Johns separates aircraft carriers from First World War-style ships that could fly aircraft off but could not land them back aboard. Those vessels depended on seaplanes for recovery and were therefore classified as seaplane carriers. HMAS Albatross of the Royal Australian Navy and the French Commandant Teste appear as contemporary examples. Their tonnage did not count against Washington Treaty aircraft-carrier allowances, so the legal distinction preserved useful aviation capacity outside the main quota.
Notable Point · 9:55-10:21
Seaplane carriers sat outside treaty carrier tonnage
The treaty definition excluded ships that could launch but not recover aircraft aboard, leaving HMAS Albatross and Commandant Teste outside carrier allowances.