Britain's Ark Royals

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 130, 19 December 1941, Page 5

Britain's Ark Royals

RK ROYAL is a name that has been borne by only three men-of-war in the long history of the British Navy, yet it is one that has gained great distinction and imperishable fame. The name Ark Royal has appeared in the List of Navy at times of great crisis and peril in the affairs of the nation. The first Ark Royal was the flagship of the "Queene’s Navye" that in 1588 fought and defeated the Great Spanish Armada. The second was a converted merchant ship that, in 1915, became the first of all aircraft-carriers. This Ark Royal took part in the Gallipoli Campaign. Now known as Pegasus, she gave her original name to the great aircraft-carrier which has played a notable part in the present .war, and was sunk by enemy action a few days ago. There was nothing beautiful about this Ark Royal. Aircraft carriers are without doubt _ the ugliest ships at sea. They are primarily and essentially great floating aerodromes, in which the symmetry and much else usually associated with a ship is sacrificed. or compromised to the needs of the aircraft they carry and serve. Even their funnels and navigating bridges are displaced well to one side to give a clear flying deck, But their clumsy appearance belies their many good qualities as ships, Despite their seeming top heaviness, they have the ample stability required for their purpose.-("The Ark Royal-a Tribute and an Historical Note,’ 2YA, November 17.)