Dasher 1943
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Avenger (ex-BAVG2, ex-Rio Hudson) | D14 | 186 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Bethlehem, Staten Is, USA | 28.11.1939 | 27.11.1940 | 2.3.1942 | sunk 15.11.1942 |
| Biter (ex-BAVG3, ex-Rio Parana) | D97 | 187 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Atlantic Basin Iron Wks, Brooklyn, USA | 28.12.1939 | 18.12.1940 | 1.5.1942 | to France 9.4.1945 (Dixmude) |
| Charger (ex-BAVG4, ex-Rio de la Plata) | D27 | 188 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Newport News, USA | 19.1.1940 | 1.3.1941 | 2.10.1941 | to USA 4.10.1941 |
| Dasher (ex-BAVG5, ex-Rio de Janeiro) | D37 | 189 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Tietjen & Lang, USA | 14.3.1940 | 12.4.1941 | 1.7.1942 | sunk 27.3.1943 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
10366 |
|
Displacement full, t |
15125 |
|
Length, m |
150.0 |
|
Breadth, m |
21.2 wl 23.7 fd |
|
Draught, m |
7.67 deep load |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
4 Sun-Doxford diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
8500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil 3061 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 15000(15) |
|
Armament |
3 x 1 - 102/50 Mk 9, 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk 1.2, 7 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk 1.2, 6 x 1 - 12.7/90, 15 aircraft (Fulmar, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Buffalo, Martlet fighters, Swordfish torpedo bombers) |
| Sensors | type 79, type 271 radars |
| Complement | 555 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 2,963 (3,192)m², ha - 1,275m² / 6,222m³): Flight deck: 125 (later 134.7)x23.7m, hangar: 57.9x14.3x4.88m. There was 1 lift (12.8x10.4m, 5.4t) and 1 catapult H-II (3.2t plane was launched at 113km/h). Aircraft fuel stowage was 341,000l, but immediately after commissioning stowage was decreased to 164,000l.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo bombers |
| 4.1942 Avenger | --- | 4 Swordfish |
| 7.1942 Dasher | --- | 4 Swordfish |
| 8.1942 Avenger | 12 Sea Hurricane (+6 spare) | 3 Swordfish |
| 10.1942 Biter | 15 Sea Hurricane | --- |
| 10.1942 Dasher | 12 Sea Hurricane | --- |
| 2.1943 Dasher | 6 Sea Hurricane | 12 Swordfish |
| 4.1943 Biter | 3 Wildcat | 9 Swordfish |
| 10.1943 Biter | 6 Wildcat | 6 Swordfish |
| 1.1944 Biter | 4 Wildcat | 11 Swordfish |
| 4.1944 Biter | 7 Wildcat | 11 Swordfish |
Project history: First (with Archer) British escort aircraft carriers ordered in the USA under lend-lease. They were converted from merchant hulls. Works were begun in April-May, 1941. Avenger was flush-decked, without an island. Remaining ships had small island on the starboard. Carriers had hulls of standard type ΡΗ cargo vessels. The stability was ensured with a solid ballast (1930t of concrete). Besides, holding of 1000t of water ballast was recommended. Ships had no armour or underwater protection.
Machinery included four diesels, working on one shaft through a reduction gear. Diesel fuel stowage consisted from 1362-1600t of ship stock and 1100-1700t in additional (cargo) tanks, used mainly for refuelling of the escorts at sea.
Modernizations: 8.1942, Biter; 10.1942, Dasher: - 3 x 1 - 102/50; + 3 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V10/1943, Biter: - 4 x 1 - 20/70; + 4 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV, displacement was 12850/15300t with load draught of 7.75m, oil stowage was 1308t of fuel oil and 1097t of cargo oil.
Naval service: Avenger was torpedoed by German submarine U155 in 100nm W of Gibraltar 15.11.1942. She has blown up and sunk in three minutes. 505 people dead. Dasher was lost as a result of explosion of aviation petrol tanks 27.3.1943 in Clyde mouth. 378 people were lost.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14