Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:34:04-2:36:48

Recovering a time-displaced HMS Malta for wartime service

An abandoned, completed carrier creates an urgent problem of ferry crews, recovery, and bringing the ship into service.

Aircraft CarriersAlternate HistoryMalta Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal NavySalvage
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Question

What would Britain do if fishermen found a completed HMS Malta abandoned, with fuel but no food or aircraft?

Short answer

The Royal Navy would organize a ferry crew, recover the carrier, and make bringing her into service an immediate priority.

Notes

In this time-travel scenario, HMS Malta is complete but has cold boilers, full fuel tanks, no food, and no aircraft. Nearby cruisers would probably provide volunteers for a ferry crew to bring her home. Crewing the carrier and preparing her for service would become urgent priorities, with the answer suggesting she could be available by the Norwegian campaign. The fishermen might receive a reward or salvage payment, while the naval recovery crew could receive a bounty. The exact form of either payment remains speculative.