Ruler class escort carriers

The Ruler class of escort carriers were the largest group of aircraft carriers to serve in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Although they saw some service in the Atlantic and North Sea, most members of the class spent most of the war in the Indian Ocean or with the British Pacific Fleet. 

The Ruler class carriers were built around a US C3 merchant hull. Twenty four were completed as members of the American Prince William class, and twenty-three transferred to the Royal Navy, where they became the Ruler class. Only the USS Prince William remained in American service.

HMS Begum

The Ruler class carriers were similar to the previous Attacker class. The Attacker class ships had been built with two 42ft x 34 lifts, a 438ft flight deck that was often increased to 450ft and hangers longer than in previous escort carriers, at 262ft by 62ft with 18ft of clear head room. Most of the Ruler class carriers had the 450ft flight deck and the same hanger size. The catapult was made more powerful, and could launch an 8,500lb aircraft. The fuel capacity was reduced. Sources differ on the number of aircraft that could be operated, with some stating 18 to 24 and others suggesting as many as 30. Three times as many aircraft could be ferried. 

The Ruler class ships were built by Henry Kaiser's Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation (although five were completed elsewhere). Most were completed during 1943, although they were further modified on arrival in the United Kingdom.

None of the Ruler class ships were sunk during the war, although HMS Nabob and HMS Thane were both so badly damaged that they were not repaired. At the end of the war the Royal Navy ships were returned to American control. Some were scrapped, but most were converted into merchant ships and sold.

HMS Atheling at Greenock, 1944

Specifications

American CVE Numbers and Names

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