ANDREW ROBERT BREEN wrote:

snip

eddies from the island could be shed outboard instead of across
the flight deck, and the side chosen for the island was determined
by the turning characteristics of rotary-engined biplanes. Once
the island was on the starboard side, the longer life of ships
than aeroplanes ensured it stayed there..

OP jumping in to say thanks to all participants for the input.
Coincidentally, I've been engaged in an email discussion about rotary
engines, with a friend, albeit naval aircraft have not - yet - come into
play, there. Too bad I wasn't capable of adding two and two (rotary
torque-turning and my carrier question) and getting four, myself.
Again, I appreciate the responses.

--
Thomas Winston Ping