History

Ancylus was a Rapana Class (tanker) MAC-ship built by Swan Hunter. Laid down and launched 9 October 1934, completed January 1935. Subsequently convertion completed October 1943. This conversion was 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.

Ancylus operated as an escort in the Atlantic until September 1944, then as tanker and aircraft transport.

Ancylus returned to merchant service postwar; named Imbricaria in 1952. Sold 4 December 1954 and scrapped at La Spezia.

Battle Honours
Atlantic 1943-1944.

Captains
Captains.

Squadrons and Aircraft
Squadrons and aircraft in 1939-1945.

Associations and Reunions
No information

Ship name	Ancylus
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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