Why aircraft carriers counter-flood earlier than other warships

An aircraft carrier's top-heavy form can turn a developing list into a stability crisis faster than on a cruiser or battleship. Damage-control teams may need to counter-flood almost immediately, whereas other warships generally avoid deliberately admitting water until it becomes necessary. That procedure conflicts with the instincts officers learn on most ships and must be trained specifically for carrier service. The losses of Courageous and Glorious had removed people who were developing that specialist experience before Ark Royal was damaged. Earlier counterflooding could have limited Ark Royal's list and preserved the possibility of towing her to Gibraltar.