ARGUS aircraft carrier
Argus 1918
Argus 1918
Argus 1943
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Argus (ex-Conte Rosso) | D49 | Beardmore, Dalmuir | 6/1914 | 2/12/1917 | 9/1918 | hulk 8/1944, sold for BU 12/1946 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
14550 |
|
Displacement full, t |
15750 |
|
Length, m |
172.5 |
|
Breadth, m |
20.7 |
|
Draught, m |
6.4 |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Parsons geared steam turbines, 12 cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
20000 |
|
Max speed, kn |
20 |
|
Fuel, t |
2000 oil |
| Armour, mm | magazines: 51 |
|
Armament |
6 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V HA, 20 aircraft (Pup, Camel fighters, 11/2-strutter recon planes, Cuckoo torpedo bombers) |
|
Complement |
401 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 3,571m², ha - 1,363m² / 6,135m³): Hangar: 89.7 x 15.2m. There were 2 lifts (9.1 x 11 and 18.3 x 5.5m). Aircraft fuel stowage was 63,545l.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo-bombers | Recon planes |
| 1/1920 | 4 Camel | --- | 8 11/2-Strutter, 2 Walrus, 2 Fairey III |
| 6/1942 | 4 Fulmar | 4 Swordfish | --- |
| 11/1942 | 12 Seafire IIC | --- | --- |
Ship project history: Argus was ordered as a passenger liner Conte Rosso by Italian shipowner. In August, 1916 it is gained by Admiralty for conversion into an aircraft carrier. The first-ever aircraft carrier with full length deck and the hangar arranged below. Argus originally been equipped by two lifts, longitudinal arresting gear and had no catapults.
To the beginning of the Second World War the ship was used as TS, its velocity did not exceed 18.75kts.
Protection: Underwater protection was calculated for an underwater explosion of 200kgs TNT.
Modernizations: 1922: 2 lifts changed by new one (6.1t)
(11/1925 - 1/1927, Chatham DYd): bulges fitted. Breadth increased to 24.2m.
1936: adapted for launch "Queen Bee" remote controlled flying targets. All guns were removed.
1938: catapult was fitted (5.5t plane dispersed up to 120km/h), cylindrical boilers were changed by 8 Admiralty 3-drum boilers.
2/1942: length of flight deck raised to 173.7m (fd - 3,596m², ha - 1,363m² / 6,135m³); + 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V HA, 13 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 1 x 4 - 12.7/62.
1942 - 1943: - 1 x 4 - 12.7/62; + 2 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V HA
Naval service: To the beginning of the Second World War the ship was used as TS, her speed did not exceed 18.75kts. In days of war she served basically as an air transport (the maximum number of aircraft transported for once was 92). Some time after refit in 1942 Argus was used as fighting ship. Argus was damaged by hit of 250kg bomb in a stern part of flight deck 10/11/1942 in operation Torch. She was reclassified as TS after refit in September, 1943. Argus was reclassified as harbour craft in 1944.
Argus 1919
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09