Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:09:11-3:09:24

The earlier Ark Royal became HMS Pegasus

The fleet carrier was new at the start of the Second World War; an earlier seaplane carrier had surrendered the Ark Royal name when renamed Pegasus.

HMS Ark RoyalHMS PegasusRoyal NavySeaplane CarriersShip Names
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Was Ark Royal already an old carrier when the Second World War began?

Short answer

No. The new fleet carrier inherited the name after the earlier seaplane carrier Ark Royal was renamed HMS Pegasus.

Notes

The Ark Royal discussed in the 1930s comparison was new at the beginning of the Second World War. An earlier aviation vessel had also carried the name Ark Royal while serving as a seaplane carrier. That older ship was renamed Pegasus, freeing the historic name for the new fleet carrier. The sequence explains why references to Ark Royal can otherwise appear to describe one ship with a much longer aviation career.