THE FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER FOUND AND IS BEING RESTORED. This Should Be Of Interest To our Naval History Buffs and Boat Builders

Links rechecked 11.17/2016
MORE A BOAT THAN A SHIP,  BARGES LIKE THE ONE DEPICTED BELOW  WERE THE FIRST VESSELS FROM WHICH AIR CRAFT WERE LAUNCHED

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This is thought to be the very first aircraft carrier from WWI. The load out was a single biplane which ditched in the sea after mission completion.

"A predecessor to today’s giant Royal Navy vessels, it was found rotting in the River Thames by a maritime enthusiast who instantly recognized its significance.

The 1918 Thorneycroft Seaplane Lighter, measuring just 58ft, could carry one plane – a long chalk from the Navy’s new 920ft carrier Queen Elizabeth.

The rudimentary vessels were used to launch First World War biplanes at sea so they could intercept German airships before they reached Britain." Read the Whole Story in THE EXPRESS

EDITORIAL COMMENT: The first air craft carriers look like something that some of our amateur boat builders could  produce and no doubt .could help restore. There is a lot of museum vessel restoration work that needs to be done. Not all of the historic vessels out there that need attention are big naval steel ships. Volunteering on such a project not only exercises your skills between your own boat building and repair projects but will probably expose you to new skills as well. A restoration of a  historic vessel project is a great place to meet accomplished amateur and professional boat wrights and compare notes.