AUDACITY
Displacement: 5,540 tons (standard)
Complement: ?
Length: 467 ft (142.3 m)
Beam: 56 ft (17 m)
Draught: 27.5 ft (8.4m)
Aircraft: 6
Guns:
1 - 4/45
1 - 6 pound
4 - 2 pound AA
4 - 20mm AA
Armour: none
Machinery: Diesels, 2 shafts, 5,200 bhp, 15 knots |
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Audacity escort aircraft carrier History ex Empire Audacity,
ex Sinbad, ex merchant Hannover D10 Built by Bremer Vulcan. Launched
29 March 1939, completed 10 May 1939. Captured in the West Indies
7 March 1940 following attempted scuttling. Taken into RN as
Sinbad, then renamed Empire Audacity and commissioned as an Ocean
Boarding Vessel 11 Nov 1940. Converted by Blyth Shipbuilding
22 Jan 1941 to 6/1941; commissioned 20 June 1941. Renamed Audacity
30 July 1941. Employed in Gibraltar convoys. Torpedoed and sunk
by U-751 off Portugal 21 December 1941. Concept/Program: This
ship was the first escort carrier. She was intended to provide
basic air cover for convoys, defending against long-range bombers
and U-boats. This was a very spartan conversion, but set the
pattern for well over 100 merchant-hulled escort carriers. Briefly
operated under her previous name, Empire Audacity. Design/Conversion:
Converted from a German freight-passenger liner captured early
in the war. Stripped down to the main deck; funnels diverted
aft and a full-length flight deck was fitted. No hangar and no
island. Modifications: None. Operational: Operated mainly as
an escort for Gibraltar convoys, carrying fighter aircraft. Departure
from Service/Disposal: Torpedoed and sunk late in 1941. |
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