HMS Springbank was a Ruler-class escort carrier that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Originally laid down as a C3-type merchant cargo ship for the United States Maritime Commission, she was converted into an auxiliary aircraft carrier and transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease Act.
History
The ship was originally ordered as the C3-S-A1 merchant hull number 165 for the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) and assigned the name ''Rio Parana''. Her keel was laid down on 27 October 1941 by the Western Pipe and Steel Company in San Francisco, California. Before her launch, she was selected for conversion into an escort carrier for the Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease program. She was launched on 26 July 1942 and subsequently converted by Commercial Iron Works in Portland, Oregon. Following conversion, she was commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS ''Springbank'' on 17 February 1943.Service History
Throughout her wartime service, HMS ''Springbank'' primarily operated in the Western Approaches Command. Her main duties involved providing convoy escort, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, and transporting aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean. She played a vital role in protecting Allied shipping from U-boat attacks, working with various escort groups. Her career was characteristic of the unsung but crucial role played by escort carriers in maintaining the Atlantic lifeline.Post-War Fate
After the cessation of hostilities, HMS ''Springbank'' was returned to the United States Navy on 13 March 1946 at Norfolk, Virginia. She was struck from the US Navy list and subsequently sold into merchant service. In 1948, she was acquired by new owners and renamed ''Roma''. She underwent further name changes, becoming ''Kastor'' and later ''Castor''. The vessel continued to operate as a merchant ship for several decades until she was finally scrapped in 1973.General Characteristics
- Type: Escort Aircraft Carrier
- Class: Ruler (a subclass of the US Bogue-class)
- Displacement: Approximately 11,420 tons standard; 15,390 tons full load
- Length: 492 ft (150 m)
- Beam: 69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
- Draught: 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
- Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8,500 shp (6,300 kW), one shaft
- Speed: 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
- Range: 26,000 nautical miles (48,000 km) at 15 knots
- Complement: Approximately 646 officers and enlisted personnel
- Armament: Typically 2 × 4-inch (102 mm) guns; numerous 40 mm Bofors and 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns (armament varied)
- Aircraft Carried: 18–24 aircraft (e.g., Fairey Swordfish, Grumman Avenger, Grumman Wildcat)