eHive Object Details

Name/TitleRoyal Navy aircraft carrier HMS 'Ark Royal'

About this objectThere have been five Royal Navy ships called 'Ark Royal'. The ship in this image is the third of the line and was an aircraft carrier. The keel was laid in 1935 and the ship was launched in 1937. During World War 2 the ship served in the Atlantic, in Norwegian waters, and in the Mediterranean. Finally, in November 1941, while returning from Malta to Gibraltar 'Ark Royal' was torpedoed by a U-boat. Despite frantic efforts to save the ship it finally capsized and sank, fortunately with only one fatality, a seaman killed in the initial torpedo strike.

One of the many slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund.

This image is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without prior permission.For a high resolution copy of this image, contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

Date Madec. 1939 (original image)

Inscription and MarksIn image: "The aircraft carrier Ark Royal"

Period1930-1940

Object TypeGlass slide

Subject and Association KeywordsMilitary aviation

Subject and Association KeywordsAircraft Carriers

Subject and Association KeywordsGreat Britain. Royal Navy

Subject and Association KeywordsWorld War, 1939-1945

Subject and Association KeywordsArk Royal (ship)

Medium and MaterialsGelatin silver print on glass, original image probably on newsprint.

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-SH-02

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved