>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1970) Vol. 5, pp.381-382.





PRINCE



CVE-45

Displacement:  9,800 t.

Length:  492’3”

Beam:  69’6”

Extreme Width:  111’6”

Draft:  25’6”

Speed:  17 k.

Complement:  646

Armament:  2 5”; 16 40mm; 20 20mm

Aircraft:  24



	McCLURE (AVG-45) was reclassified ACV-45 on 20 August 

1942; laid down 17 December 1942 by Seattle-Tacoma 

Shipbuilding Co., Wash., renamed PRINCE 13 November 1942; 

launched 18 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. McGuigan; 

reclassified CVE-45 on 15 July 1943; and transferred to the 

United Kingdom under Lend-Lease 17 October 1943.



	PRINCE served the United Kingdom as RAJAH (D-10).  She 

was returned to the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Va., 13 December 

1946.  Struck from the Naval Vessel Register 7 February 

1947, she was delivered to her purchaser, Waterman Steamship 

Corp., 7 July, and became the merchant ship DRENTE in 1948.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com