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Aircraft Carrier histories. Royal Navy
aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. Aircraft carrier history of HMS
Hermes from its launch to its
participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of
the carrier HMS Hermes. HMS
Hermes was the first Aircraft Carrier to be designed and built for the
Royal Navy. compared to its predecessors which has been converted form
other ships. HMS Hermes was ordered in July 1917 and laid down on
the 15th January 1918. Hermes was built by Armstrong Whitworth (Parsons).
and was launched ion the 11th September 1919 and commissioned into the
royal navy in July 1923. HMS Furious would remain the only designed
carrier in the Royal navy for 15 years until the construction of HMS Ark Royal.
She was built to the standards of a cruiser of the day with armour and
armament and size making her a small carrier at the time of the outbreak
of world war two. She served most of her 1930's service life based
at Wei-Hai-Wei (China station) until the outbreak of war when she was transferred
to the east Indies station to combat the threat from German surface
raiders. (Her Flag superior was changed to D) In
1940 she was involved in a collision with the Armed
Merchant Cruiser Corfu. Hermes was badly damaged in the collision and had
to be repaired in South Africa. After her repairs were done she was
involved in attacks against German positions and shipping of the coast of
east Africa. She was transferred in 1942 to the Eastern Fleet and on
the 9th April 1942. she was attacked and sunk by aircraft form the Japanese
carriers Soryu, Akagi and Hiryu off the coast of Ceylon |
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Displacement: 10,850 tons/11.024 tons (standard); 13,000 tons/13.208 tons
(deep
load)
Length: 548ft/167.03m (pp); 600ft/182.88m (oa); 580ft/ 176.78m (fd)
Beam: 70ft 3in/21.41m (hull); 65ft/19.81m (fd)
Draught: 18ft 9in/5.71m (mean); 21ft 6in/6.55m (deep
load)
Machinery: Parsons geared turbines; 6 Yarrow small-tube boilers; 2
shafts
Speed: 40,000shp;
25kts
Aircraft:
20
Armament: 6x5.5in;
3x4in
Crew: 664 |
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The incomplete hull of HMS Hermes, 1920.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP717
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP717 |
|
HMS Hermes, 1924.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP718
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP718 |
HMS Hermes, October 1937.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP719
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP719 |
|
HMS Hermes, May 1937.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP720
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP720 |
HMS Hermes, October 1934.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP721
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP721 |
|
HMS Hermes, October 1934.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP722
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP722 |
HMS Hermes, May 1936.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP723
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP723 |
|
HMS Hermes, May 1937.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP724
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP724 |
HMS Hermes, May 1937.
A
large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available. Reproduced
from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright
holder. A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price
£25. Order photograph here Order Code
XMP725
Original
republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size). Price £5 Click here
to order. Order Code MP725 |
|
HMS Hermes c.1927 A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHA013 |
HMS Hermes pictured c.1930.
Original book photo plate available, image size
7" x 4". Printed in 1930. Price £10 including post. Order code
HAR75. |
| HMS Hermes was the first purpose built
aircraft carrier ordered by any navy although she couldn't carry many
aircraft. She was sunk during an attack from Japanese aircraft on 9th
April 1942.
Displacement: 10, 850 tons. Draught:
18ft 6ins. Compliment: 700. Length:
598 ft. Beam: 70ft 3ins. Speed:
25 Knots. Armament: Three 5.5 inch
guns, three single 4 inch AA guns and two sets of 0.5 inch AA guns in
fours. Aircraft: Initially 15 (Fairey
III and Flycatcher) then 12 (Fairey Swordfish). |
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HMS Hermes moored at Honk Kong Harbour in the 1920's
(photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS
Hermes see bottom of page). |
Hermes undergoes her trials in 1923 (photograph courtesy
of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom
of page). |
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Having made a successful landing, Fairey Seal is taken
in hand by flight deck handlers (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and
FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom
of page). |
Hoisting a Fairey Flycatcher onto the flight deck |
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HMS Hermes circa
1920
Original
Post card for sale price £25. Order Code PHA014 |
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An aerial view taken by a Japanese pilot of Hermes on
fire and listing to port shortly before she sank after an onslaught by
Japanese naval bombers (photograph courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN
Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom of
page). |
A Hawker Osprey is prepared for take-off (photograph
courtesy of Neil McHart and FAN Publications from the book HMS Hermes see bottom
of page). |
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HMS Hermes, Malta, 1920's.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHA015 |
HMS Hermes from the air. 1934 - 36. Sent
in by Ira James. |
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HMS Hermes China Station Sports Trophies, 1930 -
1933.
A
reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x
7" approx available. Order photograph here © Walker
Archive. Order Code PHA060 |
The flight deck of HMS Hermes.
Original
Post card for sale price £25. Order Code PHA061 |
Commanding Officers as listed by dates
appointed (taken from the book HMS Hermes by Neil McHart):
 | 1923 - Captain The Hon A Stopford CMG, RN |
| 1925 - Captain C P Talbot DSO, RN |
| 1927 - Captain R Elliot CBE, RN |
| 1927 - Captain G Hopwood CBE, RN |
| 1929 - Captain J D Campbell MVO, CBE, RN |
| 1930 - Captain E J G Mackinnon RN |
| 1932 - Captain W B Mackenzie RN |
| 1934 - Captain The Hon G Fraser DSO, RN |
| 1939 - Captain F E P Hutton RN |
| 1940 - Captain R J F Onslow MVO, DSC, RN |
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Naval Historians, Crew & Family
Noticeboard
HMS Hermes, Message Board for naval
enthusiasts and ex Crew families of HMS Hermes. This website is not part
of any governmental body or official websites of HMS Hermes.
Photographs and information on historical events about HMS Hermes requested for this new website. If you have any information you
would like to send us including photographs of crew members serving on HMS
Hermes and also photographs of the ship please USE
OUR MESSAGE FORM
MESSAGES
LT ADRIAN SCADDING RNVR. My Grandfather survived the sinking of Hermes but
recently passed away at the age of 94. He was the Meteorological officer
for the ship. Does anybody out there remember him? Contact
Here
ARTHUR HEWITSON.. Arthur Hewitson, my mum's brother was killed
during the attack in April 1942. Contact
Here
Ronald Smith Able Seaman P/JX276532 survived the sinking of the ship.
If anyone remembers him contact me at maxsmum@btopenworld.com
WILLIAM ALLMARK.. My granddad served aboard HMS Hermes and
survived her sinking in 1942. I would appreciate any info or photos.
Contact me at janeandkeith809@hotmail.com (posted
13/05/03)
WILLIAM (BILLY) WILSON.. My Great Uncle William served on board
the Hermes when she was sunk in 1942. I'm very keen to obtain any details
of anyone who knew him or where I can obtain any crew photos. If anyone
can help contact me at birlow.music@btinternet.com
LAWRENCE SUMMERS.. My grandfather was killed aboard HMS Hermes
in 1942. I would love to hear from any survivors who might remembers him
or who might have any interesting information. I think Lawrence was a
Chief Petty Officer of Warrant Officer at the time. Contact me at paul@summersp.freeserve.co.uk
CYRIL CHILDS: My Uncle was serving in the Fleet Air arm on HMS Hermes
when she was sunk in 1942. I would appreciate any info about HMS Hermes history
and any photos of the ships or its Crew, and If there are any survivors
still alive. My Uncles name is commemorated on the Fleet Air arm Memorial
at Lea on Solent. Contact David Childs at djhc@btopenworld.com IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE
USE
OUR MESSAGE FORM |
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HMS Hermes was built by Armstrong: Parsons, and
launched 11th September 1919, HMS Hermes was the first Royal Navy
aircraft carrier designed as an aircraft carrier. HMS Hermes served in
the home fleet in 1939, East Indies 1939 - 1942. She was sunk by the
Japanese aircraft off Ceylon on the 9th April 1942.
Displacement 10,850 tons, top speed of 25 knots and
carried 15 aircraft HMS Hermes had a compliment of 664 excluding
aircrew.
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