Building ordered in April 1917m laid down by Armstrong Whitworth, Elswick, England on 15 January 1918, launched on 11 September 1919, completed at January since January 1920, modified in March 1920 and again in May 1921, sea trials in August 1923, commissioned on 18 February 1924, training ship since 16 July 1938, aircraft carrier again since 24 August 1939 and sunk by during a Japanese air attack near Batticaloa underway towards the Maldives coming from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka on 9 April 1942. Pennant number 95 and motto Altiora Peto.
Hull shaped like a cruiser was she designed by Sir Eustace d’Eyncourt, Director of naval Construction in April 1917 but who on his turn used as base the seaplane carrier design of Gerard Holmes and Sir John Biles dated 1916. In 1918 made d’Eyncourt an improved design. Originally she was to be carried out with seaplanes and wheeled aircraft at the same time. Original technical specifications were a displacement of 11.020 (standard)-13.900 (deep load) tons and as dimensions 182,9 (over all) x 21,4 x 7,1 (deep load) metres or 600 x 70.3 x 23.3 feet. Flight deck length 173,7/570’. Dimensions hangar 121,9 x 15,2 x 4,9 (height) metres or 400 x 50 x 16 feet. The two geared stem turbines sets and 6 Yarrow water tube boilers delivered via 2 shafts 40.000 (design)-41.318 (sea trials) shp allowing a speed of 25 (design)-26.178 (sea trials) knots and with a speed of 10 knots a range of 5.600 nautical miles. Her crew numbered excluded the aircraft personnel 566 men. She could carry 20 aircraft with her and had an armament of 6x1-14cm/5.5” Mk I guns (3 on each side) and 4x1-10cm/4” Mk V quick firing anti aircraft guns.
