History

HMS Ameer (D-01) was a Ruler Class escort carrier built in the USA at Seattle-Tacoma and laid down 18 July 1942 as USS Bafins Bay AVG-35, and launched 18 October 1942. She was transferred to the Royal Navy on 19 July 1943, and commissioned 20 July 1943.

Ruler Class carriers were the third group of escort carriers built in the USA for the Royal Navy, and were generally similar to the preceding "Attacker" Class. The modifications carried out to the earlier class after their arrival in the UK were incorporated in the "Ruler" Class during construction. Many of the class were used as amphibious support carriers, taking part in the invasion of Southern France. Others supported Eastern Fleet operations against Burma and Malaya, and some served with the British Pacific Fleet as escorts for the Fleet Train.

HMS Ameer's war service was as a Fighter Carrier supporting Eastern Fleet operations against Burma and Malaya 1945.

Ameer returned to the USN on 17 January 1946. Became Robin Kirk 1948, scrapped at Kaohsiung 1969

Battle Honours
Burma, 1945, Malaya 1945

Captains
No information on Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft
As Convoy Escort: 18 -24 aircraft 14-20 Swordfish/Avenger, 4 Martlet
As Fighter Carrier:  20-24 Martlet fighters

FAA squadrons embarked	Dates	Aircraft type
845	July 1944-August 1944	Wildcat V
804	Dec 1944-March 1945	Hellcat II
845	Dec 1944	Wildcat V
896	April 1945-Sept 1945	Hellcat II
804	May 1945-Oct 1945	Hellcat II
888	June 1945	Hellcat II
1700 Dt	July 1945-Aug 1945	Walrus I

Associations and Reunions
No information

Carrier name	HMS Ameer Ex USS Bafins Bay AVG-35 became Robin Kirk 1948 (USA)
Class	Ruler
Type	Assault /Fighter Escort Carrier (US built)
Ships in Class	Ameer, Arbiter, Atheling, Begum, Emperor, Empress, Khedive, Nabob, Patroller, Premier, Puncher, Queen, Rajah, Ranee, Reaper, Ruler, Shah, Slinger, Smiter, Speaker, Thane, Trouncer, Trumpeter
Launched	Laid down 18 July 1942. Launched 18 Oct 1942. Transferred 19 July 1943, Commissioned 20 July 1943
Tonnage	8,333 tons Gross displacement 14,000 tons Load 5667 tons
Engines	2 x Foster-Wheeler boilers; 2 x Westinghouse geared turbines at 8500 shp, 1 shaft
Speed in Knots	18 knots
Armament	Gun 2 x 1 x 5"/38-cal DP 8 x 2 x 40mm AA 27-35 x 1 x 20mm AA
Crew Complement	646 Officers & Ratings including Air Group
Range
Length (ft/inches)	496
Beam (ft/inches)	69' 6"
Draught (ft/inches)	23'3"
Flight Deck length (ft/inches)	470'
Flight Deck width (ft/inches)	70'
Armour
Number of aircraft carried	18-24
Fate of carrier	scrapped at Kaohsiung 1969
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 Navsource archives: aircraft carriers AMEER   The following profiles are offered by Scott Fraser, owner of Tally Ho! decals,   Hellcat FR.II, JW723, 804 Squadron, HMS Ameer Malay Coast, August 1945,  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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