ACV-51 (later CVE-51) was initially named St. Simon for a sound on the coast of Georgia (St. Simon's or St. Simons), between Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island (map courtesy of Google Maps Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History, by Norman Friedman.).

"Section of Keel for another CVE is ready prior to launching of HMS Arbiter, British carrier-escort at Sea-Tac Yard, Tacoma, Washington, September 9, 1943."

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-207700.

Ship undergoing builder's trials (Commercial Iron Works) off Portland, end of December 1943. Note the ship is not flying a flag or ensign from the signal yards, and the defensive armament is not installed — this work was done at Burrards Dry Dock Co. Ltd., North Vancouver, British Columbia between January 17th and March 3rd.

Moored, with a Short Sunderland flying boat alongside. (Thanks to Robert Hurst.)

HMS Arbiter underway, date and place unknown.

HMS Arbiter (D31) moored at Greenock, Scotland on 29 July 1944.

Source: Imperial War Museums Admiralty Official Collection by Coote, R.G.G. (Lt), Photo No. © IWM(A 25021).

HMS Arbiter underway, in Far Eastern camouflage, 1945.

Aerial port quarter view of HMS Arbiter (D31) underway, February–March 1945.

Source: Imperial War Museums Admiralty Official Collection Photo No. © IWM(A 28219).

HMS Arbiter at Sydney, May 1945.

HMS Arbiter (R303) with the Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background. This photo might have been taken on the same occasion as the ones above.

A RAS, seen from the bridge of the replenishment carrier HMS Arbiter (R303), shows replacement fighters on deck with a Hellcat having engine panels re-fitted after some last-minute preparation work. Other warships, including carriers, taking in fuel and stores can be seen in the distance. The sailors in line along the deck are hauling on a light jackstay inhaul rope from the destroyer which is just visible above the deck edge, probably bringing over a pilot to collect an aircraft, July 1945. Author's collection.

(Note all pennant numbers are those allocated to British and Commonwealth ships operating alongside the US Navy.)

Image and text from The British Pacific Fleet: The Royal Navy's Most Powerful Strike Force, by David Hobbs (Seaforth Publishing).

HMS Arbiter (D31/R303) with two Fenwick steam tugs, in Sydney Harbour, possibly in late 1945.

HMS Arbiter along side in Sydney, November 1945, between humanitarian voyages to Hong Kong delivering food and medical supplies and returning Australian and allied POWs to Australia.