Designed in 1934 to fit the restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty, Ark Royal was built by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead, England, and completed in November 1938. Her design differed from previous aircraft carriers. Ark Royal was the first ship on which the hangars and flight deck were an integral part of the hull, instead of an add-on or part of the superstructure. Designed to carry a large number of aircraft, she had two hangar deck levels. She served during a period that first saw the extensive use of naval air power; several carrier tactics were developed and refined aboard Ark Royal.
Ark Royal served in some of the most active naval theatres of the Second World War. She was involved in the first aerial and U-boat kills of the war, operations off Norway, the search for the German battleship Bismarck, and the Malta Convoys. Ark Royal survived several near misses and gained a reputation as a ‘lucky ship’. She was torpedoed on 13 November 1941 by the German submarine U-81 and sank the following day: one of her 1,488 crew members was killed.
HMS Ark RoyalThe stern of HMS Ark Royal as seen from the HMS Kelvin.HMS Kelvin closes the Ark Royal to receive a message and convey the flagship. Nov 1940HMS Kelvin closes the Ark Royal to receive a message and convey the flagship. Nov 1940HMS Ark Royal seen under the guns of the destroyer HMS Kelvin. Nov 1940HMS Ark RoyalHMS Ark RoyalHMS Ark Royal with the convoy in the background Sep 41 Operation HalberdView from HMS Hermione of HMS Ark Royal flying off Hawker Hurricane aircraft at seaHMS Ark Royal showing aircraft preparing to take off from the flying deckHMS Ark Royal seen in 1939.HMS Ark Royal seen in 1938.HMS Ark Royal and HMS Argus (left) with HMS Rodney seen between the carriers. Hurricanes can be seen on the deck of HMS Argus. Nov 1940HMS Ark RoyalHMS Ark RoyalHMS Ark RoyalHMS Ark Royal
Air Operations
Blackburn Skua
Fairey Fulmars of 807 Squadron (in foreground) and Blackburn Skuas of 800 Squadron on the deck of HMS Ark Royal April 1941Fairey Fulmars of 807 Squadron (in foreground) and Blackburn Skuas of 800 Squadron on the deck of HMS Ark Royal April 1941Blackburn Skuas on HMS Ark RoyalBlackburn Skua of 800 Squadron, on HMS Ark Royal in the Mediterranean, 1941Lifting and loading 500lb bombs into dive-bomber Blackburn Skua of 800 Squadron onboard HMS Ark Royal 1941Lifting and loading 500lb bombs into dive-bomber Blackburn Skua of 800 Squadron onboard HMS Ark Royal 1941Fleet Air Arm observers next to a Blackburn Skua on board HMS Ark Royal April 1941
Fairey Swordfish
Fairy Swordfish flying over HMS Ark Royal 1939HMS Ark Royal seen in 1939 with Fairey SwordfishFairey Swordfish with wings folded going down to the hangar on the lift.Fairey Swordfish coming in to land on HMS Ark Royal April 1941Fairey Swordfish with men running along deck to fold its wings.A Flight of Fairey Swordfish prepares to take off. April 1941Loading a Fairey Swordfish with depth charges on board HMS Ark Royal 1941Fairey Swordfish being armed with a torpedo aboard HMS Ark Royal
Fairey Fulmar
Fairey Fulmars of 807 Squadron (in foreground) and Blackburn Skuas of 800 Squadron on the deck of HMS Ark Royal April 1941Fairey Fulmars of 807 Squadron (in foreground) and Blackburn Skuas of 800 Squadron on the deck of HMS Ark Royal April 1941Fairey Fulmar coming in to land on HMS Ark Royal 1941Fairey Fulmar coming in to land on HMS Ark Royal 1941Fairey Fulmar coming in to land on HMS Ark Royal 1941A Fairey Fulmar of 807 Squadron approaching from the far end of the deck. April 1941A Fairey Fulmar of 807 Squadron taking off. April 1941Fairey Fulmars of 807 Squadron from HMS Ark Royal April 1941Fairey Fulmar of 807 Squadron from HMS Ark Royal April 1941
In the Mediterranean November 1940
HMS Ark Royal and HMS Argus (left) with HMS Rodney seen between the carriers. Hurricanes can be seen on the deck of HMS Argus. Nov 1940HMS Renown, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Sheffield seen while operating with Force H in April 1941HMS Ark Royal with the convoy in the background Sep 41 Operation HalberdView from HMS Hermione of HMS Ark Royal flying off Hawker Hurricane aircraft at seaBombs bursting round the HMS Ark Royal during an enemy air attack south of Sardinia in 1940HMS Ark Royal, untouched, continues on her way immediately after being bombed . Nov 1940
Hunt for the Bismarck May 1941
May 1941 HMS Ark Royal and HMS Sheffield in the north Atlantic as part of Force H during the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck.
The Sinking of HMS Ark Royal
November 13, 1941 HMS Ark Royal sinking off Gibraltar after being torpedoed by U-81, HMS Legion G-74 is seen alongside removing the crew.HMS Legion G-74 removing the crew from the sinking HMS Ark Royal.HMS Ark Royal SinkingThe last scenes from the flight deck before abandon ship.HMS Ark Royal listing to starboard after being hit by U-81, Nov 13, 1941From on board HMS Legion, the destroyer that took off the survivors, showing some of the last to leave HMS Ark RoyalA small party of officers and men remained aboard HMS Ark Royal. Second from left is Captain L E H MaundHMS Ark Royal making smoke in the attempt to raise steam after being hit by a torpedoView from HMS Hermione of HMS Ark Royal making smoke in the attempt to raise steam after being hit by a torpedo.
