HERMES (11th June, 1918)
Displacement: 10,850 tons (standard); 12,950 tons (full)
Complement: 1,000
Length: (p.p.) 548 ft, (o.a.) 598
ft
Beam: ouside bulges, 70 ft, over flight deck, 90 ft
Draught: 18.75 ft (mean)
Aircraft: about 20
Guns:
6 - 5.5 inch, 50 cal.
3 - 4 inch AA
26 smaller
Armour:
Belt 2-3"
Hangar deck 1"
Shields 1"
Machinery:Parsons all geared turbines. Designed S.H.P.: 40,000
= about 25 kts. 2 screws. Boilers: Yarrow or Babcock. Fuel: normal
1000 tons; maximum 2000 tons oil fuel.
HERMES - Sunk in action with Japanese aircraft 70 miles
S. of Trincomali, April 9, 1942. |
General notes: Begun under Emergency War Programme.
First vessel specialy designed by Admiralty as an Aircraft Carrier.
Is a splendid sea boat, very steady, with remarkably little rolling
propensity.
To carry 20 sea or aeroplanes. Special ventilation system to
lessen danger of fire from petrol fumes, and new types of gear
for handling, landing and flying-off aircraft. Hangar aft, with
electric lift from quarterdeck to flight deck, planes being wheeled
out from hangar on to lift through an opening normally closed
by shutters. Transporter cranes fitted forward and aft. |
