October 1944.
Construction
Fencer was laid down 5 September 1941, as a C3-S-A1 freighter, under Maritime Commission contract, MC hull #197, by Western Pipe and Steel Company, in San Francisco, California. The hull was purchased by the US Navy to be converted to a Bogue-class escort carrier and named Croatan (AVG-14). While under construction she was transferred to the Admiralty under the Lend-Lease agreement, with a Royal Navy commissioning crew arriving in May 1942, under the command of Commander C.N. Lentaigne, RN. She was launched on 4 April 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Powers Symington. She was redesignated as ACV-14, on 20 Aug 1942. She was commissioned into the US Navy on 20 February 1943, as Croatan, and decommissioned and transferred to the RN, on 27 February 1943. She was commissioned into the RN, on 1 March 1943, as HMS Fencer (D64), with Captain E.W. Anstice, RN in command.[3]
Design and description
Fencer was the fourth ship in what became the Royal Navy's Attacker-class of 11 ships; one of 38 escort carriers built in the United States for the Royal Navy during the Second World War.[4][5] The Western Pipe & Steel shipyards built three other ships in the class.[5] Once completed she was supplied under the terms of Lend-Lease agreement to the Royal Navy. There was a ships complement of 646 men, who lived in crew accommodation that was significantly different from the arrangements that were normal for the Royal Navy at the time. The separate messes no longer had to prepare their own food, as everything was cooked in the galley and served cafeteria style in a central dining area. They were also equipped with a modern laundry and a barber shop. The traditional hammocks were replaced by three-tier bunk-beds, 18 to a cabin, which were hinged and could be tied up to provide extra space when not in use.[6]
Fencer had an overall length of 496 ft (151 m), a beam of 69 ft 6 in (21.18 m) and a draught of 24 ft (7.3 m). She displaced 14,400 long tons (14,600 t) at full load. Power was provided by two boilers feeding steam to a turbine driving one shaft, giving 8,500 bhp (6,300 kW), which could propel the ship at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph).[7]
She had the capacity for up to 24 aircraft which could be a mixture of anti-submarine and fighter aircraft; the British Hawker Sea Hurricane and Supermarine Seafire naval fighters, Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber or the American-supplied Grumman Martlet and Vought F4U Corsair fighters or Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber could be carried.[8] The exact composition of the embarked squadrons depended upon the mission. Some squadrons were composite squadrons for convoy defence and would be equipped with both anti-submarine and fighter aircraft,[9] while other squadrons working in a strike carrier role would only be equipped with fighter aircraft.[10] Aircraft facilities were a small combined bridge–flight control on the starboard side and above the 450 ft × 120 ft (137 m × 37 m) flight deck,[11] two aircraft lifts 42 ft × 34 ft (13 m × 10 m), and nine arrestor wires. Aircraft could be housed in the 260 ft × 62 ft (79 m × 19 m) hangar below the flight deck.[8]
The ships armament concentrated on anti-aircraft (AA) defence and comprised two QF 4 in (100 mm) MK V dual purpose guns in single mounts, eight 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns in twin mounts and ten 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons in single and eight in twin mounts.[8]
Fencer was designed to accompany other ships forming the escort for convoys.[12] The anti-submarine aircraft employed were initially the Fairey Swordfish and later the Grumman Avenger, which could be armed with torpedoes, depth charges, 250 lb (110 kg) bombs or RP-3 rocket projectiles.[13] As well as carrying out their own attacks on U-Boats, these aircraft identified their locations for the convoy's escorts to mount an attack.[14] Typically anti-submarine patrols would be flown between dawn and dusk. One aircraft would fly about 10 mi (16 km) ahead of the convoy, while another patrolled astern. Patrols would last between two and three hours, using both radar and visual observation in their search for U-Boats.[15] Fencer also had a secondary role, providing oil and provisions for her accompanying destroyers. This could be a lengthy process and was done on the move. It took 40 minutes from firing a line across to the destroyer to start pumping oil, while it took another two hours to pump 98 tons of oil and a further 35 minutes to disconnect the hose pipe and secure the equipment.[16]
Service history
As an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) carrier, Fencer escorted convoys in the North Atlantic and to Russia.
On 10 February 1944, while escorting Convoy ON-223 in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, one of her Fairey Swordfish from 842 squadron, sank German submarine U-666, with depth charges, 51 dead (all hands lost).[3][17]
On 3 April 1944, along with her sister ships Pursuer and Searcher and the Ruler-class escort carrier Emperor, she participated in the Operation Tungsten, the strike on the German battleship Tirpitz. The escort carriers provided ASW cover for the battleships Duke of York and Anson and fleet carriers Victorious and Furious.[3]
When Operation Tungsten completed Fencer set sail for the Kola Inlet. On 28 April 1944, Fencer left Kola Inlet, as an escort for the 45 ship convoy RA 59, for Loch Ewe, in Scotland. On 30 April, William S. Thayer was sunk by U-307 at 73°46′N 19°10′E / 73.767°N 19.167°E, she would be the only allied ship lost in the convoy. For the next three days, Swordfish from 842 squadron, flying from Fencer, would sink one U-boat a day. On 1 May, U-277 was sunk at 73°24′N 15°32′E / 73.400°N 15.533°E by depth charges,[18] on 2 May, U-674 was sunk at 70°32′N 04°37′E / 70.533°N 4.617°E by rockets,[19] and on 3 May, U-959 was sunk at by depth charges.[20] The convoy arrived at Loch Ewe, on 6 May.[3]
Fencer was assigned to the East Indies Fleet in late October 1944. She departed Greenock, with her sister ship Striker, for Ceylon, present day Sri Lanka, with the DeHavilland Mosquito fighter bombers of 618 squadron on their decks. After stops at Gibraltar, Port Said, and transit through the Suez Canal, she arrived at Trincomalee Harbour. On 23 December 1944, the escort carriers arrived in Melbourne.[3]
She was converted to trooping duties at the Selborne dry dock at Simon's Town, South Africa, from 9–11 July 1944. Fencer was then tasked with ferrying civilian and military personnel to Mombassa, then Ceylon, and then the UK.[3]
Decommissioning
Following World War II, she returned to the USN, 11 December 1946, stricken for disposal on 28 January 1947, and sold into merchant service 30 December 1947.[3]
Civilian service
Fencer, along with the Ruler-class Atheling, were sold to the Italian businessman Achille Lauro, for conversion to passenger ships for the Italy-Australia service. Fencer was moved to Jacksonville, Florida, for stripping before being sent to SA Navalmeccanica Cantieri, where she was converted and renamed Sidney. She had accommodations for 92 first class passengers and 666 tourist class passengers, with an increase to 14,708 GRT.[3]
During the winter of 1958–1959, Sidney was modernized at Genoa, which increased her first class capacity to 119 and her tourist class capacity to 994. She was renamed Roma in 1968, after Roma, ex-Atheling, was scrapped. She was laid up in La Spezia, in October 1970, and sold in December 1970, to joint owners Cosmos Tours and Sovereign Cruises, Cyprus, and renamed Galaxy Queen. Her registry was moved to Greece, in 1973, and renamed Lady Tina, before being sold and renamed Caribia 2. In September 1974, Caribia 2 arrived at La Spezia, to await scrapping. She was sold in September 1975, for breaking.[3]
FAA squadrons
Squadron | Dates | Aircraft type |
---|---|---|
700W | September 1943 – November 1943 | Fairey Swordfish Mks.II |
842 | August 1943 - August 1944 | Fairey Swordfish Mks.II/Supermarine Seafire L.I/II |
842Q | November 1943 - November 1944 | Grumman Wildcat Mk.V |
850 det | September 1944 - October 1944 | Grumman Wildcat Mk.V |
852 det | September 1944 - October 1944 | Grumman Wildcat Mk.VI |
881 | June 1944 | Grumman Wildcat Mk.V |
References
- ^ Gerhardt.
- ^ Fleet Air Arm Officers Association.
- ^ Morison 2002, p. 344.
- ^ a b Cocker 2008, p. 79.
- ^ Poolman 1972, pp. 74–75.
- ^ Cocker 2008, pp. 80–81.
- ^ a b c Cocker 2008, p. 80.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 98.
- ^ Morison 2002, p. 342.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 57.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 155.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 135.
- ^ Cocker 2008, p. 147.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 79.
- ^ Poolman 1972, p. 102-103.
- ^ List of all U-boats. U-666 uboat.net Retrieved 29 March 2023
- ^ U-277.
- ^ U-674.
- ^ U-959.
- ^ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 395.
Bibliography
- Gerhardt, Frank A. "USS Croatan". United States Maritime Commission 1936 thru 1950. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "Seaplane and Aircraft Carriers". Fleet Air Arm Officers Association. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- "A History of HMS Attacker". Royal Navy Research Archive. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- "Croatan". DANFS. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-277". Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-674". Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- Helgason, Guðmundur. "U-959". Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- Cocker, Maurice (2008). Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy. Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4633-2.
- Morison, Samuel (2002). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-07062-4.
- Plowman, Peter (2006). Australian Migrant Ships 1946-1977. Kenthurst New South Wales: Rosenberg Publishing. ISBN 978-1-877058-40-0.
- Poolman, Kenneth (1972). Escort Carrier 1941–1945. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0273-8.
- Sturtivant, R.; Ballance, T. (1994). The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-223-8.