Early carrier aircraft usually took off through their own power with help from wind over the deck. Rounded or sloping deck ends were shaped to improve that airflow. The earliest arresting wires ran lengthwise and kept light aircraft from drifting over the side after landing. They did not yet perform the braking function of later transverse arresting gear, and shipboard accelerators had not entered service.
Notable Point · 35:31-36:35
How early carriers launched and kept aircraft on deck
Early carriers relied on wind over the deck for takeoff, while lengthwise wires kept light aircraft from sliding sideways rather than braking them after landing.