H.M.S. FURIOUS.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17750, 29 June 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

H.M.S. FURIOUS.

Thß hardest-worked ship in the Atlantio Fleet is a description applicable to H.M.S. Furious, that big airoraft carrier in which I am now at sea, among fleet men (writes Hector C. Bywater, naval correspondent of the Daily Telegraph). She goes by various nicknames suggested by her extraordinary appearance, but “Noah’s Ark" and “Biggin Hill Afloat” seem to fit her best. Her captain is the Hon. Alexander Ramsay, husband of Princess Patricia. The Furious has one of the largest wardrooms in the navy,' and at full strength carries no fewer than 80 officers, including a number of R.A.F. officers. Her total complement is 1000, of which R.A.F. aircraftsmen and mechanics form a considerable

percentage. “The ship is at one and the same time a fighting ship, a floating aerodrome, a laboratory, and a weather bureau. Many of her officers are acknowledged experts not only in aviation, but in meteorology, photography and other sciences. The major part of the ship’s interior is oocupied by two hangars, one above the other, and machines are raised to and lowered from the flight deck, 70 feet above water-line, by two hydraulic lifts. When flying operations are in progress the lifts, of course, are raised, their tops being absolutely flush with the deolc. All obstructions are collapsible, and either fall flat or are lowered into recesses. Nets several feet wide encircle the flight deck, and it was from this precarious perch that I witnessed amazing scenes. The Spotting Flight,

Shortly after we had got out to sea three maohines were flown off to do gunnery spotting for the 3rd Battle Squadron, which was having a big-gun shoot. This function having been performed, they flew backhand one by one alighted on our spacious deck, the ship’s head being turned into the wind for this purpose. Descending pilots are guided by two white bands painted on the deck fore and aft, but they must not alight until an “affirmative” is hoisted.

At 11 o’clock two groups of Blackburn torpedo bombers were brought

A FLOATING AERODROME

HARDEST-WORKED SHIP.

up from below by the lifts in on incredibly short time, and were arrayed on deck in perfect formation. After their engines had been warmed up the whirling of 12 propellers at high speed creating a young cyolone, they took off one after another. From start to finish every operation was performed with clockwork precision, and to me, at least, there seemed perfect team-work between Naval and Air Force personnel. Our machines were now in the clouds, from which they swooped down upon us at tremendous speed to deliver torpedo attacks. Although no torpedos were actually dropped the Blackburns manoeuvred Just as they would do in action, descending to within a few feet of the water to make sure their deadly torpedo ran true. Then they climbed rapidly into the blue to escape the hail of shells that our guns would have been firing had this been the real thing. Once more they shot down from the clouds and flew across the ship at full speed, so low that one instinctively ducked one's head. „

The Homing Plane. Then they carried out a series of manoeuvres in formation flying, which provided a magnificent spectacle. When the exercises were over machine after machine came down and made perfect . landing on deck. The Instant a homing plane touches deck a party of bluejackets rush out from the nets and seoure it, while aircraftsmen swarm over the machine, run it to a lift, and as this descends unfold the wings of the plane. Despite the extraordinary celerity of the work there is no shouting, no fuss, no noise, except an alarm gong from the lift and the clanging of the lift doors. Furious is at sea five days a week, and except when the -weather is too bad flying exercises are carried on nearly the whole time. Her planes arc literally the “eyes of the Atlantic fleet,” and might even be termed its ears, since all are fitted with wireless telephony, and when aloft can communicate with each other and with ships. All who witnessed the demonstration left with a conviction that the British Navy leads the world in the development of marine aviation.