History

HMS Premier (D-23) was built in the USA at Seattle-Tacoma, laid down on 31 Oct 1942 as USS Estero ACV/AGV-42, and launched 22 March 1943. She was transferred to the Royal Navy on 3 November 1944, and commissioned as HMS Premier on 3 November 1943.

Premier was a member of the "Ruler" Class, which was 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. HMS Patroller on completion was fitted as an assault carrier but employed as a transport ferry. 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.

Premier's war service included Escort carrier convoy duties in the Atlantic in 1944 and in the Arctic following outfitted as an ASW carrier. Served as an escort in European waters and as a ferry carrier.

Corsair KD230 "D" of 1835 sqdn, HMS Premier, 1945
Profile created by Nigel Eastmond.

Premier was returned to the USN on 2 April 1946, then became the mercantile Rhodesia Star 1948 and Hong Kong Knight 1967. Scrapped at Kaohsiung from February 1974.

Battle Honours
Atlantic 1944, Arctic.

Captains
No information on Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft

FAA squadrons embarked	Dates	Aircraft type
856	Sept 1944-June 1945	Wildcat V/VII
881	Dec 1944-Jan 1945	Wildcat VI

Associations and Reunions
No information

Carrier name	HMS Premier Ex USS Estero became Rhodesia Star 1948 and Hong Kong Knight 1967.
Class	Ruler
Type	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 31 Oct 1942. Launched 22 March 1943. Transferred 3 Nov 1944, Commissioned 3 Nov 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 1974
Notes

 

FURTHER INFORMATION   NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive: CVE-42 HMS PREMIER (Ex- CVE-42 ESTERO) CLASS - BOGUE   World Aircraft Carrier Lists and Photo Gallery - from 1913 to 2000. Naval History Information Center, Haze Gray & Underway 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)(1984). 320 pages. Crescent Books; ISBN: 0517679639

       Last Modified: 23-2-2001

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