The custom of the time was to name the ship, in this case, the Ark and then add as a suffix the name of the owner, hence Ark Raleigh, but when the crown purchased the ship, she became the Ark Royal.

Armada 1588.
Cadiz 1596.
Dardanelles 1915.
Norway 1940.
Spartivento 1940.
Mediterranean 1940-41.
Bismarck 1941.
Malta Convoys 1941.

Galleon, she was rated as 800 tons, but as built was a vessel of 692 tons. With a compliment of 268 mariners, 32 gunners and 100 soldiers. She carried 55 guns. The vessel was built at Deptford in 1587 as the Ark Raleigh, for Sir Walter Raleigh. But building had hardly begun when war with Spain threatened. The crown purchased the ship in January 1587 for £5,000, and thus she became the Ark Royal. She saw service during the war with Spain of 1588-96. 1588 - During July and August she led the English fleet as the flagship of Lord Howard of Effingham, at the famous Armada battle in the rout of the Spanish fleet. 1596 - June 21st Ark Royal in company with thirteen other vessels, made an attack and sacked Cadiz resulting in the total destruction or capture of the Spanish fleet at the port. The prize was valued at the time as twelve million ducats, equating to about £6 million. 1608 - She was completely refitted and rebuilt and renamed as the Anne Royal, after Anne of Denmark, James 1 st Queen. During a shift of berth in the Medway in 1636 she was bilged on her own anchor and sank and, although later she was refloated, it was decided not to repair her, so she was broken up.

Seaplane carrier. Originally a mercantile vessel laid down on the 7th November 1913 laying on the stocks at Blyth. The ship was purchased by the Admiralty in May 1914, and launched on the 5th September 1914, as the Ark Royal. 7,08017,450 tons, carrying five floatplanes and two landplanes. Compliment 180. 1914 - Commissioned 10th December. She was to see service during the First World War of 1914-18. 1915 - February 1st she sailed for the Dardanelles, arriving at Tenedos on the 17th• Although hampered by the poor performance of her seaplanes she provided much-needed reconnaissance for the bombardment of the Turkish forts. She was involved in many operations March to April and covered the landings from 25th April onwards, but at the end of May she was withdrawn to Imbros where she became a Depot Ship for all aircraft based there, she was too vulnerable to U boat attack to be risked at sea. August 19th the George Cross was awarded to Michael Sullivan Keogh of the Ark Royal for the attempt to rescue fatally injured Captain C. H. Collett. RMA, from a crashed plane at Imbros aerodrome, Keogh was overcome by burns and blazing petrol. November Ark Royal moved to Mytilene and Salonika. 1916 - Salonika. March moved back to Mudros as parent ship to No 2 Wing RNAS. 1918 - January two of her Sopwith Baby Seaplanes attempted to bomb the German ship Goeben. She ended the war in Piraeus, Greece. Then through the Dardanelles to Syra as parent ship and operated in the Black Sea, transporting aircraft to Batumi. 1919 - At the end of the year she was withdrawn to support the Somaliland Campaign against the 'Mad Mullah'. 1920 - Operating in the Sea of Marmora and the Black Sea, covering the withdrawal of White Russian forces from Crimea. June 16th with the Revenge, Ramillies and destroyers in action against the Turks at Istria until the 21st. Later carried aircraft to Basra in the Persian Gulf. November at Rosyth for refit then into reserve. 1921 - Rosyth refit and reserve. 1922 -Recommissioned in September to take aircraft out to the Mediterranean, during the Chanak Crisis. 1923 - April at Malta for refitting before returning to the UK. Later to the Nore Command as a Minesweeper Depot Ship at Sheerness. 1930 's - Used as a trials ship to evaluate aircraft catapult equipment. 1934 - December renamed as Pegasus. To release the name for a new carrier. 1940 - She was converted to a Fighter Catapult Ship, a temporary stopgap to provide air cover for Atlantic and Gibraltar convoys, later she became an accommodation ship. 1946 - sold 18th October and in December started conversion at Antwerp as Panamanian merchant ship Anita 1, but in 1949 she was purchased by the Dutch Company Boomse Sheepss Boujen. April 1950 sold to BISCO and from October started breaking up at Grays, Essex.

Aircraft carrier. 22,000/27,720 tons. Complement 863 (ship)+ 773 (air wing). Built by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead. Laid down 16th September 1935. Launched 13th April 1937 by Lady Maude Hoare. 1938 - Commissioned November 16th Captain A. J. Power 1/c. On the 17th she sailed for Portsmouth, and secured alongside on the 19th• 26th moved into dry dock for final completion on the 16th December, spent Christmas and New Year alongside at Portsmouth. 1939 - Portsmouth. Captain A. J. Power J/c. January 10th left Portsmouth to a position off the Isle of Wight to land on her aircraft squadrons. 12th with the destroyer Wren carried out flying exercises in the Channel, before proceeding to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean to complete her work up. 16th arrived at Gibraltar, leaving the same day, again accompanied by the Wren sailed for Malta. On the 17th Ark Royal suffered her first flying accident when a Swordfish crashed on landing, four men on the flight deck were injured, but the aircrew were unharmed. 19th arrived at Malta. On the 23rd work up began in earnest with the Wren and headed for Alexandria. 26th off Alexandria exercised with the Glorious. The first two weeks of February were spent carrying out flying exercises off the Egyptian coast, with weekend breaks in Alexandria. 16th February set course for Malta for further exercises and a stop-over. 23rd wi Glorious and Wren left for Gibraltar. The end of February was spent exercising in the Atlantic Ocean off Morocco with the Warspite, Nelson and Ramillies, followed by a three day break in Gibraltar. March 6th sailed for Exercise 2Q, with the Barham, Shropshire, Glorious and Clyde. From the 10th to the 17th at Gibraltar then sailed for home waters. During the trip home on the 18tha fire broke out in the upper hanger and quickly spread through the Swordfish aircraft, a serious situation and what could have been a disaster was averted by the fast and efficient action of the carriers fire parties. Eight Swordfish were destroyed, the Ark Royal continued to steam north. 21 st she rendezvoused with the Nelson and Repulse to take part in Exercise KC, concluding on the 23n1_ Arrived in Portsmouth on the 24th„ April 29th left Portsmouth to embark her aircraft, and throughout May operated out of Portland for the second phase of the work-up. On May 6th with units of the Home Fleet escorted the Empress of Australia, carrying King George Vl and Queen Elizabeth, to pass the duty over to the Repulse and two cruisers for the passage to the United States. 10th flying exercises off Lyme Bay, a Swordfish crashed on landing and was destroyed by fire, there were no casualties. 20/21st open to visitors in Portland harbour. June 2nd left Portland, flew off her aircraft to respective airfields, and entered Portsmouth for a short maintenance period. 8/l0th trials in Sandown Bay. Five day break at Portsmouth. Final day of trials 15th June. 22nd four day visit to Torquay with the 2nd BS. 28th June Portsmouth for routine maintenance until 29th July then to the North Sea off the coast of North Yorkshire to operate her aircraft. August lst anchored at Rosyth. 8/11th flying exercises at sea with Foxhound and Fearless. 12th Scapa Flow. 15118th with heavy units of the Home Fleet took part in Exercise K, refuelled and took part in Exercise KD in the Norwegian Sea, 20th fire parties onboard successfully extinguished a fire in the lower hanger. 21st the exercise concluded at Invergordon. 24th August ordered to her war station at Scapa Flow. September 3n1 hostilities with Germany commenced. September 14th went to the aid of SS Fanad Head, stopped and boarded by U.30, the boarding party had just left when 3 Skuas from the Ark Royal surprised U.30, which rapidly torpedoed the cargo ship before diving, the Skuas attacked too low and two of them were seriously damaged by the blast from their own bombs and were forced to land in the sea, the third left to refuel. The U boat surfaced and picked up the surviving aircrews, making them prisoners, the first Royal Naval personnel to be taken prisoners of war in the Second World War. Later the same day U.39 fired a salvo of torpedoes at Ark Royal, the tracks were spotted by a signalman and the carrier managed to evade the shots. The destroyer F Faulknor blew the submarine to the surface, and 43 officers and men were taken, prisoner. The U.39 was the first submarine to be sunk during the Second World War. 17th September anchored in Loch Ewe. 20th returned to Scapa. 24th part of the force sent to escort the damaged submarine Spearfish across the North Sea. The carrier launched nine Skuas to attack a reported sighting of three Dorniers shadowing the force, two managed to escape but the third was brought down by one of Ark Royal's Skuas, the crew rescued by the Somali. The carriers Skua had the distinction of being the first to destroy a German aircraft during the Second World War. October left for Freetown anchoring there on the 12th, as part of Force K, to search for the Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic. November 18 steamed south from Freetown to carry out the search, that morning two Swordfish from the carrier crashed into the sea with the loss of two crew members, the seaboat rescued two. December Ist Force K rendezvoused with the Sussex and Shropshire operating off the Cape of Good Hope. On the 2nd the German liner SS Waussi, which had left Beira and was making for home, was bombed by a South African aircraft, the crew abandoned ship and scuttled her, the Ark Royal and Sussex arrived on the scene and took on board the survivors, among them women and children. 314th December refuelled at Capetown. On the 8th with Force K in mid South Atlantic, a fatal accident occurred when a Skua crashed in the sea, killing the pilot, the other crew member was rescued .. December 17th anchored off Rio de Janeiro. With the sinking of the Graf Spee in the River Plate, Force K spent a fruitless search for the Germans supply ship the Altmark. Arrived at Freetown on the 27th for a belated Christmas and New Year. 1940 - Freetown. Captain A. J. Power I/c. January 3rd sailed for Dakar arriving on the 5th for a three day visit. 8th steamed south to within 300 miles of the Brazilian coast, on the 15th rendezvoused with the Ajax, and four days later the force anchored at Freetown. 24th January the Ark Royal together with the Renown, Dainty and Diamond left Freetown to make another search for the Altmark returning to Freetown on the February 3n1_ On the 6th together with the Renown sailed for home, arriving at Portsmouth on the15th where she was docked on the 17th, for long leave and refit. March 16th completed refit and began five days of trials off Portland. 22nd together with the destroyers Active, Bulldog and Voyager sailed for the Mediterranean. Arrived at Malta on the 28th, 31st March sailed for Alexandria arriving April 2nd• On the 9th at sea for exercises. April 10th Captain C. S. Holland joined the ship, and together with Glorious, Bulldog and Westcott made a high-speed passage to Gibraltar, arriving on the 13th, 16th left for Greenock then on to Scapa Flow on the 23rd. By the 24th she was operating off the coast of Norway to provide air support for the Army which had landed at Namsos, her aircraft were in constant action against the German air force, losing many aircraft. May 1st Captain Holland assumed command of the Ark Royal. On the 3rd anchored at Scapa, where Captain Power left the ship. On the 4th put to sea for the Narvik area where her aircraft provided support for the Army around the port. May 12/13th the landing of British and French troops at Narvik under cover of naval bombardment, and Ark Royal 's aircraft in support bombing railway lines and giving general support to the ground forces, some success was made in shooting down some enemy bombers. 24th refuelled at Scapa. On the 30th returned to Norway to cover the final evacuation of allied troops there, which took place between 4th and 8th June. On the 9th the carrier was attacked by seven German bombers. 12th with Rodney, Renown and a destroyer screen steamed towards the Norwegian coast to launch an attack on German warships reported to be at Trondheim. In fact only the Scharnhorst was in port On the 13th , 15 Skuas were flown off to make the attack, the Skuas went straight into a force of German ME 109's and I IO's. In the event only one bomb hit the Scharnhorst, but failed to explode, only seven Skuas returned, a very expensive failure. June 14th back at Scapa. 17th left for Gibraltar with Escapade, Faulknor and Fearless, on the I 8th joined the Hood, and together arrived at Gibraltar on the 23"\ to join Force H. July 2nd with Force H left Gibraltar for Mers-el-Kebir, for Operation Catapult, to persuade the French Fleet to scuttle or sail to the West Indies to prevent it falling into enemy hands, if no agreement was reached, the ships were to be destroyed. No agreement was reached, and Force H opened fire on the port. During the actions Ark Royal lost two Swordfish and a Skua. Returned to Gibraltar on the 4th• On the 5th Ark Royal’s aircraft made torpedo attacks on the damaged ships at Mers-el-Kebir. 6th Ark Royal s torpedo aircraft attack the French battleship Dunkerque at Mers-el Kebir and sink the auxiliary ship Terre Neuve lying alongside her with a cargo of depth charges. The resulting explosions rip open the side of the Dunkerque; 150 dead are among the crews. 8th Force H including Ark Royal sails towards Sardinia to provide a diversion, for a convoy carrying evacuees and stores from Malta to Alexandria, the carrier survived several air attacks from Italian bombers, a planned air attack on Cagliari was cancelled, and the force arrived back at Gibraltar on the 11th July for a twelve day break. On the 23n1 with a destroyer screen and the cruiser Enterprise, the carrier steamed into the Atlantic for a planned air attack on shipping in Bordeaux, but on the 25th reconnaissance reported the port empty, returned to Gibraltar on the 27th. 31st July with Force H sets out from Gibraltar for Operation Hurry, the flying off of aircraft from the carrier Argus to Malta. During the operation aircraft from the Ark Royal dropped bombs and laid mines at Cagliari. One Swordfish was lost when it slewed to starboard on taking off and hit the forward pom-pom mounting, it crashed into the sea with the loss of its crew. The air attack on Cagliari was a success, although one machine had to make a forced landing on the airfield being attacked. Despite Italian bomber attacks the force arrived back at Gibraltar on the 3n1 August. On the 4th with the Hood, Valiant, Arethusa and a destroyer screen steamed into the Atlantic, where the following day the two capital ships and Arethusa set course for home, Ark Royal returning to Gibraltar on the 8th, for eight days maintenance. On the 16th August carried out four days of exercises in the Atlantic with Renown and Enterprise. 25th with the same two, sailed into the Atlantic to rendezvous on the 27th with the Illustrious, which had left Scapa to join the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria. Arrived Gibraltar 29th• 30th continued on escorting the new carrier through the Sicilian Narrows. September Ist the Ark Royal's Swordfish made a diversionary attack on Cagliari airfield, Operation Smash. Repeated on the 2nd on another airfield and a power station. 3rd back in Gibraltar, the Illustrious arrived safely at Alexandria on the 5th/6th September with Barham, Resolution and a destroyer screen left Gibraltar for Operation Menace, the seizure of the Vichy controlled port of Dakar. 16th arrived at Freetown here the ships engineers spent five days repairing a fault on the main engines. 21st sailed for Dakar. 24th six Skuas were flown off to attack the French battleship Richelieu, there were no hits and the aircraft landed safely. In a second attack nine Swordfish and six Skuas attacked the battleship, no hits were scored and three Swordfish were shot down by French fighters. With damage to the Resolution and Barham it became apparent the invasion was a failure, and the British force returned to Freetown. On the 30th September the Ark Royal left Freetown and sailed for Liverpool. October 8th arrived in the Mersey and into the dry dock for a refit. On the 29th left the dry dock and sailed for the Clyde. 31st left the Clyde for Gibraltar. November 6th arrived Gibraltar and joined Force H. On the 7th left with other units for Operation Coat, to cover reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria, as far south as Sardinia. On the 9th Ark Royal's Swordfish launch an attack on Cagliari. 11th arrived back in Gibraltar. November 15th leaves Gibraltar with Force H for Operation White, to fly off aircraft from the Argus to Malta, 19th back in Gibraltar. 25th left Gibraltar to escort a convoy to Malta, on the 27th came in contact with heavy units of the Italian navy, the Swordfish made two strikes on the Italian ships but only one hit on the destroyer Lancieri was recorded. Returned to Gibraltar on the 29th. December 10th left Gibraltar for exercises, a Fulmar aircraft crashed in the sea, the crew rescued by the Firedrake. 11th two Swordfish were in collision, the crew of one were killed. 14th left Gibraltar with the Renown to search area around the Azores where it was believed the German Admiral Hipper might be, after no sightings returned to Gibraltar on the 19th/20th left Gibraltar with Renown, Malaya and Sheffield to escort two fast merchantmen to Malta, on the 23n1 leaving the escort to the Sheffield, the other three set course back to Gibraltar where she arrived just after midday on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day Ark Royal and Force H left Gibraltar and headed into the Atlantic and the area around the Azores, to try and catch the Admiral Hipper, which was attacking Convoy WS5A, no sightings were made and after three days later Force H arrived back in Gibraltar. 1941 - New Year, Gibraltar repairing defective boilers. Captain A. J. Power I/c. January 7th with other units sets out from Gibraltar for Operation Excess, a convoy carrying supplies to Malta and the flying off of aircraft to Malta on the 9th. Heavy air attacks were made on the convoy. 11th arrived back in Gibraltar for a 16 day essential maintenance package. January 31st sailed to make an attack on the hydro-electric power station and dam at Lake Tirso, Sardinia. On the 2nd February torpedo aircraft from the carrier attack the dam, but encountering strong defences they are unsuccessful. Later Ark Royal makes a raid on Livomo, and her aircraft mine the harbour entrance to La Spezia. Gibraltar on thel lth February. On the 17th the Ark Royal and Force H rendezvoused with Convoy WS6 in the Atlantic. The convoy consisted mainly of fast passenger liners converted to troop transports, and they were carrying reinforcements for the garrison at Singapore in response to the aggressive Japanese policy in the Far East. On the 21 si February the escort was taken over by Malaya and Ark Royal turned for Gibraltar arriving on the 25th for a six day break. March 9th a sighting from the Malaya escorting a convoy off the coast of West Africa reported a sighting of the German ships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, 350 miles off the Cape Verde Islands, Ark Royal, Renown and Arethusa were despatched to the area. Reconnaissance flights failed to find the enemy, and on the 10th March, Force H rendezvoused with Convoy SL67 steaming towards home. On the 14th a Swordfish failed to return from a search flight with the loss of its crew. March 19th Ark Royal and Force H, handed over the escort to the Kenya, and set course for Gibraltar, during the return Ark Royal's search planes sighted the German prize SS Bianca, steaming for Bordeaux, as a result she was intercepted the next day by Renown, the Germans scuttled the prize, later another captured ship the SS Casimiro scuttled herself. Sadly during another search for the German heavy units, which proved fruitless, a Swordfish armed with depth charges, crashed into the sea over the bows on taking off, the aircraft broke in two and the depth charges exploded under the ship, killing the aircrew, and causing minor damage to the carrier. Arrived back in Gibraltar on the 25th March. From the 26th March to the lst April the Ark Royal carried out more air searches in Bay of Biscay, between Lisbon and Ushant with no results. April 2nd-4th with Argus steamed to a point in the Mediterranean to fly off aircraft to Malta; this was repeated on the 4th/5th• 8th to the 16th in the Atlantic off Cape Finisterre carrying out air patrols for German raiders. On the 19th at Gibraltar, Captain L. E. H. Maund took over command. April 24th to the 27th Operation Dunlop, the flying off of more aircraft for Malta. May 5th leaves Gibraltar with Force H for Operation Tiger; a convoy of 13 fast merchantmen, seven of which were carrying fuel oil and supplies, while the others were laden with 295 tanks and 50 aircraft urgently needed in Egypt. Rendezvoused with the Convoy WSSA in the Atlantic, passed through the straits on the 6th. On the 8th attacked by Italian torpedo bombers and later by German JU87 and MEI 10 bombers. The convoy is handed over to the Mediterranean Fleet, and Force H returns to Gibraltar arriving on the 12th. May 20th proceeds to a point in the Mediterranean, where, on the 21st twenty one Hurricanes were flown off for Malta and twenty seven from the Furious. 23rd Gibraltar. On the 24th Ark Royal, Renown and Sheffield and a destroyer screen leave Gibraltar for mid Atlantic to join in the search for the German ships Bismarck and Prince Eugen. On the 26th located by the Ark Royal's Swordfish, a strike fore was flown off, but dropped their torpedoes mistakenly on the Sheffield, which luckily evaded them. On a second strike they found their true target, they scored two hits on the Bismarck , one amidships and one which caused a crippling explosion aft and jammed her rudder, resulting in ships of the Home Fleet being able to sink her. On the 29th with Force H arrived back in Gibraltar. May 19/22nd With Renown, Sheffield and Furious take part in Operation Splice, to a position off Sardinia where on the 21st forty eight Hurricane fighters are flown off from the carriers for Malta. June 517th took part in Operation Rocket, flying off more planes for Malta. June 13th/15th Operation Tracer, Force H with Ark Royal and Victorious fly off 47 Hurricanes for Malta. 26th June/I st July, covered by Force H, Ark Royal takes part in Operation Railway, the flying off of twenty two Hurricanes for Malta. July 2 lst with Force H leaves Gibraltar with a major Malta convoy, Operation Substance. 23rd air attacks started. 27th arrived safely back at Gibraltar. On 31st July carried out a successful air strike on Alghero airfield, Sardinia as a diversion for Operation Style, the remainder of the troops etc from the damaged transport Leinster being taken to Malta, from Operation Substance. But on landing on return a Swordfish still carrying a 40lb bomb which had jammed in its bomb rack, but as the wheels hit the flight deck it was unleashed and exploded, killing the pilot and two aircrew. The blast also killed three members of the flight deck party and blew a hole in the deck damaging the arrester gear. August 4th back in Gibraltar. August 2200126th with Force H took part in Operation Mincemeat, the fast minelayer Manxman to lay mines in the port of Leghorn, and an air strike on a cork plantation near Tempio. September 9th/10th took part in Operation Status, flies off 14 Hurricanes for Malta. And on the 13th another sortie with the Furious flying off forty five Hurricanes for Malta. 24th September a large supply convoy leaves Gibraltar for Malta, Operation Halberd, the Ark Royal as part of Force H taking part in the heavily fought convoy. Returned to Gibraltar on October Ist. On the 16th October leaves Gibraltar with units of Force H for Operation Callbay, the carrier to fly off 13 aircraft for Malta on the 18th, Gibraltar on the 19th. November 10th left Gibraltar with Force H units for Operation Perpetual, Argus and Ark Royal to fly off 37 Hurricanes for Malta. During the return on the 13th the German U.81. Klt Friedrich Guggenberger, hits Ark Royal with one torpedo out of a salvo of four. The carrier took on an immediate list of 10 degrees which quickly increased to 12 degrees, still able to steam at 20 knots. Efforts were made to balance the list, but the list increased to 15 degrees, there was no power to the two 250 ton pumps forward, the switchboard was out of action, the starboard boiler room was flooded and the starboard engines were out of action. The destroyer Legion took off over 1,600 men. The carrier was taken in tow, and some power had been restored onboard as she made for Gibraltar. But despite stalwart efforts the list got beyond 35 degrees, and the last of the crew were taken off. The Ark Royal remained afloat for another hour and forty minutes before she finally slipped under the waves at 6.13 am on Thursday 14th November, fourteen and a half hours after she had been torpedoed, and with only one fatality out of a compliment of 1,749.

Aircraft Carrier. 36,800/46,000 tons. Compliment 2,740. Built by Cammell Laird, at Birkenhead, at the cost of Twenty One and a half million pounds. Laid Down 3rd May 1943. Launched by Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) on 3rd May 1950. March 1954 Captain Cambell was appointed as the carriers first commanding officer. Modifications etc. held up the completion of the carrier and added another £25,140 on the tender price. May contractors sea trials etc. to the end of the year. 1955 - The ship was commissioned on the 22nd February, Captain D.R. F. Cambell 1/c. After acceptance trials, the vessel was signed over from the contractors on the 25th February. March 1st to 4th exercises in Loch Ewe. Arrived off the Isle of Wight on the 7th to carry out trials. On the 19th the carriers lifebuoy sentry saw someone jump overboard into the sea, he threw a lifebuoy and rang the alarm, the officer of the day got away in the port motor-boat, and their prompt action saved the man’s life. In the event, the man was landed for psychiatric treatment. On the 25th the carrier secured alongside at Portsmouth. On the 28th the Ark Royal sailed for Devonport and entered the dockyard on the 30th• April maintenance work was started on the ship completing on the 25th May. 28130th Devonport Navy Days with 26,226 visitors on board. May 31st sailed for Gibraltar and arrived at the colony three days later. June 6th the Ark Royal commenced her exercise periods off Gibraltar. 20th having completed the first phase of the shakedown she sailed for home. 23rd arrived at Spithead. 27th started flying off exercises in the Portsmouth area. On the 2nd July arrived Plymouth Sound. 11th Weymouth Bay for more flying trials. At the end of the month took part in Devonport Navy Days, and on the last day August 1st, over 10,000 people toured the ship. Then followed a period of essential maintenance work. September 26th, work completed, started her second phase of flying trials in the Channel. 30th tied up alongside at Portsmouth. October 4th Sea Hawks were successfully catapulted from the stationary carrier. On the 11th sailed for Gibraltar, arriving in the exercise area on the 14th. Unfortunately, a Sea Hawk ditched on take oft: there was no trace of the pilot or wreckage, the carriers first fatal accident. Left Gibraltar on the 24th, and arrived at Malta on the 26th. Entered Grand Harbour on the 29th, and remained at Malta for over a week. November 8th left Malta for ten days of flying exercises, after which she returned to Malta to undergo a self-maintenance period. 29th November work completed left Malta for a goodwill visit to Toulon 2nd to 4th December. Returned to Malta on the 11th with an emergency hospital case. 12th to the 16th with the Saintes carried out flying exercises off the island. Christmas and New Year spent at Malta. 1956 - At Malta. Captain Cambell I/c. January 13th carried on with flying exercises off Malta with Ulysses, Saintes, Albion and Centaur. 30th returned to Malta. 31st left for 'Exercise Febex' with the Mediterranean Fleet, the exercise completed returned to Malta on the 10th February, for an 11 day maintenance period before sailing on the 21st to carry out trials before setting course for Naples, for a five day visit with the Chieftain, left on the 29th for Malta where embarked the FO2, Mediterranean Fleet and sailed with the Birmingham and Aisne for 'Exercise Cascade' A series of accidents marred the exercise, just past midnight on the 8th March , a Sea Venom disappeared from the carriers radar screens, the crew were posted as 'Missing Presumed Dead'. Not long after a Gannet 383 crashed over the carriers starboard bow, a fully crewed sea boat with one of the ship's divers onboard was quickly away, the Aisne also joining in the search, the wreck was located, whereupon Ldg Seaman Ramplin attempted to rescue the two crew, but the Gannet sank beneath the waves taking all three with it, no survivors were found. 12th berthed alongside at Gibraltar's South Mole for an eight-day stay. March 20th sailed for the Atlantic to take part in 'Exercise Dawn Breeze' a NATO exercise while on passage to Spithead. 27th March secured alongside at Portsmouth. On the 29th, visited by HM The Queen Mother. 30th and 31st Part of Portsmouth Navy Days. 12,500 people visited the carrier. April 4th left for six days of landing and launching trials with the new De Havilland 110 fighter. April 20th secured alongside at Devonport. Open to the Public for Devonport's Navy Days in May, the carrier then went into dockyard hands, for refit. September 24th as the Ark Royal lay alongside at Devonport; Captain F. H. E. Hopkins was appointed to the ship. November 1st the refit completed she was re-commissioned. On the 21st there was a nasty accident which, if it had not been for the prompt action of a PO Electrician, would have been far worse, and could have proved fatal. An electrical mechanic was ascending a ladder carrying a jar of sulphuric acid when he slipped and fell, resulting in the contents of the broken jar being spilt all over himself. The PO carried the victim into an adjacent compartment where he thrust the mans face under running fresh water, filled an eye bath with soda solution and thoroughly washed the man's eyes while treating the man's legs sickbay attendants arrived to take over. December 2nd started the first series of flying trials. On the 3rd a Naval Airman was hit and severely injured by the propeller of a Gannet. December 8th returned to Devonport for seasonal leave. 28th December moored in Plymouth Sound. 1957 - Plymouth. Captain Hopkins 1/c. January 3rd started 4 days of flying trial in the Channel with the Orwell. She later set sail for Gibraltar arriving on the 14th. 16th left with the Dainty for Malta, arriving on the 19th• After three days of exercises, there was trouble in the engine rooms, the propulsion machinery was causing problems, and it was apparent she would have to return to Devonport for repairs on her main engines. February 5th left for Gibraltar. Later in the month left Gibraltar and arrived Devonport 22nd February, for engine repairs. April 29th completed, moored in Plymouth Sound. May 3rd sailed for Invergordon and arrived on the 6th. Five days of flying exercises followed. May 15th arrived at Rosyth where she was to take part in 'Operation Steadfast' a review of the ships of the Home Fleet by HM The Queen. The review itself took place over three days 27th to 29th. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the ship. As soon as the visitors left the ship Ark Royal together with the Diamond and Duchess, set course for Norfolk Virginia. The trio arrived at Norfolk Navy Yard on the 8th June, and were open daily to visitors, estimated that 40,000 people visited the three ships. 11th June moved into Hampton Roads for the US International Fleet Review. Left Norfolk on the 17th parting with the two destroyers, and while on passage to New York carried out cross-operating exercises with the USS Saratoga. 18th arrived New York for a three day visit. 20th June with the two destroyers started the passage back across the Atlantic. 28th June arrived at Falmouth Bay. 30th arrived Portsmouth, and spent nine days alongside before carrying out flying exercises off the Isle of Wight. 26th July the carrier returned to Devonport and was dry-docked until mid-August then moved alongside to complete her refit. Her tonnage was now reassessed at 43,340 tons. 28th put to sea again for families day, soon after sailed north and joined Eagle and Bulwark off Lossiemouth. 17th September from the Clyde commenced the NATO 'Exercise Strikeback', north of the Arctic Circle. On conclusion returned to Spithead on the 28th September. During the exercise further problems were experienced with the carrier's main propulsion, which necessitated dry docking, so on October 1st the Ark Royal was dry docked in Southampton. On the 11th work finished the carrier set course for the Atlantic for NATO's 'Exercise Pipedown' which consisted of five events; 'Touchdown' 'Snapper' 'Angel' 'Mercury' and a search and rescue exercise. On conclusion, going via Gibraltar paid a visit to Lisbon 22nd to 26th, then back to Portsmouth. November 2nd berthed at Devonport. 13th sailed for Rosyth arriving on the 16th, then after a weekend break sailed with the Eagle and Bulwark to take part in 'Exercise Phoenix II' in severe gales in Scottish waters. Arrived back in Devonport on the 29th November via Rosyth, to carry out maintenance work and Christmas and New Year leave. 1958 - January, Devonport. Captain Hopkins I/c. Arrived at Gibraltar on the 31st January to start a six-month deployment with the Mediterranean Fleet. February 7th arrived at Malta with the Eagle. On the 25th carried out flying exercises, March 1st a Sea Hawk crashed over the side despite a search no trace of pilot or plane were found. On the 4th March joined the USS Saratoga and USS Essex for the six-day 'Exercise Marjex'. March 10th paid a seven day visit to Genoa. 18th started an eighteen day maintenance period at Malta. April 8th with the Salisbury and Contest left Malta for exercises, followed on the 12th with a weekend break off Palermo. 14th returned to exercises, a Sea Venom ditched in the sea, the Contest rescued the two crew. 19th returned to Malta for the weekend then a 12 day visit to Naples, arriving on the 29th April. May 10th returned to Malta, where on the 15th one of the carriers Gannets crashed in the sea, both crew members rescued by the Salisbury. 19th started the 'Exercise Medtlex Fort', Ark Royal suffered another plane ditching, the pilot was picked up, but the observer was lost. The exercise concluded on the 22nd May. Ark Royal remained off Cyprus, on the alert to evacuate British subjects from Lebanon where anti government disturbances were taking place. June 10th relieved by the Eagle, the Ark Royal left for Gibraltar via Malta. Left Gibraltar 23rd June and arrived Portsmouth on the 26th. On the 30th took part in a week series of 'Shop Window' displays off the Isle of Wight. July 5th arrived Devonport. 11th visited by HM The Queen Mother. July 16th Captain Hopkins handed over command to his Executive Officer, Commander I. S. McIntosh, and the carrier went into extensive refit routine. 1959 - Devonport Dockyard under refit. April 8th a fire broke out in the bilges below X boiler room. The fire quickly spread to adjoining compartments. At the time there were several hundred dockyard workers on board, but only a handful of ships company, fire brigades were quick on the scene, 9 dockyard workers were trapped in a compartment above the boiler room, but managed to escape through a scuttle and swim ashore. After several hours the fire was brought under control, but left behind serious damage. October 1st Captain P. J. Hill-Norton joined the ship to take command. December lst the main body of the ships company arrived on board. 28th December the ship was re-commissioned. 1960 - January, Devonport. Captain Hill-Norton I/c. On the 8th January started post refit trials lasting the month anchoring most nights off Weymouth or Plymouth Sound. February 2nd began flying trials in the Channel. 9th alongside at Devonport. March 3rd left Devonport and set course for Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Fleet. After a 48 hour stop over at Gibraltar arrived at Malta on the 11th March. 14th started the first phase of her work up of 2 weeks of intensive flying operations before, on the 25th March she anchored off Palermo for a weekend break before resuming flying operations off Malta. On the 30th there was a fire in 'Y' boiler room but soon brought under control. April 6th one of the anti submarine helicopters ditched, the crew were rescued by the submarine Token. Had an 11 day maintenance period in Malta. 19th April steamed to the east of Cyprus to exercise with the Scorpion and Eastbourne. May 4th dry docked at Malta for work on her propeller shafts and underwater hull scraped and repainted. May 20th left for Malta. 24th with the Tiger left Malta for a 'Shop Window' display, then followed a courtesy visit to Touton. May 30th left Touton, met up with the Tiger, Scorpion, Girdle Ness, and Ausonia for a visit to Barcelona for the Annual Trade Fair and British Day. Arrived 3rd June. Following the visit Ark Royal and Tiger carried out exercises with French naval units and the USS Forestal, before returning to Gibraltar on the 20th June to carry out a 14-day self-maintenance period. It was the 4th July when the carrier left Gibraltar for Malta, after exercising in the Malta and Cyprus areas with the Hermes, the Ark Royal paid a 4 day visit to Piraeus, left on the 23rd July. Malta 29th for an 11 day stay. Ark Royal left Malta on the 9th August, and joined up with Hermes, Tiger and USS Forrestal for 'Exercise Royal Flush Ill'. At the end of the exercise she paid a short visit to Palma, before she resumed her passage home on the 23rd, arriving at Portland on the 26th August. Then on to Lossiemouth for flying exercises in preparation for NATO's 'Exercise Swordthrust'. During the exercise on the 17th September, a Sea Vixen crashed on landing and toppled over the side bursting into flames, the Camperdown, Gambia and Defender all carried out a search for the crew, but nothing was found. The main exercise started on the 28th September, and operated 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle and off the Norwegian Coast. After a short stop over in the Clyde, the Ark Royal concluded the exercise at Devonport on the 3rd October, and started a period of essential maintenance, having steamed 50,000 miles since she re-commissioned. October 26th left for the Mediterranean. Arrived at Malta on the 4th November, where from the 15th to the 23rd she carried out flying exercises with the Victorious. Early December took part in 'Exercise Pink Gin' with Albion and Victorious, returning to Gibraltar on the 13th. Spent Christmas and New Year at Malta. 1961- January at Malta. Captain Hill-Norton I/c. 6th January the start of flying exercises from Malta was marred when a Sea Vixen crashed in the sea, despite a search nothing was found of the two aircrew. On the 15th left Malta, for Lisbon with the Londonderry for a courtesy visit from 18th to 23rd January. Leaving Lisbon she steamed into the Atlantic to an area off Greenland for cold weather flying trials. February 9th set course for New York, exercises on route arrived New York on the 18th with the Londonderry. 22nd sailed for home arriving at Devonport on the 28th. March 14th visited by The Queen Mother. April started a six month refit. August 14th Captain D. C. Gibson succeeded Captain Hill-Norton as commanding officer. September 12th re-commissioned on completion of her refit. October 13th steamed to Portland to embark trials party. 27th berthed at Devonport and on the 30th Admiral Smeeton, FOAC hoisted his flag onboard. November 13th set course for Gibraltar, arriving on the 18th. 20th left for Malta. December 1st with the Tiger moored at Naples for a four day visit. Then the NATO 'Exercise Royal Flush V', Malta on completion. December 11th started phase two of her work up off the Libyan coast. 16th back at Malta for a self maintenance period and to spend Christmas and New Year. 1962-At Malta, Captain Gibson I/c. January 5th started phase three of work up 'Exercise Arkex 2'. On completion set course for home via Gibraltar. January 15th arrived Plymouth where, as she steamed up harbour her propellers struck rocks, causing considerable damage, as a result she went straight into dry dock, remaining there for whole of February. March 20th moved alongside to prepare for sea. And despite a 'bomb scare' on board, sailed on the 9th for a nine month Far East deployment, via Malta. 2200 March arrived at Port Said 27th arrived at Aden. 28th in company of the Cavalier set course for the Strait ofMalacca. Arrived Penang on the 8th April. 12th arrived at Singapore to join the Far East Fleet. April 24th left for exercises, but one of her Gannet's crashed in the sea with the loss of one crew member. 25th commenced 'Exercise Fantail' before sailing for Manila to take part in the SEATO 'Exercise Sea Devil' which concluded on May 20th. After a visit to Subic Bay the carrier arrived at Hon Kong on the 17th May. 29th carried out exercises from Hong Kong, then with the Carysfort, Cavalier, and Eastbourne sailed for Okinawa arriving on June 11th. 13th carried out six days of exercises with the US Navy, followed by a seven day passage back to Singapore arriving on the 29th for a 13 day maintenance period, after which, with other units including Australian and New Zealand ships, took part in 'Exercise Fotex 62' in the South China Sea. July 27th back in Singapore. August 6th left for 'Exercise Showboat' off Singapore, a type of 'Shop Window' display. On Completion Ark Royal set course for Freemantle, August 11th crossed the equator. 20th arrived at Freemantle for a ten day visit. 15,000 people toured the ship. August 30th left for Singapore, during the return passage on the 2nd September there was another fatal accident on board, and on the 4th two plane crashes occurred but luckily no casualties. September 14th berthed at Singapore. On the 25th September the body of LA J. W. Storey was found in the waters of Johore Strait, off the dockyard, and following a police investigation an Able Seaman from the Ark Royal was charged with manslaughter. October 1st whilst on exercises in the South China Sea, a Naval Airman fell overboard and drowned. October 5th arrived Hong Kong for a seven day visit. 19th back in Singapore. On the 25th started her journey home, via Aden where she arrived on November 4th she remained in the area for three weeks, then to Kilindini, Mombassa 22nd to 26th. Through the Suez Canal on the 5th December. A 24 hour stop at Gibraltar 10/11th December. 16th secured in Devonport Dockyard, for refit and seasonal leave. 1963 - Devonport. 23rd January, Captain M. P. Pollock assumed command. February 4th left to start flying trials in the Channel, after which she secured alongside in Portsmouth Dockyard on February 15th. On March 5th left to participate in the NATO 'Exercise Dawn Breeze VIII' returning to Devonport on completion on the 15th. On the 19th the carrier left for Gibraltar, arriving at Gibraltar for routine hull maintenance on the 22nd March. May 3rd left Gibraltar, and after a brief stop at Malta arrived at Port Said on the 9th May, on through the Suez Canal to Aden. 22nd carried out flying exercises. June 3rd with Corunna and Blackpool, steamed to Mombassa, arriving on the 7th to carry out self maintenance. 19th May left for Gan, exercises on route with the Cambrian. July 20th crossed the equator. 7th anchored off Langkowi Island. 8th July together with Hermes, Duncan and two Australian destroyers took part in 'Exercise Birdbarge' in the Andaman Sea. July 10th on conclusion sailed for Singapore to cany out a 13 day maintenance period. July 25th with Albion, Lion, Cambrian, Duchess, Duncan, Plymouth and Salisbury, plus Australian and NZ units, sailed for the South China Sea to take part in 'Exercise Fotex 63'. The exercise began in earnest on the 30th July. On the 31st a Scimitar crashed in the sea, taking the pilot down with it. August 1st the carrier developed problems with the turbines in Y engine room, this was the end of Ark Royal's participation in Fotex 63, and she returned to Singapore for repairs. 22nd left Singapore for the exercise areas in the South China Sea and carried out manoeuvres with the Lion. September 7th arrived in Hong Kong for a 7 day visit. 14th September returned to Singapore for three days. Then with the Plymouth steamed into the Gulf of Oman and on the 5th October anchored off Al Fakkan for a short courtesy visit. 7th with Plymouth and Jaguar entered the Persian Gulf, for the six day 'Exercise Biltong'. 13th October set course for Mombassa, arriving on 18th October for a 14 day self maintenance period. November 1st left for Karachi, arriving on the 9th. From the 18th November to the 22nd, took part in 'Exercise Midlink' with the USS Essex and Pakistan naval units, she anchored at Zanzibar on completion on the 4th December for a six day visit. 10th back at Mombassa. 13th sailed for home. On Christmas Eve passed through the Suez Canal and five days later passed Gibraltar. 1964 -January 3rd arrived home at Devonport Dockyard. Captain Pollock I/c. By the 15th the ships company had moved ashore and on the 24th Captain A. T. F. G. Griffin assumed command. February the dockyard took over for a lengthy 10 month refit. November 12th, re-commissioned. 24th started full power trials etc. December 4th arrived at Portsmouth, and more trials in Weymouth Bay. December 14th Devonport for Christmas and New Year. 1965 - Devonport. Captain Griffin I/c. January 16th arrived Rosyth. On the 18th tragedy struck when a Gannet crashed in the sea on take off, two crew members were rescued but a third could not be found. 25th the first phase of the work-up completed, the carrier sailed for a 4-day visit to Brest, then back to Rosyth. March 5th work up completed, and together with Lion, Tiger, Cassandra, Brighton, Falmouth and Dutch, Norwegian, Canadian and American units left Rosyth for the NATO 'Exercise Pilot Light'. March 10th on completion a 5 day visit to Bergen, then via Rosyth arrived at Portsmouth on the 18th March. Trials from the 22nd March concluding on April 1st at Devonport, for Easter leave and docking period. May 17th with the Devonshire eight days of intensive flying operations in the Channel. 26th Plymouth. June 17th departed for Gibraltar and the Far East. Gibraltar 2200 June 28th arrived Port Said, through the Canal to Aden. July 4th met the Victorious for exercises. 19th arrived Singapore for 16 days self maintenance. Then into the South China Sea with, Falmouth, Aisne, and other units of the Far East Fleet for 'Exercise Fotex 65'. September 4th returned to Singapore. 18th to sea again for flying exercises on route to Hong Kong, arriving on the 28th September. October 12th left Hong Kong to return to Singapore arriving on the 20th. On the 29th Captain M. F. Fell took over command of the Ark Royal. On the 31st October a serious fire broke out on board in B boiler room, causing damage that would take three to four weeks to repair in the dockyard. December 7th the damage repaired the carrier put to sea, but it was not long before a mechanical problem surfaced in the form of contaminated boiler feed water, and by the 13th Ark Royal was back in Singapore for repairs. 17th repairs completed sailed for Freemantle to arrive on the 23rd December spending Christmas there. Departed on the 29th December. 1966 - Far East. Captain Fell I/c. January on passage to Singapore arriving on the 8th for a 19 day maintenance period. February 1st left for Mombassa to relieve the Eagle. Flying exercises off Gan on route, arrived Kilindini on the 18th for a 13 day visit. March 3rd began her period as part of the Beira Patrol in the Mozambique Channel as part of the embargo sanctions on Rhodesia Relieved by the Eagle on the l5th, returned to Singapore on the 25th March. April 26th delayed by mechanical problems, departed Singapore, May 4th rendezvoused with Eagle off Gan and on westwards, there were problems with her starboard rudder and it was not until the 7th May she finally arrived in the Mozambique Channel to begin her second Beira Patrol. 10th May a Sea Vixen was on routine patrol when the aircraft suffered a flame out and crashed in the sea, the pilot was picked up but no trace was found of the observer. The Ark Royal remained in the Mozambique Channel until the 25th May, when she left to return to Devonport. 30th May Aden. June 4th transit through the Suez Canal. 13th June arrived Devonport, having spent 12 months away and steamed 65,000 miles. By August the carrier became part of the Home Fleet, and operating in northern waters taking part in NATO's 'Exercise Straight Lace'. 20th September visited by The Queen Mother. October 4th returned to Devonport to undergo a three year , £30 million modernisation refit. 1967 - Devonport refitting. 1968 - Devonport refitting. 1969 -Devonport refitting. June 12th a fire broke out in the boiler uptake shaft, described as 'short hot and local' was quickly brought under control. July 17th Captain R. D. Lygo appointed to the ship, but it would be December before he joined her. December 15th commenced four days of sea trials with 600 dockyard workers still aboard. 19th December returned to the dockyard for the final touches to the refit. Christmas and New Year at Devonport. 1970 - Devonport. February 24th commissioned, Captain Lygo I/c. March 4th started extensive post refit trials, then returned to the dockyard for rectification work. April 20th sailed for the final stage of trials off Portland and a long weekend in Rotterdam. Left the Dutch port on the 27th to start more trials on the 1st May. May 3rd one of the carriers Phantom F4K, disappeared from the radar screen, and despite extensive search no trace was found of the pilot or observer. May 15th Devonport to rectify faults. June 12th left Devonport for Moray Firth to begin the first phase of her work up. 25th defect occurred to arrester gear, repairs carried out at Liverpool on the 27th. The second phase of the work-up was completed in the Irish Sea, then after a short spell in Devonport, the third phase in the Bristol Channel. 28129th July carried out her Operational Readiness Inspection. 31st Devonport for leave and maintenance period. August open to visitors at the Devonport Navy Days. During the second and third weeks of September completed her fourth phase of her work up prior to joining the NATO fleet for 'Exercise Northern Wedding' in the North Sea, followed by a visit to Oslo for four days from the 28th September. Leaving on the 2nd October into heavy gales, went to the aid of the stricken German coaster MV Leda. Returned to Devonport on October 4th to rectify more mechanical faults in the catapult and arrester gear. October 14th sailed for the Mediterranean, arriving Malta on the 19th for a short maintenance period. After leaving Malta on the 29th the Ark Royal took part in 'Exercise Lime Jug 70'. On the 9th November the shadowing Soviet destroyer Bravyy, collided with the Ark Royal , seven men were seen to either jump or be thrown from the destroyer, five were picked up, two never recovered. The damage to the carrier was a 3ft x 4ft gash in the ships stem. The exercise was was resumed, and on it's conclusion the carrier returned to Malta where repairs were carried out on her stem. November 14th stood by Fife when the destroyer suffered a major fire in her main gas turbine room. December 3n1 paid a five day visit to Naples. On the 8th carried out flying exercises off Sardinia, then a short stop at Gibraltar before making her way home, arriving Devonport on the 18th December to carry out a three month docking and defects period. 1971 - Devonport refitting. March 9th Captain Lygo was relieved by Captain J. 0. Roberts. April 15th commenced post refit trials in the Channel, before steaming to Moray Firth to completed trials and work up. May 21st returned to Devonport for a short maintenance period. June 2nd left for the Caribbean via the Azores, arrived off Puerto Rico on the 11th June. 12th started missile firing and carrier exercises with the USS America, 'Exercises Rimex and Barex', four days of these were followed by 'Exercise Opredex' an air strike on Bermuda. 22nd June visit to Fort Lauderdale, and a week later to the US Base of Mayport, for seven day maintenance period. July 11th started hot weather trials off Puerto Rico, followed by a visit to the Virgin Islands. On the 21st July set course for home arriving at the end of the month. Took part in Devonport's Navy Days. On the 14th September, to the Moray Firth to take part in 'Exercise Royal Knight' in the North Sea and the Arctic Ocean, Rosyth on completion, and followed by 'Exercise Magic Sword IV' with the USS Independence. October 9th at Portsmouth, during he stay, fires broke out on board, firemen toiled for over six hours to extinguish the blaze, there was also a hoax bomb scare on board. October 30th left Portsmouth for the Mediterranean. Arrived at Gibraltar 4th November. On the 8th started 'Exercise Med Passex' with the USS Independence, in the Ionian Sea. Malta on completion. Early December two days at Gibraltar before steaming for home. 7th December arrived Devonport, for Christmas and New Year leave. 1972 - Devonport. Captain Roberts I/c. In the third week of January sailed for the Virginia Capes for exercises with the US Navy, six days into the passage diverted to the Caribbean following reports of possible trouble with Guatemala. February 2nd the crisis over the carrier set course for New York, arriving on the 4th, left on the 11th back to Puerto Rico for flying exercises and to take part in 'Exercise Lantreadex' with the USS Franklin D Roosevelt. The exercise ended on the 28th February and on the 1st March the Ark Royal departed for home. Arrived Devonport on the 9th, for a three month assisted maintenance period. June 6th started post refit trials and work up. 17th main propulsion trials Firth of Clyde. June 30th to Portsmouth for a nine-day 'Meet The Navy' recruiting drive. Between 13th and 16th July took part in 'Exercise West Hoe' off Ireland. 18th July Devonport for essential maintenance. August 22nd Captain A. D. Cassidi took over command. 31st sailed for Moray Firth for flying exercises. September 14th commenced the NATO 'Exercise Strong Express' in the North Sea and off North Cape, involving 300 ships and 64,00 men. Rosyth for six days on completion, followed on the 12th October a five day visit to Oslo. 16th October steamed to Portsmouth for an 18 day maintenance period. November 7th flying trials in the South Western Approaches. On the 17th arrived at Barcelona leaving on the 22nd for the Cote d'Azur area for 'Exercise Corsica 72', amphibious landing exercises on Corsica. December 6th/8th visit to Gibraltar. December 12th arrived Devonport for seasonal leave and maintenance period. 1973 - Devonport. Captain Cassidi I/c. February 2nd started NATO 'Exercise Sunny Seas', off Portugal, and seven days later from Gibraltar 'Exercise Medtrain 73' a series of exercises in the Mediterranean, winding up at Malta on the 23rd February for a maintenance period. March 6th left Malta to take part in 'Exercise Ruler'. March 15th berthed at Devonport for leave and maintenance. April 30th left Devonport for five days of flying exercises, following which she set course for Puerto Rico, on passage took part in 'Exercise Passex' with the French carrier Foch. 14th arrived Puerto Rico. May 31st commenced 'Exercise Lantreadex' with US Naval units off the Bahamas. June 8th Fort Lauderdale for six day visit. 18th machinery defects developed during flying exercises, with only three main engines serviceable and problems with fresh water evaporators, Ark Royal put into Mayport for eleven days of repairs. The return Atlantic passage home was beset with more mechanical problems, but she arrived off Cape Wrath on the 9th July, and over the next two weeks took part in the 'Exercise JMC 168' and 'Exercise Sally Forth 73'. Finally in the third week of July tied up in Devonport to undergo a much needed refit. November 27th Captain Cassidi relinquished command and Captain J. R. S. Gerard-Pearse took over command. Still refitting to the end of the year. 1974 - Devonport refitting. Captain Gerard-Pearse I/c. Refit completed the Ark Royal was rededicated on the 24th April. July work up in the Mediterranean. August took part in Devonport's Navy Days. September 16th/27th took part in 'Exercise Northern Merger' October 5th at Malta. Devonport for Christmas and the New Year. 1975 -Devonport. Captain Gerard-Pearse I/c. February started trials, and soon after sailed across the Atlantic for the usual annual WESTLANT deployment for exercises with US Navy units off Puerto Rico. May visited Rio de Janeiro, and took part in 'Exercise Brazex 75' with Brazilian naval units. The carrier then steamed home via Madeira and Cape Verde for 'Exercise Last Chance, Gibraltar on completion, then home arriving at Devonport on the 12th June for a short refit and a new captain. Captain W. J. Graham. July took part in 'Exercise Westaxe' in UK waters. The Ark Royal's final deployment of the year was the major NATO 'Exercise Ocean Safari' in the Eastern Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea in November, the exercise involved 75 ships and 17,000 men. December was spent in Devonport for leave and repairs. 1976 - Devonport. Captain Graham I/c. February took part in 'Exercise Springtrain' in the South West Approaches. March the annual WESTLANT deployment to Puerto Rico for exercises with the American navy. Visits were made to Mayport and Norfolk, Virginia. July 16th arrived Devonport for Summer leave. August Devonport Navy Days. September a change of commander, when Captain E. R. Anson took command. And after taking part in the NATO 'Exercise Teamwork' sailed with the Devonshire, Antrim and other units for a four day visit to Lisbon. October 2nd into the Mediterranean for the NATO 'Exercise Display Determination'. October 13th the exercise concluded made a five day visit to Toulon. 18th left for home via Gibraltar 20/21st and secured in Devonport on the 25th October. November started long refit. 1977 - Devonport refitting. Captain Anson I/c. April the ships company moved back on board. June 9th sailed for post refit acceptance trials. June 24/29th took part in HM The Queen's Silver Jubilee Review of the Fleet at Spithead, returning to Plymouth on completion to complete post refit trials. August took part in Navy Days at Devonport, 31,648 visitors boarded the ship. September 20th the second phase of the work up got under way in the Moray Firth area. 28th September on completion headed for Hamburg, arrived on the 30th for a four day visit, 11,000 people came on board. October 7th back off Moray Firth for third phase of work up. Later took part in the NATO autumn 'Exercise Ocean Safari' in the Eastern Atlantic. The exercise finished at midnight on the 28th October, and the carrier set course for Gibraltar arriving November 1st and on to Malta arriving on the 5th. On the 12th November Ark Royal left for Toulon, but on the 14th a gale hit the French coast, so instead of putting into Toulon, she went on to join 'Exercise Isle d' Or' a French sponsored multi national exercise, Ark Royal operating mainly off Corsica. A visit to Naples followed. December 5th left Naples for Gibraltar and on route carried out a towing exercise, the frigate Ariadne taking the carrier in tow. After a short stop at Gibraltar the carrier berthed at Devonport on the 16th December for leave and maintenance. 1978 - Devonport refitting. Captain Graham 1/c. 21st February started sea trials, completing her sea inspection on the 4th March. On the 5th April slipped her moorings for her final deployment. Accompanied by the Devonshire set course for the annual WESTLANT deployment in the Caribbean and the USA. April 10th off the Azores. 17th berthed at Puerto Rico. A visit was made to St Thomas. Then to the Jacksonville area with Devonshire and Antelope for more exercises. 23124th May took part in the US Navy's annual 'Exercise Solid Shield'. May 30th arrived Port Everglades for a 14 day maintenance period. 10,000 people toured the ship. June 19th began four days exercise with the US Navy in air defence and air strike operations, the Ark Royal's usual problems with her evaporators still continued, and on the 23rd she put into Mayport to undergo a 15 day maintenance period. August 8th sailed into the Atlantic, but despite the maintenance period, there was a recurrence of the mechanical faults in the evaporators as well as a new problem with the main engines condensers in Y unit, and water had to be rationed. On the 15th entered the dockyard at Norfolk, Virginia. 21st left the American coastline and rendezvoused with other units for 'Exercise Common Effort' as far as the Azores. September 4th and the ships company back in 'blues' started the NATO 'Exercise Northern Wedding' over 200 surface ships taking part and operating in the Norwegian and North Seas. The exercise ended on the 19th September in the Moray Firth. 20th visited by HM The Queen Mother. 25th September berthed at Gibraltar for a seven day visit. October 4th joined other units off Sardinia for the NATO 'Exercise Determination'. The carrier left the exercise on the 11th and on the 16th arrived at Naples for a five day visit. Following exercises off Sicily arrived at Athens on the 27th for a six day visit. November 200 left Athens for exercises with the US Saratoga on route to Malta, arriving on the 6th for a ten day stay. November 16th left Malta. November 20th arrived Majorca, departing on the 26th then a brief stop at Gibraltar on the 30th, arrived home at Plymouth on the 4th December for the last time. 1979 - Devonport. On the 13th February the White Ensign was lowered for the last time and she paid off after 900,000 miles. The final de-storing was completed in late May. June 1st the responsibility of the ship was handed over to the Fleet Maintenance Staff. June 4th she was towed to a buoy at Cremyll, where she lay rusting for nine months. 1980 -At moorings, Cremyll. March announced for sale September 2200 left under tow for Cairnryan, arriving on the 28th for demolition.

Aircraft Carrier. Invincible Class. 16,000/19,500 tons. Compliment 557 + 318 air group. Built by Swan Hunter, Wallsend on Tyne. At a cost of £320m. Laid down 14th December 1978. Launched by HM The Queen Mother on June 200 1981. 1984- October 19th left the Tyne for three weeks of contractor's sea trials in the North Sea, before returning alongside her fitting out berth on the Tyne November 9th. 1985 - March Captain J. L. Weatherall joined the ship as commanding officer. April 12th carried out two days of final machinery trials at sea. June 26th the main body of the ships company arrived on board. 28th left the Tyne for Portsmouth with 140 Swan Hunter employees still in attendance to finish off the cleaning up. July 1st the carrier arrived in the Solent and entered Portsmouth dockyard. July 15th with the builder's employees off the ship the Ark Royal sailed for her acceptance sea trials, returning to Portsmouth on completion for the builders to rectify any defects that had arisen. In Portsmouth for the August Bank Holiday Navy Days. Finally on the 1st November the carrier was commissioned at Portsmouth. November 4th sailed for further sea trials heading for Gibraltar, arriving on the 9th. 14th left Gibraltar to carry out flying trials. November 25th paid a visit to Marseilles, and a week later anchored in Suda Bay, Crete. Early December return passage home, on route carried out exercises with the French Jeanne d' Arc. December 16th arrived back in Portsmouth. 1986 - Portsmouth, Captain Weatherall I/c. Late January left Portsmouth to continue sea trials, which included a visit to Amsterdam, and in February started her work up in the Portland area. Early April off Western Scotland for the second phase of her work up. 23rd April passed her Operational Readiness Inspection and returned to Portsmouth. June 17th the carrier left for her first deployment. The first exercise of the deployment was code named 'Liberty Train' and took place in the North Atlantic during her passage to New York. June 28nd. with the Sirius and Cleopatra, berthed in New York. July 4th. took part in a 40 ship review by President Reagan in New York harbour. July 8th took part in 'Exercise ASWEX 1/86' along the American eastern seaboard. July 23rd arrived Port Everglades for a seven day visit, there then followed exercises in the Bahamas area, before she sailed north to Norfolk, Virginia to prepare for her participation the two major NATO Exercises 'Northern Engagement' and 'Northern Wedding' the first carried out as they steamed across the Atlantic, the second on reaching the Norwegian and North Seas. Concluding on the 22nd September with a five day visit to Amsterdam. 27dl. Portsmouth for 16 day self maintenance. October 13dl. took part in Exercise 'Autumn Train' in the Western Approaches, Gibraltar on completion on the 23rd October, on the journey home called at Lisbon, on to Firth of Forth, for Exercise 'High Tide' an amphibious exercise, a short visit was made on completion to Hamburg. Christmas and New Year leave at Portsmouth. 1987 -Portsmouth. Captain Weatherall I/c. January 17m after a short delay to repair the after lift, sailed across the Atlantic. On the 26th in the vicinity of the Azores, severe gales forced off a section of the bow plate, and Ark Royal was diverted to Bridgetown, Barbados, where the compartment was filled with concrete as a temporary repair. The carrier remained there for six days, during which time Captain M. G. T. Harris took over command. On the 9th. February took part in Exercise 'ASWEX 1/87' with the US Navy off Puerto Rico. March Mayport for a period of maintenance, before Exercise 'Punish' off the Florida coast, during which on the 18th, the ship's port outer Olympus gas turbine suffered a catastrophic failure and smashed turbine blades were sent flying like bullets through the uptakes onto the flight deck. March 23rd visited Charleston, South Carolina. April 9m returned to Portsmouth , for leave and maintenance, but not enough time to repair the hull damage. First week in May took part in Exercise 'ASWEX 2/87' in the North Western Approaches. June 4th berthed in the Thames opposite Greenwich Pier, during which time the ship was visited by HM Queen Elizabeth and HRH Princess Alexandra. June 10m sailed for Rosyth and between 13/14th. June participated in Navy Days. 16th took part in Exercise 'JMC 872'. The end of June was taken up with Exercise 'Hadrian's Wall' an amphibious landing exercise off Scotland. July 3rd Portsmouth for dry docking and maintenance. August Portsmouth Navy Days. September 1st sailed for post refit trials. September 22nd a sea training programme began at Portland. October 14th started her aviation work up off Scotland. On the 23rd the Operational Readiness Inspection was passed. November 3rd left Portsmouth to take part in Exercise 'Purple Warrior' off the south coast. 18m the exercises completed made a visit to Cherbourg prior to returning to Portsmouth on the 24dl. November. Christmas and New Year leave at Portsmouth. 1988 - Portsmouth. Captain Harris I/c. January 26nd. for two days flying exercises. 29th paid a visit to Wallsend on Tyne, followed by air defence exercises in the North Sea. February took part in JMC 881, which was hampered by an outbreak of influenza on board. March, first two days exercises with the illustrious, then a visit to Hamburg. From Hamburg took part in Exercise 'Mallet Hammer' air defence exercise. A visit to Rotterdam before returning to Portsmouth on March 23rd for leave and maintenance. June 13m sailed for the Mediterranean for 'Outback 88' deployment. On route in Biscay took part in Exercise 'Jolly Roger' with the French Navy. June 25th. arrived Malta. 29m departed for Port Said. July 2nd transit of the Suez Canal, passing Aden on the 14th July. Later in the Indian Ocean took part in Exercise 'Starfish' with units from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. 23rd berthed at Singapore. 31st visited by the PM Mrs Thatcher. August 5th was present at Defence Equipment Sales Day. Then to the Philippines for exercises with a US Task Group. 23rd August visited Hong Kong. 29th back at sea. Early September took part in Exercise 'Setia Kewan' a joint exercise with Singapore and Malaysian forces. 21st September berthed at Brisbane, Australia. 25th. left for visit to Sydney, where on the 1st October she took part in the Bicentennial International Fleet Review. October 16th set course for Fremantle. After leaving Fremantle the Task Group set course across the Indian Ocean for Bombay, exercises on route, reached Bombay on the 15th November. 19th. left Indian waters and while crossing the Arabian Sea carried out exercises with the USS Nimitz. December 2nd transit of the Suez Canal, and after operating with the USS John F. Kennedy and the FS Clemenceau in the Mediterranean, and making a short stop at Gibraltar headed for home. On the 15th. December berthed at Portsmouth to spend Christmas and New Year. 1989 - Portsmouth. Captain Harris I/c. February 7m; 17m carried out a shakedown cruise in home waters. Then to Portsmouth for conversion to a LPH (Landing Platform Helicopter), in preparation for her part in the Exercise 'Cold Winter' held off Norway. Her next exercise was in April Exercise 'Springtrain' on completion on April 21st the carrier put into Gibraltar, returning to Portsmouth six days later, where Captain J.P. Brigstocke took over command from Captain Harris. May 1st sailed to take part in Exercise 'Minibus'. This was followed by Exercise 'Square Nut' with Dutch and Belgium forces, ending with a visit to Hamburg. During the summer one exercise followed another without a break, starting with Exercise 'Vendetta' in late May and ending with Exercise 'Sharp Shear' in mid September, between which she managed to pull in JMC operations, June Navy Days at Rosyth and July operated aircraft of the Spanish Navy. October paid a visit to Brest and Lisbon. 20m Portsmouth. 23rd started an assisted maintenance period. Christmas and New Year at Portsmouth. 1990 - Portsmouth. Captain Brigstocke I/c. On the third week of January left for a shakedown cruise, and after 17 days of sea training a visit to Copenhagen. The first two weeks of March carried out her aviation work up and her Operational Readiness Inspection March 17t h returned to Portsmouth to prepare for a Western Atlantic Deployment. 'WESTLANT 90'. The deployment started on the 18th April with the anti submarine Exercise 'Jolly Roger', and on May 1st joined manoeuvres with US and French units. There followed on May 9th a four day visit to New York, then to Mayport for a maintenance period for the rest of the month. June 1st started Exercise 'Marcot' in the Atlantic between Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia, ending on the 15th with a visit to Halifax. After a two day visit to Boston set course back across the Atlantic. July 4th arrived Portsmouth for refit period. It was August 21st when the carrier put to sea again for two days of trials. Navy Days at Portsmouth. Early September took part in NATO Exercise 'Teamwork 90' in the Norwegian Sea A visit to Oslo on completion before returning to Portsmouth on the 26th September. October 15th left for Gibraltar where she arrived on the 19th October. On the 23rd Captain N. E. Rankin took over command. 25th left to return to Portsmouth. November carried out trials in the Western Approaches. Christmas and New Year at Portsmouth. 1991- Portsmouth. Captain Rankin I/c. January 10th sailed for the Mediterranean as flagship of Task Group 323.2, for the Iraq crisis. 22nd arrived off Cyprus where the TG maintained surveillance on the coalitions lines of communications in the eastern Mediterranean, during Operation Desert Storm taking place in the Gulf. March 1st after 51 days at sea berthed at Naples, then a visit to Athens. On the passage back to the UK spent a week at Palma, Majorca. Finally on the second week of April arrived Portsmouth for leave and maintenance. During the summer took part in NATO exercises in the North Sea and Atlantic. Plymouth Navy Days. September took part in a WESTLANT deployment with the Gloucester and London, during which she visited Bermuda and Mayport, between these two ports an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning on board effected 200 of the crew. Left Mayport October 22nd for Gibraltar arriving on the 4th November and arrived home on the 18th to start a refit. 1992 - Portsmouth refitting. Captain Rankin I/c. February started post refit trials, then following repairs to her main gearbox, sailed on March 4th for a ten day work up. April 20th during aviation work up a Sea Harrier accidentally dropped a bomb on the carriers flight deck, the detonation penetrated into 2J2 mess deck where five men were seriously injured, the men were evacuated to RNH Haslar the next day. After the Easter weekend paid a five day visit to Greenock. Then back to Portsmouth to repair the damage to the flight deck and 2J2 mess deck. June took part in a 'Shop Window' display off the Isle of Wight, repeated in the Bristol Channel, off Liverpool, the Firth of Forth, Newcastle upon Tyne and Hull, with the aim of giving the public a chance to meet the Navy, after which followed a visit to Copenhagen and returned to Portsmouth , and at the end of the month sailed to Gibraltar where Captain J. J. Blackham took over command, and returned her to Portsmouth. September 2nd sailed for her final WESTLANT deployment accompanied by the Exeter. During her time in US waters she exercised with the USS John F Kennedy, visited Norfolk, Virginia, Florida, Mayport and Nassau. November 6th back in Portsmouth. Christmas and New Year at Portsmouth. 1993 - Portsmouth. Captain Blackham 1/c. January 14th heading Task Group 612.02 sailed for the Adriatic to support British troops and UN peace keeping forces in Bosnia. Exercise 'Resolute Response'. Arrived in the area on the 27th. In late February the tension eased a little, Ark Royal visited Trieste, and after exercises with the Italian Navy visited Piraeus. April 13th paid a nine day visit to Naples, where Captain T. W. Loughran took over command. April 22nd left Naples, and as the tension heightened in the Bosnia area, Ark Royal and TG 612.02 were put on standby in the area to support the naval forces enforcing the blockade. 24th May arrived at Corfu for a four day visit Upon her departure from Corfu returned to her station in the Adriatic, before docking in Malta on the 8th of June for a nine day self maintenance period. 17th exercises with the Italian carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. On the first week of July a five day break in Suda Bay. At the end of July visit to Palermo. Relieved by Invincible, Arrived Portsmouth August 3rd. For the next three months underwent assisted maintenance. It was November before she put to sea again for trials and work up during which she operated with French units. Christmas and New Year at Portsmouth. 1994 - Portsmouth. Captain Loughran I/c. 28th February left Portsmouth again as head of Task Group 612.02 for exercises in the Mediterranean. March 7th arrived at Gibraltar, and later relieved the Invincible to take over the Adriatic deployment 'Operation Hamden'. March 31st made an 11 day visit to Piraeus. 11th April left for the Adriatic. On the 16th her helicopters carried out evacuation of wounded civilians from around the area of Goraz.de. May participated in the NATO exercise 'Dynamic Impact 94' in the western Mediterranean, concluding with a ten day visit to Palma. September 2nd arrived home in Portsmouth. 21st visited Newcastle upon Tyne. The Ark Royal then paid off for a long refit before being placed into reserve and a state of extended readiness. Estimated cost of £1 million per year to keep in this state 1999 - May 6th towed from Portsmouth to Rosyth for a two and a half year refit. Entered Badcock Rosyth Defence Ltd Dockyard on the 11th May for £100 million refit. 2000 - Rosyth under refit. 2001 - Rosyth under refit. July13th left Rosyth for sea trials. August returned to Portsmouth. November 22nd re-dedicated. 2002 - February 22nd Plymouth to began FOST training in south coast area and North Sea. September 3rd left Portsmouth for sea trials, Captain Alan Massey I/c. then to the Mediterranean with 'Argonaut 02' amphibious task group . Took part in Exercise 'Dynamic Mix'. October Exercise 'Destined Glory' off Italy. Portsmouth in November. 2003 - Captain Alan Massey I/c. January 16th left Glen Mallen to conduct training in Mediterranean as part of NTG 2003, with view to proceed to Gulf if required. Took part in 2 week Exercise 'Wader' off Cyprus. February in Eastern Mediterranean as head of Amphibious Task Group. February 9th passed through Suez Canal. March 'OperationTelic' against Iraq in the Gulf to secure Al Faw Peninsular. End of April left the area for home. May 5th on route visit to Palma May 17th arrived Portsmouth from the Gulf. 2004 - February Flying trials off Scotland. March visited London and Hamburg On the 17th temporary withdrawn from operational service prior to scheduled refit.
2005 - January Portsmouth in extended readiness prior to refit. April at Rosyth under 8 month £20m refit 2006 -Rosyth under refit. Many crew started to move back on board, and dry docked flooded out. September 29th from Rosyth to start sea trials. October sea trials. December trials with helicopters and the new Harrier in the Channel. Christmas alongside Portsmouth. 2007 - Portsmouth. Captain Mike Mansergh I/c. January sea trials in the English Channel. February completed FOST training, culminating with 2 week Exercise 'Scimitar' off the Devon and Cornwall coast. March 22nd re-dedicated at Portsmouth after 2 year upgrade in Scotland and 6 months sea training. Took part in Exercise 'Neptune Warrior' paid visit to Rosyth and Gothenburg. End of May took part in the NATO Exercise 'Noble Mariner' from Denmark to Poland, with Illustrious, Manchester and other NATO units. May 30th on completion visited Hamburg and Gdynia. October 1/4th took part in the annual Staff College Sea Days from Plymouth. November carried out anti-submarine exercises off Portugal and a three-day break in Lisbon. Portsmouth on completion for Christmas and New Year. 2008 - Portsmouth. Captain Mansergh I/c. January visit to Poole. February 8th visit to the Tyne. March Exercise 'Armatura Borealis' an amphibious exercise off Norway, followed on the 12th by a three day visit to Faslane. Then across the Atlantic to the USA to take part in Exercise 'Constant Alliance' with US Marine units. Arrived Norfolk Naval Base March 26th, returned to the UK in May with a new commanding officer, Captain John Clink. June visit Liverpool, 5,000 visited the ship. After Summer leave took part in JMC and Exercise 'Neptune Warrior’ off the Scottish coast, plus an anti-submarine exercise in the North Atlantic and off Portugal. End of the year visits to Lisbon and Gibraltar. 2009 -Portsmouth. Captain Clink I/c. Mid January visit to Liverpool 10,000 visited the ship. February Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands and Newcastle on Tyne. Then Portsmouth for £12 million overhaul. Completed September. November trials and work up. Christmas and New Year Portsmouth. 2010 - Portsmouth. Captain Clink I/c. January FOST training and Scotland for JMC training with the Sutherland April sailed from Portsmouth for 'Auriga 20 I O' exercises, and stood by in the Channel for possible evacuation of civilians from holidays in Europe, due to volcanic ash disrupting flights, but not needed and resumed her deployment. July visited Halifax, Nova Scotia for the International Fleet Review to mark the centennial of Royal Canadian Navy. Took part in Exercise 'Halcyon' as part of the Auriga deployment. August 15th Portsmouth after 4 months away Captain Jerry Kidd took over command October took part in Exercise 'Joint Warrior' off Scotland. November announced in the defence cuts to pay off with immediate effect. Entered Portsmouth December 3rd to de-commission, after 50,762 hours at sea and 621,551 miles steamed. Her last ports visited were Glen Mallen to empty her magazines, then Newcastle where 12,000 visitors came aboard, and a five day visit to Hamburg. 2011 Portsmouth stripping of vital parts. 2012 Announced that she was to be broken up in Turkey by the shipbreaker Leyal who paid £3 for the hull. 2013 May 20th the Ark Royal is towed from Portsmouth for Turkey arrived at Leyal breakers yard 22 days later.