Vindex 1943

TYNE BUILT SHIPS

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Name:	VINDEX
Type:	Aircraft Carrier
Keel:	02/07/1942
Launched:	04/05/1943
Completed:	15/11/1943
Builder:	Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson
Yard:	Wallsend
Yard Number:	1667
Dimensions:	13455disp - 16830disp, 503.8 x 68.3 x 20.8(draft)ft
Engines:	2 x Oil engines, 2SCSA, Doxford type, 5cyl (670 x 2320mm), 2152nhp, 10700bhp
Engines by:	Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Low Walker
Propulsion:	2 x Screws, 17.0knots
Construction:	Steel
Armament:	1 x 2 x 4.0ins AA, 4 x 4 x 2pdr AA, 8 x 2 x 20 mm AA guns;
	15 - 20 x aircraft, 1 x catapult
History:
15/11/1943	British Royal Navy
02/10/1947	Port Line Ltd, London; renamed PORT VINDEX
23/08/1971	Broken up

Comments:	Member of the Nairana Class
	Laid down as merchant ship PORT SYDNEY
	20/10/1942: Taken over by the Admiralty for conversion to an aircraft carrier
	During her war service in the Atlantic and Russian Convoys her aircraft sank a number of U-Boats including U653, U765, U354 and U394
	1947: Repurchased by Port Line for conversion to refrigerated cargo ship PORT VINDEX
	Allocated builders yard number 1783 for the rebuilding contract. Carried out at Jarrow
	03/10/1947: Arrived in the Tyne after tow from Rosyth by three tugs
	02/06/1949: Sailed from the Tyne after completion of the conversion
	23/08/1971: Broken up at Kaohsiung by Zui Fat Steel & Iron Co

Above: As completed on the Tyne. Photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum

Above: As commissioned on the Clyde. Photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum

Above photo is copyright of Allan Green

Above photo is courtesy of Photoship

Above: View from a returning Swordfish. Photo is copyright of the Imperial War Museum

Above: Having her "flat top" removed after the war. Photo is courtesy of Kevin Blair.
Click HERE for more photos of the conversion. Use Browser BACK button to return