ARK ROYAL aircraft carrier
Ark Royal 1915
Pegasus 1938
| Name | No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Ark Royal; 21/12/1934 - Pegasus | Blyth SB, Cowpen Quay | 7/11/1913 | 5/9/1914 | 12/1914 | hulk 2/1944 |
|
Displacement normal, t |
7080 |
|
Displacement full, t |
7400 |
|
Length, m |
111.6 |
|
Breadth, m |
15.5 |
|
Draught, m |
5.5 |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
VTE, 2 cylindrical boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
3000 |
|
Max speed, kn |
11 |
|
Fuel, t |
500 oil |
|
Armament |
4 x 1 - 76/50 QF Mk I, 2 x 1 - 7.7/87, 7 aircraft (2 Sopwith 807, 2 Wright Pusher, 1 Short 135, 2 Sopwith Tabloid) |
|
Complement |
180 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - ?, ha - 626m² / 2,817m³): "Aeroplane hold" (hangar) was 45.7 x 13.7 x 4.5m. Aircraft hoisted in and out by 2 3t steam cranes through 12.2 x 9.1m hatch. Seaplanes launched on wheeled trolleys and recovered by cranes. Wheeled planes had to land ashore.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo bombers |
Ship project history: Ark Royal was converted from a dry-cargo steamship. Despite a slow speed and insignificant damage tolerance, the ship had all signs of an aircraft carrier: a hangar, the lift, possibility of a take-off from a deck. Seaplanes were dispersed on special dollies (as on cruiser - seaplane carrier Hermes) and land on water; wheel aircrafts started from the ship but landed ashore.
Modernizations: 1938: catapult fitted.
1940: - 4 x 1 - 76/50; + 4 x 1 - 76/45 QF Mk I HA
1941: ship was adapted for launch Hurricane fighters.
Naval service: Used as depot ship 1923 - 1938. Hulked 2/1944. Sold for merchant duties 10/1946.
Ark Royal 1915
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-09