Loyal | |
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | HMS Loyal |
Builder | William Denny and Brothers |
Launched | 11 November 1913 |
Fate | Sold and broken up November 1921 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Laforey-class destroyer |
Displacement | 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t) |
Length | 268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a |
Beam | 27 ft 8 in (8.43 m) |
Draught | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) |
Installed power |
|
Propulsion | 2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines |
Speed | 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) |
Range | 1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement | 74 |
Armament |
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HMS Loyal was a Laforey-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s.
The Laforey class was the improved and faster versions of the preceding Acasta class. [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). Loyal was powered by two Parsons 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 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]
The ship was laid down as Orlando at William Denny and Brothers' Dumbarton shipyard on 16 September 1912. [4] The whole class was then renamed with names beginning with the letter "L" on 30 September 1913, with Orlando being renamed Loyal. [2] Loyal was launched on 11 November 1913 and completed in May 1914. [4]
Loyal joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla after commissioning. [5] On the outbreak of the First World War this Flotilla became part of the Harwich Force, under the overall command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, [6] which operated in the southern North Sea and could reinforce the Grand Fleet or forces in the English Channel as required. [7] [8] Loyal saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel.
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