Ark Royal was the Royal Navy's premier strike carrier, carrying aircraft for a decisive attack rather than passive observation. A smaller or older carrier could have supported a blockade without committing this major ship. Ark Royal's Skua and Swordfish squadrons instead offered bombing and torpedo options against a raider. Her rapid deployment indicates that the Admiralty expected to use her against Graf Spee if the ship remained afloat.
Notable Point · 38:20-39:43
Ark Royal was sent to strike, not merely watch
Ark Royal's sprint toward Montevideo makes sense as a plan to attack Graf Spee, not as an unnecessary addition to a blockade.