HMS Courageous
- Extended Description
- THE LARGE LIGHT CRUISERS
In October 1914, the Admiralty ordered three heavily-armed, fast, shallow- draught large light cruisers: the Furious, and then the two ships of the Courageous class. All were destined to become aircraft carriers. Courageous was constructed by Armstrongs on the Tyne. Laid down on 28 March 1915, she was launched on 5 February 1916 and completed in January 1917. She was taken in hand for conversion in 1924 and recommissioned as an aircraft carrier on 5 May 1928. She was the first loss the Royal Navy suffered during the Second World War, being torpedoed by U 29 on 17 September 1939, with the loss of 514 of her crew.
CONVERTED TO AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
Conversion of Courageous and Glorious to their new role was fundamental. All superstructure and fittings down to the main deck level were razed, and two superimposed hangar decks, 510 feet (1 55m) long, were built, the uppermost opening forwards onto the forecastle deck, which now became a flying-off deck. Two cruciform lifts connected the two hangars with the main flight deck, which ran the length of them and protruded to the stern.
TECHNICAL DATA
Type: Fleet aircraft carrier
Machinery: 4-shaft Parsons geared turbines giving a total of 90,000shp
Dimensions (overall): Length, 239.7m (786.5ft); beam, 25.75m (84.51t) (Right deck)
Displacement: 22,200t standard; 26,000t deep load
Draught: 8.3m (27.25ft) lull load
Complement: 1360
Speed: 32 knots (59km/h)
