"Royal Naval Air Service, Pre-1914" Modified Shorts S.38 "hydro-aeroplane" of Commander Charles Samson of the Royal Naval Air Service (facing camera) being hoisted in to be embarked in a warship, HMS HIBERNIA. This was Commander Samson's attempt to be the first pilot to take off from a ship underway at sea. The S.38 T.2 aircraft had air-bag floats to enable landing on water and was launched via a trolley-shuttle system off of a ramp which stretched from Hibernia's bridge to bow, over her forward 12 inch guns.