Aircraft Carrier histories. Royal Navy aircraft carriers of the Courageous Class. Aircraft carrier history of HMS Ark Royal from its launch to its participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of the carrier HMS Ark Royal.

HMS Ark Royal  (91) built by Cammell Laird,  and launched 13th April 1937. and completed 16th November 1938. HMS Ark Royal was the first Large Aircraft carrier designed and laid down as a carrier for the Royal navy, she served in the Home Fleet and south Atlantic in 1939 and The in the home Fleet and Mediterranean in 1940./ and part of Force H in 1941. on the 13th November 1941 she was hit by a single torpedo from the German U-boat U81. the torpedo hit  on the starboard side. near the Starboard Boiler room causing a 130 ft by 30 ft. hole. water poured in causing a 10% list straight immediately. The flooding spread quickly  the middle of the ship and then to the port Boiler room. Electric power failed. and after 14 hours while in tow to Gibraltar she capsized and sunk the following day.

Displacement 22, 000 tons,  Speed 30.75 knots, Compliment 1575. Armament sixteen 4.5 inch AA guns in pairs. forty eight 2 pounder AA guns (in eights)  thirty two .5 inch Machine guns.  and seventy two aircraft.

Dimension  685 (pp)  800 (oa) x 94.75 feet x  27.75 feet (deepload)

HMS Ark Royal, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP752

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP752

HMS Ark Royal, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP750

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP750

HMS Ark Royal, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP751

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP751

HMS Ark Royal, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP749

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP749

HMS Ark Royal, June 1938.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP748

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP748

HMS Ark Royal, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP753

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP753

HMS Ark Royal, c.1940.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP754

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP754

HMS Ark Royal as completed with axial flight deck.

HMS Ark Royal with HMS Cumberland and HMS Gambia.

Original Postcard for sale Price £25. Order Code  PHA041

HMS Ark Royal pictured c.1939 

Original Post card for sale Price £25. Order Code  PHA016

This photograph has been sent in by Mr K Chambers and shows HMS Ark Royal shortly after her launch.

HMS Ark Royal with her planes. 

Original Post card for sale Price £25 Order Code  PHA017

HMS Ark Royal showing her deck and the complement of planes she carried.  

Original Post Card for sale Price £25. Order Code  PHA018

ORIGINAL POSTCARD FOR SALE.  DONATED TOWARDS THE UPKEEP OF THIS SITE.

HMS Ark Royal and Paddle Steamer 'Sprite'

Original Wright & Logan Postcard.  Price £15.  Click here to order.    Order Code  PHA059

HMS Ark Royal

The launch of HMS Ark Royal.

I have recently been scanning photographs from my wife's grandmothers photo album and came across this picture. We believe that it was taken in 1937 and wonder if it could be of the launch of the Ark Royal. We do have a couple of other photograph's of the launch if you would be interested. My wife's grandmother was from a naval family and was living in Birkenhead at the time.   Nick and Jane Cottam

ORIGINAL POSTCARD FOR SALE.  DONATED TOWARDS THE UPKEEP OF THIS SITE.

HMS Ark Royal - the Launch. Contributed by Eric Peters

Original Postcard.  Price £8.  Click here to order.    SOLD

Below is the log book of a Swordfish pilot initially from HMS Ark Royal.   The first entry shows the pilot left HMS Ark Royal for Gibraltar on the day the ship sunk. 

HMS Ark Royal was built by Cammell Laird and launched on the 13th of April 1937. Displacement of 22,000 tons, had a top speed of 30.75 knots and carried 72 aircraft. HMS Ark Royal's complement was 1,575 men. She served in the home fleet and south Atlantic in 1939, Home fleet and Mediterranean 1940 and Force H 1941. on the 13th November 1941 she was torpedoed by U-81 in the western Mediterranean, and while under tow was lost the following day.