HMS Slinger British Aircraft Carrier

HMS Slinger

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.