History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | Menace |
Ordered | September 1914 |
Builder | Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend |
Laid down | 17 November 1914 |
Launched | 9 November 1915 |
Completed | April 1916 |
Out of service | 9 April 1921 |
Fate | Sold to be broken up from 8 February 1924 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Admiralty M-class destroyer |
Displacement | 971 long tons (987 t) (normal) |
Length | |
Beam | 26 ft 8 in (8.1 m) |
Draught | 8 ft 11 in (2.7 m) |
Installed power | 3 Yarrow boilers, 25,000 shp (19,000 kW) |
Propulsion | Brown-Curtiss geared steam turbines, 3 shafts |
Speed | 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph) |
Range | 2,530 nmi (4,690 km; 2,910 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement | 80 |
Armament |
|
HMS Menace was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Menace was launched in 1915 and joined the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. During the Battle of Jutland in 1916, the destroyer attacked battleships and light cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet but recorded no hits. The vessel subsequently participated in the unsuccessful search for the armoured cruiser Hampshire, lost along with the Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener. The destroyer ended the war with the Third Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice that ended the war, Menace was initially put in reserve until being sold in 1921 to be broken up.
Menace was one of the sixteen Admiralty M-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in September 1914 as part of the First War Programme at the start of the First World War. [1] The M class was an improved version of the earlier L-class, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h ; 41 mph ) although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service. It transpired that the German warships did not exist, but the extra performance that Menace achieved was valued by the navy. [2]
The destroyer had a length of 265 ft (80.8 m) between perpendiculars and 273 ft 4 in (83.3 m) overall, with a beam of 26 ft 8 in (8.1 m) and draught of 8 ft 11 in (2.7 m). Displacement was 971 long tons (987 t ) normal. [3] Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding steam to Brown-Curtiss geared steam turbines rated at 23,000 shaft horsepower (17,000 kW ), driving three shafts and exhausting through three funnels. Design speed was 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph). [4] A total of 228 long tons (232 t) of oil was carried. Design range was 2,530 nautical miles (4,690 km; 2,910 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph), but actual endurance in service was less; sister ship Murray had a range of 2,240 nautical miles (4,150 km; 2,580 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). [3]
Menace had a main armament consisting of three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk IV guns on the centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the middle and aft funnels. Torpedo armament consisted of two twin torpedo tubes for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes located aft of the funnels. [5] [6] Two single 1-pounder 37 mm (1.5 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns were carried. [7] The anti-aircraft guns were later replaced by 2-pdr 40 mm (1.6 in) "pom-pom" guns. [3] The ship had a complement of 80 officers and ratings. [7]
Laid down by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson on 17 November 1914 at Wallsend, Menace was launched on 9 November the following year and completed six months later in April 1916. [8] The vessel was the first of the name in service with the Royal Navy and was deployed as part of the Grand Fleet, joining the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow. [9] [10] [11]
On 30 May, the destroyer sailed with the Grand Fleet to confront the German High Seas Fleet in what would be the Battle of Jutland, forming part of the Second Division of the Flotilla that included sister ship Nonsuch. [12] The vessel was deployed in action against the German light cruisers. [13] However, as the destroyers approached, the first division, already being attacked by enemy gunfire, turned into their path and so Menace had to manoeuvre out of the way. [14] The cruisers then pounced on Menace and Nonsuch, which were at the rear of the flotilla. The attack was so close that Menace narrowly avoided being rammed but escaped unharmed. [15] The flotilla then redeployed and, observing the battleships of the High Seas Fleet ahead, sped into action. In the ensuing fight, Menace made a series of unsuccessful attacks, although the pre-dreadnought Pommern was sunk by Onslaught. [16] It proved to be the final engagement of the battle. [17]
The flotilla returned to Scapa Flow on 2 June. [18] A few days later, Menace joined the unsuccessful search for the armoured cruiser Hampshire, sunk by a German mine off the coast of Mainland, Orkney. [19] Hampshire had been sailing to Russia without escort with the Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, but had sunk after hitting a mine and only 13 individuals, which did not include the Secretary of State, survived. [20] The destroyer remained part of the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla on 19 August. [21] The flotilla subsequently took part in a large exercise with other flotillas and fleets of the Grand Fleet, led by the dreadnought battleship Iron Duke, between 22 and 24 November. [22]
On 15 October 1917, Menace formed part of a large-scale operation, involving 30 cruisers and 54 destroyers deployed in eight groups across the North Sea in an attempt to stop a suspected sortie by German naval forces. The vessel, along with fellow destroyer Noble, was despatched from the flotilla to operate with the Third Light Cruiser Squadron. [23] Despite these measures, the German light cruisers Bremse and Brummer managed to attack the regular convoy between Norway and Britain two days later, sinking nine merchant ships and two destroyers, Mary Rose and Strongbow, before returning safely to Germany. [24] At the end of the war, Menace was part of the Third Destroyer Flotilla. [25]
After the Armistice that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel needed to be reduced to save money. [26] The destroyer was transferred to reserve at Nore [27] However, the harsh conditions of wartime operations, exacerbated by the fact that the hull was not galvanised, meant that the ship was worn out. [28] Menace was retired, and, on 9 April 1921, was sold to Ward of Grays, and broken up from 8 February 1924. [29]
Pennant number | Date |
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H7C | August 1915 [30] |
G30 | January 1918 [31] |
G6A | June 1918 [32] |
G34 | January 1919 [31] |
HMS Sorceress was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. Launched on 29 August 1916, the vessel operated as part of the Grand Fleet until it was disbanded in 1919. In 1917, the ship took part in action against the German Sixth Destroyer Flotilla and was one of those credited with bounty for the German auxiliary cruiser Konprinz Willhelm. The destroyer was sold to be broken up on 29 April 1927.
HMS Nicator was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Launched in February 1916, the destroyer fought in the Battle of Jutland between May and June 1916, operating in support of the British battlecruisers in their action against the German High Seas Fleet. Nicator claimed, along with sister ship Nestor, the destruction of a German torpedo boat, likely to be V27. The destroyer also attacked the German battlecruisers and battleships and, although no hits were recorded, kept the German ships from closing with the British. This was crucial to limiting losses to the British battlecruiser fleet. The vessel was subsequently fitted with paravanes for anti-submarine warfare. After the war, the destroyer was placed in reserve and subsequently sold to be broken up in May 1921.
HMS Obdurate was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the previous L-class, capable of higher speed. Launched on 21 January 1916 by Scotts of Greenock, the vessel served as part of the Grand Fleet in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916. The destroyer formed part of the cover for the British battlecruisers and was involved in attacks on German battleships and destroyers, but recorded no hits. The destroyer was also part of attack by Zeppelin L 43 on Sydney and the distant cover for the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, but received only minor damage from the German airship. After the armistice, Obdurate was assigned to the Local Defence Force at Nore and sold to be broken up on 9 May 1921.
HMS Pelican was a Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Launched on 18 March 1916, the vessel served with the Grand Fleet, taking part in significant actions on 19 August 1916 and 4 May 1917, as well as the fight between the British and German battlecruisers in the Battle of Jutland. The destroyer also undertook the other more general roles were typical of the type, including anti-submarine sweeps and escort duties for convoys. The destroyer had success driving away German submarines but did not sink any. After the end of the war, Pelican initially joined a Local Defence Flotilla but within a year had been placed in reserve and was subsequently sold to be broken up on 9 May 1921.
HMS Peregrine was a Admiralty M-class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Launched on 29 May 1916, the vessel served with the Grand Fleet, focusing on anti-submarine warfare. In 1917, the destroyer was involved in the search for UC-65 after the submarine had sunk the protected cruiser Ariadne. In 1918, the ship participated in one of the final sorties of the war, although this did not lead to a confrontation with the German High Seas Fleet. After the Armistice that ended the war, the destroyer was placed in reserve and subsequently sold to be broken up on 9 May 1921.
HMS Penn was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. The ship was named after William Penn, the father of the founder of Pennsylvania. Launched on 8 April 1916, the vessel served with the Grand Fleet forming part of the screen for the dreadnought battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron and escorting the aircraft carrier Furious in battle. The destroyer participated in the Actions of 19 August 1916 and 16 October 1917, as well as forming part of the distant support during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. Penn was also instrumental in rescuing the survivors from the light cruiser Nottingham, sunk by a German submarine. After the Armistice that ended the war, the destroyer was placed in reserve and subsequently sold to be broken up on 9 May 1921.
HMS Moorsom was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Moorsom, the first ship to enter navy service to be named after Admiral Sir Robert Moorsom, was launched in December 1914, initially serving as part of the Grand Fleet before being transferred to the Harwich Force the following year. Briefly rejoining the Grand Fleet, the destroyer saw service in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 supporting the British battlecruisers and received hits from a battleship of the German High Seas Fleet. Moorsom also undertook other duties, including escorting the troop ship Mauretania in June 1915 and the minelayer Princess Margaret in August 1915 and November 1916. Placed within the Dover Patrol, the destroyer formed part of the cover for monitors including Erebus and Terror on attacks on Ostend and Zeebrugge in May and June 1917, and April and May 1918. After the Armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve and subsequently sold to be broken up in November 1921.
HMS Mystic was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on the previous L class, capable of higher speed. The vessel, originally named HMS Myrtle but renamed before being launched in 1915, joined the Grand Fleet as part of the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla. The ship was assigned as part of a destroyer screen to protect the British battleships as they sought to destroy the German High Seas Fleet. During the Battle of Jutland in 1916, the destroyer saw action against German light cruisers and, as the evening fell, attacked the German battle line, but recorded no hits. During the following year, the vessel took part in a large anti-submarine patrol, but did not see any German submarines. Later in the war, the ship was transferred to the Coast of Ireland Station at Buncrana and escorted convoys at the start of their journey from ports on the Clyde and Mersey or at the end of their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. After the Armistice in 1918 that marked the end of the First World War, Mystic was placed in reserve before being decommissioned and subsequently sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Morris was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. The ship, the only vessel to be named Morris to serve with the Royal Navy, was launched on 19 November 1914. Joining the Grand Fleet as part of a new flotilla, the destroyer was soon in action, serving as part of a destroyer screen during the Battle of Dogger Bank in January 1915 and an escort to the minelayer Princess Margaret during a skirmish with German torpedo boats eight months later. At the Battle of Jutland in 1916, the destroyer was a crucial part of the flotilla that drove the German torpedo boats away from the British battlecruisers. Morris received no hits during these confrontations. The destroyer assisted in the rescue of survivors from the R-class destroyer Simoom and the recovery of the damaged flotilla leader Botha in 1917. The ship also undertook general duties including escorting merchant ships, minelayers, monitors, and the seaplane carrier Vindex. After the armistice that ended the war, the destroyer was considered superfluous to requirements, Initially placed in reserve, Morris was decommissioned and, on 8 November 1921, sold to be broken up.
HMS Marne was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. The ship, the first Royal Navy vessel to be named after the River Marne, was launched in 1915. For much of the war, the destroyer escorted merchant ships in convoys and Royal Navy warships, but was also involved in the rescue of crew from the battleship HMS King Edward VII in 1916. The destroyer also took part in the Battle of Jutland as part of the shield for the British battleships and engaged with the German light cruiser force with torpedoes, although all missed. In 1918, the destroyer, along with sister ships Milbrook and Pigeon, sank the German submarine UB-124. After the armistice, Marne was placed in reserve before being decommissioned and, in 1921, sold to be broken up.
HMS Napier was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the previous L-class destroyer, capable of higher speed. The vessel was launched on 27 November 1915 and joined the Grand Fleet. Napier had a varied war career, acting as part of the destroyer screen for the First Battle Squadron during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight and searching for the survivors of losses like the armoured cruiser HMS Hampshire. The vessel was usually based at Scapa Flow but spent a brief time seconded to the Harwich Force in 1917. After the Armistice that marked the end of the First World War, Napier was placed in reserve before being decommissioned and sold to be broken up on 8 November 1921.
HMS Obedient was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Launched in 1915, the destroyer served with the Grand Fleet during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, helping sink the torpedo boat V48 and narrowiy missing the German battleships as they withdrew. Subsequently, Obedient took part in anti-submarine patrols, attacking U-70 in 1917. The conditions of service meant that the destroyer was soon worn out and, after the armistice that ended the war in 1918, Obedient was placed in reserve. Despite a service life of only five years, the vessel was decommissioned and, in 1921, sold to be broken up.
HMS Onslaught was a Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the previous L-class, capable of higher speed. The vessel, launched in 1915, joined the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla under the flotilla leader Faulknor. The ship saw action during the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, jointly sinking the German torpedo boat SMS V48 and launching the torpedo that sank the pre-dreadnought battleship Pommern, the only German battleship to be lost in the battle. Subsequently, the destroyer acted as an escort to other naval ships during the Action of 19 August 1916 and took part in anti-submarine operations. At the end of the war, Onslaught was withdrawn from service and, in 1921, sold to be broken up.
HMS Minion was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M-class ships were an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Minion was launched in 1915 and joined the Grand Fleet. The destroyer participated in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 as part of the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla, particularly in the evening action between the light cruisers. During an anti-submarine patrol during the following year, the destroyer ran low on fuel. An attempt was made to refuel from the light cruiser Calliope, which was unsuccessful, leading to the patrol being curtailed. In 1918, the vessel was transferred to Devonport as part of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice, Minion was sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Munster was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Named after the Irish province of Munster, the destroyer was launched in 1915 and joined the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. In 1916, Munster rescued survivors from the armed merchantman Alcantara and then fought in the Battle of Jutland as part of the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla. The flotilla sank the German torpedo boat V48. At the end of the battle, the destroyer returned to Scapa Flow undamaged. During the following year, the warship participated in the unsuccessful search for the armoured cruiser Hampshire and the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. Neither led to the warship being involved in any action with the enemy. The destroyer finished the war with the Third Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice, Munster was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Nepean was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. The second Royal Navy vessel to be named after Sir Evan Nepean, and the first not in Australian service, the destroyer was launched in 1916 and joined the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. In 1917, Nepean formed part of the escort for the light cruisers Dublin and Sydney when they were attacked by the Zeppelin L 43 and the First Battlecruiser Squadron during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. Neither led to the warship being involved in any action with the enemy. The destroyer finished the war with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice, Nepean was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Milbrook was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. The destroyer was launched in 1915 and joined the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. In 1916, Milbrook responded with the Grand Fleet to the bombardment of Yarmouth and Lowestoft and fought in the Battle of Jutland. During the following year, the warship was transferred to Buncrana to operate under the Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland and, for the remainder of the war, the destroyer escorted convoys that were arriving and departing ports on the Clyde and Mersey to cross the Atlantic. In 1918, the ship was jointly responsible for the destruction of the German submarine UB-124. After the Armistice, Milbrook was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Nonsuch was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Originally laid down as HMS Narcissus but renamed before being launched in 1915, Nonsuch joined the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. During the Battle of Jutland in 1916, after being attacked by the light cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet, the warship rescued the damaged destroyer Acasta. The vessel formed part of the screen for the dreadnought battleships of the First Battle Squadron during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1917. In both actions, the destroyer reported no hits. After the Armistice that ended the war, Nonsuch was initially put in reserve and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.
HMS Noble was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Originally to be called Nisus, Noble was renamed before being launched in 1915. Joining the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, the vessel took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916, during which the warship unsuccessfully attacked the light cruisers of the German High Seas Fleet. In 1917, the destroyer formed part of the screen for the dreadnought battleships of the First Battle Squadron during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight but again reported no hits. After the Armistice that ended the war, Noble was initially put in reserve and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.
HMS Norman was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Norman had a largely uneventful war. Joining the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1916, the vessel was soon involved in an exercise that involved most of the dreadnoughts of the First and Third Battle Squadrons but did not take part in any fleet actions with Germany. In 1917, the destroyer was a participant in anti-ship and anti-submarine patrols, but, once again, the ship did not engage any enemy warships. After the Armistice that ended the war, Norman was initially put in reserve and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.