A STRANGE CRAFT

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3715, 19 October 1926, Page 2

A STRANGE CRAFT

♦ AEROPLANE CARRIER WITHOUT FUNNEL

One of the oddest-looking vessels afloat is the aircraft carrier Hermes. Though not the first of her kind, the Hermes was fho first vessel that was specially constructed for carrying aircraft. She has a length of 548 ft and a breadth of 70ft. the measurements being taken of the top deck. This great deck area is nearly all available for aeroplanes to alight upon. There is no funnel, for the hot gases from the furnaces arc carried along the sides of the hull right aft, and arc discharged over the stern. The superstructure on the starboard side is lor the fire-control station and for the navigating of the ship. It is the only obstruction on the whole deck. The Hermes, which has a displacement of 10,000 tons, is equipped with turbine machinery developing 40.000 horse-power. This drives the strange-shaped hull through the water at a speed of twentyfour knots. She is armed with ten s.Sin anti-aircraft guns < nd four 4in guns of this class. The pronounced " flare-oul ” of the hull was adopted for two reasons—first, to get a maximum deck area; and next, to ensure a “dry ship,” even in very heavy weather. The designers succeeded in achieving both object*.