HMS Khedive (D62) was an escort aircraft carrier originally launched as USS Cordova (CVE-39) on December 27, 1942, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Company in Tacoma, Washington. Designed as a larger and more capable escort carrier than previous American-built vessels, she was constructed specifically for this role rather than converted from merchant ships. She measured approximately 492 feet 3 inches (150.0 m) in length, with a beam of 69 feet 6 inches (21.2 m), and a draught of 25 feet 6 inches (7.8 m). Propulsion was provided by a steam turbine connected to two boilers and a single shaft, generating 9,350 shaft horsepower, which allowed her to reach speeds of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h). Her flight deck was equipped with a small combined bridge and flight control on the starboard side, two aircraft lifts measuring 43 by 34 feet (13.1 by 10.4 m), one aircraft catapult, and nine arrestor wires for aircraft recovery. The hangar below the flight deck measured 260 by 62 feet (79.2 by 18.9 m), providing ample space for aircraft storage. Her armament comprised two dual-purpose guns (either 4"/50 or 5"/38 or 5"/51 caliber), sixteen 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns in twin mounts, and twenty 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, designed to provide comprehensive air defense. Originally launched as USS Cordova in 1942, the vessel was transferred to the Royal Navy on August 25, 1943, and renamed HMS Khedive. During her service, she played a notable role as the command ship during the Allied landings in southern France in August 1944. From April to August 1945, she served with the East Indies Fleet as part of the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. She was slated to participate in the invasion of Singapore in September 1945 (Operation Tiderace), but with Japan's surrender, her mission was limited to security duties on the island. The vessel was returned to U.S. custody in January 1946, sold into merchant service in 1947 as Rempang (later Daphne), and ultimately scrapped in Spain in 1975. Her operational history and design reflect her importance as a versatile and sizable escort carrier in mid-20th-century naval operations.

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