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Aviation History
1915
1915 - 0138.PDF
(/ycHf) at the time she was torpedoed in the Channel last November. In these cases, however, the ships were generally cruisers of an old type which had been adapted for their new purpose, and consequently possessed all the disadvantages of makeshifts. In the case of the raid on Cuxhaven on Christmas Day, as mentioned in the official memorandum on p. 142, three seaplane carriers were utilised, these being cross-Channel steamers which had undergone certain modifications. The " Ark Royal," however, is the first of a new line of which doubtless many more will ere long take their place as units in the " King's Navee." With regard to the quaint name bestowed on the vessel, this dates back to the time of the Spanish Armada, having been borne by an 800 ton ship built by Raleigh and sold to Queen Elizabeth. It was originally known as the "Ark"; subsequently changed to the "Ark Raleigh," and finally to the " Ark Royal," under which name it took part in the famous chase of the Spanish vessels, and in the subsequent capture of Cadiz. Inci dentally, it would be of interest to know why Raleigh chose this name. Why the Admiralty decided to revive the old-world-sounding'"Ark Royal" when the new sea plane-carrier had to be named, is, as Mr. Archibald Hurd points out in the Daily Telegraph, evident. " This ship is the base of the aerial intelligence service of the squadron to which she may be attached from time to time. When Noah had survived the Flood, ' he sent forth a dove from him to see if the waters were abated from the face of the earth.' At last the dove brought back an olive leaf, and Noah knew that all was well. The modern Ark carries seaplanes—or what the Germans call Taubes or doves. She sends them forth over the waters to see what the enemy is doing; they do not bring back olive leaves, but by means of wireless tele graphy they signal their intelligence. Moreover, they carry guns to defend themselves from an attack by an aerial enemy—all of which goes to show how far we have travelled since the time of the Flood. " In the years to come every fleet will have its sea plane-carrier. The aerial machines will have folding 'wings,' so that they can be packed closely together. When one is required to carry out a reconnaissance, it will be brought out and placed on the launching-stage, its ' wings ' will be extended, the pilot and observer will take their places, the engine will be started, and away it will fly, sending back, even when out of sight, a series of reports, on which the admiral will prepare his plans." ® ® Air Raid on Essex. No damage of any consequence was caused as a result of the raid on the Eastern Counties last Sunday evening. The hostile aeroplane was first seen in the neighbourhood of Braintree, where an incendiary bomb was dropped without exploding, while another was dropped at Coggeshall with the same result. The aero plane was next seen at Colchester, when a bomb was dropped at the back of a house in Butt Road. As the result of the explosion the windows and doors at the back of the house, as well as those of the adjoining houses, were blown in. The inhabitants of the house, Quarter master-Sergeant Rabjohn and his wife and child, had marvellous escapes from the flying bullets. The aero plane also dropped a bomb at Mark's Tey. The Norfolk Air Raid. ARRANGEMENTS having been made for the com mittee appointed by the Government to consider claims for relief in respect of the damage done in the bombard- FEBRUARY 26, 1915. Elsewhere in the present issue we publish _ T Jie the official statement which has now been RaidVCn issued by the Admiralty in connection with the daring raid of the Schillig Roads at the mouth of the Elbe off Cuxhaven, carried out by seven officers of the R.N.A.S. on Christmas Day. Although the Memorandum does not bring to light anything new, there are one or two points in it that call for notice. In the first place attention may be drawn to the fact that the undertaking was carried out primarily as an air reconnaissance, that is, to secure some information with regard to the number, strength, and disposition of the enemy's bottled-up fleet, advantage being taken of the opportunity of attacking with bombs points of military importance. We have purposely italicised the last four words in order to bring out the difference in methods and purpose between that which is undertaken by our naval and military authorities and the despicable raids on unfortified places in this country that the Germans have so far indulged in. It serves to emphasise, too, the statement in the Admiralty announcement of last week regarding the second air raid on the Belgian coast towns, that " Instructions are always issued to confine the attacks to points of military importance, and every effort is made by the flying officers to avoid dropping bombs on any residential portions of the towns." It will be noted that, as in the case of the successful raids on Dusseldorf, Friedrichshafen, &c, those in charge of the operations, as well as the flying officers actually taking part, have been commended by the Admiralty, and in some cases there has been further reward in the shape of promotion, while on two of the officers, H.M. the King has conferred the Distinguished Service Order. Another welcome feature is the recording of the names of those who acted as observers on the aircraft, two of these being Chief Petty Officer Mechanics, who have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the part they took in the raid. These latter honours will be fully appreciated by the lower deck. While not for a moment undervaluing the work done by the flying officers, we think that there is at times a tendency to forget the men on whom the duty falls of keeping the aircraft au point. Although a skilled pilot and a reliable machine are both vitally necessary, the staff of men employed behind the scenes in ensuring that the aircraft are ready for every emergency call, form no less an important part of the service, and it is pleasing to record this recognition of their work. ment of Scarborough, &c, to also investigate damage to persons and property in connection with the airship raid on Norfolk, it is notified that all claims must be forwarded to the Secretary, East Coast Raid Committee, Board of Education, Whitehsll, S.W., not later than March 5th. The Flying Services Fund. FROM the official notices of the Royal Aero Club on page 144 it will be seen that there has been a sub stantial addition to the amount received for the Flying Services Fund, the total now being close on ^7,OGO. Among the donations received during the past week may be noted ^250 each from the Daimler Co. and Vickers, Ltd., £,\oo from Messrs. Accles and Pollock, ^50 from Messrs. G. and J. Weir, ^43 from Murray's Club, £22 os. 6d. from the officers and men of the Central Air Office, Sheerness, while among other subscribers may be noted Vice-Admiral Mark Kerr, R.N., Mr. W. Joynson-Hicks; M.P.. Lady Ramsden, Sir T. V. S. Gooch, Bart., the Zenith Carburettor Co., &c.
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