1
9 4 4
January
Contractor’s trials.
(Note:
Three US Navy radars were fitted during
build, Type SK for aircraft detection,
Type SG for surface warning and a
fire-control outfit for the control of
Close Range
AA Armament.
The main armament comprised two 5in
standard US Navy guns and over 50
smaller
calibre Close
Range AA guns.
28th
Build completion
31st
Transferred to the Royal Navy and
commissioned at Tacoma as HMS TROUNCER
February
Commenced sea trials and shakedown.
29th
Passage to Esquimalt
for modifications to suit RN service.
March
Under modification by HM Canadian
Dockyard, Esquimalt.
to
(Note: Some sea trials may have been
carried out.)
April
May
Nominated for deployment by US Navy as
a Ferry Carrier.
15th
Took passage to Norfolk, Va
to embark aircraft.
Transit of Panama canal.
June
4th
Arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard.
Embarked US aircraft
for transport to Casablanca.
18th
Sailed from Norfolk
(Note:
Passage as part of US military convoy to
be confirmed.)
July
10th
Disembarked aircraft at Casablanca.
13th
Took return passage to Norfolk
(Note:
Passage with US military convoy to be
confirmed.)
Award of Battle Honour ATLANTIC 1944 may
be related to
this
deployment.)
28th
Took passage from Norfolk
for New York to embark aircraft for RN
use.
August
2nd
Embarked CORSAIR aircraft in New
York for transport to UK.
Atlantic passage
(Note:
Passage as part of routine convoy to be
confirmed.)
22nd
Arrived at Liverpool
after disembarking aircraft.
(Note: Delivery to Belfast to be
confirmed.)
26th
Sailed from Clyde for return passage to
Norfolk
(Note: No shipyard capacity was
available for further modification of
this ship.
It is assumed that this would include
changes to petrol distribution system
following the
loss of HMS DASHER after an explosion of
petrol vapour.)
Ship continued service as a Ferry
Carrier.)
September
Embarked US aircraft at Norfolk on
arrival
5th
Took passage from Norfolk with aircraft
for delivery Gibraltar
Disembarked aircraft at Gibraltar
Deployed at Gibraltar
(Note:
Delay in return to USA may have been due
to availability of convoy.)
October
2nd
Sailed from Gibraltar to Norfolk, Va
22nd
Sailed from Norfolk to Clyde
Nominated for use as a Deck Landing
Training Carrier
November
2nd
Deployed in Clyde as deck landing
training carried
December
Resumed ferry carrier deployment and
embarked aircraft for return to USA
8th
Passage to New York
On arrival disembarked aircraft and
loaded further consignment for transport
to UK
1
9 4 5
January
Passage to Clyde and disembarked
aircraft on arrival
18th
Under repair in Clyde shipyard
Nominated for refit.
February
Taken in hand for refit in Belfast
shipyard.
to
August