Redpole | |
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | Redpole |
Namesake | Redpole |
Builder | J. Samuel White, East Cowes |
Laid down | 10 December 1909 |
Launched | 24 June 1910 |
Completed | February 1911 |
Out of service | 9 May 1921 |
Fate | Sold to be broken up |
General characteristics (as built) | |
Class and type | Acorn-class destroyer |
Displacement | |
Length | |
Beam | 25 ft 5 in (7.7 m) |
Draught | 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) |
Installed power | 4 White-Forster boilers 13,500 shp (10,100 kW) |
Propulsion | Parsons steam turbines, 3 shafts |
Speed | 27 kn (50 km/h; 31 mph) |
Range | 1,540 nmi (2,850 km; 1,770 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement | 72 |
Armament |
|
HMS Redpole was one of 20 Acorn-class (later H-class) destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, the ship served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla, joining the Grand Fleet at the start of the war, and was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1915, joining the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla. Employed as an escort, the ship also undertook other duties, including rescuing the Italian destroyer Benedetto Cairoli in 1918. Redpole ended the war in Gibraltar. After the Armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
After the preceding coal-burning Beagle class, the Acorn-class destroyer saw a return to oil-firing. Pioneered by the Tribal class of 1905 and HMS Swift of 1907, using oil enabled a more efficient design, leading to a smaller vessel which also had increased deck space available for weaponry. [1] Unlike previous destroyer designs, where the individual yards had been given discretion within the parameters set by the Admiralty, the Acorn class were a set, with the propulsion machinery the only major variation between the different ships. [2] This enabled costs to be reduced. [3] The class was later renamed H class. [4]
Redpole had a length of 240 feet (73 m) between perpendiculars and 246 ft (75 m) overall, with a beam of 25 ft 5 in (7.7 m) and a deep draught of 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m). Displacement was 730 long tons (820 short tons ; 740 tonnes ) normal and 855 long tons (869 t) full load. [5] Power was provided by Parsons steam turbines fed by four White-Forster boilers and driving three shafts. [6] Three funnels were fitted, the foremost tall and thin, the central short and thick and the aft narrow. [7] The engines were rated at 13,500 shaft horsepower (10,100 kW) which gave a design speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph). On trial, Redpole achieved 28.7 knots (53.2 km/h; 33.0 mph). [4] The vessel carried 170 long tons (170 t) of fuel oil which gave a range of 1,540 nautical miles (2,850 km; 1,770 mi) at a cruising speed of 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph). [5] [6]
Armament consisted of two single BL 4 in (102 mm) Mk VIII guns, one carried on the forecastle and another aft. Two single QF 12-pounder 3 in (76 mm) guns were mounted between the first two funnels. [8] Two rotating 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes were mounted aft of the funnels, with two reloads carried, and a searchlight fitted between the tubes. [9] The destroyer was later modified to carry a single Vickers QF 3-pounder 2 in (47 mm) anti-aircraft gun and depth charges for anti-submarine warfare. [10] The ship's complement was 72 officers and ratings. [6]
The 20 destroyers of the Acorn class were ordered by the Admiralty under the 1909–1910 Naval Programme. One of three in the class sourced from J. Samuel White, Redpole was laid down at the company's East Cowes shipyard on 10 December 1909 with yard number 1315 and launched on 24 June 1910. [11] The ship was completed in February 1911, the fourth ship in Royal Navy service to be given the name, an alternative spelling of Redpoll. [12] [13] [14]
On commissioning, Redpole joined the Second Destroyer Flotilla. [15] [16] Between 26 and 28 May 1912, the destroyer visited Aberystwyth, the first time the vessel was known to have travelled to Wales, subsequently returning to the naval base in Portsmouth. [17] On 16 April 1914, the ship was transferred to Plymouth. [18] After the British Empire declared war on Germany at the beginning of the First World War in August 1914, the Flotilla became part of the Grand Fleet. [19] The destroyer was deployed to Devonport to undertake escort duties. [6] [19] On 28 August 1915, the flotilla took part in an anti-submarine patrol, accompanied by battleships and cruisers, but this was unsuccessful at destroying any submarines. [20]
On 13 November 1915, the destroyer left Devonport to travel to the Mediterranean Sea in support of a proposed joint French and British operation in support of Serbia against Greece. In the end, there was no action as the Greek government acquiesced to the Allied demands on 23 November. [21] The destroyer remained in the region and subsequently joined the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet before the year ended. [22] The destroyer continued to operate there for the remainder of the war. On 20 January 1918, Redpole was based at the naval base in Malta. [23] Although mainly employed as an escort, the destroyer accompanied the Australian torpedo boat Torrens on a mission to rescue the Italian destroyer Benedetto Cairoli that had been damaged while serving on 10 April. [24] Shortly after the end of the war, on 28 December, the ship briefly towed the Soviet destroyer Shchastlivyi from Sevastapol to Ismid, although this was marred by a fire in the Soviet warship's oil tanks. The ship subsequently sank while on tow to Malta. [25]
After the Armistice, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and the amount of staff needed to be reduced to save money. [26] Redpole returned to Devonport and was placed in reserve. [27] This position did not last long, and Redpole was sold to be broken up at Milford Haven to Thos. W. Ward on 9 May 1921. [14]
Pennant Number | Date |
---|---|
H77 | September 1915 [28] |
H96 | January 1918 [29] |
H71 | January 1919 [30] |
HMS Laurel was a Laforey-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. Launched on 6 May 1913 as HMS Redgauntlet, the ship was renamed on 30 September under an Admiralty order to become one of the first alphabetical class destroyers. On commissioning, the vessel joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla and operated as part of the Harwich Force during the First World War. During Battle of Heligoland Bight, Laurel led a flotilla that pursued German torpedo boats, engaging with G194 and G196, and was damaged in action with the cruiser Mainz. The vessel also played a minor role in the Battles of Dogger Bank, Dover Strait and Jutland. With the cessation of hostilities, the ship was placed in reserve and scrapped on 1 November 1921.
HMS Medina 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. Originally laid down as HMS Redmill by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the vessel was renamed before being launched in 1916. The ship was allocated to the Grand Fleet and spent much of its service in anti-submarine warfare, either escorting convoys or involved in submarine hunting patrols. Although the destroyer attacked a number of German submarines, none were sunk. After the War, Medina was reassigned to a defence flotilla in Portsmouth and was eventually sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Narwhal 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 30 December 1915, the vessel fought in the Battle of Jutland between 31 May and 1 June 1916 and subsequently served in anti-submarine and escort duties based at Cobh in Ireland. During February 1917, the destroyer rescued the crew of the Q-ship Farnborough, which had sunk and been sunk by the German submarine SM U-83, and rescued the armed merchantman Cameronia from SM U-50, The destroyer was transferred to Devonport during 1918 and, after the end of the war, was broken up there in 1920 after suffering a fatal collision the year before.
HMS Mons was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War and fought in the Battle of Jutland. The M class was an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speeds. The ship, the first British naval vessel to be named after the Battle of Mons, was launched in 1915. Joining the Grand Fleet as part of the new Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla, the destroyer was soon in action, taking part in patrols that aimed to draw out the German High Seas Fleet. During the Battle of Jutland in 1916, Mons attacked the German light cruisers at the forefront of the German battleline but scored no hits. After the armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve. Mons was found to be worn out by wartime operations and, despite only serving for six years, in 1921, was sold to be broken up.
HMS Mameluke 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 speeds. The ship, the first Royal Navy vessel to be named after the Mamelukes, a class of ex-slaves that ruled Egypt, was launched in 1915. The destroyer joined the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla and, although under refit during the Battle of Jutland and so unable to participate, later took part in anti-submarine operations as part of this flotilla, although no submarines were sighted or sunk. The conditions of service in the North Sea meant that the destroyer was soon worn out and, after the armistice, Mameluke was placed in reserve. Despite a service life of only six years, the vessel was decommissioned and, in 1921, sold to be broken up.
HMS Hope was the first warship constructed by Swan Hunter and one of 20 Acorn class destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Hope served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet as an escort based at Devonport for most of the war, protecting ships like RMS Aquitania, until being transferred to Malta to serve with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla as part of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1917. Hope collided with and sank the destroyer HMS Arno in 1918. After the Armistice, the destroyer continued to serve in Malta under being sold in 1920.
HMS Lyra was one of 20 Acorn class destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Lyra was part of the winning side in war games that took place the following year, although the destroyer sustained damage due to fast running. At the start of the war, the ship served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, and spent most of the war in anti-submarine warfare, mainly protecting merchant ships from attack. Despite being involved in many actions, the destroyer did not sink any enemy boats. Lyra ended the war in Gibraltar. After the Armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Larne was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The destroyer served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Larne participated in exercises that took place the following year, sustaining damage during the activity, and then a naval demonstration for Members of Parliament in 1912. At the start of the war, the ship served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. The destroyer undertook anti-submarine patrols around the British Isles, from Devonport to the Outer Hebrides. Despite being involved in many actions, the ship did not sink any enemy submarines. Larne ended the war in Brindisi with the Mediterranean Fleet. After the Armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Sheldrake was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The destroyer served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Sheldrake served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet as an escort, transferring to Malta to serve with the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla as part of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1916. The ship once again served as an escort, protecting ships from submarines and mines, including the troopship Ivernia, as well as unsuccessfully attempting to rescue the sloop Nasturtium. After the Armistice, the destroyer was reduced to reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Brisk was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Brisk was the first destroyer equipped with two Brown-Curtis steam turbines and two shafts. At the start of the war, the ship served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. The destroyer spent most of the war in anti-submarine warfare and was upgraded for this purpose with increasing capacity for attack with depth charges. Despite being involved in many actions, the ship did not sink any enemy boats, although the ship did rescue many survivors of ships sunk, including the troop ship SS Mendi, as well as surviving a torpedo attack from the German submarine U-84 and hitting a mine, all in 1917. Having spent most of the war in the seas around the British Isles, Brisk ended the war as part of the Aegean Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet. After the Armistice, Brisk was placed in reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Staunch was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The destroyer served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Staunch acted as escort for the royal yacht Britannia at the Cowes Regatta the following year. At the start of the First World War, the vessel served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet as an escort, transferring to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla as part of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1915. As the year closed, Staunch assisted in the evacuation of troops at the end of the Gallipoli campaign. Despite the conditions, the destroyer managed to transport almost an entire battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment to safety. In 1917, while moored off the coast of Deir al-Balah supporting the monitors Raglan, M16 and M29, Staunch was torpedoed by the German submarine U-38. The destroyer sank, with eight sailors killed.
HMS Ruby was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, the ship served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla, joining the Grand Fleet at the start of the war. The destroyer served in escort and patrol roles, protecting merchant ships against German submarines. Despite multiple sightings and attacks, no submarine was claimed destroyed. In 1915, escort service in the Irish Sea proved too much for the destroyer's hull, which leaked and needed to be repaired. In 1916, while escorting the ocean liner Calgarian, the destroyer was again damaged attacking what was thought to be a German submarine but transpired to be wreckage from a merchant ship sunk by U-49. In 1917, the vessel was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet, joining the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice, the destroyer served in the Black Sea until being placed in reserve in 1919. Ruby was sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Martin was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The destroyer served in the First World War. The Acorn class was smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Martin joined the Second Destroyer Flotilla. After the British Empire declared war on Germany at the beginning of the First World War, the ship joined the Grand Fleet and was based at Devonport. While undertaking anti-submarine patrols and escorting merchant ships around the British Isles, the destroyer damaged the submarine U-60 and potentially sank U-69. Martin ended the war in Brindisi with the Mediterranean Fleet. After the Armistice, the destroyer remained in the Mediterranean until being sold to be broken up in 1920.
HMS Fury was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War. The Acorn class was smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Fury served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla, joining the Grand Fleet at the start of the war. Soon afterwards, in August 1914, the destroyer assisted in the unsuccessful attempt to rescue the stricken dreadnought battleship Audacious. In 1916, the vessel was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet, joining the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla. After the Armistice in 1918, the destroyer was placed in reserve. Fury was sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Nereide was one of 20 Acorn-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy. The destroyer served in the First World War. The Acorn class were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Nereide served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla based at the naval base at Devonport until being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1917. The vessel was employed primarily in an anti-submarine role, undertaking escort and patrol duties. In 1918, the destroyer participated in the bombardment of Durazzo. After the Armistice, the destroyer was reduced to reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Nemesis was an Acorn-class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy in the First World War. The Acorn class ships were smaller than the preceding Beagle class but were oil-fired and better armed. Launched in 1910, Nemesis served with the Second Destroyer Flotilla based at Scapa Flow. The vessel served as part of the Grand Fleet, taking part in exercises, and as an escort deployed at Devonport protecting shipping against submarines. Nemesis was undamaged by enemy action, despite a near-miss from a torpedo launched by the German submarine U-9, but was damaged in a collision with sister ship Nymphe. After a period with the Mediterranean Fleet, in 1917, the destroyer was loaned to the Imperial Japanese Navy with the new name Kanran. Crewed by Japanese sailors, Kanran joined the 11th Japanese Destroyer Division and spent the remainder of the war escorting ships crossing the Mediterranean Sea. After the Armistice, the destroyer was returned to Royal Navy service in 1919 but was reduced to reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.
HMS Mosquito was a Beagle-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Beagle class were coal-fuelled ships, designed for a speed of 27 kn and armed with a 4 in (102 mm) gun and two torpedo tubes. Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company at their Govan yard and launched in 1910, Mosquito was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in 1913, and spent most of the First World War in the Mediterranean. While participating in the Gallipoli campaign, the destroyer rescued the crew of the French battleship Bouvet, sunk by a naval mine. The vessel was transferred to Buncrana in the north of Ireland in 1917 and acted as an escort to convoys. In 1918, the destroyer helped to rescue survivors from the troopship Tuscania, sunk by a German U-boat. After the Armistice that ended the war, Mosquito was initially transferred to the Nore and then sold in 1920 to be broken up.
HMS Renard was a Beagle-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Beagles were coal-fuelled ships, designed for a speed of 27 kn and armed with a 4 in (102 mm) gun and two torpedo tubes. Built by Cammell Laird and launched in 1909, Renard was initially commissioned into the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth. In 1912, the warship joined the Third Destroyer Flotilla before being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet as part of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in 1913. As the First World War approached, the destroyer was based in Alexandria Egypt, but was swiftly redeployed to Malta, followed, in 1915, by action in the Dardanelles Campaign. While serving with the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron and its successor the Aegean Squadron, as well as undertaking escort duties, the destroyer supported sorties by irregular troops against the Ottoman Empire. After the Armistice of 1918 that ended the war, Renard was initially transferred to the Nore and then sold in 1920 to be broken up.
HMS Basilisk was a Beagle-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Beagles were coal-fuelled ships, designed for a speed of 27 kn and armed with a 4 in (102 mm) gun and two torpedo tubes. Built by J. Samuel White and launched in 1910, Basilisk was initially commissioned into the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth. In 1912, the warship joined the Third Destroyer Flotilla before being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet as part of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in 1913. As the First World War approached, the destroyer was based in Alexandria, Egypt, but was swiftly redeployed to Malta, followed, in 1915, by action in the Dardanelles Campaign. After the Armistice of 1918 that ended the war, Basilisk was initially transferred to the Nore and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.
HMS Harpy was a Beagle-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Beagles were coal-fuelled ships, designed for a speed of 27 kn and armed with a 4 in (102 mm) gun and two torpedo tubes. Built by J. Samuel White on the Isle of Wight and launched in 1909, Harpy was initially commissioned into the First Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth. In 1912, the warship joined the Third Destroyer Flotilla before being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet as part of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in 1913. As the First World War approached, the destroyer was based in Alexandra, Egypt, but was swiftly redeployed to Malta, followed, in 1915, by action in the Dardanelles Campaign. The destroyer subsequently served as an escort to convoys based at Buncrana, Ireland. After the Armistice of 1918 that ended the war, Harpy was initially transferred to the Nore and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.