H.M.S. Vengeance General Information and Service Number Information

'I strike, I cover'

(Ordered under the 1942 Additional programme)

H.M.S. Vengeance was built to Mercantile standards up to the hangar deck, in order to speed production and save cost.  Like other units in the "Colossus" class, 'Vengeance' was designed to last for three years or for the duration of the War, whichever was the less.

She has given many years of valuable service in three Navies and, by most standards, must be adjudged, a very successful ship, that has given excellent value for money.  H.M.S. Vengeance served with the Royal Navy from the 15th January 1945, in the British Pacific Fleet, transferring to the East Indies Fleet on the 1st March 1946.

On her First (Operational) Commission, leaving Greenock, Scotland on the 12th March 1945, she was diverted to the Mediterranean, because of German U-boat activity in the North & Irish Sea's, her voyage took her to numerous Ports in the East, arriving back in Gosport, England on 12th August 1946.

H.M.S. Vengeance continued her service within the Royal Navy, until 13th November 1952, when she was loaned and Commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy and re-named, "H.M.A.S. Vengeance".  On the 13th August 1955, 'Vengeance' was returned to the Royal Navy and reduced to Class 3 Reserve.

On the 13th December 1956, H.M.S. Vengeance was sold to the Brazilian Navy and re-named "Minas Gerais". After an extensive re-fit and modifications in Holland, she took up her roll as the Flagship for the Brazilian Navy, as their only Aircraft Carrier and is still in service to this day, although she is to be down classed to a Helicopter Support Ship in 2001, owing to the Brazilian Navy's purchase of the French Aircraft Carrier "Foch".

On Tuesday 16th October 2001, "Minas Gerais" was de-commissioned by the Brazilian Navy and is currently at the Naval Dockyard at Rio de Janeiro.  Her generators are being used to supply the Dockyard, due to a power shortage.  Moves are afoot by the 'Battle of the Atlantic Memorial Ships' (BAMS) to purchase the "Minas Gerais" from the Brazilian Government and preserve her as a 'floating museum' at the Aeronautic Heritage Centre in Southampton, Hants*.  Negotiations are still on-going, although the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, has the same idea of preserving the ship for the City.  It is hoped, that the BAMS offer is accepted and that ex-HMS. Vengeance (Minas Gerais) will be returned to the U.K. eventually,  wherever the location maybe.

Unfortunately, the offer was not accepted and Minas Gerais departed Rio de Janeiro in February 2004, being towed to Alang Shipyard in India to be broken up.

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