HMS Arbiter was a Ruler-class escort carrier of the Royal Navy originally laid down as the USS St Simon, she was allocated to Britain under the Lend-Lease agreement and re-named. Laid down on 26 April 1943, Arbiter was commissioned on31 December 1943.
HMS Arbiter undertook aircraft ferrying from the US to Britain until September 1944 at which time she undertook a refit for operations in the tropics. She embarked 1843 NAS equipped with Vought Corsair fighters and arrived in Sydney Australia on 4 May 1945.
From July to August 1945, Arbiter acted as a replenishment aircraft carrier, carrying replacement aircraft for fleet carriers and returning damaged aircraft for repairs. At the end of hostilities, Arbiter made humanitarian trips to Hong Kong, transferring ex-prisoners to Australia and the UK.
Returned to US control on 3 March 1946, she was converted for commercial use. She was scrapped in 1973.
HMS Arbiter, at Sea-Tac Yard, Tacoma, Washington, September 9, 1943HMS Arbiter undergoing builder’s trials off Portland, end of December 1943HMS Arbiter (D31) at Greenock, Scotland, on 29 July 1944HMS Arbiter (D31) at Greenock, Scotland, on 29 July 1944HMS Arbiter moored, with a Short Sunderland flying boat alongsideAerial port quarter view of HMS Arbiter (D31) underway, February–March 1945HMS Arbiter underway, in Far Eastern camouflage, 1945HMS ArbiterHMS ArbiterHMS Arbiter (D31) Sunday divisionsHMS Arbiter (D31)HMS Arbiter undergoing a fire drill. Note the Vought Corsair fighters on the flight deckHMS Arbiter at Sydney, May 1945.HMS Arbiter at Sydney, May 1945HMS Arbiter along side in Sydney, November 1945, between humanitarian voyages to Hong KongEx-St. Simon, ex-HMS Arbiter, as Coracero (Argentinian flag) in the Weser River, leaving Bremen, Germany, in August 1964ex-St. Simon, ex-HMS Arbiter, as Coracero, apparently berthed in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, ca. the mid-60s.November 9, 1966 President Macapagal seen at Vancouver, B.C., Canada.November 9, 1966 President Macapagal seen at Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Aircraft Operations
Grumman Avenger
Grumman Avengers of 853NAS on HMS ArbiterGrumman Avenger of 853NAS on HMS ArbiterGrumman Avenger of 853NAS flying over HMS Arbiter
Grumman Hellcat
Grumman Hellcat aboard HMS Arbiter
Vought Corsair
HMS Arbiter in Suez Canal with Vought Corsair fighters on deckCrashed Vought Corsair on HMS Arbiter after an accidentHellcat and Corsair fighters aboard HMS Arbiter
