World Aircraft Carriers List: US Escort Carriers, C3 Hulls

World Aircraft Carriers List: US Escort Carriers, C3 Hulls

Revised 17 July 2000
Version 2.03
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Aircraft Carrier Lists Main Page:

Long Island/HMS Archer ClassLong Island (CVE 1)HMS Archer (BAVG 1)HMS Avenger/USS Charger ClassHMS Avenger (BAVG 2)HMS Biter (BAVG 3)HMS Charger/USS Charger (BAVG 4/CVE30)HMS Dasher (BAVG 5)Bogue/HMS Attacker ClassHMS Tracker (BAVG 6)Altamaha/HMS Battler (CVE 6)Barnes/HMS Attacker (CVE 7)Block Island/HMS Hunter (CVE 8)Bogue (CVE 9)Breton/HMS Chaser (CVE 10)Card (CVE 11)Copahee (CVE 12)Core (CVE 13)Croatan/HMS Fencer (CVE 14)Hamlin/HMS Stalker (CVE 15)Nassau (CVE 16)St. George/HMS Pursuer (CVE 17)Altamaha (CVE 18)Prince William/HMS Striker (CVE 19)Barnes (CVE 20)Block Island (CVE 21)HMS Searcher (CVE 22)Breton (CVE 23)HMS Ravager (CVE 24)Croatan (CVE 25)

Repeat Bogue/HMS Ameer ClassPrince William (CVE 31)Chatham/HMS Slinger (CVE 32)Glacier/HMS Atheling (CVE 33)Pybus/HMS Emperor (CVE 34)Baffins/HMS Ameer (CVE 35)Bolinas/HMS Begum (CVE 36)Bastian/HMS Trumpeter (CVE 37)Carnegie/HMS Empress (CVE 38)Cordova/HMS Khedive (CVE 39)Delgada/HMS Speaker (CVE 40)Edisto/HMS Nabob (CVE 41)Estero/HMS Premier (CVE 42)Jamaica/HMS Shah (CVE 43)Keneenaw/HMS Patroller (CVE 44)Prince/HMS Rajah (CVE 45)Niantic/HMS Ranee (CVE 46)Perdido/HMS Trouncer (CVE 47)Sunset/HMS Thane (CVE 48)St. Andrews/HMS Queen (CVE 49)St. Joseph/HMS Ruler (CVE 50)St. Simon/HMS Arbiter (CVE 51)Vermillion/HMS Smiter (CVE 52)Willapa/HMS Puncher (CVE 53)Winjah/HMS Reaper (CVE 54)

Bogue/HMS Attacker class escort aircraft carriers

Displacement: 16,620 tons design full load (14,630 tons full load in RN service)
Dimensions: 465 x 69.5 x 23.25 feet/141.7 x 21.2 x 7 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 495.5 x 111.5 x 23.25 feet/151 x 34 x 7 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 285 psi boilers, 1 shaft, 8,500 hp, 18-18.5 knots
Crew: 908 (646 in RN service)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 single 5/38 DP, 10 single 20 mm (2 4/50 DP, 14 single 20 mm in RN service)
Aircraft: 24 (20 in RN service)

Concept/Program: This design was the final development of the converted C3 type. Converted from incomplete C3 hulls, so a greater degree of conversion was possible compared to the earlier C3 conversions. Half of these ships, plus HMS Tracker were transferred to RN.

Class: RN classified these ships as HMS Attacker class. HMS Tracker was built for transfer and was not considered by USN to be a Bogue class ship, but was classed with the Bogues in RN's Attacker class. A second batch of Bogues are listed separately; these ships saw RN service as HMS Ameer class.

Design/Conversion: Developed from, and generally similar to, BAVG 2 through 5. Compared to earlier ships they had a longer and stronger flight deck, a much larger hangar, a second aircraft elevator, heavier armament, and steam turbine engines. The hangar deck floor was the original main deck in these ships, leading to difficulties in aircraft handling due to the sheer of this deck.

Variations: RN ships outfitted to RN standards.

Modifications: The RN ships were initially fitted with US 5/38 guns but were refitted with US 4/50 guns when modified for RN service; the US 4/50 weapons were in turn replaced by British 4/50 weapons when the ships reached the UK. Many of ships were completed with empty sponsons for 4 dual 40 mm AA guns, which were eventually installed in almost all ships. The single 20 mm guns were later replaced by dual 20 mm mounts in USN ships and some RN vessels.

Modernization: No ships modernized for service as warships. Several were extensively converted for transport duties, see below.

Classification: Classed AVG, ACV, CVE in sequence; HMS Tracker was classed BAVG only. RN assigned designations in the Dxx series. RN identified ships outfitted for ASW as "trade protection carriers" and ships outfitted for strike/CAP (fighter/strike aircraft) as "assault carriers". USN referred to ships used for transport as "CVE(T)".

RN initially gave these ships numbers in the Dxx series. Many ships were allocated Rxxx series numbers when they were scheduled for transfer to the British Pacific Fleet in 1945; these numbers apparently were not applied to ships which never reached the Pacific, and some ships received Axxx numbers instead. The Axxx numbers have not been fully documented in existing references. All Rxxx and Axxx ships returned to their original Dxx numbers before being returned to USN.

During the 1950's ships were reclassified CVU, CVHE and AKV depending on their role, or the role the would have assumed if returned to service.

Operational: In the US Navy these ships served in two major roles: ASW carriers and aircraft transports, with ships in both groups serving as training carriers at times. The RN added the role of strike/CAP carrier for those ships intended to supply fighter support for amphibious operations. In both navies, some ships served exclusively in one role while others worked in several different roles as operational requirements changed.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Following WWII these ships rapidly left service; RN ships were sold for scrap or merchant service, while USN ships went into reserve. None of the reserve fleet ships returned to service as warships; they were redesignated as helicopter ships in 1955. Several were reactivated as aircraft transports (see below); those remaining in reserve were discarded in 1959.

Other Notes: During the late 1950's several ships were reactivated from reserve to serve as aircraft transports. They were stripped of all armament and fitted with large cranes on the flight deck; their islands were strengthened and their funnels were raised. These ships served primarily to transport aircraft to Vietnam. They had civilian crews and operated under the Military Sea Transport Service (MSTS), not under naval control; they were "in service" rather than "in commission" and their designations were preceded by "T-". These ships were designated CVU when first reactivated, then designated AKV with new numbers. They were discarded in 1969-1971.

No name assigned (Corrientes)
ex merchant
Lend-Lease as HMS Tracker (D24 - R317)
BAVG 6

Built by Seattle-Tacoma. Laid down 3 Nov 1941, launched 7 March 1942, completed at Williamette, transferred to RN and commissioned in RN service as HMS Tracker (D24) 31 Jan 1943.

Outfitted as an ASW carrier; employed as an escort for Atlantic and Russian convoys. Loaned to USN as a transport carrier 10 November 1944; operated in the Pacific. Assigned RN designation R317 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific, but probably not redesignated.

Returned to USN 29 Nov 1945, stricken for disposal 2 Nov 1946. Sold into merchant service as Corrientes. Scrapped in Portugal starting 8/1964.

Repeat Bogue/HMS Ameer class escort aircraft carriers

Displacement: 16,620 tons design full load (15,646 tons full load in RN service)
Dimensions: 465 x 69.5 x 23.25 feet/141.7 x 21.2 x 7 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 495.5 x 111.5 x 23.25 feet/151 x 34 x 7 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 285 psi boilers, 1 shaft, 8,500 hp, 18-18.5 knots
Crew: 908 (646 in RN service)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 single 5/38 DP, 4 dual 40 mm AA, 10 dual 20 mm AA
Aircraft: 24 (20 in RN service)

Concept/Program: A second group of Bogue class ships was ordered in response to continued need for escort carriers. These ships were built from the keel up as carriers, rather than being converted merchant hulls, but were in almost all respects identical to the first batch of Bogues. Initially plans called for several ships to be retained by USN, but in the event all but one of these ships transferred to RN. Several ships went to RN after very brief USN commissions.

Class: Although USN classed these ships with the first group of Bogues, RN put them in a separate class, the HMS Ameer class.

Design: Slightly improved version of original Bogue design. This class included changes which had been gradually applied to the previous group, including the 4 dual 40 mm AA and replacement of single 20 mm guns with dual mounts. In this group the RN ships retained their US 5/38 mounts rather than exchanging them for 4/50 guns.

Variations: RN ships ballasted differently due to fuel storage practices.

Modifications: Some RN ships deployed to the Pacific had 20 mm mounts replaced by single 40 mm mounts.

Other Notes: See Bogue/HMS Attacker class entry.

Delgada (Lancero)
Lend-Lease as HMS Speaker (D90 - R314)
AVG 40 - ACV 40 - CVE 40

DANFS History

Built by Seattle-Tacoma, completed by Commercial Iron Works. Laid down 9 Oct 1942, launched 20 Feb 1943, transferred to RN and commissioned in RN service as HMS Speaker (D90) 20 November 1943. Designation changed from AVG to ACV 20 August 1942; changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943, both prior to commissioning.

Served as a transport carrier, with brief periods as a training carrier; served in the Pacific late in the war. RN designation changed to R314 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific; returned to previous designation postwar.

Returned to USN 17 July 1946, stricken for disposal 25 Sept 1946. Sold into merchant service as Lancero 1948. Renamed President Osmena in 1965, then renamed Lucky One in 1971 for delivery voyage to shipbreakers. Scrapped in Taiwan in

Jamaica (Salta)
Lend-Lease as HMS Shah (D21 - R312)
AVG 43 - ACV 43 - CVE 43

DANFS History

Built by Seattle-Tacoma. Laid down 13 Nov 1942, launched 21 April 1943, transferred to RN and commissioned in RN service as HMS Shah (D21) 27 September 1943. Designation changed from AVG to ACV 20 August 1942; changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943, both prior to commissioning.

Outfitted as an ASW carrier. Served in the Pacific and Indian Oceans starting 1944. RN designation changed to R312 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific; returned to previous designation postwar.

Returned to USN 6 Dec 1945, stricken for disposal 7 Feb 1946. Sold into merchant service as Salta 20 June 1947. Scrapped at Buenos Aires starting 6/1966.

St. Simon (Coracero)
Lend-Lease as HMS Arbiter (D31 - R303)
AVG 51 - ACV 51 - CVE 51

DANFS History

Built by Seattle-Tacoma. Laid down 26 April 1943, launched 9 Sept 1943, Transferred to RN and commissioned in RN service as HMS Arbiter (D31) 31 December 1943. Designation changed from AVG to ACV 20 August 1942; changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943, both prior to commissioning.

Outfitted as a transport carrier. Served as a transport and CAP carrier in the Pacific late in the war. RN designation changed to R303 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific; returned to previous designation postwar.

Returned to USN 3 March 1946, stricken for disposal 12 April 1946. Sold into merchant service as Coracero 30 January 1947. Renamed President Macapagal in 1965, then renamed Lucky Two in 1972 for delivery voyage to shipbreakers. Scrapped in Taiwan starting 5/1972.

Vermillion (Artillero)
Lend-Lease as HMS Smiter (D55 - R321)
AVG 52 - ACV 52 - CVE 52

DANFS History

Built by Seattle-Tacoma. Laid down 10 May 1943, launched 27 Sept 1943, Transferred to RN and commissioned in RN service as HMS Smiter (D55) 20 January 1944. Designation changed from AVG to ACV 20 August 1942; changed from ACV to CVE 15 July 1943, both prior to commissioning.

Outfitted as a strike/CAP carrier. Served mostly as an ASW escort. Assigned RN designation R321 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific, but probably not redesignated.

Returned to USN 6 April 1946, stricken for disposal 21 May 1946. Sold into merchant service as Artillero 6 April 1946. Renamed President Garcia in 1965. Wrecked off Guernsey 7/1967 and was a total loss; hulk scrapped at Hamburg starting 11/1967.