HMS Battler (D18) was an American-built escort carrier that served with the Royal Navy during World War II. Originally laid down on 15 April 1941 as a C3-S-A1 merchant ship for Moore-McCormack Lines, she was constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy on 7 January 1942 and designated as a Bogue-class escort carrier under the name Altamaha. She was launched on 4 April 1942 and was towed to Norfolk Navy Yard for modifications before being transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease agreement, where she was commissioned into Royal Navy service as HMS Battler (D18) on 15 November 1942. HMS Battler measured approximately 495 feet 8 inches (151.08 meters) in length, with a beam of 69 feet 6 inches (21.18 meters) and a draught of 24 feet 8 inches (7.52 meters). She displaced about 14,170 long tons (14,400 tonnes) at full load. Powered by two boilers driving steam turbines connected to a single shaft, she produced 8,500 shaft horsepower, capable of reaching speeds up to 18 knots (33 km/h). Her flight deck was 450 by 120 feet (137 by 37 meters), accommodating up to 24 aircraft, including anti-submarine and fighter planes such as Seafires, Swordfish, Martlets, and Corsairs. The hangar below measured 260 by 62 feet (79 by 19 meters). Her armament primarily consisted of anti-aircraft guns, including eight 40 mm Bofors guns and multiple 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, along with two 4-inch guns for surface defense. Throughout her service, HMS Battler undertook convoy escort duties across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean, providing vital air cover during major operations such as the invasion of Salerno, Italy. Her aircraft conducted anti-submarine patrols, attacked U-boats, and supported fleet operations. She also served as a ferry carrier, transporting aircraft and supplies, and later as a deck landing training ship within the UK. After the war, she was decommissioned in early 1946, returned to U.S. custody, and subsequently sold for scrap. HMS Battler's versatile role and participation in key convoy and amphibious operations highlight her maritime significance during World War II.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.