Museum curator Dave Morris in front on the restored carrier[BNPS]A predecessor to today’s giant Royal Navy vessels, it was found rotting in the River Thames by a maritime enthusiast who instantly recognised 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.
A Sopwith Camel would be strapped to the deck of the craft before it was towed into the wind at more than 20 knots.
It was actually in remarkable condition. We have stripped back the Thames barge paint that covered it and returned it to its original WWI condition
A crew had to hold the plane back while the pilot got the engine up to speed – then release the chocks at the right moment.
The pilot had the 58ft of “runway” to get the plane airborne – or plummet into the sea.
After completing a raid, the pilot then had to ditch the plane into the sea and await rescue.
The craft were the brainchild of the British Admiralty in response to the destruction caused by bombs dropped on Britain by German Zeppelins.
The craft were towed at high speed before the biplane was launched [BNPS]The seaplane lighter, discovered in 1996, was salvaged by experts at the Fleet Air Arm Museum who have spent 12 years restoring it to its former glory.
They now plan to give it pride of place in a new entrance hall at the museum in Yeovil, Somerset, with a restored Sopwith Camel mounted on it.
Dave Morris, curator of aircraft at the museum, said: “The boat came to us after it was spotted on the banks of the Thames.
“It was actually in remarkable condition. We have stripped back the Thames barge paint that covered it and returned it to its original WWI condition.
“It’s incredible to compare it to today’s aircraft carriers but this is where it all started.”
The deadly effect of the basic craft was illustrated on August 10, 1918, by Lieutenant Stuart Culley after his first launch from a lighter. He climbed to 19,000ft before opening fire on Zeppelin L53, sending the giant airship down in a ball of flames into the North Sea.
The attack was so successful the Germans stopped all Zeppelin attacks on Britain.
Lt Culley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of his bravery during the mission.
Mr Morris added: “It is one of the great First World War pieces still in existence and among just a few original large objects remaining.”
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