HMS Argus (I49)

History

HMS Argus was an early aircraft carrier hastily developed during World War I to provide an important launch platform for torpedo bombers. The ship was built from the incomplete hull of the ocean liner "Conte Rosso" bound for Italy, which itself was laid by William Belmore Shipyard in 1914.

Beardmore had tried to sell the Royal Navy with the idea of ??a "deck-through", flat-topped aircraft carrier before the war, but the move was rejected at the time. Instead, the service has opted to continue launching and recovering its seaplanes through its rather limited fleet of seaplane carriers. By 1916, however, the world situation had deteriorated and Britain joined her continental allies in an attempt to repel the Allied invaders.

The Desperate Royal Navy then revisited and formally endorsed Beardmore's concept through a formal conversion contract.

Beardmore Shipyard was actually building two Italian ocean liners at the time - the Conte Rosso and the "Giulio Cesare". Of the two, it was decided to revise the more complete Conte Rosso, as its engine layout was in a more advanced state of construction. The plans for the new launcher are a good match for the Conte Rosso's space range, and marine capabilities are inherent to this large ship.

Existing propulsion systems will prove adequate for the required speed. The design eventually evolved into a true "flat top" wearer with no protruding structure - she was actually called a "flat iron" for her flat top and pointed arches.

Aside from her flat surface structure, her origins as an ocean liner remain intact. The bridge, like the single hangar, is located below the flight deck, while the pilot's house is located in the center of the flight deck and is retractable - in the up position when no aircraft are landing, and in the down position when the deck is active.

Upon completion, HMS Argus became the first flat-panel aircraft carrier in naval history.

The Royal Navy originally planned to commission the HMS Argus in 1917. Although plans to bring it into service were accelerated, it was not launched until December 2, 1917, and after the required sea trials were completed, it was not commissioned until September 16, 1918.

Just a few weeks later, the armistice was signed in November, officially ending the war along with Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. HMS Argus would not be in combat service during the First World War.

The ship remained in service for the next decade amid shrinking defense budgets and a shrinking global military. During the second half of the decade, she was redesigned to improve her seaworthiness and handling, although she was eventually overshadowed by more complex, modern aircraft carriers from interwar British shipyards.

When Argus retired before 1930, her final years were spent as a training platform.

Following the military build-up before World War II (1939-1945), HMS Argus returned to active duty on 30 July 1938. Despite her slow speed, limited airborne aircraft load space, and her top-heavy handling characteristics, the Royal Navy once again expressed desperation and hired all viable warships. Argus was instrumental in transporting fighter jets to Gibraltar, Malta and Takoradi (Ghana), and then working with dangerous Arctic convoys to transport aircraft for Soviet war operations. She also participated in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa.

From mid-1943, Argus returned to British shores for repairs and training until she was reclassified as a lodging (barracks) ship in December 1944. After the war ended in September 1945, Argus was sold for scrap on December 5, 1946 - her career spanned from 1918 to 1944, covering parts of both world wars.

When built, the Argus will displace 14,000 tonnes under standard load and 15,750 tonnes under full load. Dimensions include 565 feet bow to stern, 68 feet port to starboard and 24 feet draft (depth). Her propulsion system starts with 12 x Scotch cylinder boilers that power 4 x Parson steam turbines and produce 20,000 hp on 4 x axles. Top speed is 20.5 knots and range is 4,100 miles. Her full staff consists of 495 employees.

Her storage space allows 15 to 18 planes to be transported. Local defense is provided by 6 x 102mm anti-aircraft guns (AA). She is not wearing armor, which makes her extremely vulnerable to various maritime threats.

While the HMS Argus was a converted aircraft carrier, the HMS Hermes followed as the first purpose-built aircraft carrier in naval history.

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