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HMS Smiter (1943) CVE (1st) |
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This the first ship to carry the name HMS Smiter was a Ruler Class (1942) escort aircraft carrier. Built for the US Navy as USS Vermillion, CVE 52, and transferred to the Royal Navy under lease-lend terms. Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp of Seattle, laid down 10-May-1943, launched 27-Sep-1943, transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned 20-Jul-1943. Modifications to meet Royal Navy requirements followed at Vancouver and took until 31-Mar-1944 Sailed for the UK 05-Jun-1944 and was allocated to Western Approaches Command as a ferry carrier until Dec-1944. Served as a deck-landing training carrier Dec-1944 to Jan-1945. Refitted at Rosyth Jan-1945 to May-1945. Converted to a general purpose operational carrier followed May-1945 to jul-1945. Sailed to join the East Indies Fleet 07-Jul-1945. Following the end of the was with Japan was used to ferry former POW's Sep toNov-1945. Sailed to return to the UK 28-Dec-1945. De-stored at the Clyde 11-Feb-1946. Returned to the US Navy at Norfolk Navy Yard 06-Apr-1946. Sold later as the merchant ship Artillero. Renamed Presidente Garcia 1965. Broken up at Hamburg Nov-1967. Won the Battle Honour: Atlantic 1944.
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This page last edited -
23 June, 2012.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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