H.M.S. SEARCHER Gallery

HMS SEARCHER gallery

Images and memorabilia from the private collections of Sub Lt. (A) John Vallely RNVR are marked †, Sub Lt. A. L. Fletcher RNVR marked ‡. Images supplied by Charles Kelly are marked Ω . Additional Images, marked © IWM, are reproduced under the terms of the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Most of these images are sized to fit the screen, however where possible those containing groups of personnel will open large enough to see individuals. Many, but not all, of these images are available in larger, high-res versions and copies can be supplied upon receipt of a photo request. If you have pictures or other memorabilia that you can contribute to this project please contact the Webmaster using the Offer of assistance form.

The Royal Navy Research Archive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License See our terms of use for conditions regarding using these images in other works.

Under construction at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington: Fenbruary1942 – June 1942

This is AVG-46 (RANEE) at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington. The hull and flight deck support beams are complete, and the ship is ready for launching. Whereas this vessel was completed on site, AVG-22 (SEARCHER) is to be towed up the Pacific coast to the shipyard of Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, for the completion of her construction as an escort carrier (1) Image via Navsource.net

This is AVG-46 (RANEE) being launched at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington. The hull and flight deck support beams are complete. Whereas this vessel was completed on site, AVG-22 (SEARCHER) is to be towed up the Pacific coast to the shipyard of Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, for the completion of her construction as an escort carrier. Image via Navsource.net

Fitting out and working up : June 1942 - May 1943

Commercial Iron Works shipyard in Portland, Oregon, where SEARCHER’s build was completed after her hull had been towed from Seattle up the Columbia River to Portland. Over the next 291 days, work progressed on creating and equipping the internal compartments, the hangar deck, fitting the flight deck, accelerator and arrestor gear, the island superstructure, sponsons, and armament. A CVE is moored alongside at the extreme right of the image.

SEARCHER departing from Portland after 291 days, alongside being fitted out and completed as an auxiliary Aircraft Carrier. She passed down the Willamette River from Portland to join the Columbia River to enter the Pacific Ocean on her maiden voyage.

SEARCHER departing from Portland to pass down the Willamette River from Portland to join the Columbia River to enter the Pacific Ocean on her maiden voyage.

SEARCHER departing from Portland, approaching Longview Bridge as she passes down the Columbia River to enter the Pacific Ocean on her maiden voyage.

Working up with 882 & 898 Naval Air Squadrons

October 18th 1943: SEARCHER at Greenock. © IWM (A 19871)

October 18th 1943: SEARCHER at Greenock. © IWM (FL 18881)

Wildcats from 882 and 898 squadrons flying over SEARCHER.

The Wildcats of 882 and 898 squadrons landing on SEARCHER.

The Wildcats of No. 882 and 898 squadrons onbaord SEARCHER.

A Wildcat of 882 squadron being struck down into the hangar on SEARCHER.

December 9th 1943: JV402 898 Sqn ('7H') piloted by Sub-Lt O. N. Fenn RNVR, the arrester hook snapped and the aircraft flew into the barrier.

December 27th 1943: Wildcat JV524 882 Sqn piloted by Sub-Lt A. Sharpe RNZNVR has ditched in the landing circuit while attempting to make a precautionary landing. He was rescued OK.

December 9th 1943: JV402 898 Sqn ('7H') piloted by Sub-Lt O. N. Fenn RNVR, the arrester hook snapped and the aircraft flew into the barrier.

JV400 898 Sqn ('7F'): the barrier has been lowered after a successful landing, and the pilot taxis forward to clear the deck for the barrier to be raised in readiness for the next aircraft on approach to land. Date and pilot unknown.

JV723 882 Sqn ('6G' ) caught in the moment it is about to be stopped by the crash barrier. This aircraft landed quickly after the one before it, the tail of which can be seen as it taxis forward into the aircraft park. Date and pilot unknown.

An unidentified Wildcat has drifted sharply to port on landing and has run off the deck edge while still hooked onto an arrester wire. Date and fate unknown.

December 1943: The pilots of 898 Squadron on SEARCHER.

Operations off northern Norway: March - May 1944

March 22nd 1944: Wildcat JV399 898 Sqn ('7Y'), piloted by Sub-Lt H. J. Pain RNVR, has missed all the arrester wires and been stopped by the barrier.

March 22nd 1944: Wildcat JV399 898 Sqn ('7Y'), piloted by Sub-Lt H. J. Pain RNVR, has missed all the arrester wires and been stopped by the barrier. The starboard undercarriage leg has collapsed, and the prop has been damaged.

March 23rd 1944: Wildcat JJV407 898 Sqn ('7P'), piloted by Sub-Lt C. O. Cullen RNVR, has been stopped by the barrier. The starboard undercarriage leg has collapsed, and the prop has been damaged.

March 29th 1944: Wildcat JV424 898 Sqn ('SV') piloted by Sub-Lt A. Sharpe RNZNVR swung to starboard on landing, hit the island and went over the side. He was rescued

Part of Force 2 for operation TUNGSTEN the attack on the German Battleship TIRPITZ ATTACK carried out on April 3rd 1942 seen from the flight deck of EMPEROR: L-R CVE SEARCHER, Fleet Carrier FURIOUS, CVE PURSUER and Cruiser JAMAICA. © IWM A 22648

April 3rd 1944: Operation TUNGSTEN: Part of a strike force of Barracudas setting off to attack the German battleship TIRPITZ in Kaafjord in the far north of Norway, seen from the deck of SEARCHER. In total, 40 Barracudas and 81 fighters formed two strike forces. The damage inflicted during the attack was not sufficient to sink or disable TIRPITZ, but she suffered considerable damage to her superstructure and unarmoured areas, with 122 crew members killed and 316 wounded.

TIRPITZ attack April 3rd 1944.

c. April 1944: the escort carriers STRIKER and SEARCHER and the cruiser JAMAICA ploughing through heavy seas in company, seen from PURSUER. © IWM (A 23065)

c. April 1944: SEARCHER in heavy seas seen from PURSUER in northern waters, off the northern coast of Norway.

c. April 1944: SEARCHER in heavy seas seen from PURSUER in northern waters, off the northern coast of Norway. © IWM (A 23066)

c. May 1944: SEARCHER in rough seas in northern waters, off the northern coast of Norway, bringing up aircraft to be ranged on deck.

June 17th 1944: A sequence of 4 images capturing a spectacular barrier crash on SEARCHER. Wildcat JV487 ('SP') of 882 Sqn has missed all the arrester wires and crashed into the barrier. The momentum caused the aircraft to overrun and end up on its back in the aircraft park. (1) JV460 ('ST') has just landed, cleared the barrier and is taxiing into the park.

June 17th 1944: A sequence of 4 images capturing a spectacular barrier crash on SEARCHER. Wildcat JV487 ('SP') of 882 Sqn has missed all the arrester wires and crashed into the barrier. The momentum caused the aircraft to overrun and end up on its back in the aircraft park. (2) The tail of JV460 ('ST') has been damaged by the starboard wing of JV487 as it has flipped on its back.

June 17th 1944: A sequence of 4 images capturing a spectacular barrier crash on SEARCHER. Wildcat JV487 ('SP') of 882 Sqn has missed all the arrester wires and crashed into the barrier. The momentum caused the aircraft to overrun and end up on its back in the aircraft park. (3) The tail of JV460 ('ST') has been damaged by the starboard wing of JV487 as it has flipped on its back.

June 17th 1944: A sequence of 4 images capturing a spectacular barrier crash on SEARCHER. Wildcat JV487 ('SP') of 882 Sqn has missed all the arrester wires and crashed into the barrier. The momentum caused the aircraft to overrun and end up on its back in the aircraft park. (4) The tail of JV460 ('ST') has been damaged by the starboard wing of JV487 as it has flipped on its back..

June 17th 1944: A sequence of 4 images capturing a spectacular barrier crash on SEARCHER. Wildcat JV487 ('SP') of 882 Sqn has missed all the arrester wires and crashed into the barrier. The momentum caused the aircraft to overrun and end up on its back in the aircraft park. (5) The aircraft is being righted using the flight deck crane.

A Royal visit: His Majesty the King visited SEARCHER on May 11th 1944

May 11th 1944. Scapa Flow: HM King George VI coming aboard SEARCHER to tour the ship as part of a Royal visit to the Home Fleet May 10th – 13th.

May 11th 1944. Scapa Flow: HM King George VI speaking with Lt Cdr (A) M. F. Fell, DSO, RN, officer in charge of No. 7 Naval Fighter Wing on the flight deck during his tour of the ship.

May 11th 1944. Scapa Flow: Captain G. O. C. Davies, RN (left), and Commander L. J. Sedgwick, RN, escorting the King during his tour of the ship

May 11th 1944. Scapa Flow: HM King George VI speaking with Lt. Cdr (A) G. R. Henderson, DSC, RNVR, commanding officer of 898 Squadron, on the flight deck during his tour of the ship.

Operations in the Mediterranean and the Aegean: July - October 1944

July 1944 off Malta: A "free-for-all" on the flight deck of the SEARCHER, with "Able Dog Spud" the ship's mascot joining in, while aircraft stand at immediate readiness behind. © IWM (A 24588)

July 1944 off Malta: Physical Training in progress on the flight deck of the SEARCHER, with aircraft standing at immediate readiness behind. © IWM (A 24589)

July 20th 1944: The pilots of 882 Squadron pose before taking off for pre-invasion flying exercises. Left to right: Back row: Sub-Lt (A) A. Sharpe, RNZNVR; Sub-Lt (A) F. T. Sherborne, RANVR; Lieut (A) W. J. Sheppard, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) E. F. Hockings, RNVR; Lieut (A) R. J. Harrison, DSC, RNZNVR; Lt Cdr (A) G. R. Henderson, DSC, RNVR (Squadron Commander); Lt Cdr (A) C. St George, RNZNVR; Sub-Lt (A) C. G. Sanville, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) A. R. Duff, RNZNVR; Sub-Lt (A) P. J. Canter, RNZNVR; Sub-Lt (A) D. S. Farthing, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) H. J. Pain, RNVR. Front row: Sub-Lt (A) H. N. J. Gardiner, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) A. F. Womack, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) J. A. P. Harrison; Sub-Lt (A) N. Wood, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) R. Brierley, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) R. J. Ecob, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) J. E. McMullen, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) W. S. Smith, RNVR; Sub-Lt (A) D. M. Steer, RNVR; and Sub-Lt (A) J. M. Boswell., RNVR. © IWM (A 25038)

July 20th 1944: Lt Cdr (A) M. F. Fell, DSO, RN, commander of No. 7 Naval Fighter Wing he was decorated for his part in the TIRPITZ action. IWM (A 25039)

July 20th 1944: Fighter aircraft flying over the stern of SEARCHER during exercises in preparation for Operation DRAGOON. © IWM (A 25041)

July 20th 1944: Fighter aircraft flying over the stern of SEARCHER during exercises in preparation for Operation DRAGOON. © IWM (A 25040)

August 1944, Malta: Rear Admiral Troubridge talking to, left to right: Official Naval Photographers Lieut S J Beadell, RNVR, and Lieut J A Hampton, RNVR, and Official Naval Reporter Lieut Cdr (A) R D Pursall, DSC, RNVR. © IWM (A 25130)

August 1944, Malta: Rear Admiral Troubridge (centre) with Captain G O C Davies (bottom) and Commander L J Sedwick, during his visit. © IWM (A 25129)

August 1944, Malta: Admiral Troubridge (right) on SEARCHER's flight deck with Captain G. O. C. Davies, RN, (centre) and Commander L. J. Sedwick, RN. © IWM (A 25127)

December 12t

Force A operations in the Aegean.: AURORA refuelling from HUNTER off the island of Santorin. SEARCHER and ROYALIST are seen in the background. © IWM A 26010

September 1944, off Rhodes, in the Aegean. The CVEs KHEDIVE, STALKER, EMPEROR, HUNTER, SEARCHER, and PURSUER in line ahead as seen from ATTACKER. © IWM (A 26519)

WWith the East Indies Fleet: July - October 1945

c. August 1945: Wildcat JV889 882 Sqn (‘C’) landed with port drift, and the port undercarriage collapsed from the strain. Pilot unknown. (1)

c. August 1945: Wildcat JV889 882 Sqn (‘C’) landed with port drift, and the port undercarriage collapsed from the strain. Pilot unknown. (2)

c. August 1945: Wildcat JV889 882 Sqn (‘C’) landed with port drift, and the port undercarriage collapsed from the strain. Pilot unknown. (3)