HMS Theseus (R64)

HMS Theseus (R64) off Japan 1951
History
United Kingdom
NameTheseus
BuilderFairfield
Laid down6 January 1943
Launched6 July 1944
Commissioned9 January 1946[citation needed]
Stricken1960
FateScrapping commenced on 29 May 1962 at Inverkeithing, Scotland
General characteristics
Class and typeColossus-class aircraft carrier
Displacement13,400 tons
Length695 ft (212 m)
Beam80 ft (24 m)
Draught23.5 ft (7.2 m)
Propulsion
  • 4 × steam turbines
  • Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Parsons geared turbines
Speed25 knots (46 km/h)
Range12,000 nautical miles (22,000 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement1,300
Armament30 × Bofors 40 mm guns
Aircraft carried48

HMS Theseus /ˈtʰeː.seu̯s/, [ˈt̪ʰeːs̠ɛu̯s̠] (R64) was a Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy. Theseus was laid down on 6 January 1943 by Fairfield at Govan and was launched on 6 July 1944. She was involved in the Korean War and the Suez Crisis. The scrapping of the Theseus was commenced on 29 May 1962 at Inverkeithing, Scotland.

The ship's name, Theseus, is derived from a hero in Greek mythology, specifically the legendary king and founder of Athens, who bears the same name.