Ark Royal log.

[pete-c]

April 1917:

'PL208 alongside for experiment re carrying Schneider.' (Sopwith Schneider seaplane)

What was PL208? I'm aware of experiments with a Submarine carrying an aircraft, from Ben-My-Chree, but PL208 is a mystery to me.

Also April 1917:

'Read Warrant No.1. President II.'

President II is presumably Crystal Palace, but what was the purpose of reading Warrants?

May 1917:

'HMS Peony alongside to fit seaplane'

Peony was as far as I can see an Azalea class Minesweeper apparently converted to a Seaplane carrier. To what degree did this conversion alter her?

[horatio2]

HMS PRESIDENT II was the accounting base for almost all men of the RNAS. It was not at Crystal Palace, which came under the accounting base HMS VICTORY II. The reading of a warrant (to the assembled ship's company) is the formal imposition of a warrant punishment on a rating. Punishment Warrants were obtained from higher authority when the proposed punishment exceeded the summary powers of the commanding officer.

I have a note that HMS PEONY "operated Schneiders and Babies in the Aegean during 1917/1918 on anti-submarine patrols. No wartime photograph is available..." . Also "Sloop. Displacement 1200 tons. 2 x 12-pounder, 2 x 3-pounder. ... Operated nominally 3, but probably 2 Schneiders in search for suspected U-boat bases in the Aegean from May 1917, and on anti-submarine patrols. By 1 April 1918 she operated one Baby as part of 62 and 63 Wings RAF based on Mudros. ..." ["Royal Navy Shipboard Aircraft developments 1912-1931" - Dick Cronin.]