From ‘The Aircraft Carrier Story 1908 – 1945’ by Guy Robbins.
1917 - 1918
US carrier development was ultimately spurred into being by British achievements and the prospect of their achieving an arial ascendancy. With Vindictive and Argus being converted for the Grand Fleet, Towers (Assistant Director of Naval Aviation), now Lieutenant Commander, suggested converting a merchant ship as a carrier ‘for experimental purposes’
The Director of Naval Aviation, Captain N E Irwin accepted this and on 24 June 1918 submitted a specification to the General Board for a 700ft, 80ft beam, 15,000 ton, 30kt carrier with lift, folding aircraft, bridge amidships and above deck. This was based on the latest British designs brought over by British Constructor Stanley Goodall, seconded to the Bureau of Construction and Repair. After the failure of Furious’ flying-on trials the design was altered in October to have a starboard island as in the British design for Eagle.
The General Board proposed construction of a fleet equal too that of the RN by 1925 and for the first time thought that high-speed carriers were required. On 10 September 1918 it recommended the building of six 35-knot carrier with 700ft decks and 45 aircraft over six years. Without any carrier experience, the General Board seems to have advocated this programme in order to keep up with British carrier provision.
Anyone have any idea what this proposal looked like, did it ever get to a possible drawing?
1917 - 1918
US carrier development was ultimately spurred into being by British achievements and the prospect of their achieving an arial ascendancy. With Vindictive and Argus being converted for the Grand Fleet, Towers (Assistant Director of Naval Aviation), now Lieutenant Commander, suggested converting a merchant ship as a carrier ‘for experimental purposes’
The Director of Naval Aviation, Captain N E Irwin accepted this and on 24 June 1918 submitted a specification to the General Board for a 700ft, 80ft beam, 15,000 ton, 30kt carrier with lift, folding aircraft, bridge amidships and above deck. This was based on the latest British designs brought over by British Constructor Stanley Goodall, seconded to the Bureau of Construction and Repair. After the failure of Furious’ flying-on trials the design was altered in October to have a starboard island as in the British design for Eagle.
The General Board proposed construction of a fleet equal too that of the RN by 1925 and for the first time thought that high-speed carriers were required. On 10 September 1918 it recommended the building of six 35-knot carrier with 700ft decks and 45 aircraft over six years. Without any carrier experience, the General Board seems to have advocated this programme in order to keep up with British carrier provision.
Anyone have any idea what this proposal looked like, did it ever get to a possible drawing?
