Destination's Journey

HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship's work up with the new squadron in June1943

HMS Chaser British Escort Carrier

HMS Chaser D32 British Escort Carrier

HMS Chaser (D32/R306/A727) was an American-built Attacker-class escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

Acquired by the United States Navy for conversion to a Bogue-class escort carrier; she was transferred to the Royal Navy and commissioned as Chaser on 9 April 1943, under the Lend-Lease agreement. She spent most of her career escorting convoys in the Arctic. She transferred to the British Pacific Fleet in March 1945 where she operated as a replenishment carrier.

HMS Chaser
HMS Chaser
View from a Fairey Swordfish just after take off from HMS Chaser for an anti-submarine patrol.
View from a Fairey Swordfish just after take off from HMS Chaser for an anti-submarine patrol.
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship's work up with the new squadron in June1943
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship’s work up with the new squadron in June1943
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship's work up with the new squadron in June1943
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship’s work up with the new squadron in June1943
HMS Chaser 4 July 1943 Greenock
HMS Chaser 4 July 1943 Greenock
HMS Chaser 4 July 1943 Greenock
HMS Chaser 4 July 1943 Greenock
Grumman Wildcat on the flight deck of HMS Chaser. The convoy can be seen in the background.
Grumman Wildcat on the flight deck of HMS Chaser. The convoy can be seen in the background.
HMS Chaser in Sydney Australia wearing the pennant number R306 which she wore during her service with the British Pacific Fleet during 1945
HMS Chaser in Sydney Australia wearing the pennant number R306 which she wore during her service with the British Pacific Fleet during 1945
HMS Chaser wearing the pennant number A727 - worn when acting as a ferry carrier with the Fleet Train in the Pacific
HMS Chaser wearing the pennant number A727 – worn when acting as a ferry carrier with the Fleet Train in the Pacific

Aircraft Operations

Grumman Avenger

Avenger prepares for an unassisted take-off from HMS Chaser c. June 1943
Avenger prepares for an unassisted take-off from HMS Chaser c. June 1943
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845squadron ranged on deck during the ship's work up with the new squadron in June1943
HMS Chaser in Chesapeake Bay with Tarpons (Avengers) of 845 NAS ranged on deck during the ship’s work up with the new squadron in June1943

Hawker Sea Hurricane IIC

Sea Hurricane Mk. Ilc of 835 Squadron takes off in the Irish Sea c. November 1943
Sea Hurricane Mk. Ilc of 835 Squadron takes off in the Irish Sea c. November 1943

Fairey Swordfish

Swordfish LS272 of 835 Squadron after suffering a port undercarriage collapse on landing c. Dec 1943
Swordfish LS272 of 835 Squadron after suffering a port undercarriage collapse on landing c. Dec 1943
Swordfish LS272 of 835 Squadron after suffering a port undercarriage collapse on landing c. Dec 1943
Swordfish LS272 of 835 Squadron after suffering a port undercarriage collapse on landing c. Dec 1943
A Fairey Swordfish landing on HMS Chaser
A Fairey Swordfish landing on HMS Chaser
Wildcats and Fairey Swordfish on the flight deck of HMS Chaser
Wildcats and Fairey Swordfish on the flight deck of HMS Chaser

Grumman Wildcat

Grumman Wildcat on the flight deck of HMS Chaser. The convoy can be seen in the background.
Grumman Wildcat on the flight deck of HMS Chaser. The convoy can be seen in the background.