Canada's Naval History

Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters - Naval Aviation: HMS Nabob and HMS Puncher

Although HMS Nabob and HMS Puncher were formally part of Britain's Royal Navy and operated from British bases, Canadians commanded and provided most of the crew for these two escort carriers. Severe damage from a German torpedo prematurely ended Nabob's career, but Puncher served until the end of the war.

Artifact Record

Engine Room, Aircraft Carrier, His Majesty's Ship Puncher

Leonard Brooks' painting depicts the engine room aboard HMS Puncher, little changed from its original merchant ship design.

Large insulated pipes deliver steam to the engines, while walkways and platforms allow personnel to monitor and operate the complex machinery. The American-built Bogue class escort carriers like HMS Nabob and Puncher lent to the Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease program were based on cargo ship's hulls. Their engine rooms contained two steam turbines that could drive the ship at roughly 18 knots (33 km/h).

Engine Room, Aircraft Carrier, His Majesty's Ship Puncher
Painted by Leonard Brooks
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
CWM 19710261-1093