Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Ark Royal at Lairds

Ark Royal getting fitted out at Lairds

Isn't that the one that was sunk in the Med whilst under tow back to Gibralter?

Yes, this Ark Royal (which my dad worked on) had a very short life. Commissioned December 1938, torpedoed in the Med. Nov. 13th. 1941 and sunk next day while under tow.

Are EU friends claimed they had sunk it a few times before they actualy did. By the way see by todays papers the Lady that runs there country is SABER RATTLING. some nations never change

My grandad was killed while working on this at lairds.

I worked on the other ARK ROYAL as an apprentice in the 50s
it was an education i was only 15 or 16, when the siren went off at 5 o clock the men came off the ship in there hundreds
just like rovers letting out,great memories and great times

My father worked on the 'Ark' he was an asbestos sprayer. Needless to say he died of asbestosis.

My Dad was a plumber on the ship.

Wasn't it an aircraft from Ark Royal that disabled the Bismark? I think she was called up from Gibraltar to the North Atlantic to try and find Bismark.

A Swordfish from the Ark Royal did disable Bismark with a torpedo attack and HMS Dorchester finished her off.

Bert - wasn't it HMS Dorsetshire that finished her off?

You are right Billy, had Dorchester on my mind after reading about her in the Indian ocean.

I think we're getting our 'Ark Royals' mixed up here. The one built at Lairds in the 50's as shown in the photos wasn't sunk in the second world war in the 40's.

Bob.

Thanks for that, Bob. I was getting them mixed up. My father worked on the earlier one built in the 30's.

Yep as seen in the mid-late 70's series - 'Sailor' featuring the immortal? Rod Stewart 'We are Sailing' theme - filmed after her sister ship HMS Eagle had been pensioned off and she was the only UK conventional fixed wing carrier left...
If you're lcuky you can see her on Thursday night on BBC4 TOTP as it is showing stuff from late 1976 at the mo...