Dates: 1942 - 1646

HMS Attacker (D02) (originally AVG then ACV) was an American-built Bogue-class escort aircraft carrier that served with the Royal Navy during World War II.

She was laid down on 17 April 1941 as Steel Artisan (hull 160) under Maritime Commission contract by Western Pipe and Steel Company, San Francisco, California. She was commissioned by the United States Navy on 30 September 1942 as USS Barnes (CVE-7) but simultaneously transferred via the Lend-Lease program to the United Kingdom. That same day, the ship was renamed HMS Attacker (D02) and commissioned by the Royal Navy. HMS Attacker served throughout the war as a convoy escort, first in the Atlantic and later the Pacific. The vessel was returned to the United States’ custody 5 January 1946 and sold into merchant service on 28 October 1946 as Castel Forte.

The ship was eventually converted into a passenger vessel, renamed Fairsky, and in 1958 began a new career with the Sitmar Line transporting British migrants to Australia, a role that formally came to an end in 1970. On 23 June 1977, while operating as a cruise ship, Fairsky hit a submerged wreck and was beached to prevent sinking, but was given a temporary repair and refloated six days later.

In 1978, the ship began conversion to the floating hotel Philippine Tourist but was destroyed by fire on 3 November 1979 and subsequently scrapped in Hong Kong on 24 May 1980.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Attacker

" I am looking for my grandfather Christopher Sidney Clark who served on HMS Attacker during the WWII. I know from family recollection and photos that he was ashore in Malta and Gibraltar, and have photos of him with his mates lounging over what I presume are Spitfires. I am hoping someone can ..."

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" Google HMS Attacker and it will give you a whole series of places to research on this American lease lend ship and its wartime service from 1941 until its demise. Information on squadrons are in the articles. Also other site suggestions are listed. It was a fascinating story which I have spent to much time reading when I was supposed to be doing something else. Have fun. "

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