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

(1981) Vol. 8, p.321.





WILLAPA



	WILLAPA (ACV-53)--a “Ruler” class auxiliary aircraft 

carrier built for the United Kingdom--was laid down on 21 

May 1943 at Seattle, Wash., by the Seattle-Tacoma 

Shipbuilding Co. and reclassified CVE-53 on 10 June 1943.  

Launched on 8 November 1943, the ship was transferred under 

lend-lease to the Royal Navy on 5 February 1944 to be manned 

by a Canadian crew.  Renamed HMS PUNCHER (D.79), the carrier 

served the Royal Canadian Navy in the Atlantic and 

Mediterranean for the duration of hostilities, mainly in a 

training role.



	Decommissioned on 16 February 1946 at Norfolk, Va., and 

returned to American custody on that day, the escort carrier 

was struck from the Navy list on 12 March 1946, having never 

seen active service with the United States Navy.



	Initially sold to William B. St. John, of New York 

City, on 9 January 1947, the carrier was subsequently resold 

to a British firm on 4 February 1947 and converted for 

mercantile service.  She later served successively as 

MUNCASTER CASTLE, BARDIC, and BENNEVIS, into the 1970s.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com