ROYAL NAVY SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND - ROYAL NAVY P

Completed: 1938

Displacement:  23 450 tons

Length: 594 ft

Beam: 76 ft

Draught: 29 ft

Propulsion: Diesel, 16,000 bhp

Armament: 2 x 2 x 4"/50-cal HA/LA 4 x 4 x 2pdr pom-pom AA 10 x 2 x 20mm AA 

Complement: 580

Speed: 17 kts

Aircraft: 21, being 15 Fairey Swordfish.

There is an important historical distinction to clear up: HMS Pretoria Castle was not yet an aircraft carrier during its deployment at Freetown.

During its time based in Sierra Leone between 1940 and 1942, the vessel operated as an Armed Merchant Cruiser (AMC). Originally a passenger liner, it was requisitioned by the Royal Navy, fitted with eight 6-inch guns, and painted with a camouflaged or black hull. It was only sent back to the UK for conversion into an escort aircraft carrier after its South Atlantic deployment ended in mid-1942.

Its specific roles while stationed at the crucial strategic port of Freetown included:

Ocean Escort for Trade Convoys: Freetown was the primary assembly hub for Allied merchant shipping in West Africa. Pretoria Castle served as an ocean escort guarding vital resource routes and military troopships (such as Convoy WS8A and troopships like the Scythia and Warwick Castle) traversing the South Atlantic towards South Africa and the Indian Ocean.

Anti-Submarine and Raider Patrols: It patrolled the South Atlantic station to deter Axis surface raiders and German U-boats that preyed on bottlenecked shipping lanes around West Africa.

Air-Sea Search Capabilities: Even before becoming a full carrier, it was equipped with a Long Range Catapult Flight (operating Fairey Seafox floatplanes). These planes were catapulted from the deck to scout for enemy vessels, spot submarines, and assist in regional reconnaissance before being craned back on board.

Emergency Assistance: Its location allowed it to respond to oceanic crises nearby, such as rendering medical aid to distressed neutral ships or intercepting crews from vessels targeted by enemy raiders in West African waters.

In May 1942, after a continuous deployment out of Freetown, it was officially selected for full conversion into an escort carrier, left Africa, and spent the rest of the war in British waters serving primarily as a trials and training carrier.

In the south Atlantic the German ship Norderney, former Altair was scuttled South Atlantic NE of Amazon estuary 15 Aug 41 to avoid capture by Royal Navy Cruiser HMS Despatch and AMC Pretoria Castle. 35 crewmembers and 2 passengers were rescued.