Ark Royal (1587), the flagship of the English fleet during the Spanish Armada campaign of 1588. HMS Ark Royal (1914), merchant ship, converted to an aircraft carrier during World War I HMS Ark Royal (91), British aircraft carrier launched in 1937 that participated in World War II and was sunk by a U-boat in 1941. HMS Ark Royal (R09), an Audacious-class fleet aircraft carrier launched in 1950, decommissioned in 1979 HMS Ark Royal (R07), an Invincible-class aircraft carrier, launched in 1981, decommissioned in 2011Wooden plaque with insignia of H.M.S. Ark Royalh.m.s. ark royal