HMS Biter (D97)

HMS Biter underway March 1943
History
United Kingdom
NameBiter
OrderedC3-P&C
BuilderSun Shipbuilding
Laid down28 December 1939
Launched18 December 1940
Commissioned6 May 1942
In service1942–1945
HomeportHMNB Clyde
FateSold to France 1945
France
NameDixmude
Acquired1945
Commissioned9 April 1945
Decommissioned24 January 1951
Out of service1956
Honours and
awards
Indo-China 1946
FateSunk as target 10 June 1966
General characteristics
Class and typeAvenger-class escort carrier
Displacement
  • 8,200 long tons (8,332 t) (normal)
  • 9,000 long tons (9,144 t) (deep load)
Length492 ft (150 m)
Beam66 ft 3 in (20.19 m)
Height23 ft 3 in (7.09 m)
Installed power8,500 hp (6,300 kW)
Propulsion
Speed16.5 kn (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Complement555
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities
  • Hangar: 190 ft × 47 ft (58 m × 14 m) by 47 ft (14 m)
  • 1 × lift: 42 ft × 34 ft (13 m × 10 m)
  • 9 arrester wires

HMS Biter was a Royal Navy escort carrier during the Second World War. She was laid down as a merchant ship at the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company yard at Chester, Pennsylvania. Laid down on 28 December 1939, she was converted to an escort carrier and commissioned in the Royal Navy on 6 May 1942. She was returned to the United States in 1945 and subsequently lent to France.