INDEX OF NAVAL 

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

 

  
MV EMPIRE MACKAY

 Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) Auxillary Ship

Became British Swordfish. 

 
 
History


Empire MacKay  was built by Harland & Wolff, launched 17 June 1943, and completed October 1943. She operated in the North Atlantic throughout the war.

Empire MacKay was a MAC conversion from a tanker. Officially 4 separate classes, but the ships were essentially identical. Generally similar to Rapana class.

She returned to merchant service postwar; named British Swordfish. Scrapped at Rotterdam starting May 1959.

Battle Honours
No information

Captains
No information on Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft
No information

Associations and Reunions
No information


Ship name Empire MacKay
Class Empire MacKay type merchant aircraft carrier (Tankers)
Type Merchant aircraft carrier (MAC)
Ships in Class Empire MacKay, Empire MacColl, Empire Mahon, Empire MacCabe. Officially 4 separate classes, but the ships were essentially identical. 
Launched  
Tonnage Displacement: approx. 8,900 tons full load
Engines Propulsion: Diesel, 1 shaft, 3,300 bhp 
Speed in Knots 11
Armament 1 4 inch, 8 20 mm
Crew Complement 122
Range   
Length (ft/inches) 479 
Beam (ft/inches) 60
Draught (ft/inches) 27
Flight Deck length (ft/inches)  
Flight Deck width (ft/inches)  
Armour  
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
NavSource Photo Archives Escort Carriers: HMS Avenger  
Ships website and HMS AVENGER Escort carrier   Details and history of HMS AVENGER Escort carrier 
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). Jane's London 1941 1st ed. 

Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II by Francis E. McMurtrie (Editor)(1984). 320 pages. Crescent Books; ISBN: 0517679639
 
        Last Modified: 23-2-2001



 
 

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