HMS Louis (1913)

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HMS Louis, Laforey-class destroyer - IWM Q 75138.jpg
HMS Louis
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
NameHMS Louis
NamesakeSir Thomas Louis
Builder Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
Launched30 December 1913
FateWrecked 31 October 1915
General characteristics
Class and type Laforey-class destroyer
Displacement965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Length268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a
Beam27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power
Propulsion2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement74
Armament

HMS Louis was a Laforey-class destroyer built for the British Royal Navy during the 1910s. She participated in the Dardanelles campaign, during which she was wrecked in Suvla Bay in 1915.

Contents

Description

The Laforey class were improved and faster versions of the preceding Acastaclass. [1] They displaced 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t). The ships had an overall length of 268 feet 10 inches (81.9 m), a beam of 27 feet 8 inches (8.4 m) and a draught of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m). Louis was powered by two Brown-Curtis direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers. [2] The turbines developed a total of 24,500 shaft horsepower (18,300 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 280 long tons (280 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km; 2,010 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships' complement was 74 officers and ratings. [3]

The ships were armed with three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used. [3]

Construction and service

HMS Louis stranded at Suvla Bay HMS Louis stranded Suvla Bay 1915.jpg
HMS Louis stranded at Suvla Bay

Laid down as Talisman, the ship was renamed on 30 September 1913 to Louis before being launched. Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan (Yard No 491) and launched 30 December 1913, she was wrecked in Suvla Bay on 31 October 1915 during the Dardanelles campaign. The wreck was destroyed by Ottoman coastal artillery. [4]

Louis stranded HMS Louis 1913 stranded in Suvla Bay 1915.jpg
Louis stranded

Notes

  1. Friedman, p. 129
  2. Gardiner & Gray, p. 76
  3. 1 2 Friedman, p. 296
  4. Colledge & Wardlow, p. 235

Bibliography

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