HMS Hermes, a name synonymous with pioneering naval aviation, holds a unique place in naval history. Unlike her contemporaries, Hermes wasn't conceived as a purpose-built aircraft carrier from the outset. Instead, her genesis lies in a fascinating evolution of design, reflecting the nascent understanding of naval air power during the tumultuous years leading up to and encompassing the First and Second World Wars. Her story, from initial conception to ultimate scrapping, is a compelling narrative of innovation, adaptation, and ultimately, obsolescence in the face of rapid technological advancement.
The ship's design lineage can be traced back to a 1916 seaplane carrier design by Gerard, a testament to the early exploration of using aircraft at sea. Like her near-contemporary, the Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō, Hermes was fundamentally based on a cruiser-type hull. This approach, while reflecting a lack of complete understanding of the optimal design for an aircraft carrier, provided a pragmatic solution: adapting an existing hull form to accommodate aircraft, rather than starting from a clean slate. This decision influenced many aspects of Hermes's design and operational capabilities, both advantages and disadvantages, throughout her service life. The use of a cruiser hull meant that Hermes possessed a certain level of defensive capability, unlike purpose-built carriers of the time which often lacked significant anti-ship armament. However, it also meant compromises in flight deck size and aircraft handling capacity, limitations that would become increasingly apparent as naval aviation technology progressed.
The initial design envisioned Hermes as a versatile vessel capable of operating both wheeled aircraft and seaplanes. This hybrid approach reflected the ongoing debate within naval circles about the relative merits of the two types of aircraft. Seaplanes, with their inherent ability to take off and land on water, offered a degree of operational flexibility, while wheeled aircraft promised superior performance and payload capacity. Hermes's ability to accommodate both represented an attempt to hedge bets on the future of naval aviation, a testament to the experimental nature of the field at the time. However, this versatility came at the cost of design complexity and reduced efficiency compared to carriers specializing in a single type of aircraft.
The construction of HMS Hermes began in 1918, a period marked by the waning months of the First World War. Her completion, however, was delayed, reflecting the post-war economic climate and the shifting priorities of the Royal Navy. Finally launched in 1920 and commissioned in 1924, Hermes entered service as a testament to Britain's ambition to establish a powerful naval air arm. Her commissioning marked a significant step forward for British naval aviation, providing a valuable platform for experimentation and training. The initial years of her service were crucial in accumulating operational experience, refining techniques, and developing doctrines for the employment of aircraft carriers within a fleet context.
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