HMS Slinger (D26) was a Ruler-Class escort carrier of the Royal Navy during World War Two. Originally laid down as a C3-S-A1 type freighter hull she was purchased by the US Navy for conversion to an escort carrier. On completion, she was transferred to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease agreement.
Launched on 19 September 1942, and commissioned on 11 August 1943. Following her maiden voyage, she struck a mine which took until 17 October 1944 to repair. After a period as a training carrier, she worked up in preparation for departure to the far east. HMS Slinger arrived off Sydney on 25 February 1945.
Slinger operated as part of the Air Train, carrying replacement aircraft for the British Pacific Fleet, with a new pennant number R313. In May 1945, engine problems required a return to Sydney. Following the repairs, HMS Slinger could only make 12 knot, too slow to perform aircraft flying operations. She was re-assigned as an auxiliary vessel, with the pennant number A452.
Returned to U.S. Navy custody on February 27th 1946 at Norfolk Navy Yard, she was stricken for disposal on April 12th 1946 and put up for sale. She was sold into mercantile service on November 21st 1946 when she was purchased by the Robin Line. On completion of her conversion into a passenger freighter she was renamed Robin Mowbray. She operated on the company’s weekly New York to South and East Africa run until she was sold for scrap and was broken up in Taiwan starting on January 29th 1970.
HMS Slinger September 1943, carrying out work up and sea trialsPractice shoot on board HMS SlingerHMS Slinger HMS Slinger December 1944HMS Slinger (left) and HMS Speaker (right) In the Bay of Bixing January 1945February 25th 1945 the Corsairs of 1845 squadron perform a fly-past overhead as they say farewell on her arrival at SydneyHMS Slinger pier side at Sydney, November 1945.Sydney, July 1945, HMS Slinger wearing her auxiliary pennant number A452The US-flagged Robin Mowbray, ex-HMS Slinger, unloading cargo in the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, August 1966.Robin Mowbray, Bremerhaven, Germany, August 1966.
Aircraft Operations
Seafire landing in HMS SlingerIrish Sea, November 1944 A Seafire crash on deck, the prop is tangled in the barrierSeafire N129 of 768 Squadron hangs over the side after a deck crash on November 26th 1944Hellcat sits ready on the catapult running up to full power in readiness for launch, it is a replenishment airframeHellcat sits on the flight deck with its engine running and chocks in place somewhere North of the PhilippinesThe Corsairs of 1845 Squadron working-up in the Clyde, December 1944The Corsairs of 1845 Squadron working-up in the Clyde, December 1944Corsair taking off from HMS SlingerCorsair 7P of 1845 squadron having made a poor landing approach has missed all the wiresCorsair 7P of 1845 squadron having made a poor landing approach has missed all the wires and is caught by the barrierSeptember 1943, HMS Slinger carrying out work up and sea trialsSeptember 1943, HMS Slinger carrying out work up and sea trialsOctober 28th 1944 an Avenger from 778 service trials Unit at RNAS ArbroathReplacement aircraft in the hanger of HMS Slinger, these were loaded in Sydney
