H.M.S. SMITER Gallery

HMS SMITER gallery

Images marked ♣ are Courtesy of Mark Rosenthal; his father, Lt. Michael Rosenthal RNVR, was the Navigating Officer. Images marked Ω are from the private collection of former Petty Officer Electrician Terry Oxley. 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: December 1942 – January 1944

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. (1) Image via Navsource.net

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. (2) Image via Navsource.net

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. (3) 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. Image via Navsource.net

Modification period and workup at Vancouver: January - April 1944

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (1) Image: e000762191 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (2) Image: e000762192 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (3) Image: e000762195 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The removal of the original rounddown in preparation for fitting the flight deck extension. (4) Image: ee000762194 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

The first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762205 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Aft starboard quarter view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762204 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Stern view showing the first section of the longer rounddown is in place for the flight deck extension. Image: e000762207 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

New torpedo storage racks being put to the test using dummies. Image: e00076219Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Seen form the flight deck looking down the forward lift well, one of the new fire screens is tested to isolate the hangar. Image: e000762209 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

Checking the Installation of steam heating in the 40mm Bofor gfun tubs. Image: e000762188 Ronny Jaques / National Film Board of Canada. Library and Archives Canada

c. late March 1944, HMS SMITER is nearing the end of her modification period at Burrards, and the officers and men attend a dedication ceremony on the flight deck; the church service was led by The Right Reverend Sir Francis Heathcote, Bishop of New Westminster, B.C., and was attended by senior members of the Burrards staff. (1)

c. In late March 1944, HMS SMITER is nearing the end of her modification period at Burrards, and the officers and men attend a dedication ceremony on the flight deck. Captain L. G. Richardson RN, commanding officer, addresses the ship's company and guests. (1) Note the cast ship's badge mounted on the podium; this was a proposed design cast by Burrards for the ship. The design was not officially adopted.

c. In late March 1944, HMS SMITER is nearing the end of her modification period at Burrards; Officials and managers from the company attending the after-party on the hangar deck following the dedication service held on the flight deck earlier in the day.

c. In late March 1944, HMS SMITER is nearing the end of her modification period at Burrards; Captain L. G. Richardson entertaining guests on the hangar deck after the dedication service held on the flight deck earlier in the day.

April 1st 1944: In drydock at Esquimalt: SMITER completed her alterations at the Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd., North Vancouver, on March 31st and sailed to the RCN dockyard at Esquimalt for drydocking and defect rectification. She was undocked on April 4th. (Image is of CVE-48 THANE)

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt, Vancouver Island, British Columbia: SMITER has been undocked and is secured alongside at Esquimalt, where she is receiving a visit from the Governor of Canada, Major General Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice.

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: the Governor of Canada, Major General Alexander Cambridge, inspects the honour guard of Canadian ratings during his visit to SMITER. © IWM (A 24436)

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: the Governor of Canada, Major General Alexander Cambridge, and his wife, Princess Alice, Honorary Commandant of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) visit the cafeteria-style galley during their visit to SMITER. © IWM (A 24434)

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: The Governor of Canada with Captain Richardson (left); the Ship’s Doctor, Surgeon Lt. Cdr J. C. Gray, DSC, MRCS, LRCP, RCNVR during the visit to SMITER.

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: The Governor of Canada and his wife, Princess Alice and party on the flight deck during their visit to SMITER.

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: the Governor of Canada, Major General Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, disembarking after a tour of the ship. © IWM (A 24435)

April 5th, 1944. Esquimalt: the Governor of Canada, Major General Alexander Cambridge, Earl of Athlone and his wife, Princess Alice, photographed with the ship’s company of SMITER during their visit to the ship, which took place just before the carrier began her work-up,

c. April 1944: a US Navy patrol blimp passes overhead as SMITER is on passage, either to the Navy Yard at Bremerton or to begin exercising as part of her short work-up prior to sailing for the UK later in the month. © IWM (A 24438)

Arrival in the UK &Deck Landing Training Carrier

c. June/July 1944: SMITER, probably on her second voyage as a ferry carrier. View looking aft from the island showing her flight deck packed with Lend-Lease Corsair fighters. © IWM (A 24437)

c. June/July 1944: SMITER, probably on her second voyage as a ferry carrier, with her flight deck packed with Lend-Lease Corsair fighters collected from Norfolk, Virginia, bound for the Clyde. © IWM A 27601

July 29th 1944, SMITER at anchor off Greenock © IWM (A 25023)

July 29th 1944, SMITER at anchor off Greenock © IWM (A 25024)

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (1) lined up on approach. © IWM (A 27595)

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (2) lined up on approach. © IWM (A 27597)

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (3) lined up on approach, watching the Deck Landing Control Officer “Bats” out of the port side of the cockpit for instructions. © IWM (A 27599

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (4) still lined up on approach; the arrestor wires are in sight, waiting for “Bats” to give the touchdown or go-around again signal. instructions. © IWM (A 27560)

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (5). The Deck Landing Control Officer “Bats” gives the cut signal to indicate the pilot is in the correct position to make a successful landing. The object of this exercise is to make a perfect approach, then apply power to rejoin the circuit for another go.

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (6): whether a successful touch-and-go or a wave-off to go around again, the pilot has applied power and is gaining flying speed to rejoin the landing circuit. The next pilot in the circuit is making his turn to approach in the distance.© IWM (A 27593) Note: The censor had obscured the carrier's identification letter on the flight deck.

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (7): as a pilot gains altitude to rejoin the landing circuit. Another is about to cross the rounddown. © IWM (A 27594)

Swordfish aircraft performing deck landing practice (8): The cycle of circuits and bumps continues until the session is over. © IWM (A 27595)

A Seafire has been stopped by the barrier. Date unknown. (1)

A Seafire has been stopped by the barrier. Date unknown. (2)

A Barracuda coming in for a landing. Date unknown.

A Barracuda has suffered an undercarriage failure on landing. Date unknown.

A Firefly crosses the rounddown as the batsman gives signals to adjust its attitude. Date unknown.

A Corsair begins a takeoff run (1). Date unknown.

A Corsair begins a takeoff run (2). Date unknown.

with the East indies Fleet

c. September 1945, en route to the Cocos Islands: Crossing the equator. Captain Richardson looks on as King Neptune and his royal bride prepare to receive the initiates during the traditional ‘crossing the line’ ceremony held on the flight deck.

c. September 1945, en route to the Cocos Islands: Crossing the equator. An initiate gets the 'treatments' before his ducking during the traditional ‘crossing the line’ ceremony held on the flight deck.

c. September 1945, en route from the Cocos Islands to Singapore: The 12 Spitfire Mk. XIVs of No 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron RAF, which were embarked at the Cocos Islands for passage to Hong Kong via Singapore. A single Stinson Reliant communications aircraft (nearest camera) is also on board, possibly a ship’s flight aircraft.

c. September 1945 en route to Hong Kong: SMITER’s aircraft handling party taking an RAF Spitfire down into the hangar to reduce the number of aircraft parked on deck. The non-folding wings did not prevent the aircraft from being stowed in the hangar, but severely limited the number of machines that could be accommodated.© IWM (CI 1630)

c. September 1945, en route to Hong Kong: A sports day competition held on board between the RAF and RN. Note that the Spitfires have been rearranged; only 7 machines remain on deck. © IWM (CI 1631)

c. September 1945, en route to Hong Kong: A boxing competition held on board between the RAF and RN. Note that the Spitfires have been rearranged, ready to enter harbour; only 7 machines remain on deck, parked in line on the centre line.© IWM (CI 1636)

c. September 15th 1945 at Hong Kong: SMITER arriving at Hong Kong. The crew are manning the rails, and seven REAF Spitfires are ranged on the flight deck centre line for entering harbour.© IWM (CI 1637).

c. September 1945 at Hong Kong: Ship’s electrical team (an RAF Spitfire is behind them). Standing (L to R): Lt (E) A. Preston RNVR, Petty Officers Bill Barford, Gilbert Husk, Fred Foster, Don Howard, Sub-Lt (E) H. Howatt RNVR. Kneeling (L to R): Petty Officers Terry Oxley, Harry White, ?, Eddy Neal.

c. September 1945, Hong Kong: Former internees and PoWs who are fit enough are entertained with a dance on the flight deck aboard SMITER shortly after leaving Hong Kong Harbour in late September 1945, on passage to Ceylon.

Miscellaneous

A ship's celebration on the flight deck, possibly for V-J day. The pianist is Don Howard.

Church service, possibly a thanksgiving service after the Japanese surrender in August 1945. The contingent wearing khaki uniforms may be 815 Squadron personnel.

The Captain’s cabin on SMITER.

Petty Officer's Sports Team, Far East, 1946. Terry is 3rd from left, middle row. Don Howard is sitting on the far right.

Electrical Team - Atlantic, 1944 (L to R): Standing, Electrical Artificer 5th Class Gilbert Husk, Electrical Artificer 4th Class Jack Wilson, Electrical Artificer 5th Class Fred Foster. Sitting: Electrical Artificer 5th Class Bill Barford, Electrical Artificer 4th Class Buck Hibben, Electrical Artificer 5th Class Terry Oxley.