HMS Vengeance (R71)

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HMS Vengeance was laid down on 16 November 1942 at Swan Hunter, launched 23 February 1944 and commissioned in the fleet 15 January 1945. Vengeance left for the Far East to reinforce the British Pacific Fleet immediately it was able to. Immediately hostilties were over, Vengeance was despatched to Hong Kong to reoccupy the colony. This was done to prevent Chinese forces attempting a de facto takeover by coup de main. Vengeance then joined the other Colossus class ships in repatriating prisoners of war.

After returning to the UK, Vengeance served as flagship of the 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron for two years. In 1952, pastures new beckoned, and the ship was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS Melbourne on 13 November. Three years of service in the antipodes then saw the ship returned to the Royal Navy on 12 August 1955. However, the ship left British hands for the last time on 14 December 1956 upon sale to Brazil. The ship was commissioned in the Brazillian fleet as Minas Gerais.