HMS Speaker
From Our Contribution
 At anchor in Sydney, October 1945 | |
 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | HMS Speaker (D90) |
| Builder | Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co |
| Launched | 20 February 1943 |
| In service | 20 November 1943 |
| Out of service | 25 September 1946 |
| Fate | Merchant ship; sold for scrap 1972 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ruler-class escort carrier |
| Tonnage | 8,333 tons |
| Length | 492 feet 3 inches (150.0m) |
| Beam | 69 feet 6 inches (21.18m) |
| Depth | draught 25 ft 6 in (7.77m) |
| Propulsion | single screw |
| Speed | 16.5 knots (30.56 km/h) |
| Capacity | crew of 646 |
Contents
Remarks
Originally designed as a freighter, she was purchased by the US Navy and her role changed to that of escort aircraft carrier. Named USS Delgada, she was commissioned in to the US Navy, and on the same day under the lend lease arrangement between the UK and USA, she was transferred to the British Navy, and renamed HMS Speaker.
Aircraft facilities were a small combined bridge–flight control on the starboard side, two aircraft lifts 43 feet (13.1 m) by 34 feet (10.4 m), one aircraft catapult and nine arrestor wires. Armament comprised: two 4"/50, 5"/38 or 5"/51 Dual Purpose guns in single mounts, sixteen 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns in twin mounts and twenty 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft cannons in single mounts.
Her first task after refitting was to ferry a load of aircraft from USA to England as part of Convoy CU19, arriving at Liverpool on 8 Apr 1944. Having completed a second run, in May 1944 her role changed to Assault Carrier. In early 1945 she joined the British Pacific Fleet. Post - War she was returned to the United States pm 27 Jul 1946
Post war The flight deck was removed and she was sold into merchant service on 22 April 1947 as Lancero (later renamed President Osmena in 1965 and 'Lucky One in 1971). The ship was sold for scrap in Taiwan in 1972.
Soldiers carried
Tokyo Bay to Manila 3 - ?? September 1945
473 POWs
Manila to Sydney 4 - 15 October 1945
Australian POWs