Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:08:54-2:09:50

Pre-war plans for escort-carrier conversions

The Royal Navy had considered converting auxiliary ships into escort carriers before war, but wartime needs also pulled such hulls toward amphibious work.

Escort CarriersMerchant ShipsNaval AviationRoyal Navy
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Question

Could cargo or auxiliary ships have been subsidized for easy escort-carrier conversion?

Short answer

Yes; the Royal Navy considered such conversions, although wartime demand for the same hulls could redirect them to other roles.

Notes

Pre-war thinking did include carrier conversion from suitable commercial or auxiliary vessels. Admiral Henderson's plans considered Royal Navy oilers as possible escort-carrier hulls during the 1930s. The idea therefore preceded the wartime emergency and was more than a retrospective possibility. Actual war created competing demands for the same large auxiliaries. Some were needed for amphibious shipping in operations such as Madagascar, so identifying a convertible hull did not automatically create an escort-carrier programme.