View source for HMS Nabob (D77)

{{short description|Escort carrier}}
{{other ships|HMS Nabob}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
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{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMS Nabob.jpg
|Ship image size=300px
|Ship caption=''Nabob'' returning home after being torpedoed in August 1944
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1942}}
|Ship name=USS ''Edisto''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down= 20 October 1942
|Ship launched= 22 March 1943
|Ship sponsor=
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|Ship completed=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship identification=* AVG-41
* ACV-41
* CVE-41
|Ship fate= Transferred to [[Royal Navy]]
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Nabob''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship commissioned= 7 September 1943
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=10 October 1944
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
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|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]] D77
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|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=Returned to US 1946, sold for scrap, but resold for conversion to mercantile use
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}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=
|Ship flag=
|Ship name=*''Nabob'' (1952–67)
* ''Glory'' (1967–77)
|Ship registry=*{{flagicon|West Germany|civil}} [[West Germany]] (1952–67)
* {{flagicon|Panama|civil}} [[Panama]] (1967–77)
|Ship namesake=
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=1952
|Ship out of service=1977
|Ship renamed=
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|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
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|Ship identification={{IMO|5245045}}
|Ship motto=
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|Ship fate= Sold for scrap, 1977
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}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Header caption=
|Ship class= {{sclass|Ruler|escort carrier}} (UK)
|Ship displacement= * {{convert|11400|LT|t}} (standard)
* {{convert|15,390|LT|t}} (full)
|Ship length= {{convert|492|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship beam= * {{convert|69|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}} [[waterline|wl]]
* {{convert|108|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}} max
|Ship draught= {{convert|25|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship power=*2 × [[Foster Wheeler]] boilers
* {{convert|8,500|shp|kW|lk=in|abbr=on|0}}
|Ship propulsion=* 1 × [[Allis-Chalmers]] geared [[steam turbine]]
* 1 shaft
|Ship speed= {{convert|18|kn|km/h|lk=in}}
|Ship range= {{convert|27500|nmi|km|lk=in|abbr=on|0}} at {{convert|11|kn|kph|0}} max
|Ship endurance= {{convert|3160|LT|t}} [[fuel oil]]
|Ship boats=
|Ship complement=646
|Ship sensors=* SG surface search radar
* SK air search radar
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=* 2 ×  [[5"/51 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on|0}}/51 cal.]] guns
* 8 × twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] guns
* 14 × twin [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]
* 7 × single Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=18–24
|Ship aircraft facilities= * {{convert|450|x|80|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} [[flight deck]]
* {{convert|260|x|62|x|18|ft|m|abbr=on|0}} [[hangar]]
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Nabob'' (D77)''' was a {{sclass|Ruler|escort carrier|0}} [[escort aircraft carrier]] which served in the [[Royal Navy]] during 1943 and 1944. The ship was built in the [[United States]] as
the {{sclass|Bogue|escort carrier|0}} '''USS ''Edisto'' (CVE-41)''' (originally '''AVG-41''' then later '''ACV-41''') but did not serve with the [[United States Navy]]. In August 1944 the ship was torpedoed by the {{GS|U-354}} while participating in an attack on the {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz}}. ''Nabob'' survived the attack, but upon returning to port, was considered too damaged to repair. The escort carrier remained in port for the rest of the war and was returned to the United States following it. ''Nabob'' is one of two Royal Navy escort carriers built in the United States which is listed as lost in action (both of which were damaged beyond repair, but returned) during World War II. The ship was sold for scrap by the United States but found a second life when purchased and converted for mercantile use under her British name, ''Nabob''. Later renamed '''''Glory''''', the ship was sold for [[Ship breaking|scrapping]] in 1977.

==Design and description==
The ''Bogue'' class were larger and had a greater aircraft capacity than all the preceding American-built escort carriers. They were also all laid down as escort carriers and not converted [[merchant ship]]s.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=82}} The ''Ruler'' type vessels were essentially a repeat version of the {{sclass|Attacker|escort carrier|4}}. Based on the [[Type C3-class ship|Type C3]] design, the ''Ruler'' class were acquired by the [[Royal Navy]] as part of [[Lend-Lease]] after delays in the construction of the {{sclass|Casablanca|escort carrier|4}}, which the Royal Navy had intended to acquire.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=251}} All the vessels in the class had a [[Ship's company|complement]] of 646 officers and [[Naval rating|ratings]] and an [[Length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|492|ft|3|in|1}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|69|ft|6|in|1}} at the [[waterline]] and {{convert|108|ft|6|in}} total with a [[Draft (ship)|mean draught]] of {{Convert|25|ft|5|in|m|1|abbr=on}}. The escort carriers had a [[Displacement (ship)|standard displacement]] of {{convert|11400|LT|t}} and a deep load displacement of {{convert|15390|LT|t}}. Propulsion was provided by one [[Propeller|shaft]] turned by an [[Allis-Chalmers]] geared [[steam turbine]] powered by two [[Foster Wheeler]] boilers, rated at {{convert|8500|shp|kW|lk=in|0}}, which could propel the ship at maximum {{convert|18|kn|kph|lk=in}}. The escort carrier could carry {{convert|3160|LT|t}} of [[fuel oil]] and had a maximum range of {{convert|27500|nmi|km|lk=in|0}} at {{convert|11|kn|kph}} or {{convert|18750|nmi|km|0}} at maximum speed.{{sfn|Chesneau|1980|p=82}}{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=252}}

Aircraft operations were commanded from a small combined [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]]–flight control on the [[starboard]] side of the ship. The [[flight deck]] was {{convert|450|ft|m|0}} long and {{convert|80|ft|m}} wide. The H4C hydraulic [[aircraft catapult]] was capable of launching {{convert|16000|lb|adj=on|0}} aircraft at {{convert|74|kn|kph}}. To receive aircraft the ship was equipped with nine [[arresting gear|arrestor wires]] capable of taking {{convert|19800|lb|adj=on}} aircraft at {{convert|55|kn|kph|0}}, backed up by three [[Arresting gear#Barricade|aircraft barriers]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=252}} Two [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|aircraft elevators]] accessed the below-deck [[Hangar#Hangars aboard ships|hangar]], with the forward elevator being {{convert|42|ft|1}} long by {{convert|34|ft|1}} wide and the aft elevator being 34 feet wide and 42 feet long with both capable of taking {{convert|14000|lb|adj=on|0}} aircraft. Aircraft could be housed in the {{convert|260|by|62|by|18|ft|adj=on|1}} hangar below the flight deck. However, the sloping contour of the hangar combined with the elevator arrangement made handling and storage of aircraft difficult and time-consuming. The escort carriers could store {{convert|3600|impgal|0}} of [[avgas]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|pp=251–252}} They had a maximum aircraft capacity of twenty-four aircraft which could be a mixture of [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] and [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] (ASW) aircraft, though up to 90 could be ferried.{{sfn|Cocker|2008|p=82}}{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=252}}

Armament comprised two Mark 9 [[5"/51 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on|0}}]]/51 [[Caliber (artillery)|calibre]] guns, eight twin-mounted [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors gun]]s, fourteen twin-mounted [[20 mm Oerlikon cannon]] and seven single-mounted 20&nbsp;mm Oerlikon cannon. Since the escort carriers came as part of Lend-Lease, they retained their American [[radar]] systems, with the SG {{convert|10|in|mm|adj=on|0}} surface radar and the SK {{convert|1.5|cm|in|abbr=on|0}} air search radar.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=251}}

==Construction and career==
''Edisto'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 20 October 1942 at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp yard in [[Tacoma, Washington]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}} The ship was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 9 March 1943.{{sfn|Chesneau|1980|p=26}}{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|p=433}} ''Edisto'' was completed and transferred under Lend-Lease to the United Kingdom on 7 September 1943 prior to her [[Ship commissioning|commissioning]] as HMS ''Nabob'' with the [[pennant number]] D77 into the Royal Navy at Tacoma.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=265}}{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}} The [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN) wanted to obtain experience with aircraft carriers before their acquisition of their own carriers and sought [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] permission to take over ''Nabob''. However, due to Lend-Lease stipulations, the escort carrier could not be commissioned in any force but the Royal Navy. In the end a compromise was made whereby the crew would be Canadian while the vessel remained under Royal Navy control.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=265}}

Following her commissioning, the ship travelled to [[Vancouver]], to undergo modification to Royal Navy standards beginning on 1 November at [[Burrard Dry Dock]]. The conversion completed on 12 January and an arrangement was agreed upon where the crew of the ship would be drawn primarily from the RCN with the exception of the air component, which would be provided by the [[Fleet Air Arm]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}}{{sfn|German|1990|p=186}} ''Nabob'' sailed to [[San Francisco]] in February under the command of Captain [[Horatio Nelson Lay (admiral)|Nelson Lay]] of the RCN, where the escort carrier embarked [[852 Naval Air Squadron]] equipped with [[Grumman Avenger]] [[torpedo bomber]]s.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}}

Intended for service as an ASW carrier, ''Nabob'' was assigned to the British [[Home Fleet]].{{sfn|Milner|2010|p=147}} The ship sailed for New York City to collect a deck load of [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51 Mustangs]] for the United Kingdom. The mixed crew of British aircrew and engine room personnel with the rest Canadian, led to personnel issues. The entire crew received the lesser British rate of pay and used British food and disciplinary standards. This led to a near revolt among the Canadians and to desertions at a stopover at [[Norfolk, Virginia]].{{sfn|German|1990|p=186}} This led Captain Lay to fly to [[Ottawa]] to demand Canadian standards of pay for the entire crew before the ship set sail again. His request was granted.{{sfn|German|1990|p=187}} The escort carrier arrived in British waters in April and after disembarking the aircraft, sailed to the [[River Clyde]] to undergo a refit to repair builder's defects.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=265}}

''Nabob'' returned to service on 29 June, beginning work ups with 852 Squadron and joined the Home Fleet at [[Scapa Flow]] on 1 August.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}}{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=265}}  [[856 Naval Air Squadron]] joined the ship that month. In August, ''Nabob'' participated in two operations off the Norwegian coast. The first, beginning on 10 August named Operation Offspring, saw the escort carrier paired with {{HMS|Trumpeter|D09|6}} and {{HMS|Indefatigable|R10|6}}. This became the largest [[Naval mine|mining]] operation by the Home Fleet during the war and 47 mines were dropped between Haarhamsfjord and Lepsorev by 852 and [[842 Naval Air Squadron]]s. One of the Avenger aircraft was shot down.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=265}} The second operation was air strikes against the {{ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2|up=yes}} ([[Operation Goodwood (naval)|Operation Goodwood]]). ''Nabob'' was a member of Force 2 during Operation Goodwood, where her [[Grumman Wildcat]]s of 852 Squadron flew [[combat air patrol]] over the carrier and her Avengers of 852 and [[856 Naval Air Squadron]]s flew anti-submarine patrols. On 22 August, while the main force attacking ''Tirpitz'' prepared for another strike, the escort carriers went to refuel the [[destroyer]]s. During these operations, ''Nabob'' was torpedoed by the German submarine {{GS|U-354||2}} in the [[Barents Sea]]. The torpedo impact made a hole {{convert|32|ft2|abbr=on}}, below the waterline on the starboard side aft. The stern sank {{convert|15|ft}} before flooding could be controlled. Eventually the damage control parties effected enough repairs that the ship could make {{convert|10|kn}}. Five days later she steamed into [[Scapa Flow]] under her own power but had lost 21 men.{{sfn|German|1990|p=187}}

At Scapa Flow, emergency work was done to keep the ship afloat, but ''Nabob'' was eventually judged not worth repairing due to a lack of shipyard capacity. The escort carrier was beached and abandoned on 30 September 1944 on the south shore of the [[Firth of Forth]], then [[Cannibalization of machine parts|cannibalized]] for other ships but retained as part of the Reserve Fleet of [[Rosyth Command]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=266}} On 10 October 1944, ''Nabob'' was [[Ship decommissioning|paid off]] at [[Rosyth]].{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}} She was returned to [[United States Navy]] at Rosyth on 16 March 1946.{{sfn|Hobbs|2013|p=266}} Never entering US service, the ship was sold on 26 October 1946.{{sfn|DANFS}}

[[File:Cargo ship Nabob 1964.jpg|thumb|''Nabob'' in 1964]]
''Nabob'' was sold for [[Ship breaking|scrapping]] in the Netherlands in September 1947.{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|p=433}} However, the vessel was resold and converted as the merchant ''Nabob'' of [[North German Lloyd|Norddeutscher Lloyd]] in 1951, entering service in 1952.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}}{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|p=433}} In 1967 the ship's registry changed to [[Panama]] and the ship was renamed ''Glory''.{{sfn|Macpherson|Barrie|2002|p=45}} She was sold for [[Ship breaking|scrap]] in [[Taiwan]] on 6 December 1977.{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|p=433}}

==See also==
* [[List of aircraft carriers]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite book |editor-last=Chesneau |editor-first=Roger |date=1980 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=Greenwich, UK |isbn=0-85177-146-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Cocker |first=Maurice |year=2008 |title=Aircraft-Carrying Ships of the Royal Navy |publisher=The History Press |location=Stroud, Gloucestershire |isbn=978-0-7524-4633-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Colledge |first=J. J. |last2=Warlow |first2=Ben |name-list-style=amp |year=2006 |orig-year=1969 |title=Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy |edition=Revised |location=London |publisher=Chatham Publishing |isbn=978-1-86176-281-8 |oclc=67375475}}
* {{cite DANFS |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/e/edisto.html |title=Edisto I (AG-89) |access-date=15 August 2018 |ref={{sfnref|DANFS}}}}
* {{cite book |last=German |first=Tony |date=1990 |title=The Sea is at our Gates: The History of the Canadian Navy |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Incorporated |location=Toronto |isbn=0-7710-3269-2|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/seaisatourgatesh00germ }}
* {{cite book |last=Hobbs |first=David |year=2013 |title=British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development and Service Histories |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |location=Barnsley, UK |isbn=978-1-84832-138-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Macpherson |first=Ken |last2=Barrie |first2=Ron |date=2002 |title=The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 |edition=Third |publisher=Vanwell Publishing |location=St. Catharines, Ontario |isbn=1-55125-072-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Milner |first=Marc |date=2010 |title=Canada's Navy: The First Century |edition=Second |publisher=University of Toronto Press |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0-8020-9604-3}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/NABOB.htm A History of HMS ''Nabob'']

{{Bogue class escort carrier}}
{{Type C3-S-A1 ships}}
{{August 1944 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nabob (D77)}}
[[Category:Ships of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Tacoma, Washington]]
[[Category:1943 ships]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of Canada]]<!-- crewed by RCN personnel, but not ever commissioned into the RCN, so this category is the best fit -->
[[Category:Ruler-class escort carriers]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in August 1944]]