Could a purpose-built full-flight-deck seaplane carrier use a well deck to bring its aircraft aboard?
Short answerThe Royal Navy considered a stern ramp rather than a well deck, allowing a seaplane to power partway aboard before a winch completed recovery.
NotesThe proposed recovery arrangement was a stern ramp rather than a flooded well deck. A seaplane would approach under its own power and then be winched the rest of the way aboard. Purpose-built ships could incorporate that geometry from the outset. Liner conversions were less suitable because their fine, high-speed hull proportions did not automatically provide the transverse stability wanted for flight-deck operations.