The Birth of the Aircraft Carrier: Who Made the First One?
The invention of the aircraft carrier marked a significant turning point in the history of warfare and naval aviation. These magnificent vessels have played a crucial role in shaping the course of modern conflicts, and their development has been a subject of interest and debate among historians and naval enthusiasts.
The Early Years
The concept of a floating airbase dates back to the early 20th century, when naval theorists and inventors began experimenting with the idea of launching seaplanes from warships. The first proposal for an aircraft carrier-like vessel was made by American inventor and engineer, Captain Charles de Lambert, in 1910. He envisioned a ship with a flat deck and a series of hangars to house seaplanes.
The First Aircraft Carriers
Several countries worked on developing aircraft carriers during the early 20th century. The first country to successfully launch an aircraft carrier was the United States. The USS Langley, commissioned in 1920, was the world’s first commissioned aircraft carrier. However, it was not designed as a conventional aircraft carrier, but rather as a converted cargo ship with a flight deck and hangars.
Early Aircraft Carriers
The following table summarizes the first aircraft carriers built by different countries:
| Country | Aircraft Carrier | Commissioned | Length | Beam | Displacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USS Langley | 1920 | 424 ft (129 m) | 50 ft (15 m) | 5,700 tons |
| United Kingdom | HMS Argus | 1918 | 564 ft (172 m) | 69 ft (21 m) | 13,500 tons |
| Japan | Hōshō | 1922 | 538 ft (164 m) | 61 ft (19 m) | 6,550 tons |
| France | Béarn | 1921 | 634 ft (193 m) | 79 ft (24 m) | 15,000 tons |
| Italy | Giacinto Pullino | 1922 | 495 ft (151 m) | 54 ft (16 m) | 4,300 tons |
HMS Argus: The First Conventional Aircraft Carrier
The HMS Argus, built by the United Kingdom, was the first conventional aircraft carrier. It was designed to carry 14 seaplanes and was equipped with a flight deck, hangars, and catapults. The Argus was commissioned in 1918 and played a significant role in the Allied campaign during World War I.
Hōshō: Japan’s First Aircraft Carrier
Japan’s first aircraft carrier, the Hōshō, was launched in 1922 and commissioned in 1923. It was designed by the Japanese naval engineer, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who would later become famous for his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Béarn: France’s First Aircraft Carrier
The Béarn, built by France, was the world’s largest aircraft carrier when it was launched in 1920. It had a displacement of 15,000 tons and could carry 14 seaplanes. The Béarn played a significant role in the French Navy and was used during World War II.
Giacinto Pullino: Italy’s First Aircraft Carrier
Italy’s first aircraft carrier, the Giacinto Pullino, was built in 1922 and commissioned in 1923. It was designed by the Italian naval engineer, Engineer Giacinto Pullino, and had a displacement of 4,300 tons.
Conclusion
The development of the aircraft carrier was a gradual process that involved the contributions of several countries and inventors. While the USS Langley was the first commissioned aircraft carrier, the HMS Argus was the first conventional aircraft carrier. Japan’s Hōshō, France’s Béarn, and Italy’s Giacinto Pullino were also among the early aircraft carriers built by these countries.
Timeline:
- 1910: Captain Charles de Lambert proposes the idea of an aircraft carrier.
- 1918: HMS Argus is commissioned by the United Kingdom.
- 1920: USS Langley is commissioned by the United States.
- 1921: Béarn is launched by France.
- 1922: Hōshō is launched by Japan and Giacinto Pullino is launched by Italy.
- 1923: Hōshō and Giacinto Pullino are commissioned by Japan and Italy, respectively.
Table: First Aircraft Carriers
| Country | Aircraft Carrier | Commissioned | Length | Beam | Displacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | USS Langley | 1920 | 424 ft (129 m) | 50 ft (15 m) | 5,700 tons |
| United Kingdom | HMS Argus | 1918 | 564 ft (172 m) | 69 ft (21 m) | 13,500 tons |
| Japan | Hōshō | 1922 | 538 ft (164 m) | 61 ft (19 m) | 6,550 tons |
| France | Béarn | 1921 | 634 ft (193 m) | 79 ft (24 m) | 15,000 tons |
| Italy | Giacinto Pullino | 1922 | 495 ft (151 m) | 54 ft (16 m) | 4,300 tons |
Note: The specifications mentioned above are approximate and may vary depending on the source.
