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HMS Rajah (1943) CVE  (1st)

    
This the only ship to carry the name HMS Rajah was a  Ruler Class (1942) escort aircraft carrier. Built for the US Navy as USS McClure, CVE 45, and transferred to the Royal Navy under lease-lend terms.

Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp of Seattle, laid down 17-Dec-1942, launched 18-May-1943, transferred to the Royal Navy 17-Oct-1943 and commissioned 17-Jan-1944.

Modifications to meet Royal Navy requirements followed at Vancouver and she sailed for the UK from New York 26-May-1944.

Allocated to the Western Approaches Command and used as a training carrier until Aug-1944.

Sailed to join the Eastern Fleet 10-Sep-1944 and after disembarking aircraft at India and Ceylon, returned to the UK for refit.

Allocated to the US navy as a ferry carrier Dec-1944 and served in that role until Aug-1945 when she returned to the Clyde to be refitted for trooping duties, and continued with this until Dec-1946.

Returned to the US Navy at Norfolk Navy Yard 13-Dec-1946.

Sold as a Merchant ship Drenthe 07-Jul-1947.

Renamed Lambros 1966.

Renamed Ulisse 1969.

Arrived for breaking up at Savona 23-Jun-1975.

Won the Battle Honour: Atlantic 1944.

 

- Ruler Class (1942) CVE
- Specifications
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- Plans/Schematics
- Pictures
- Full Battle Honours

Outside Links
- Official Website
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This page last edited - 29 May, 2012.

Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated.