What about the island?

On a naval vessel it´s designated the "senior" side.

Tradition.

Before ships had rudders on their centrelines, they were steered by an oarsman located in the stern (back) of the ship. Since there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors this meant that the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to be affixed to the right side of the ship.
 
Anyone know why it is that the island on an aircraft carrier always seems to be on the starboard side?

First aircfaft carriers didn't have an island.
(Everybody was hiding below decks from those crazy people trying to land an aeroplane on a ship!:mrgreen:)
 
When the Royal Navy designed the first true carrier that is where they put it and it has been there ever since
 
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On a naval vessel it´s designated the "senior" side.
 
Why are aircraft carrier islands always on the starboard side? http://www.hazegray.org/faq/smn5.htm#E9

There are several reasons. Initially the island was placed on the starboard side because early (propeller) aircraft turned to the left more easily (an effect of engine torque). Obviously such an aircraft can execute a wave-off to the left more easily, so the island was put to starboard to be out of the way. There may also be other, minor contributing factors.

Once the starboard side position was established and a few carriers were built in that configuration, it became difficult to change. Pilots used to landing with the island to their right would be confused on a ship with the island on the other side. There was nothing to be gained by moving the island, so it stayed in the same place. Once angled decks were introduced this became even more important, since the deck angle would have to be changed to move the island.

There were, however, two carriers with their islands to port. The Japanese Akagi and Hiryu were fitted with port-side islands. Each was meant to work in a tactical formation with a starboard-island ship (Kaga and Soryu respectively); it was thought that putting the islands opposite sides would improve the flight patterns around the carriers. The idea was scrapped after two ships were so fitted, and all later carriers had starboard islands.
 
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