History

Amastra was a Rapana class Merchant aircraft carrier (MAC-ship) built by Lithgow, laid down and launched 18 December 1934, and completed March 1935. She was taken over for conversion and converted as Smith's Dock, conversion completed September 1943.

Rapana class conversions were conceived and designed by the shipping company which owned the ships; the plan was initially rejected by the Navy but later accepeted. Generally similar to previous MAC conversions.

Amastra operated as an Atlantic escort throughout the war. Returned to merchant service postwar; named Idas in 1951. Sold 27 June 1955 and scrapped at La Spezia.

Battle Honours
Atlantic

Captains
No information on Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft
No information on Squadrons and aircraft in 1939-1945.

Associations and Reunions
No information

Ship name	Amastra
Class	Rapana Class (tankers)
Type	Merchant aircraft carrier (MAC-ship)
Ships in Class	Rapana, Ancylus, Acavus, Alexia, Amastra, Miralda, Adula
Launched
Tonnage	Displacement: 16,000 tons full load
Engines	Propulsion: Diesel, 1 shaft, 4,000 bhp
Speed in Knots	11.5 knots
Armament	Armament: 1 4 inch, 2 40 mm, 6 20 mm
Crew Complement	118
Range
Length (ft/inches)	481
Beam (ft/inches)	60
Draught (ft/inches)	27.5
Flight Deck length (ft/inches)
Flight Deck width (ft/inches)
Armour	None
Number of aircraft carried	4
Fate of carrier
Notes

 
 

FURTHER INFORMATION   World Aircraft Carrier Lists and Photo Gallery - from 1913 to 2000. Naval History Information Center, Haze Gray & Underway American based World Aircraft Carrier Lists & Photo Gallery - one of the definitive online sources for British and world aircraft carrier & seaplane tender data, histories and images - over 1000 photos.  British Forces. com web Information Sturtivant, R & Ballance, T  (1994). 'The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1994 ISBN: 0 85130 223 8 The World’s Warships 1941 by Francis E. McMurtrie (1944). Janes London 1941 1st ed.  Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II by Francis E. McMurtrie (Editor)(1944). 320 pages. Crescent Books; ISBN: 0517679639

        Last Modified: 23-2-2001

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