NEW ARK ROYAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1939, Page 4

NEW ARK ROYAL

THREE AIRCRAFT LIFTS

A number of representatives of the Press were permitted to visit H.M.S. Ark Royal, the Navy’s new aircraftcarrier, recently completed and delivered by Cammell Laird and Co., Limited, and now the flagship of Rear-Ad-miral G. C. C. Royal. The ship is of particular interest as the first of her size—22,ooo tons —to be designed from the first ;ts an aircraft-carrier, says the naval correspondent of "The Times."

hi general appearance she is similar to the large aircraft-carriers already in service, the Courageous and Glorious, having a small bridge structure attached to the funnel which is set over to one side so as to leave the flight deck free of all obstructions, for and aft. But she differs from them in having only one. flight deck, extending over the full length of the ship, instead of one-third of its length, at the fore end. at a lower level. This flight deck is, impressive in its height and great length—nearly 800 ft. overall including the rounded portions that overhang the stem and stern of the hull. Earlier aircraft-carriers have only two aircraft lifts, one al each end of the flight deck, giving access,to the hangars below it. The Ark Royal lias three, more or less abreast the funnel, and it is expected that this arrangement will improve the speed and ease of handling aircraft. Tiie size of an aircraft-carrier is governor by the number of aircraft she is designed to carry, which dictates tiie size of the hangars round which rlie ship is built. Every other feature or titling which a ship is required to possess has thus to lie accommodated in that part of the ship's hull which is left over after the hangars have been built in the middle of it. Vet that space is adequate for all needs to be satisfied on a comfortable scale. Workshops and storerooms are such us would be envied by those accustomed to the cramped quarters of battleships and cruisers. The messdecks and living spaces are spacious enough for the inclusion of many comforts unthought of afloat a. few years ago. The sick-bay is ample for the j needs of a ship which, when in full I service, will be the principal home of some 1500 people. j

' CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT ’I Petty ofheers' messes each have their pantries, with hot and cold water laid on. electric hot cupboards for 1 keeping meals warm, and even electric toasters. Even in broadside messes the stools arc surfaced with sponge-rubber cushions, and the decks of all living spaces are covered with a. rubber composition which has the) merit of being both clean and silent. I Co complete is the equipment of the ship that it includes both a chapel and! a post ofli'C. I lie chip" is not unique in al! theseand comforts, lor they are being incorporated, so far as possible, in many men of-war now being buillt: Put she is unique in nt least 1 ) two respects. She is probably the only ship afloat in the world which carries her fore steaming light in lhe t hull in the eyes of the ship: and she is the only ship i n the Navy - here 1 battle honours —l : o on!; —are the- Ar-

mada and the Dardanelles. There is >n the ship’s half deck a model of the' irst Ark Royal—originally named Ark' taJeigh—presented by its fashioner; ' he original herself could have been ■ ■omfortably accommodated on one of !i> pre ent ship's aircraft lift.:.

Walking through Aberdeen, Moses ( waa astonished to notice a shop boast- : lug the uamo of one of his faith. lie I entered. “Can you make a living hero?’’ | Hie inquired of the proprietor. / ’Vcll. I ‘ to bo candid with you, I can’t," was the reply. "But I only came to Aberdeen for experience.”