Originally ordered as a an 11,900 ton C3-S-A2 type freighter the SS Mormacpenn, HMS Hunter was requisitioned by the US Navy for conversion to an escort carrier. The US Navy transferred the completed ship to the Royal Navy under Lend Lease on December 31 1942 as the Attacker-class escort carrier HMS Hunter. Following the completion of fitting out, she transported a load of aircraft to Casablanca. After additional repairs, she was sent to the Mediterranean.
In the Mediterranean, HMS Hunter participated in Operations Avalanche (invasion of Sicily) and Dragoon (the invasion of Southern France). Following a series of airstrikes in the Aegean, HMS Hunter underwent a refit and preparation for operations in the Pacific.
HMS Hunter participated in the re-occupation of Rangoon, where she provided air support. Following the end of the Second World War, she was transferred back to the US Navy, where she was decommissioned and returned to civilian use. Entering service on November 17th 1948 as the SS Almdijk she was renamed Almdyk in 1953. Sold for breaking on 27 October 1965 she arrived in Valencia, Spain on 2 November 1965 to be scrapped.
HMS Hunter After CompletionHMS Hunter (D80) and HMS Stalker (D91) in convoy UGF6 on 18 March 1943 CasablancaHMS Hunter (D80) arrives in Casablanca ferrying aircraft on 18 March 1943. Note French battleship Jean Bart in the background.HMS Hunter 30 June 1943 GreenockHMS Hunter 30 June 1943 GreenockHMS Hunter shortly after commissioning, at anchor at GreenockHMS Hunter (D80), moored at Greenock, Scotland, 30 June 1943, newly commissioned in the Royal NavyHMS Hunter escorting troop convoy just before the Salerno operations.HMS Hunter off the island of SantorinHMS Aurora refuelling from HMS HunterHMS Hunter (D80) while transiting the Suez Canal in October 1945HMS Hunter (D80) while transiting the Suez Canal in October 1945HMS Hunter’s BridgeHMS HunterHMS HunterHMS Hunter (D80) while transiting the Suez Canal in October 1945HMS Hunter during operations in the Indian OceanPort side view of HMS Hunter during operations in the Indian OceanThe S.S. Almdijk
With King Farouk Aboard
King Farouk chatting with Vice Admiral Tennant on the bridge of HMS HunterKing Farouk with Vice Admiral Tennant and his Staff ascending to the flight deck of HMS Hunter by means of the aircraft liftThe Egyptian Royal Standard and Ensign flying at the masthead of HMS Hunter together with the White Ensign
Aircraft Operations
Seafire F.Mk.IIC of No.807 SquadronSeafire F.Mk.III of No. 807 Squadron taking off from HMS Hunter during the Salerno OperationsSeafire landing on HMS Hunter during the Salerno OperationsSeafire fighter on HMS Hunter, HMS Stalker in backgroundSeafire LR.Mk.IIC of No. 807 Squadron that has crash-landed on HMS Hunter’s deckCrashed Seafire F.Mk.IIC LR642 of No.807 SquadronCrashed Seafire F.Mk.III of No.807 SquadronCrashed Seafire on HMS HunterCrashed Seafire F.Mk.IIC LR647 on HMS HunterSeafires of HMS Hunter carrying out a bombing attack on a target towed astern of the escort carrier.A Seafire going round again after attempting a landing on HMS Hunter during the Salerno operation.
