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HMS Ranee was a Ruler class escort carrier that was loaned back to the US Navy and spent the first half of 1945 ferrying US Naval aircraft to the front line.
The Ranee was laid down on 5 January 1943 as USS Niantic (CVE-46).
1944
The Ranee crossed the Atlantic with Convoy CU.44, leaving New York on 22 October 1944 and reaching the UK on 2 November. Nos.1846 and 1848 Squadrons with their Corsairs were ferried across on this trip.
1945-1946
At the start of 1945 Ranee was lent to the United States Navy and was used to ferry United States Naval aircraft, although still with her British crew. She was released back to British control at the end of May 1945, escorting convoy CU.72 from New York (departing 25 May) to the UK (arriving 5 June 1945).
The Ranee was refitted as a troopship in June 1945. In 1946 she was used to carry troops from Portsmouth to the Far East and back between 27 March and 30 May, to Hong Kong and back between 22 June and 9 September and then to carry civilian passengers to Bermuda, and then on to Norfolk, Virginia, between 15 October and 1 November.
She was returned to the US Navy on 21 November 1946 and sold off as a merchantman.
Squadrons
No.1846 NAS
No.1846 Squadron embarked on 18 October 1943 with its Corsair III, disembarking in the UK on 2 November.
No.1848 NAS
No.1848 Squadron also embarked on 18 October, with its Corsair Is and IIs, disembarking in the UK, before disbanding on 21 November.
Displacement (loaded) |
11,400t standard |
Top Speed |
18kts |
Range |
27,500 miles at 11 knots |
Length |
495ft 3in-496ft 8in oa |
Armaments |
18-24 aircraft |
Crew complement |
646 |
Launched |
2 June 1943 |
Completed |
8 November 1943 |
To USA |
1946 |