HMS Hermes

HMS Hermes. HMS *Hermes* was the world's first purpose-built aircraft carrier designed and constructed as such from the keel up for the Royal Navy. Ordered during the First World War, her construction was delayed, and she entered service in 1924, becoming a pioneering vessel in naval aviation. She served across the British Empire, notably in the China Station and East Indies Station, before being sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Indian Ocean during the Second World War.

History

The concept for HMS *Hermes* emerged from the experimental work with early aircraft carriers like HMS Argus and HMS Furious. The Admiralty sought a dedicated carrier design, and she was ordered from Armstrong Whitworth at their Elswick yard. Her design was influenced by experience gained from the converted carrier HMS Eagle, leading to features such as a starboard-side island superstructure. Although laid down in 1918, post-war budget cuts and design revisions significantly delayed her completion. She was finally commissioned into the Home Fleet in early 1924, marking a significant milestone for the Fleet Air Arm.

Design and description

HMS *Hermes* was a unique and influential design, displacing 10,850 tons at standard load. Her most distinctive feature was a large, fixed island on the starboard side, integrating the bridge, funnel, and fire-control positions, a configuration that became standard for future carriers. The flight deck was 600 feet long, served by two hydraulic aircraft lifts. Her air group originally consisted of about 20 aircraft, such as the Fairey Flycatcher and Blackburn Dart. For defense, she was armed with six 5.5-inch guns and three 4-inch anti-aircraft guns. Propulsion was provided by Yarrow boilers driving two Parsons steam turbines, giving a top speed of 25 knots.

Service history

Following commissioning, *Hermes* initially operated with the Atlantic Fleet before being assigned to the China Station in 1925, where she served for several years. In 1930, she participated in the London Naval Conference as part of the British delegation's support. After a refit at HMNB Devonport, she transferred to the East Indies Station in 1933. At the outbreak of the Second World War, she was stationed at the Cape for trade protection duties. In 1940, she supported operations against Vichy French forces at Dakar and later hunted for the German raider Admiral Scheer in the South Atlantic. In early 1942, with the entry of Japan into the war, she was transferred to the Eastern Fleet at Trincomalee in Ceylon.

Commanding officers

The first captain of HMS *Hermes* was Captain Arthur Stopford, who oversaw her final fitting out and initial commission. Subsequent commanding officers included Captain Reginald Portal, who commanded her during her service on the China Station. From 1936 to 1938, she was under the command of Captain Lionel Wells. At the start of the Second World War, her captain was Captain Richard Onslow. Her final commanding officer, from 1941 until her loss, was Captain Richard Onslow, who had previously commanded the destroyer HMS *Ashanti*.

Fate

On 9 April 1942, during the Indian Ocean raid, HMS *Hermes* was located off the coast of Ceylon by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft from the Kidō Butai. While returning to Trincomalee without her aircraft, she was attacked and sunk by over 70 dive bombers from the Japanese carriers *Akagi*, *Hiryū*, and *Sōryū*. Struck by numerous bombs, she sank with the loss of 307 men, including Captain Onslow. The escorting destroyer HMAS *Vampire* was also sunk. The wreck of *Hermes* was discovered in 2006, lying upright in approximately 55 meters of water near Batticaloa. Category:Aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy Category:Ships sunk in World War II Category:World War I aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom