Builders:

C3 merchant Hull: Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. Tacoma, Washington, Hull purchased by the US navy to become the auxiliary aircraft carrier USS CHATHAM AVG-32; while still under construction transferred to the Admiralty on Lend-Lease loan for 'Ameer' Class escort carrier.

Conversion: Willamette Iron & Steel shipyard, Portland, Oregon

keel laid down:

May 25th 1942

Launch Date:

September 19th 1942 at  Tacoma

Completion date:

July 19th 1943 at Portland (date sailed for builder's trials)

Commissioned:

August 11th 1943 at Portland

Pennant Numbers:

D26  (note: the D flag superior prefix was not applied to the hull only the number 26)

R313 temporary pennant number worn during service as a replenishment carrier with the 'Air Train'  of the British Pacific Fleet's Fleet Train

A452 temporary pennant number worn during service as ferry carrier with British Pacific Fleet and operating as an auxiliary with the Fleet Train as a  non combat vessel

Displacement:

11,420 tons net, 15,390 tons gross

Dimensions:

Length (Hull): 465ft
Length (Overall) 494ft 9in
Beam (Hull): 69ft 6in

Flight deck: 450ft x 80ft

Machinery:

1 shaft Allis-Chalmers geared turbine; 2 Foster Wheeler boilers 8,500shp = 18 knots

Fuel capacity:

3,290 tons Furnace Fuel Oil

Endurance:

27,500 nautical miles at 11 knots

Armament:

2 single 5in USN Mk 12, 8 twin 40mm Bofors, 21 single 20mm Oerlikon. (Post upgrade changed to 14 twin powered 20rnm Oerlikon mounts, 7 single 20mm Oerlikon)

Aircraft capacity:

Up to 24 operational aircraft (dependant on type) or 70 airframes when ferrying.

Aviation fuel:

36,000 gallons AVGAS

Catapults:

1 H4C hydraulic: performance - 16,0001b at 74 knots

Arrester wires:

9 wires rated for 19,800lb at 55 knots; 3 crash barriers

Elevators (Lifts):

Aft 34ft long x 42ft wide

Forward 42ft long x 34ft wide

Both rated for14,0001b

Hangar:

260ft x 62ft x 18ft

Crew complement:

646

Paid off:

February 27th 1946 at Norfolk Navy Yard and returned to U.S. Navy custody

Disposal:

Sold into mercantile service on November 21st 1946, after conversion to a freighter renamed  S.S. Robin Mowbray. Operated a weekly New York to South and East Africa run until broken up in Taiwan starting on January 29th 1970.