1
9 4 3
November
Contractors trials.
19th
Build completed and transferred to RN
and commissioned for service as HMS
THANE.
December
After trials and shakedown this ship was
retained for use as an Accommodation
ship.
(Note : This was found necessary because
of difficulties in providing personnel
from
UK Manning Depots for ships being built
in USA.
1
9 4 4
January
Deployment as an Accommodation ship in
continuation.
to
March
April
Accommodation deployment terminated.
15th
Took passage to Esquimalt for
modifications to suit Royal Navy use.
Taken in hand by HM Canadian Dockyard,
Esquimalt
(Note : Work was put out to contract and
carried out by a commercial engineering
organisation which had limited
experience in ship work and standards
required.)
May
Under modification
June
Carried some sea trials and preparation
for ocean passage.
8th
Sailed from Vancouver for Norfolk Va via
Panama.
July
Arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard.
Nominated for service in Western
Approaches Command as a Ferry Carrier.
Under repair.
August
Embarked US aircraft for delivery to
South Africa.
14th
Sailed for South Africa,
September
2nd
Disembarked aircraft in South Africa.
15th
Took return passage to Norfolk.
October
3rd
Deployed at Norfolk
5th
Took passage to Clyde.
17th
Arrived in Clyde.
November
Deployment as Ferry carrier in
continuation.
Embarked aircraft for delivery to Port
Said.
6th
Sailed from Clyde as part of outward
Convoy KMF36
15th
Called at Gibraltar
20th
Disembarked aircraft at Port Said.
30th
Sailed from Port Said for return passage
to UK.
December
1st
Sailed from Gibraltar for Clyde
16th
Took passage to Norfolk Va
28th
Sailed from Norfolk with CORSAIR
aircraft for transport to UK.
1
9 4 5
January
14th
Disembarked aircraft at Belfast.
15th
During passage from Belfast hit by
torpedo fired from U482 in Clyde
Position 55-10N 05.30W.
Sustained major damage with 10
casualties. (Casualty
List - note
on casualties)
Taken in tow to Greenock.
February
On survey declared to be a constructive
total loss.
Paid off and laid up at Faslane after
de-storing and removal of any British
equipment.
March
Under Care and Maintenance at Faslane.
to
(Note : Pennant Number R316 had been
allocated for use when deployed to
conform
August
with US Navy identity for this type of
warship if ship were to be deployed with
British Pacific Fleet.)