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| Royal Navy Bogue-class escort Ruler-class escort carrier 7,800 Tons 495' x 69' x 26' 6 x 4" / 50 guns 4 x Twin 40mm Bofors 10 x 20mm cannons 28 Aircraft  RN Sept 21, 1944  USAAF March 1945 |
Ship History Built by Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding in Tacoma, Washington. Laid down June 5, 1943 as a Bogue-class escort carrier to be named USS Winjah (AVG-54) for Winjah Bay, South Carolina. On June 23, 1943 assigned to the United Kingdom under lend-lease when completed. On July 15, 1943 redesignated CVE-54. Launched November 22, 1943. Delivered to the British February 18, 1944. Commissioned February 21, 1944 in the Royal Navy (RN) as HMS Reaper (D82) three days later under the command of Admiralty by Captain J.F.H. Sawyer. Afterwards, underwent sea trials. On February 26, 1944 to Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd in Vancouver, Canada for modification into an Ruler-class escort carrier and to embark her British crew and was attached to the 30th Aircraft Carrier Squadron. Wartime History In June 1944 departs Vancouver via San Francisco then via the Panama Canal via Norfolk and embarked a full load of aircraft for delivery to the United Kingdom then via New York and across the Atlantic with convoy CU.33 to Liverpool. On August 4, 1944 detached from the convoy bound for Clyde and unloads her aircraft then undergoes repairs and further modification. On September 21, 1944 moored at Greenock, Scotland. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 23, 1945 departs San Diego loaded with P-51D Mustangs and P-38L Lightnings to ferry aircraft across the Pacific. In early March 1945 arrives Dregerhaffen Harbor off Finschafen and unloads aircraft. On March 18, 1945 arrives Seeadler Harbor off Manus to deliver stores and aircraft and embarks other aircraft. The next day departs for Ulithi Atoll arriving three days later and embarks passengers and the next day departs for Guam. On March 24, 1945 arrives Guam and two days later departs for Eniwetok Atoll then back to San Diego for repairs and refit. Postwar On May 13, 1946 arrived Norfolk and a week later decommissioned and returned to the U.S. government. On June 14, 1956 authorized for disposal. On July 8, 1946 struck from the Naval Registry. On July 8, 1956 sold to the Waterman Steamship Company of Mobile, Alabama and renamed South Africa Star and used as a merchant ship. Fate In May 1967 sold for scrap and broken up in Mihara, Japan. References NavSource - Winjah (CVE-54) / HMS Reaper Royal Navy Research Archive - A History of HMS REAPER The Little Giants U.S. Escort Carriers Against Japan (1987) pages 58 (British Escort Carriers), 463 (index) Contribute
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