HMS Seraph (1918)

Last updated

HMS Sepoy (1918) IWM Q 092738.jpg
Sister ship Sepoy also serving in China in c.1930
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameSeraph
Namesake Seraph
Ordered7 April 1917
Builder Denny, Dumbarton
Yard number1099
Laid down10 October 1917
Launched8 July 1918
Completed25 December 1918
Out of service7 May 1934
FateSold to be broken up
General characteristics
Class and type S-class destroyer
Displacement
Length265 ft (80.8 m) p.p.
Beam26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Draught9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) mean
Propulsion
Speed36 knots (41.4 mph; 66.7 km/h)
Range2,750  nmi (5,090 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement90
Armament

HMS Seraph was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy during the Russian Civil War. The S class were a development of the previous Rclass, with minor differences, constructed at the end of the First World War. Seraph had a career as an evacuation vessel more than as a warship. Launched in 1918 by Denny, Seraph was originally destined for the Grand Fleet but, after the Armistice, the destroyer transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet based at Malta. The destroyer was sent into the Black Sea to support the White Russian forces in their fight against the Communists. The role involved supporting the movement of troops rather than firing at the enemy. Ultimately, the Communists won and Seraph helped the evacuation of White Russian troops from Crimea, returning to Malta in 1921. The destroyer was then stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean in 1923 in response to the tensions in Turkey. In 1927, the ship was sent to Hong Kong to serve under the Commander-in-Chief, China. In 1929, the vessel was once again called to evacuate, this time Christian missionaries from the Chinese Red Army. Once again, the evacuation took place without bloodshed. With the introduction of more modern destroyers, the Royal Navy started retiring the S class and, in 1934, Seraph was sold to be broken up.

Contents

Design and development

Seraph was one of thirty-three Admiralty Sclass destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty on 7 April 1917 as part of the Eleventh War Construction Programme. The design was a development of the Rclass introduced as a cheaper and faster alternative to the V and Wclass. [1] Differences with the R class were minor, such as having the searchlight moved aft. [2]

Seraph had an overall length of 276 ft (84 m) and a length of 265 ft (81 m) between perpendiculars. Beam was 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) and draught 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m). Displacement was 1,075 long tons (1,092 t) normal and 1,221 long tons (1,241 t) deep load. Three Yarrow boilers fed steam to two sets of Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000  kW ) and driving two shafts, giving a design speed of 36 knots (67  km/h ; 41  mph ) at normal loading and 32.5 knots (60.2 km/h; 37.4 mph) at deep load. Two funnels were fitted. A full load of 301 long tons (306  t ) of fuel oil was carried, which gave a design range of 2,750 nautical miles (5,090 km; 3,160 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). [3]

Armament consisted of three QF 4 in (102 mm) Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline. [4] One was mounted raised on the forecastle, one on a platform between the funnels and one aft. [5] The ship also mounted a single 2-pounder 40 mm (1.6 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun for air defence. Four 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes were carried in two twin rotating mounts aft. [4] Four depth charge chutes were also fitted aft. Typically ten depth charges were carried. [6] The ship was designed to mount two additional 18 in (457 mm) torpedo tubes either side of the superstructure but this required the forecastle plating to be cut away, making the vessel very wet, so they were removed. [2] The weight saved enabled the heavier Mark V 21-inch torpedo to be carried. [1] Fire control included a training-only director, single Dumaresq and a Vickers range clock. [7] The ship had a complement of 90 officers and ratings. [8]

Construction and career

Laid down on 10 October 1917 by William Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton with the yard number 1099, Seraph was launched on 8 July the following year. [9] The vessel was the first with the name to serve in the Royal Navy, and the second of six of the class to be built by the yard. [10] [8] Seraph was completed on 25 December shortly after the Armistice that ended the First World War. The vessel was destined to join the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. [11] However, with the dissolution of the Grand Fleet as the Royal Navy adjusted to peacetime operations, Seraph joined the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet and was transferred to Malta. [12]

Increasing awareness of the conflicts in the region, both the Greco-Turkish War and the Russian Civil War, meant that the Royal Navy transferred a number of warships into the Black Sea to assist the evacuation efforts. Seraph was sent to Crimea to support the White Russian forces, arriving in the Sea of Azov with sister ship Speedy in time to support their attack on Mariupol. [13] On 29 June 1919, Seraph assisted the Russian cruiser Kagul in the landing 300 Russian troops that captured Koktebel. [14] The destroyer was then posted to Feodosia arriving on 4 July. [15] Three days later, Seraph was sent to Constantinople to support the peaceful dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. [16]

As it became increasingly clear that the White Russians had lost the war, the ship was also involved in the evacuation of the Crimea. The vessel carried over typically 300 troops at a time, helping to rescue 5,500 people in one night, on 26 March 1920, and was involved in the evacuation of Sevastopol on 11 November. [17] The destroyer returned to Malta on 9 February 1921. [18] However, increasing tension between the new Greek and Turkish states meant the navy built up forces in the Eastern Mediterranean. [19] Seraph was sent to Chanak along with three other destroyers under the flotilla leader Montrose. Returning to Malta on 3 May 1923 for a respite, the destroyer returned to the area 21 days later. [20] [21] With the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne on 24 July, the Mediterranean Fleet was able to be reduced and the destroyers returned to UK waters. [22] On 4 December, Seraph was placed in the Reserve Fleet at Devonport. [23]

On 7 January 1927, the destroyer was recommissioned with a full complement and left on 8 February to join the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla, operating under the Commander-in-Chief, China. [24] By 4 June, the destroyer had joined a multinational force, with warships from the Japanese and US Navies, based in Nanking, in the aftermath of the Nanking incident. [25] On 1 October 1929, the vessel was recommissioned, having arrived in Hong Kong. [26] On 26 December, the destroyer was called upon to sail to Shanwei to evacuate Christian missionaries threatened by the advancing Chinese Red Army. Taking the Apostolic vicar, Enrico Valtorta, as an interpreter, Seraph arrived the following day, and set a cutter to negotiate, containing Valtorta and fifty soldiers, under a flag of truce. The negotiations were successful and no shots were fired. [27]

On 22 April 1930, the London Naval Treaty was signed, which limited total destroyer tonnage in the Royal Navy. The force was looking to introduce more modern destroyers and so needed to retire some of the older vessels. [28] Seraph was retired and, on 7 May 1934, sold to Thos. W. Ward to be broken up at Pembroke Dock. [29]

Pennant numbers

Penant numbers
Pennant number Date
G60November 1918 [30]
F25January 1919 [31]
D041923 [32]

Related Research Articles

HMS <i>Montrose</i> (D01) Scott class, Admiralty type flotilla leader

The first HMS Montrose was one of eight Admiralty-type destroyer leaders, sometimes known as the Scott class. They were named after figures from Scottish history; Montrose was named for the Graham Dukes of Montrose. She was built during the First World War, but was completed too late for service then. However, she had a long career in the inter-war years and saw extensive service during the Second World War.

S-class destroyer (1917) Class of destroyers built for the Royal Navy

The S class was a class of 67 destroyers ordered for the Royal Navy in 1917 under the 11th and 12th Emergency War Programmes. They saw active service in the last months of the First World War and in the Russian and Irish Civil Wars during the early 1920s. Most were relegated to the reserve by the mid-1920s and subsequently scrapped under the terms of the London Naval Treaty. Eleven survivors saw much action during the Second World War.

HMS <i>Rosalind</i> (1916) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Rosalind was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. The ship was launched by Thornycroft on 14 October 1916 as the first of five similar ships ordered from the yard. The design was used as the basis for five subsequent ships of the S-class also built by the company. Rosalind served as part of the Grand Fleet during the First World War, operating as an escort to other warships and in anti-submarine patrols alongside other destroyers. The vessel was sold to be broken up on 13 July 1926.

HMS <i>Ursula</i> (1917) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Ursula was a Modified Admiralty R-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy. The Modified R class added attributes of the Yarrow Later M class to improve the capability of the ships to operate in bad weather. The vessel was launched on 21 April 1917 at Greenock in Scotland and served with the Grand Fleet during World War I. After the war, the destroyer was transferred to the Home Fleet, but then moved to the Reserve Fleet before, on 19 November 1929, being sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Umpire</i> (1917) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Umpire was a modified Admiralty R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. The Modified R class added attributes of the Yarrow Later M class to improve the capability of the ships to operate in bad weather. Launched on 9 June 1917, the ship operated with the Grand Fleet during World War I as an escort to a squadron of light cruiser and took part in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. After the Armistice, the vessel continued to serve and gained fame when its penant number, H10, was used as the name of the first house opened by what would become Veterans Aid after it had rescued the charity's founder from drowning. Umpire was sold to be broken up in 1930.

HMS <i>Romola</i> (1916) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Romola was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. Launched on 14 May 1916, the ship operated as part of the Grand Fleet, operating as part of a destroyer flotilla. The ship sailed to intercept the German High Seas Fleet in what would be one of the last major expeditions of their Navy in the war but saw no action. After the conflict, the destroyer was held in reserve until being retired and sold to be broken up on 13 March 1930.

HMS <i>Rocket</i> (1916) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Rocket was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. Launched on 2 July 1916 after being stuck on the slipway since 30 June, the ship joined the Grand Fleet, operating as part of a destroyer flotilla undertaking anti-submarine operations in the North Sea. Although the ship did not successfully engage any German submarines, there was an incident with the Royal Navy boat K7 on 16 June 1917, although that attack was aborted after the erstwhile target was identified as a friendly vessel. After the War, the destroyer served with the anti-submarine and torpedo schools at Portsmouth, and briefly during the Chanak Crisis of 1922, before being sold to be broken up on 16 December 1926.

HMS <i>Speedy</i> (1918)

HMS Speedy was an S-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War, Russian Civil War and the Greco-Turkish War. Speedy was one of a pair of destroyers ordered from Thornycroft with more powerful geared turbines and design changes like a raised forecastle that improved seakeeping. Launched on 1 June 1918, the vessel operated as part of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet for the last months the War. After the Armistice, the vessel joined the Mediterranean Fleet and took part in actions in the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. It was during action there that the ship struck a tug on 24 September 1922. The collision sank the destroyer, killing ten sailors.

HMS <i>Tobago</i> (1918)

HMS Tobago was an S-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the Greco-Turkish War. Launched by Thornycroft on 15 July 1918, the vessel followed a design typical of the yard by being faster than the majority of the class, and also had better seakeeping properties thanks to a raised forecastle. The destroyer operated as part of the Grand Fleet for the last few weeks of the First World War, and, after the Armistice, joined the Mediterranean Fleet based in Malta. While serving in off the coast of Turkey, the ship hit a mine on 15 July 1920, exactly two years after being launched. Despite the relative youth of the vessel, the damage was deemed irrepairable and so Tobago returned to Malta and was sold for scrap on 9 February 1922.

HMS <i>Tourmaline</i> (1919) British S-class destroyer

HMS Tourmaline was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy during the Greco-Turkish War and the Russian Civil War. Tourmaline was one of three destroyers ordered from Thornycroft in June 1917 with more powerful geared turbines than the majority of the class as well as design changes that improved seakeeping. Launched on 19 April 1919, the vessel operated as part of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla serving with the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets. After serving in the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara, during which sister ships Speedy and Tobago were lost, Tourmaline led the Gibraltar Local Defence Flotilla. The London Naval Treaty, signed 1930, required the retirement of some destroyers to meet the Royal Navy's tonnage requirement and Tourmaline was chosen for retirement. The destroyer was decommissioned on 28 November 1931 after 12 years of service and broken up.

HMS <i>Swallow</i> (1918) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Swallow was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy. The S class were a cheaper and faster alternative to the larger V and W class most recently procured by the service. Launched on 1 August 1918, Swallow took part in one of the final acts of the Harwich Force on 1 October as part of a flotilla that unsuccessfully tried to intercept the retreating German troops. After the armistice, Swallow was transferred to the Mediterranean fleet and served in the Black Sea covering the evacuation of demobilised forces from Batumi and Marmara Ereğlisi. Returning to the United Kingdom in 1923, the vessel was placed in reserve until 1936. On 24 September in that year, after just under eighteen years in service, Swallow was one of the destroyers exchanged for RMS Majestic and subsequently broken up at Inverkeithing.

HMS <i>Serapis</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Serapis was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy during the Greco-Turkish and Russian Civil Wars. Launched on 17 September 1918, the vessel was not completed until after the closing of the First World War. The ship joined the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla in the Reserve Fleet at Rosyth. The ship was then commissioned and sent to Constantinople to support refugees escaping from the conflicts in the Black Sea. The destroyer assisted in the evacuation of the Crimea in 1919 and helped rescue about nine hundred people from Smyrna in 1922. In 1929, Serapis was transferred to Hong Kong to serve in China. However, the signing of the London Naval Treaty in 1930 meant that the Royal Navy looked to retire older vessels. Serapis was sold to be broken up on 25 January 1934.

HMS <i>Tribune</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Tribune was an S-class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy during the Russian Civil War. Launched in 1918, the vessel entered service with the Aegean Squadron of the Mediterranean Fleet. Tribune saw no action during the during the First World War but was involved in supporting the evacuation of refugees from the Russian Civil War, particularly from Crimea in 1920 and 1921. The ship also visited Constantinople in 1920 and 1922 during the Turkish War of Independence. In 1923, the destroyer was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet. In 1929, the ship took part in simulated amphibious warfare with the Territorial Army. In 1930, the signing of the London Naval Treaty required the Royal Navy to retire older destroyers before acquiring new ones. Tribune was one of those chosen for retirement and, in 1931, the destroyer was sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Trinidad</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Trinidad was an S-class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy. The ship was named after the island in the West Indies. Launched on 8 May 1918, the vessel entered service with the Grand Fleet but saw no action during the during the First World War. After the Armistice, Trinidad joined the Mediterranean Fleet. War had broken out between Greece and Turkey and there was intelligence that the Soviet Union was selling warships to one of the belligerents. Trinidad was part of a small flotilla that was sent to investigate and, ultimately, halt this trade. However, it turned out to be a hoax. The destroyer subsequently returned to Constantinople. In 1930, the signing of the London Naval Treaty required the Royal Navy to retire older destroyers before acquiring new ones. Trinidad was one of those chosen for retirement and, on 16 February 1932, the destroyer was sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Sepoy</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Sepoy was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War and the Russian Civil War. Sepoy was launched in 1918 and initially joined the Grand Fleet. After the Armistice that ended the First World War, the ship was briefly transferred to the Reserve Fleet before sailing to Tallinn in 1919 as part of the Royal Navy response to the fighting there. Sepoy rejoined the Reserve Fleet at the end of the year. In 1922, the destroyer served in the Mediterranean Sea. The ship was later allocated to the naval base in Hong Kong, arriving in 1929. During exercises the following year, a depth charge explosion killed six sailors. The destroyer was also damaged. Following the signing of the London Naval Treaty a few days later, Sepoy returned to the United Kingdom and, in 1932, was sold to be broken up at Newport, Wales.

HMS <i>Senator</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Senator was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War, Greco-Turkish War and Russian Civil War. The S class were a development of the previous R class, and Senator was the first of six constructed by Denny. Senator was launched on 2 April 1918 and joined the Mediterranean Fleet. After the Armistice that ended the First World War, the destroyer continued to serve in active duty, both in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. For example, in 1919, the ship helped cover the evacuation of Russian troops from Batumi. In 1925, Senator was placed in reserve and, in 1936, was given to Thos. W. Ward of Sheffield in part-exchange for the liner RMS Majestic.

HMS <i>Northesk</i> British M-Class destroyer

HMS Northesk was an 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 6 July 1916 and joined the Grand Fleet. Northesk was involved in escorting convoys, including the first southbound convoy on the coastal route between Lerwick andImmingham in 1917. After the Armistice that marked the end of the First World War, the destroyer joined the Mediterranean Fleet and operated in the area around Sevastopol, including assisting in the evacuation of the Crimea in 1919. Soon afterwards, on 9 May 1921, Northesk was decommissioned and sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Shamrock</i> (1918) Royal Navy S class destroyer

HMS Shamrock was an S-class destroyer, which served with the Royal Navy in the twentieth century. Launched on 26 August 1918 just before the end of the First World War, the ship was commissioned into the Home Fleet. A year later, the destroyer was sent to the Baltic Sea during the Russian Civil War to support Latvia, arriving just at the cessation of that country's war of independence. The vessel was later sent to join the Local Defence Flotilla at Gibraltar, being commissioned in 1934. It was while serving there that the destroyer helped evacuate civilians from Malaga at the start of the Spanish Civil War. Shamrock was retired soon after and sold to be broken up on 23 November 1936.

HMS <i>Hope</i> (1910) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

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 <i>Sheldrake</i> (1911) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Sheldrake 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, 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 and transport Minnetonka. After the Armistice, the destroyer was reduced to reserve before being sold to be broken up in 1921.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Preston 1985, p. 85.
  2. 1 2 March 1966, p. 221.
  3. ↑ Friedman 2009, p. 297.
  4. 1 2 Preston 1985, p. 84.
  5. ↑ Friedman 2009, p. 163.
  6. ↑ Friedman 2009, p. 236.
  7. ↑ Friedman 2009, p. 146.
  8. 1 2 Parkes & Prendergast 1969, p. 107.
  9. ↑ Lyon 1975, p. 719.
  10. ↑ Manning & Walker 1959, p. 401.
  11. ↑ "Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet". Supplement to The Monthly Navy List: 12. October 1918. Retrieved 12 November 2021– via National Library of Scotland.
  12. ↑ "Mediterranean Fleet". The Navy List: 712. October 1919. Retrieved 12 November 2021– via National Library of Scotland.
  13. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 81.
  14. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 93.
  15. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 98.
  16. ↑ "British Navy's Aid". The Times . No. 42456. 7 July 1920. p. 13.
  17. ↑ Halpern 2019, pp. 189–190, 283–284.
  18. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 302.
  19. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 294.
  20. ↑ "Imperial and Foreign News". The Times. No. 43332. 4 May 1923. p. 11.
  21. ↑ "British Ships Return to the Dardenelles". The Times. No. 43350. 25 May 1923. p. 12.
  22. ↑ Halpern 2019, p. 300.
  23. ↑ "Seraph". The Navy List: 269. April 1925.
  24. ↑ "Warships On China Station". The Times. No. 44599. 9 February 1927. p. 14.
  25. ↑ "Foreign Warships In The Yangtze". The Times. No. 44599. 4 June 1927. p. 12.
  26. ↑ "Seraph". The Navy List: 269. July 1931.
  27. ↑ Galbiati 1985, pp. 317–319.
  28. ↑ Friedman 2009, p. 211.
  29. ↑ Colledge & Warlow 2006, p. 317.
  30. ↑ Dittmar & Colledge 1972, p. 75.
  31. ↑ Bush & Warlow 2021, p. 47.
  32. ↑ Bush & Warlow 2021, p. 33.

Bibliography

  • Bush, Steve; Warlow, Ben (2021). Pendant Numbers of the Royal Navy: A Complete History of the Allocation of Pendant Numbers to Royal Navy Warships & Auxiliaries. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN   978-1-526793-78-2.
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006). Ships of the Royal Navy: a complete record of all fighting ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th century to the present. London: Chatham. ISBN   978-1-85367-566-9.
  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN   978-0-71100-380-4.
  • Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the First World War. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN   978-1-84832-049-9.
  • Galbiati, Fernando (1985). P'eng P'ai and the Hai-Lu-Feng Soviet. Stanford: Stanford University Press. ISBN   978-0-80471-219-4.
  • Halpern, Paul (2019). The Mediterranean Fleet, 1919-1929. London: Routledge. ISBN   978-1-91142-387-4.
  • Lyon, David John (1975). The Denny List: Ship numbers 769-1273. London: National Maritime Museum. OCLC   256517657.
  • Manning, Thomas Davys; Walker, Charles Frederick (1959). British Warship Names. London: Putnam. OCLC   780274698.
  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953. London: Seeley Service. OCLC   164893555.
  • Parkes, Oscar; Prendergast, Maurice (1969). Jane's Fighting Ships 1919. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. OCLC   907574860.
  • Preston, Antony (1985). "Great Britain and Empire Forces". In Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN   978-0-85177-245-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.