Macoma
1944
(Noordzee NZ-26)
- Type: Merchant Aircraft Carrier / Tanker
- Displacement: 8,011 grt / 12,057 dwt
- Dimensions: 483'0" x 59'4" x 27'5"
- Machinery: 1 8-cyl MAN/Werkspoor diesel, 1-shaft, 3500hp = 12 knots
- Armament: 1-4in, 8-20mm
- Aircraft: 4 Swordfish
- Complement: 100 + merchant crew
- Builder: Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Maatschapij, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1936
- Service: Macoma sailed for La Corona, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell.
She and sister Gadila were two Dutch-operated tankers cnverted to Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC) by the addition of a flight deck as shown here. Seven additional British-operated tankers known as the Rapana class were also converted. Macoma commissioned 1 Apr 1944. As a MAC ship, she had no aircraft hangar, and continued to carry normal cargoes, although operating under Royal Navy control. Only her air crew and aviation support staff were naval personnel. These were provided by the Royal Netherlands Navy including the Dutch Fleet Air Arm 860 and 861 squadrons. Postwar the flight deck was removed in 1946 and the ship returned to commercial service until scrapped at Hong Kong in 1959.
Previous
Up
Next