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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive

(BACV-6)  /  HMS TRACKER (D24)

Ship's Crest
Contributed by Tommy Trampp



Battle Honours

Atlantic 1943-1944 — Arctic 1944 — Normandy 1944

Attacker (US Bogue) Class Escort Carrier
Ordered Laid down Launched Commissioned Returned to US Stricken
- 3 Nov 1941 7 Mar 1942 31 Jan 1943 29 Nov 1945 21 Jan 1946
Builder: Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp., Seattle-Tacoma, Wash.

Specifications
(As converted, 1943)
Displacement: 7,800 tons standard; 14,170 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 465' x 69.5' x 24' 8"  /  141.7 x 21.2 x 7.5 meters
Dimensions (max.): 495' 8" x 111.5'  /  151.1 x 34 meters
Armor: None
Power plant: 2 boilers (285 psi); 1 steam turbine; 1 shaft; 8,500 shp
Speed: 18+ knots
Endurance: 27,300 nautical miles @ 11 knots
Armament: 2 single 4"/50 gun mounts; 4 twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 8 twin and 10 single 20-mm/70-cal gun mounts
Aircraft: 15+
Aviation facilities: 2 elevators; 1 hydraulic catapult (H 2); 9 arresting wires and 3 barriers
Crew: 646

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Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
Name
Tracker
Ship's Badge
97k

BACV-6 was transferred to the United Kingdom on 31 January 1943, under the provisions of the Lend-Lease agreement, and served as HMS Tracker. A "tracker" is a person who follows the tracks or traces of someone or something.

The design of the ship's badge was suggested to the ship's officers by her builders, Willamette Iron & Steel Corp., Portland, OR. It possibly depicts a warrior of the Multnomah tribe, Chinookan people, the Native Americans indigenous to the Portland area. (Image courtesy of Tommy Trampp.)

NavSource
HMS Tracker (D24)
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100634t
6.89M

Profiles and decks of the escort carrier HMS Tracker from a booklet of general plans produced by the ship's builder, The Western Pipe and Steel Co., San Francisco, CA.

The title sheet, besides the internal profile, has an extensive listing of the ship's dimensions, together with a list of fire hose connections and the ship's boats (two 26ft motor whalers and two 30ft motor launches). Although the ship is US-built and equipped with US fittings and gun mountings, the radar outfit is British. This includes the radar lantern for Type 272 surface warning on the island and Type 79M (a single aerial version of Type 79, later redesignated Type 79B) air warning radar fitted to the mast head. The gun armament consists of a single 4in/50 mounting on each side of the main deck aft, four twin 40mm Bofors, two at the after end of the main deck and one on each side of the flight deck forward, and ten 20mm Oerlikons, two on the forecastle and the remainder around the periphery of the flight deck. Note that the two aircraft lifts are the same size at 42ft x 34ft but are orientated in different directions. Other flight deck features include the expansion joints (shown as two dark lines bridging the deck) and a single aircraft catapult faintly visible on the port side, forward. The projections extending outboard on each side amidships are the machinery uptakes.

Images and text are taken from British Warships of The Second World War detailed in the original builder's plans.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100605t
238k

Three views of soon-to-be HMS Tracker during trials in the Columbia river conducted by her builders, Willamette Iron & Steel Corporation, Portland, Oregon, before being accepted by the Admiralty on January 31, 1943.

Tracker was the first of 10 RN CVE's to be completed at Portland — five each at Willamette Iron & Steel Corporation, and Commercial Iron Works. These were (in order of completion): Tracker (WI&SC), Searcher (CIW), Ravager (CIW), Trumpeter (CIW), Slinger (WI&SC), Premier (WI&SC), Speaker (WI&SC), Arbiter (CIW), Rajah (WI&SC), and Trouncer (CIW).

Courtesy of Tony Drury, Royal Navy Escort Carriers
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100606t
284k
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100607t
29k
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100611t
111k

HMS Tracker probably photographed off Orchard Point, Washington, 8 March 1943. Photograph taken by Naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington. Note the ship's British-style pattern camouflage and the British radar antenna in the middle of her island.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (# NH 97123).

Note: This photograph's original World War II-era caption identifies the ship seen as USS Barnes (ACV-20), which is incorrect. A number of visible details prove that the ship is definitely British. (The mistake was noticed in the first place by NavSource.)

Naval History & Heritage Command, via Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100602t
169k From "All Hands" magazine, May 1943 issue. Joe Radigan
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100604t
43k HMS Tracker (D24). Haze Gray & Underway
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100616t
62k

Undated photo of a Fairey Swordfish, its arrester hook trailing, [as it comes to land] on board the escort carrier HMS Tracker. The batsman is giving the "steady" signal; in seconds, this will be changed to "cut," indicating to the pilot that he should switch off his engine, whereupon the pilot will drop the last few feet under forward momentum (and gravity) only. A second aircraft is following, its pilot hoping fervently that his predecessor will have an incident-free touch-down. [L]ocation unknown. Photo Imperial War Museum.

Photo and text from Swordfish: From The Cockpit, by Donald Payne.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100608t
143k

HMS Tracker underway whilst escorting a convoy, with Avenger torpedo-bombers on the deck, aft. Date and location unknown.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100612t
75k

A gun crew cleaning one of the twin 40mm Bofors mounts aboard HMS Tracker after firing whilst she was on patrol in the North Atlantic (IWM).

Photo was taken from "U-Boats vs Destroyer Escorts," by Gordon Williamson.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100623t
113k

Undated wartime pic of crewmen on the aft flight deck of HMS Tracker watch as the Black Swan-class AA sloop HMS Wren (U28) approaches from astern with rescued airmen onboard. RN photo.

Photo and text from Walker, RN: Story of Captain Frederick John Walker, by Terence Robertson.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100628t
200k

Undated wartime pic showing mountainous waves surging over the flight deck of HMS Tracker (D24) while on North Atlantic convoy duty. RN photo.

Photo and text from Walker, RN: Story of Captain Frederick John Walker, by Terence Robertson.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100613t
118k

Official photo of HMS Tracker (D24).

Robert Collinson was the NAAFI canteen manager (U.S. equivalent is the PX, Post Exchange).

Peter S. Collinson, son of Robert Collinson.

Via Tony Drury, Royal Navy Escort Carriers
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100627t
67k

Undated photo of HMS Tracker (D24) stationary in coastal waters.

Source: Imperial War Museums, American Ministry of Defense, Foxhill Collection of Ships Photographs, Photo No. © IWM(FL 22590).

Mike Green
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100633t
119k

HMS Tracker (D24), location and date unknown. Note she is wearing her second camouflage scheme. (Thanks to Tony Drury, Royal Navy Escort Carriers.)

Photo from The French Navy, Volume 1, by Henri Le Masson.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100629t
165k

A Swordfish Mk II of 816 Squadron is being marshalled by flight deck handlers on board the escort carrier HMS Tracker. Photo Ad Hoc Collection.

Photo and text from Swordfish: From The Cockpit, by Donald Payne.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100601t
87k Good overhead showing the location and look of the anti-aircraft gun mounts. Swordfish on deck belong to 816 Squadron. 1943. IWM
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100610t
78k

HMS Tracker underway circa 1943 with Seafire and Swordfish aircraft of 816 Sqd, FAA on deck, location unknown.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100609t
79k

Starboard quarter view of HMS Tracker underway circa August 1943, location unknown.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100635t
35k

A Fairey Swordfish Mk.II aircraft of No.816 Squadron Fleet Air Arm ready for take-off from the flight deck of HMS Tracker (D24) for an anti-submarine sweep in the North Atlantic [September–December 1943]. Three more of the aircraft can be seen in the background. Photographer Oulds, D C (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer.

This photograph A 19714 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums (IWM). This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museums on the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100615t
179k

A Fairey Swordfish Mk II aircraft of No. 816 Naval Air Squadron carrying rocket-projectiles underwing, about to take-off from the flight deck of HMS Tracker (D24) for an anti-submarine sweep in the North Atlantic, September–October 1943. Photo taken by Lt. D.C. Oulds, Royal Navy official photographer. Photo A19715 from the collections of the Imperial War Museum.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100636t
46k

The undercarriage of this Fairey Swordfish Mk.II of No. 816 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm collapsed after the pilot landed on too heavily owing to the deck of HMS Tracker (D24) pitching violently whilst she was sailing in the North Atlantic [September–December 1943]. Note the crowd of men preparing to pull the aircraft clear. Photographer Oulds, D C (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer.

This photograph A 19723 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums (IWM). This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museums on the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100639t
34k

A Fairey Swordfish Mk.II aircraft of No 816 Squadron Fleet Air Arm taking off from the flight deck of HMS Tracker (D24) for an anti-submarine sweep in the North Atlantic.

Photo Oulds, D C (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer. This photograph A 19712 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums. This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museum on the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100640t
43k

A batman uses signal bats to guide the landing of a rocket-firing Fairey Swordfish Mk.II of No 816 Squadron Fleet Air Arm on board HMS Tracker (D24) in the North Atlantic. Note the rocket projectiles under the wings.

Photo Oulds, D C (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer. This photograph A 19718 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums. This image was created and released by the Imperial War Museum on the IWM Non-Commercial Licence.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100631t
76k

A Fairey Swordfish being readied for anti-submarine patrol on HMS Tracker in the North Atlantic, September–October 1943. Photo taken by Lt. D.C. Oulds, Royal Navy official photographer. Photo ©A19703 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

Mike Green
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100632t
194k

HMS Tracker (D24) listing in a heavy swell while supporting convoys in the North Atlantic, September–October 1943. (Note that the original photo is reversed.)

Photo ©A 19745 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

Mike Green
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100630t
122k

A No 816 Squadron Swordfish Mk II (HS674) that came to grief after "doing the splits" on board the escort carrier HMS Tracker, in October 1943; the wartime censor is clearly nervous about the underwing stores it is carrying. The details of the unofficial artwork near the pilot's cockpit are unknown. Photo courtesy Philip Jarrett.

Photo and text from Swordfish: From The Cockpit, by Donald Payne.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100626t
52k

Black smoke rises as the fire is got under control after a Grumman Avenger crashed on the flight deck of HMS Tracker whilst on Russian convoy duty. Photo taken by unknown Royal Navy official photographer. Id A22864 from the collections of the Imperial War Museums.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100614t
181k

Fire aboard HMS Tracker (D24), ex-BACV-6, ex-Mormacmail, after one of her Avengers crashed on landing in April 1944. The work of the fire teams has added urgency as they struggle to stop flames reaching the ready-use ammunition locker for the aft AA armament just below the flight deck. Imperial War Museum. Photo No:A22863.

Photo and text from "Fleet Air Arm Handbook: 1939–1945" by David Wragg.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100637t
453k

A Grumman Avenger Mk.I (FN908) of No. 846 Squadron, from HMS Tracker (D24), date [January–June 1944] and location unknown. Photo courtesy Charles E. Brown.

From British Naval Aircraft Since 1912, by Owen Thetford. Sixth revised edition. Pub. by Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd., 24 Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8DR. ISBN 0 851770941.

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100638t
595k

A Grumman Avenger Mk.I of No. 846 Squadron. Note the escort carrier HMS Tracker (D24) in the background. Photo courtesy of FAA Museum. Note: Between August 1943 and October 1945 No.846 Squadron was shore-based at Hatston, Grimsetter, Machrihanish, Burscough, Limavady, Ayr and Crail. Embarked on Ravager (D70), Tracker, Trumpeter (D09) and Premier (D23).

From British Naval Aircraft Since 1912, by Owen Thetford. Sixth revised edition. Pub. by Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd., 24 Bride Lane, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8DR. ISBN 0 851770941.

Robert Hurst
BAVG-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100618t
113k

Wildcat Mk. VIs of a fighter flight attached to 853 Sqd. aboard HMS Tracker, in May 1944. Note the tail wheel outriggers that allowed the aircraft to be stowed almost fully clear of the main flight deck.

Photo and text from 100 Years of British Naval Aviation, by Christopher Shores.

Robert Hurst
BAVG-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100621t
82k

A formation of rocket-armed Fleet Air Arm Fairey Swordfish Mk.IIs with D-Day invasion stripes of No.816 Squadron in 1944. Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum photo.

Note: This squadron, normally based aboard HMS Tracker (D24), was attached to No.19 Group RAF Coastal Command at Perranporth and St Merryn for duties in the English Channel leading up to D-Day activities at Normandy, finally disbanding at Perranporth in August 1944. Info taken from "Fleet Air Arm Archive, 1939–1945."

Robert Hurst
BACV-6 HMS Tracker
NS030100617t
76k

Avenger Mk IIs of 853 Sqd. from HMS Tracker on their way to bomb targets in Aaransund, Norway, 12 September 1944.

Photo and text from 100 Years of British Naval Aviation, by Christopher Shores.

Robert Hurst
Models
ex-BACV-6/HMS Tracker
NS030100619t
41k

Box of Skywave's 1:700 scale model of HMS Tracker (D24).

Tommy Trampp
Commercial Service
ex-BACV-6/HMS Tracker
NS030100603t
358k

Post-war, as mercantile Corrientes.

Alberto, then 4 years old, was a passenger aboard Corrientes in June 1952, from Genoa, Italy to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Alberto de la Vega, Chile
ex-BACV-6/HMS Tracker
NS030100622t
84k

Postcard showing Argentine mercantile Corrientes, ex-Mormacmail, ex-BACV 6, ex-HMS Tracker (D24), from the Ministerio de Transportes de la Nación, Flota Argentina de Navegación de Ultramar, Compañía Argentina de Navegación.

Tommy Trampp
ex-BACV-6/HMS Tracker
NS030100624t
97k

Corrientes, ex-Mormacmail, ex-BACV 6, ex-HMS Tracker (D24). Photo by Hans Graf, Hamburg, Germany, 1950s.

Gerhard Mueller-Debus
ex-BACV-6/HMS Tracker
NS030100625t
68k

Corrientes, ex-Mormacmail, ex-BACV 6, ex-HMS Tracker (D24). Photo by Hans Graf, Hamburg, Germany, 1950s.

Gerhard Mueller‑Debus

BACV-6  /  HMS Tracker (D24) History
Located at Navsource

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Last update: 7 January 2024