description HMS Ark Royal (91) Overview
HMS Ark Royal, pennant number 91, was a British aircraft carrier commissioned before the Second World War and operated by the Royal Navy throughout the conflict's early years. Her aircraft participated in the Norwegian campaign, Mediterranean operations, and the pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck, including the torpedo attack that damaged Bismarck's steering. Ark Royal sank in November 1941 after being torpedoed by the German submarine U-81 near Gibraltar.
help HMS Ark Royal (91) FAQ
What role did HMS Ark Royal play in the sinking of Bismarck?
Swordfish aircraft from Ark Royal attacked Bismarck on 26 May 1941 and scored a torpedo hit that jammed the German battleship's rudder. Unable to escape effectively, Bismarck was intercepted and sunk by British warships the following morning.
How was HMS Ark Royal sunk?
The German submarine U-81 torpedoed Ark Royal in the Mediterranean on 13 November 1941. Damage control kept the carrier afloat for hours, but progressive flooding caused it to capsize and sink the next day.
Why was HMS Ark Royal's aircraft design unusual?
Ark Royal was designed with hangars and flight-deck structures integrated into the hull rather than added onto a completed conventional hull. She operated aircraft including the Fairey Swordfish, Blackburn Skua, and Fairey Fulmar.
Were there many casualties when HMS Ark Royal sank?
Nearly the entire ship's company was evacuated before the carrier sank, and only one crew member was killed. That low loss of life contrasted sharply with the eventual loss of the large and strategically important carrier.
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