Laid down on 12 December 1942 as HMS Warrior, a Colossus-class light-aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy, the ship was loaned to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Warrior. Commissioned on 24 January 1946, she lacked heating for some of the onboard equipment, as the Royal Navy had intended her to be used in the tropics where heating was unnecessary. Unfortunately, the Royal Canadian Navy operated in a much colder climate, which made her unsuitable for service in the north. Combined with defense cuts, it was decided to only operate one aircraft carrier (the other being HMCS Magnificent which would shortly be available) and Warrior was returned to the Royal Navy on 23 March 1948.
While operated by the RCN, Warrior embarked 803 (Supermarine Seafires and 825 Squadrons (Fairey Fireflies). In August 1947, the squadrons were re-equipped with Firefly Mark IV and Hawker Sea Fury aircraft.
After a period of service with the Royal Navy, she was sold to Argentina as ARA Independencia.
HMCS Warrior going under the Lions Gate Bridge 10 February 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) after the aircraft carrier ran aground, 14:30 hours, 23 August 1946HMCS Warrior (R31) with HMS Savage G20 in the backgroundHMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) run aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway due to a steering gear problem in 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) Sunday divisions 1947HMCS Warrior (R31) fueling HMCS Nootka R96 during deployment to the Pacific Ocean in 1947HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31)HMCS Warrior (R31) in dry dockHMCS Warrior (R31) in dry dock
Aircraft Operations
Fairey Firefly
Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with folded wings on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with wings folded on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS Warrior
Supermarine Seafire Mk XV
Supermarine Seafire on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire taking off from HMCS Warrior
USS Core CVE-13 was a Bogue-class escort carrier built for the US Navy. Launched on 15 May 1942 and commissioned on 10 December 1942, she was originally designated AVG-13. On 20 August 1942 this was changed to ACV-13 and then to CVE-13 on 15 July 1943. While operating as a part of Hunter-Killer groups, Core and her escorts sank seven German U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.
USS Core also operated as an aircraft transport in the Atlantic and Pacific. Post war she took part in Operation Magic Carpet, the repatriation of homeward bound servicemen.
Post war she was redesignated as a helicopter escort carrier (CVHE-13) 12 June 1955, a utility carrier (CVU-13) 1 July 1958 and finally an aviation transport (T-AKV-41) 7 May 1959. During the Vietnam war she ferried aircraft to Saigon.
Core was stricken for disposal on 15 September 1970 and sold for scrap in 1971.
USS Core (CVE-13) ferrying aircraft steamed under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge possibly 3 September 1945USS Core (CVE-13) underway at sea in 1944USS Core (CVE-13) wearing camouflage Measure 32, Design 4A, 31 August 1944USS Core underway in the Atlantic, probably on 10 October 1943USS Core (CVE-13)USS Core (CVE-13) underway, circa 1944. She is camouflaged in Measure 32, Design 4A schemeGerman prisoners of U-185 aboard USS Barker (DD-213) 24 August 1943 alongside USS Core
Aircraft Operations
General Motors (Grumman) F4F Wildcat
General Motors FM-2 Wildcat launched from USS Core (CVE-13) on 12 April 1944General Motors FM-2 Wildcat flies near USS Core (CVE-13) 1944General Motors FM-2 Wildcat #21 ready for catapulting, in the North Atlantic, 12 April 1944Crash of General Motors FM-2 Wildcat #19 into the ship’s port stacks, while landing, North Atlantic, 16 April 1944Grumman TBM Avengers and General Motors FM Wildcats of VC-36 on the flight deck of the USS Core CVE-13 Atlantic on April 9, 1944
Grumman TBF Avenger
Grumman TBM Avengers and General Motors FM Wildcats of VC-36 on the flight deck of the USS Core CVE-13 Atlantic on April 9, 1944Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of VGS-13 takes off from USS Core ACV-13 February 15, 1943
Captured Japanese Aircraft
Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka being transported aboard USS Core (CVE-13)Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka K-1 training glider being transported aboard USS Core (CVE-13)
USNS Core (T-AKV 41)
USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon River 1961USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon 1961 with 32 H-21 Shawnee helicoptersUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon River 1961USNS Core arrived in Saigon Dec. 11 1961 carrying helicopters and U.S. Army pilots and ground crewsUSNS Core (T-AKV-41) docks in Saigon Feb. 7, 1962USNS Core (T-AKV 41) docks at Saigon harbor, South VietnamUSNS Core (T-AKV-41) docks in Saigon Feb. 7, 1962USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon Harbour 17 June 1965 with more than 70 Douglas EA-1F Skyraiders for the Vietnamese Air ForceUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) at Vancouver, BC, 15 June 1964USNS Core (T-AKV 41) at Vancouver, BC, 15 June 1964USNS Core (T-AKV 41) at Vancouver, BC, 15 June 1964An A-1G on the crane of USNS Core (T-AKV-41) at Saigon c1965Douglas A-1 Skyraider aircraft on deck of the USNS Core (T-AKV-41) at Saigon, South Vietnam, circa 1965. Core delivered more than seventy warplanes USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon RiverUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) docks at Saigon harbor, South VietnamUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) docks at Saigon harbor, South VietnamUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) in Saigon, 1960s.USNS Core (T-AKV 41) in San Francisco Bay. 1966–1967USNS Core (T-AKV 41) docked at Saigon harbor, South VietnamUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) docked at Saigon harbor, South VietnamUSNS Core (T-AKV 41) docked at Saigon harbor, South Vietnam
Providing an excellent opportunity to see some of the Royal Australian Navy’s ships up close, Fleet Base East Open Day 2024 was held on 25 February 2024.
Although ticketed so as to control numbers, entry was free and commenced at 10:00am. After a quick ticket and bag check at security we were allowed onto the base. Three ships were open to visitors, HMAS Arunta, Hobart and Canberra, although others were present and viewable from the dock. The RAN also had displays along the dock, showing their capabilities, career options and roles available.
1. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)2. HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)The 127mm Gun of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk based on HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Crest of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151)Motto of HMAS Arunta (FFH 151
HMAS Canberra (L02)
The Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 from OutsideHMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42Looking Through the Well Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 to HMAS Sydney DDG 42HMAS Canberra L02 With a Landing Craft in the Well DeckAustralian Army Truck on the Cargo Deck of HMAS Canberra L02 HMAS Canberra L02 BridgeThe Ski Jump of HMAS Canberra L02
HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)
1. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)2. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42)3. HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) Stern4. HMAS Canberra L02 Looking Through the Well Deck to HMAS Sydney DDG 42
