| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Escort carrier |
| Class | Long Island/Archer |
| Pennant | D 78 |
| Built by | Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | |
| Laid down | 25 Jun 1939 |
| Launched | 14 Dec 1939 |
| Commissioned | 17 Nov 1941 |
| End service | |
| Loss position | |
| History | HMS Archer's service history includes Atlantic convoy escort from February to November 1942. During November 1942, she ferried 30 P-40 Warhawks from USA to Casablanca, then provided Atlantic convoy escort from December 1942 to October 1943. During this time one of her aircraft, a swordfish from 819 squadron, sank the German Uboat U-752 on 23 May 1943 with rockets in the North Atlantic. HMS Archer started major engine repairs 8/1943 but defects were found to be extremely serious; decommissioned 6 November 1943 and used as a stores hulk. Used as an accomodations hulk after March 1944. Main reduction gears replaced at Belfast starting August 1944; repairs completed March 1945 and transferred to Ministry of War Transport as a ferry carrier (renamed Empire Lagan) 15 March 1945. Returned to USN 9 Jan 1946, stricken for disposal 26 Feb 1946. Sold into merchant service 1946 as Archer. Renamed Anne Salem 1949, Tasmania 1955, Union Reliance 1961. Burned, blown up and grounded to prevent sinking at Houston, TX 7 Nov 1961 after collision with tanker Berean. Salvaged and scrapped at New Orleans starting March 1962. Commanding Officers: Capt. Horace Temple Taylor Bayliss, RN A/Cdr. Wilfrid John Nixon, RN Cdr. Henry Ellis Bickley, RN (retired) Cdr. Horace Walker, RN (retired) HMS Archer is not listed in the October 1944 Navy List |
Commands listed for HMS Archer (D 78)
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| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | Cdr. James Ian Robertson, RN | Oct 1941 | May 1943 |
| 2 | Capt. Horace Temple Taylor Bayliss, RN | May 1943 | Aug/Sep 43 |
| 3 | A/Cdr. Wilfrid John Nixon, RN | Aug/Sep 43 | 9 Nov 1943 |
| 4 | Cdr. (retired) Henry Ellis Bickley, RN | 9 Nov 1943 | 8 Mar 1944 |
| 5 | Cdr. (retired) Horace Walker, RN | 8 Mar 1944 | Jul 1944 ? |
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Noteable events involving Archer include:
23 May 1943
The German submarine U-752 was sunk in the North Atlantic, in position 51º40'N, 29º49'W, by rockets from a Swordfish aircraft (FAA-Sqdn. 819) of the British escort carrier HMS Archer (Capt. H.T.T. Bayliss, RN). (see map)