HMS Argus

Type:
Aircraft Carrier
Class:
Argus
Builder:
William Beardmore & Company
Dalmuir, Scotland
Pennant Number:
I-49
Ordered:
N/A
Launched:
December 2, 1917
Keel Laid:
June 1914
Commissioned:
September 16, 1918
Fate:
Sold Dec. 5, 1946 to Thomas W. Ward and scrapped in Inverkeithing, Scotland in 1947.


Dimensions, machinery and performance

Length:
565'
Engines:
4 Parsons geared steam turbines
Beam:
68' 6" (a)
Boilers:
12 cylindrical type (c) (oil fired)
Flight Deck:
549' x 69'
Shafts:
4
Draft:
24' 9" (full)
HP:
21,500
Displacement:
14,555 std. / 17,000 full (b)
Speed:
20.5 knots
Crew:
373 (not including air group)
Range:
4,370 NM @ 16 knots
Aircraft:
20
Construction notes
(a):
75' 9" across torpedo blisters which were added in 1925-26.
(b):
18,350 after 1943.
(c):
Replaced with 6 water tube type during 1936-38 refit.


Armament as built
Number Carried
Type
Arrangement
Maximum Range / Ceiling
6 (a)
4" (102mm)
single mounts
N/A
2 (b)
4" (102mm)
single mounts
N/A
12
5" (127mm)
2 quadruple mounts
N/A
4
4" (102mm) AA
1 quadruple mount
N/A
13
20mm AA
single mounts
N/A
6 (c)
.303 machine guns
single mounts
N/A
Armament notes:
(a):
All armament removed in 1936.
(b):
Rearmed in 1942.
(c):
Added in 1943.


Battle Honours

GROIX 1795
ASHANTEE 1873 -74
ATLANTIC 1941-42
ARCTIC 1941
MALTA CONVOYS 1942
NORTH AFRICA 1942


Timeline
June 1914:
Laid down as Conte Rosso for Lloyd Subaudo, Turin, Italy as a passenger ship.
Aug. 1914:
Construction suspended.
Aug. 1916:
Hull purchased by the Admiralty for conversion into an aircraft carrier.
1917-1936:
Used for training flight crews.
1936-38:
Refit then withdrawn from active service and used for drone aircraft tests.
Sept. 1939:

Deployed with Mediterranean Fleet for Contraband Control duties based at Toulon. Nominated for transfer to Home Waters.

Jan. 1940:
Passage to Scapa Flow to Join Home Fleet.
Feb. 1940:
Deployed in Home Waters for aircrew training.
April 1940:
Deployed at Scapa Flow with Home Fleet after German invasion of Norway.
May 1940:
Not deployed with Fleet off Norway and remained in NW Approaches.
June 1940:
Deployed in NW Approaches for convoy defence duties.
July 1940:

Detached for delivery of aircraft for transfer to Middle East from Takoradi. Passage to Takoradi and returned to UK. Embarked aircraft for delivery to Malta and took passage
to Gibraltar.

July 31, 1940:

Sailed for Malta escorted by HM Destroyers HOTSPUR, ENCOUNTER, GALLANT and
GREYHOUND covered by HM Cruiser ARETHUSA, HM Battleships VALIANT and
RESOLUTION screened by HM Destroyers ESCAPADE and VELOX of Force H.
(Operation HURRY).

Aug. 4, 1940:

Passage to Liverpool from Gibraltar with HMS VALIANT screened by HM Destroyers
FAULKNOR and FORESTER on completion of HURRY. Rejoined Home Fleet after passage
from Liverpool.

Sept. 1940:

Deployed in NW Approaches for anti-submarine patrols and convoy defence. Carried
out aircraft delivery to Freetown.

Oct. 2, 1940:
Under attack by Italian submarine which failed.
Nov. 1940:

Detached from Home Fleet for aircraft delivery. Embarked two SKUA and twelve
HURRICANE aircraft for delivery to Malta and took passage to Gibraltar.

Nov. 15, 1940:

Sailed from Gibraltar escorted by HM Cruiser DESPATCH and HM Destroyers DUNCAN,
WISHART and FURY (Operation WHITE).

Nov. 17, 1940:

Aircraft launched west of Sicilian Narrows but only one SKUA and four HURRICANE
aircraft arrived. Diversionary operation by HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL had to
be cancelled by bad weather which may account for the losses of aircraft.

Nov. 19, 1940:
Return passage to UK on completion of WHITE.
Dec. 1940:
Detached duty for aircraft delivery in continuation.
Dec. 19, 1940:

Joined military convoy WS5A in Clyde for passage to Freetown with replacement
aircraft embarked for transfer to Middle East from West Africa. HM Aircraft Carrier
FURIOUS also joined convoy and was carrying aircraft for delivery to West Africa.
Dec. 25, 1940:

With WS5A during attack by German cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER. Launched SWORDFISH
aircraft to embark torpedoes in HMS FURIOUS as only bombs were being carried on board.
Intended air operations on German ship ware cancelled by Admiralty.

Jan. 6, 1941:

Convoy W55A arrived at Freetown. After disembarking aircraft took passage to UK to
resume Home Fleet duties.

Feb. 1941:

Deployed with Home Fleet.
Mar. 1941:

Detached for aircraft delivery duties. Embarked aircraft for delivery to Malta and took
passage to Gibraltar.

Apr. 1, 1941:

Arrived at Gibraltar and transferred 12 HURRICANE aircraft to HMS ARK ROYAL
for delivery to Malta (Operation WINCH). (Note: HMS ARK ROYAL made a delivery of
HURRICANE and FULMAR aircraft on 3rd. One source indicates HMS ARGUS was also
involved but is not confirmed.)

Apr. 8, 1941:
Passage to UK from Gibraltar.
May 22, 1941:
Joined military convoy WS8B in Clyde for part of passage to Gibraltar.
May 27, 1941:
Detached from WS8B for independent passage to deliver replacement aircraft.
June 1941:

Passage from Gibraltar to UK after disembarking aircraft. (Note: An aircraft delivery was
carried out on 6th June by HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS. This may have included aircraft
delivered in May. (Operation ROCKET). Resumed Home Fleet duties.
July 1941:

Nominated for aircraft delivery to North Russia.
Aug. 1941:
Embarked HURRICANE aircraft and took passage to Reykjavik.
Aug. 26, 1941:
Sailed from Reykjavik for aircraft delivery off North Russia.
Aug. 30, 1941:

Joined HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE , HM Destroyers MATABELE, PUNJABI and SOMALI
as escort during passage (Operation STRENGTH). (Note: Cover was provided by HM
Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers SUFFOLK and DEVONSHIRE, HM Destroyers
ECLIPSE , E SCAPADE and INGLEFIELD.)

Sept. 7, 1941:

Launched aircraft and took return passage to Scapa Flow. Embarked aircraft for
delivery to Gibraltar after return to UK.

Sept. 30, 1941:
Joined military convoy WS12 in Clyde for part of passage to Gibraltar.
Oct. 5, 1941:
Detached from WS12 with HM Destroyer SIKH as escort for passage to Gibraltar.
Nov. 1941:

Disembarked aircraft on arrival and returned to UK. Detached service for aircraft
transport in continuation. Embarked aircraft for delivery to Malta and took passage to
Gibraltar.

Nov. 7, 1941:
At Gibraltar.
Nov. 9, 1941:

Passage for aircraft delivery escorted by HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Battleship MALAYA,
HM Cruiser HERMIONE with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, SIKH, ZULU, GURKHA
and Dutch ISAAC SWEERS (Operation PERPETUAL).

Nov. 10, 1941:
Launched aircraft for delivery to Malta from position west of Sicilian Channel.
Nov. 13, 1941:

During return passage HMS ARK ROYAL was torpedoed in position 36.06N 05.07E by
U-81. Carrier was disabled and sank on 14th.

Nov. 14, 1941:

Transferred to Force H in place of HMS ARK ROYAL pending arrival of replacement.
December Force H deployment at Gibraltar in continuation.

Dec. 1941:
Force H deployment at Gibraltar in continuation.
Jan. 1942:

Deployed at Gibraltar with Force H.
Feb. 1942:

Passage to UK with ships of Force H for escort of military convoy in Atlantic in view of
threat posed by German warships SCHARNHORST AND GNEISENAU then based in Brest.
On arrival embarked fighter aircraft for transfer to Malta.

Feb. 17, 1942:

Joined military convoy WS16 as part of convoy which was escorted by ships from
Force H including HMS MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE (as the replacement for
HMS ARK ROYAL), HM Cruiser HERMIONE screened by destroyers from Gibraltar.
Feb. 22, 1942:
Detached from WS16 with Force H ships.
Feb. 24, 1942:
Arrived at Gibraltar.
Feb. 27, 1942:

Deployed for aircraft delivery to Malta with HMS EAGLE (Operation SPOTTER I).
(Note: Escorted by HMS MALAYA , HMS HERMIONE, LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ANTHONY,
ACTIVE, WHITEHALL , WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME.)
Feb. 29, 1942:

Operation abandoned because of defects in aircraft fuel tanks. Returned to Gibraltar.
Mar. 6, 1942:
Resumed aircraft delivery with same ships (Operation SPOTTER ).
Mar. 8, 1942:
Returned to Gibraltar on completion of SPOTTER II. 22 aircraft launched.
Mar. 20, 1942:

Deployed for further aircraft delivery with HMS EAGLE (Operation PICKET I)
(Note: Escort included HM Destroyers LAFOREY, DUNCAN , ACTIVE, ANTHONY,
WHITEHALL , WISHART, BLANKNEY, EXMOOR and CROOME with same covering ships.)
Mar. 23, 1942:
Returned to Gibraltar with same ships.
Mar. 27, 1942:
Sailed with same ships for repeat aircraft delivery (Operation PICKET II).
Mar. 30, 1942:

Returned to Gibraltar on completion of PICKET II. Released from detached service with
Force H.

Apr. 1942:
Resumed Home Fleet duties on arrival from detached service.
May 1942:

Detached for further aircraft delivery and embarked SPITFIRE aircraft. Took passage to
Gibraltar with aircraft for delivery to Malta.
May 15, 1942:
At Gibraltar.
May 17, 1942:

Deployed with HMS EAGLE for aircraft delivery, covered by HM Cruiser CHARYBDIS
screened by HM Destroyers PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, ANTHONY, WISHART, WESTCOTT
and WRESTLER (Operation LB).
May 20, 1942:

Returned to Gibraltar after successful launching. Passage to UK to embark aircraft for
delivery to Malta.
June 1, 1942:
Joined military convoy WS19P in Clyde for passage in NW Approaches.
June 5, 1942:
Detached from WS19P and made independent passage to Gibraltar.
June 9, 1942:

Deployed at Gibraltar for temporary duty with Force H after aircraft had been
disembarked.

June 10, 1942:

Sailed from Gibraltar with HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Battleship MALAYA,
HM Cruisers CAIRO and CHARYBDIS of Force H designated as Force T.

June 11, 1942:

Joined Malta Relief convoy in western Mediterranean to provide cover for its passage to
Sicilian Narrows with HM Cruisers KENYA and LIVERPOOL which were part of escort
from UK. Redesignated Force "W" and screened by HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ICARUS,
ESCAPADE, WISHART, WESTCOTT, WRESTLER, ANTELOPE and VIDETTE. (Operation HARPOON.)
June 14, 1942:

Detached from HARPOON off Bizerta with ships of Force W. (Note: Close escort for
passage through Sicilian Narrows provided by Force X.0 See above references.)
June 15, 1942:

Deployed with Force W to west of Sicilian Narrows to cover return passage to
Gibraltar of Force X.
June 16, 1942:

Returned to Gibraltar with HMS MALAYA. HM Destroyers ESCAPADE, VIDETTE,
WISHART and WRESTLER. Remaining ships of Force W remained in area.

June 17, 1942:

Arrived at Gibraltar.
June 22, 1942:

Return passage to UK to resumed Home Fleet duties. (Note: During this deployment it
was evident that the ship was not suitable for Fleet use when large scale air and surface
attacks were likely.)
July 1942:
Deployed with Home Fleet whilst future deployment under consideration.
July 5, 1942:

Took part in multi-carrier exercise in Atlantic with HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE,
FURIOUS, INDOMITABLE and VICTORIOUS (Exercise BERSERK) (Note: To practice
procedures for use by Fleet Carriers during Operation PEDESTAL)
July 8, 1942:
Return passage to Scapa Flow on completion of BERSERK.
Aug. 1942:
Home Fleet deployment in continuation at Scapa Flow. Continued through Sept.
Oct. 1942:

Nominated for support of planned allied landings in North Africa with ships of the Home
Fleet. Took passage from Scapa Flow to Gibraltar.

Nov. 1942:

Joined Central Task Force at Gibraltar for support of landings, (Operation TORCH -
HMS FURIOUS and Five escort aircraft carriers were also used as well as cover by
major warships from Home Fleet and Force H.)
Nov. 7, 1942:

Passage to beachhead area with HMS FURIOUS. (Note: Attack by U-81 failed.)

Nov. 8, 1942:
Provided air support during landings at Oran.
Nov. 10, 1942:
Attack by U-561 failed.
Nov. 11, 1942:

Provided air support during landings at Bougie. Came under air attack and sustained
damage.
Nov. 12, 1942:

Passage to UK as part of escort for Convoy MKF1 with HM Escort Aircraft Carrier
AVENGER and HM Destroyer WRESTLER and four other destroyers.
Nov. 15, 1942:
Convoy MKF1 under attack by U-98 which was sunk by HMS WRESTLER.
Dec. 1942:
Home Fleet duties.
Jan. 1943:
Withdrawn from operational duties and nominated for aircrew training and trials.
Feb.-Dec. 1943
Deployed in Home Waters for training and trials. (Note: During November 835 Squadron
aircraft carried cut trials on new design 'Bouncing Bomb' for use against ship targets such
as TIRPITZ. The weapon was never introduced.) Aircrew training and trials duties in
continuation. Nominated for withdrawal from sea service and to be deployed as an
Accommodation Ship. Reduced to Reserve status.
1944:
In reserve.
Jan. - Aug. 1945:
Deployed in Nore Command as an Accommodation Ship.
Sept. 1945:
HMS ARGUS paid off after VJ Day and was laid up in the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth.
Dec. 5, 1946:
Sold to Thomas W. Ward and scrapped.
The timeline was compiled from information provided by;
Lt. Commander Geoffrey B. Mason RN (ret.),
Lt. Commander Arnold Hague RN (ret.)
Gordon Smith and Don Kindell
Notes:
First carrier with a full length flight deck.
Ship's Motto:
Occuli Omnium: 'The eyes of all."


Builder's Data
Page published Sept. 14, 2008