HMS "Ark Royal" was a Royal Navy ship originally laid down as a merchant vessel but completed in the builder's shipyard as an aircraft carrier, entering service a few months after the outbreak of the First World War.
HMS "Ark Royal" was the first Royal Navy ship to be completed in the builder's shipyard as an aircraft carrier. Although laid down as a merchant ship, "Ark Royal" was converted whilst under construction, entering service a few months after the outbreak of the First World War.