History

HMS Emperor (D-98) was built in the USA at Seattle-Tacoma, where she was laid down on 23 June 1942 as USS Phybus AVG-34, and commissioned in the USN on May 1943 as CVE-34. She was launched on 7 October 1942 and subsequently transferred to the Royal Navy on 31 May 1943, after which she was commissioned 6 August 1943.

Emperor was one of the third group of escort carriers built in the USA for the Royal Navy, and was generally similar to the preceding "Attacker" Class ships. 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 Emperor saw war service in the Atlantic, Norway, Mediterranean and East Indies. As a fighter carrier 1943-44 she provided cover for Barracuda strike aircraft during Operation "Tungsten" 3 April 1944 against the German battleshoip Tirpitz in Kaa Fjord, Norway, and her duties were subsequently as an assault carrier 1944-45. She returned to the USN on 4 Februay 1946 and was scrapped.

Battle Honours

Atlantic 1943 - 4, Norway 1944, Normandy 1944, South France 1944, Aegean 1944, Malaya 1945, Burma 1945.

Captains
No information on Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft

FAA squadrons embarked	Dates	Aircraft type
800	Dec 1943-Sept 1945	Hellcat I/II
804	Dec 1943-June 1944	Hellcat I
808 dt	April 1945	Hellcat II
845	April 1945	Avenger I
888	April 1945	Hellcat II
851 dt	May 1945	Avenger I
896 dt	June 1945	Hellcat II
1700	July-Oct 1945	Walrus I

Associations and Reunions
HMS Emperor Reunion, L Gifford, 11 Jersey Croft, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, B36 OPD (ref: 1988+)

Carrier name	HMS Emperor Ex USS Phybus AVG-34
Class	Ruler
Type	Fighter and Assault 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 23 June 1942. Launched 7 Oct 1942. Transferred 31 May 1943, Commissioned 6 Aug 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	returned to USN 4 Feb. 1946 and scrapped.
Notes

 
 

FURTHER INFORMATION   HMS Emperor logbook 22 August 1944 [downloadable pdf files of the log entries for 22 August 1944 - part 1, part 2] NavSource Photo Archives Escort Carriers EMPEROR   Aircraft profiles are offered by Scott Fraser, owner of Tally Ho! decals Hellcat I, JV131, 800 squadron HMS Emperor, March 1944 during Tirpitz attacks, Hellcat II, JX899, 800 Squadron, HMS Emperor Singapore, Sept 1945, Aircraft Profiles by FAUCONBERG AEROGRAPHICS GRUMMAN HELLCAT Mk.I, 800 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service, H.M.S. Emperor, Mediterranean Sea, August 1944 Operation Dragoon - Invasion of Southern France World Aircraft Carrier Lists and Photo Gallery - from 1913 to 2000. Naval History Information Center, Haze Gray & Underway

        Last Modified: 23-2-2001

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