HMS Dasher Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier

HMS Dasher Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier

HMS Dasher (D37) was an Avenger-class aircraft carrier of the British Royal Navy. The Avenger class were converted merchant vessels, based on the United States Navy’s Long Island class.

Dasher was commissioned into Royal Navy service on 2 July 1942. She participated in Operation Torch, with her sister ship HMS Biter, carrying Sea Hurricanes of 804 Naval Air Squadron. After aircraft ferry duties in the Mediterranean, Dasher sailed to the Clyde in March 1943 and, having had her flight-deck lengthened by 42 ft (13 m), she embarked Fairey Swordfish aircraft. She escorted one convoy successfully, but shortly after leaving with the second, Dasher suffered engine trouble and turned back. Shortly after getting to the Firth of Clyde on 27 March 1943, she suffered a major internal explosion and sank.

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