HERMES aircraft carrier (1924)
Hermes 1939
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Hermes | I95, D95 | 939 | Armstrong, Elswick | 15.1.1918 | 11.9.1919 | 19.2.1924 | sunk 9.4.1942 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
10850 |
|
Displacement full, t |
13700 |
|
Length, m |
182.3 |
|
Breadth, m |
21.4 |
|
Draught, m |
5.71 load |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
40000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
25 |
|
Fuel, t |
2000 oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 5600(10) |
| Armour, mm | belt: 76 - 51, deck: 25 with 25mm slopes, shields: 76 |
|
Armament |
6 x 1 - 140/50 BL Mk I, 3 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 20 aircraft (Nightjar, Plover, Flycatcher fighters, Panther, Walrus, Bison, Blackburn recon planes, Dart torpedo bombers) |
|
Complement |
664 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 3,901m², ha - 1,460m² / 6,716m³): Hangar measures: 100x14.6m, flight deck: 182.3x21.4m. There were 2 lifts (6.4t). Seaplanes handled by special crane.
| Year | Fighters | Torpedo bombers | Recon planes |
| 1923 | 7 Flycatcher | 4 Dart | 8 Fairey IIIF |
| 1935 | 6 Osprey | --- | 9 Seal |
| 9.1939 | --- | 12 Swordfish | --- |
Project history: The first-ever ship designed and built as an aircraft carrier. She was ordered in July, 1917. Originally rate of works was very high, however after an Armistice building was suspended. Further the design was thoroughly redesigned on results of the experiments conducted on aircraft carriers Argus and Eagle. Hull and protection of Hermes were developed on the basis of drawings of Hawkins class cruisers. The single-height hangar was long and narrow. Both elevators were unified with that on the Eagle. Catapults were absent. Seaworthiness of the ship was considered quite satisfactory, but the stability left much to be desired. Hermes with the maximum fuel stock had propensity spontaneously to be heeled on portside (to 4°). Because of it the fuel stowage should be limited by 600t. Hermes was planned to arm with 152mm guns, but already during building they were replaced by 140mm.
Protection: There was an underwater protection. 25mm main deck was connected with lower edge of 76-51mm armoured belt by 25mm slopes.
Modernizations: 1927: - 1 x 1 - 102/45; + 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II
1932: - 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 2 x 4 - 12.7/62
1941: + 1 x 4 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 5 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV
Naval service: Hermes was damaged in collision with AMC Corfu in August, 1940 and repaired 3 months. She was sunk 9.4.1942 by Japanese diving bombers D3A1 from carriers Hiryu, Shokaku and Zuikaku SW of Trincomalee, having received about 40 hits of 250kg bombs in 10 minutes. 302 people were lost.
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
Hermes 1924
Hermes 1938
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14