HMS Thruster (1917)

Last updated

HMS Thisbe at sea (15841029496).jpg
Sister ship HMS Thisbe at sea in 1917
History
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Thruster
Builder Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Hebburn
Laid down2 June 1916
Launched10 January 1917
Commissioned30 March 1917
Out of service16 March 1937
FateSold to be broken up
General characteristics
Class and type R-class destroyer
Displacement
Length265 ft (80.8 m) (p.p.)
Beam26 ft 9 in (8.2 m)
Draught9 ft 8 in (2.9 m)
Installed power3 Yarrow boilers, 27,000  shp (20,000  kW)
PropulsionGeared Parsons steam turbines, 2 shafts
Speed36 knots (41 mph; 67 km/h)
Range3,440  nmi (6,370 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement82
Armament

HMS Thruster was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The R class were an improvement on the previous M class with geared steam turbines to improve efficiency. Built by Hawthorn Leslie and launched in January 1917, Thruster joined the Harwich Force, serving as part of a flotilla that escorted the monitors Erebus and Terror in their bombardment of Ostend in June that year. During the following month, Thruster, along with sister ship Springbok, captured the two German merchant ships SS Brietzig and SS Pellworm. The destroyer was also jointly credited with sinking the submarine UB-54 the following year. After the signing of the Armistice that ended the war, the destroyer was allocated to anti-submarine research and helped in the development of anti-submarine tactics with ASDIC. In April 1928, the ship took part in a high-speed demonstration for the King of Afghanistan, the Amanullah Khan, and, in January 1932, participated in the unsuccessful search for the crew of the submarine M2. Placed in reserve at the Nore in June 1936, Thruster was sold to be broken up in March 1937.

Contents

Design and development

Thruster was one of twelve R-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in March 1916 as part of the Eighth War Construction Programme. [1] The R class were a development of the preceding M-class, but differed in having geared turbines to improve fuel consumption, the central gun mounted on a bandstand and minor changes to improve seakeeping. [2]

The destroyer was 265 feet (80.8 m) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 26 feet 9 inches (8.2 m) and a draught of 9 feet 10 inches (3.0 m). Displacement was 975 long tons (991 t) normal and 1,035 long tons (1,052 t) at deep load. Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding two Parsons geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) and driving two shafts, to give a design speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). [3] Three funnels were fitted. A total of 296 long tons (301 t) of oil was carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph). [2]

Armament consisted of three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the second and third funnels. [3] A single QF 2-pounder 40 mm (2 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun was carried, while torpedo armament consisted of two rotating twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes. [1] The ship had a complement of 82 officers and ratings. [3]

Construction and career

Thruster was laid down by Hawthorn Leslie and Company in Hebburn on 2 June 1916, launched on 10 January 1917 and completed on 30 March 1917. [2] The ship was the first of the name in Royal Navy service. [4] On commissioning, Thruster joined the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Harwich Force. [5] The deployment was part of an overall strategy to increase the number of destroyers in naval service. [6]

On 4 June 1917, the destroyer formed part of the escort for the monitors Erebus and Terror in their bombardment of Ostend. [7] Out of the 115 shells fired, 20 hit the dockyard or nearby. This was to be the last such attack for many months. [8] On 14 July, the destroyer was cruising alongside sister ship Tarpon when the latter was struck by a mine. Thruster took the damaged ship under tow back to Dunkirk. [9] The following day, the destroyer encountered six German merchant ships off the coast of Texel. Along with fellow destroyer Springbok, Thruster captured two, SS Brietzig and SS Pellworm. Of the remainder, only one escaped to harbour. As the destroyer escorted the prizes back to Harwich, they were attacked by a torpedo launched by an unknown German submarine, but suffered no hits. The capture had taken place in neutral Dutch waters, so an apology was made to the government of the Netherlands. [10]

On 29 January 1918, the ship collided with Skilful, both destroyers suffering some damage, but Thruster was very quickly back in service. [11] Thruster was credited with the destruction of the submarine UB-54 by depth charges on 12 March with Retriever and Sturgeon off the east coast of Britain near the port of Skegness. [12] On 1 October, the destroyer returned to the Flanders coast for what would be one of the last patrols of the war. There were no incidents and the British ships returned unscathed. [13] Thruster remained part of the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla at the end of the war but was re-commissioned with a reduced complement on 19 October 1919 and acted as tender to Actaeon as part of the torpedo school HMS Vernon. [14] [15]

After being reduced to reserve crew on 6 February 1923, Thruster was recommissioned in Portsmouth as part of the Portland Anti-Submarine Flotilla on 26 May 1926. [16] While there, the ship took part in a number of trials of anti-submarine tactics as part of the development of ASDIC. [17] At the end of June and beginning of July 1927, the flotilla took part in exercises off Lamlash with the battlecruiser Tiger. [18] On 22 March 1928, Thruster collided with the submarine R4 while involved in an anti-submarine exercise involving both destroyers and submarines. There were.no casualties and the destroyer was undamaged. [19] On 3 April, the four destroyers of the Portland Anti-Submarine Flotilla, including Thruster, undertook a display of speed and dexterity, using depth charges to create a spectacle, for Amanullah Khan, the King of Afghanistan, while he was on a state visit. [20] During the following year, the destroyer joined the flotilla on visits to the Scilly Isles between 23 and 25 July, Dartmouth from 27 to 29 July and Torquay, leaving on 1 August, before returning to Portland. [21] Another cruise, which involved visits to Clovelly, Falmouth and Torquay, took place two years later between 4 and 14 July. [22] Thruster was also involved in the unsuccessful search for the crew of the submarine M2, sunk on 26 January 1932. [23] [24]

During 1933, the destroyer, along with the rest of the flotilla, was transferred to Chatham and given a full crew by 1 June. [25] Thruster was considered as part of the planned Royal Navy deployment in defence of traffic between Port Said and Alexandria on 19 October 1935 after the start of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War but withdrew before the outbreak of hostilities between Italy and the United Kingdom, which would not take place until 10 June 1940. [26] [27] The destroyer returned to Chatham on 21 April 1936. [28] Soon after, on 11 June, the ship was transferred to reserve at the Nore. [29] On 16 March 1937, Thruster was sold to Thos. W. Ward to be broken up at Grays. [30]

Pennant numbers

Pennant Number Date
F74September 1917 [31]
F76January 1918 [32]
G81January 1919 [33]
H73January 1922 [34]

Related Research Articles

HMS <i>Retriever</i> (1917) British R-class destroyer

HMS Retriever was a Thornycroft-built R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. Launched in 1917, the vessel formed part of the Harwich Force and took part in operations off the coast of Ostend in support of the bombardment of the town in June that year. During August the following year, the vessel attempted to deploy a seaplane from a towed lighter, but a lack of wind meant the operation was unsuccessful. The vessel was also jointly credited with the destruction of the submarine SM UB-54 that year, although this has been disputed. After the war, the ship was placed in reserve and was sold to be broken up in 1927.

HMS <i>Landrail</i> (1914) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Landrail was a Laforey-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Laforey class was the class of destroyers ordered under the Royal Navy's 1912–1913 construction programme, which were armed with three 4-inch (102 mm) guns and four torpedo tubes and were capable of 29 knots. The ship, which was originally to be named Hotspur but was renamed before launch, was built by the Scottish shipbuilder Yarrow between 1912 and 1914,

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

HMS Sharpshooter was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. Launched on 27 February 1917, the ship joined the Harwich Force, undertaking convoy escort duties. The vessel also took part in the Navy’s bombardment of Ostend later that year. On 1 June 1918, the destroyer rescued Captain A. C. Sharwood, one of the first pilots of the Royal Australian Navy, who ditched his Sopwith 2F.1 Camel nearby. After the war, Sharpshooter joined the Navy gunnery training establishment at Plymouth, but did not stay long and was reduced to Reduced Complement on 5 March 1919. The Royal Navy was rationalising its destroyer force and Sharpshooter, deemed superfluous, was sold to be broken up on 29 April 1927.

HMS <i>Springbok</i> Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Springbok was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. The R class were an improvement on the preceding M-class, including using geared steam turbines. Launched on 9 March 1917, the vessel operated as part of the Harwich Force on escort duties. In 1917, the destroyer, along with sister ship Thruster, captured the German merchant ships Brietzig and Pellworm. After the conflict, the destroyer initially was posted to the navy's torpedo school but was soon afterwards reduced to reserve. After less than ten years in service, Springbok was sold on 16 December 1926 and broken up.

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

HMS Redgauntlet was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. Launched on 2 July 1916, the ship operated as part of the Harwich Force during World War I and then, after the War, with the Home Fleet. While taking part in an anti-submarine patrol on 21 May 1917, the ship struck a mine but, although severely damaged, was able to return to England for repairs. Subsequently, the destroyer joined the anti-submarine school at Portsmouth before being sold to be broken up on 16 December 1926 after less than ten years service.

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

HMS Redoubt was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. The R class was an improvement of the preceding M-class, primarily through having geared steam turbines which offered greater efficiency and range. Launched on 28 October 1916, the ship joined the Harwich Force, operating as part of a destroyer flotilla undertaking convoy escort and anti-submarine operations in the North Sea. During 1918, Redoubt took part in an experiment to launch fighter aircraft from a lighter towed beyond a destroyer. The first flight took place on 1 August and the first successful operation ten days later when the Sopwith Camel flew by Lieutenant S.D. Culley took off and destroyed the German airship LZ 100. After the war, the vessel was transferred to the Home Fleet but was sold on 13 July 1926 to be broken up, part of a large scale disposal of older destroyers by the Navy.

HMS <i>Llewellyn</i> (1913) British L-Class destroyer, WW1

HMS Llewellyn was a Laforey-class destroyer that served with the Royal Navy. Laid down on 14 December 1912 as HMS Picton, the ship was renamed on 30 September 1913 under an Admiralty order to become one of the first alphabetical class destroyers, being launched on 30 October. On commissioning, the vessel joined the Third Destroyer Flotilla and operated as part of the Harwich Force during the First World War. The destroyer took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, as well as undertaking anti-submarine patrols and escort duties. It was during one of these patrols on 4 December 1916 that the vessel unsuccessfully attacked the German submarine UB-18. On 17 March 1917, the destroyer was struck in the bow by a torpedo launched by a German torpedo boat while rescuing survivors from the sunk destroyer Paragon, but returned to port safely by steaming backwards. With the cessation of hostilities, the ship was placed in reserve. Although subsequently offered for sale to the Finnish Navy, Llewellyn was instead withdrawn from service and sold to be broken up on 18 March 1922.

HMS <i>Lochinvar</i> (1915) British L-Class destroyer

HMS Lochinvar was a repeat Laforey-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. Named after the character in the poem Marmion, the ship was originally to be called HMS Malice but was renamed prior to being launched on 9 October 1915. The destroyer joined the Harwich Force and took part in anti-submarine patrols, as well as escorting the monitors Erebus and Terror for their attacks on the canal gates at Zeebrugge and the port of Ostend in 1917. After the Armistice, the vessel was placed in reserve and sold to be broken up on 25 November 1921.

HMS <i>Lawford</i> (1913) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

HMS Lawford was a Laforey-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. The Laforey class was the class of destroyers ordered under the Royal Navy's 1912–1913 construction programme, which were armed with three 4-inch (102 mm) guns and four torpedo tubes and were capable of 29 knots. The ship, which was originally to be named Ivanhoe but was renamed before launch, was built by the Scottish shipbuilder Fairfields between 1912 and 1914.

HMS <i>Penn</i> (1916) British M-Class destroyer, WW1

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 <i>Napier</i> (1915) British M-Class destroyer

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 <i>Stork</i> (1916) British R-Class destroyer

HMS Stork was an R-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The R-class were an improvement on the previous M-class with geared steam turbines to improve efficiency. Launched by Hawthorn Leslie at Hebburn in 1917, Stork joined the Harwich Force. The destroyer saw service escorting convoys in the English Channel and encountered both German submarines and torpedo boats, but did not record any hits on the enemy. The vessel also supported attacks on German forces on the coast of Western Europe by Coastal Motor Boats, flying boats and monitors, including the Zeebrugge Raid of 1918.

HMS <i>Salmon</i> (1916) British R-Class destroyer

HMS Salmon was an R-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The R class were an improvement on the previous M class with geared steam turbines to improve efficiency. Launched by Harland & Wolff at Govan in 1916, Salmon served with the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. The destroyer escorted convoys between Britain and Scandinavia. At the end of the war, the vessel was allocated to the Home Fleet but was given a reduced crew in 1919 as there was no longer the need for as many active ships in the navy. The destroyer subsequently helped in the searches following the loss of the submarines H47 and M2, as well as rescuing 10 members of the crew of the steamer Ioannois Fafalios, sunk after colliding with the freighter Bacchus. In 1933, Salmon was renamed Sable, which ironically had previously been the name of another R-class destroyer that had collided with the vessel in 1917, but only served three years with the new name. The destroyer was sold as part-payment in exchange for the liner Majestic in 1937 and broken up.

HMS <i>Oracle</i> (1915) British M-Class destroyer

HMS Oracle 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, capable of higher speed. The vessel was launched on 23 December 1915 and joined the Grand Fleet. Oracle spent much of the war involved in anti-submarine warfare. In August 1916, the destroyer rescued the crew of the light cruiser Nottingham, which had been sunk by a German submarine. In August 1917, the destroyer rammed and sank the submarine U-44. After the Armistice that marked the end of the First World War, the destroyer was transferred to Portsmouth. Initially, the destroyer was part of the local defence flotilla but soon Oracle was placed in reserve, decommissioned and, on 30 October 1921, sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Orford</i> (1916)

HMS Orford 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, capable of higher speed. The vessel was launched on 19 April 1916 and joined the Grand Fleet. Orford spent much of the war undertaking anti-submarine warfare patrols and escorting convoys across the Atlantic Ocean. Although based at Scapa Flow, the destroyer ranged far, often operating off the coast of Cornwall and even having a temporary transfer to Buncrana in Ireland in 1917. In 1918, the destroyer took part in one of the final sorties of the Grand Fleet, but saw no action. After the Armistice that marked the end of the First World War, Orford was placed in reserve, decommissioned and, on 31 October 1921, sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Opportune</i> (1915) British M-Class destroyer

HMS Opportune 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, capable of higher speed. The vessel was launched on 20 November 1915 and joined the Grand Fleet. Opportune spent much of the war involved in anti-submarine warfare. The ship took part in large patrols to seek out submarines which involved entire flotillas and also acted as an escort for convoys. After the Armistice that marked the end of the First World War, the destroyer was transferred to Portsmouth and placed in reserve. After a brief spell as a remote controlled target to test how warships responded to attacks by aircraft, Opportune was decommissioned and, on 7 December 1923, sold to be broken up.

HMS <i>Obedient</i> (1916) British M-Class destroyer

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 1916, 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 <i>Brisk</i> (1910) Destroyer of the Royal Navy

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 <i>Myngs</i> (1914) British M-Class destroyer

HMS Myngs 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. Myngs, the first ship to enter Royal Navy service to be named after Vice-Admiral Sir Christopher Myngs, was launched in 1914. initially serving as part of the Grand Fleet, the vessel was involved in escorting troop ships like RMS Mauretania before being transferred to the Harwich Force in 1915. Placed within the Dover Patrol, the destroyer continued to operate as an escort, as well as taking part in sorties against German warships. The vessel formed part of the cover for monitors including Erebus and Terror for an attack on Zeebrugge in 1918. Towards the end of the war, Myngs sank the monitor Glatton, which was alight following an internal explosion, with a single torpedo. After the Armistice, the destroyer was placed in reserve and subsequently sold to be broken up in 1921.

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Preston 1985, p. 81.
  2. 1 2 3 Friedman 2009, p. 310.
  3. 1 2 3 Parkes & Prendergast 1969, p. 107.
  4. ↑ Manning & Walker 1959, p. 448.
  5. ↑ "Supplement to the Navy List Showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: II — Harwich Force". The Monthly Navy List: 13. July 1917. Retrieved 14 April 2018– via National Library of Scotland.
  6. ↑ Naval Staff Monograph No. 34 1933, p. 379.
  7. ↑ Newbolt 1931, p. 45.
  8. ↑ Newbolt 1931, p. 47.
  9. ↑ Naval Staff Monograph No. 35 1939, p. 178.
  10. ↑ Naval Staff Monograph No. 35 1939, pp. 179–180.
  11. ↑ "ADM 137/3718 Collision between HMS THRUSTER and HMS SKILFUL". The National Archives. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  12. ↑ Messimer 2002, p. 173.
  13. ↑ Newbolt 1931, p. 363.
  14. ↑ "Supplement to the Navy List Showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: II.–Harwich Force". The Navy List: 13. December 1918. Retrieved 14 April 2018– via National Library of Scotland.
  15. ↑ "Thruster". The Navy List: 873. August 1920. Retrieved 14 April 2018– via National Library of Scotland.
  16. ↑ "Thruster". The Navy List: 274. July 1931.
  17. ↑ Hackmann 1984, p. 189.
  18. ↑ "Naval and Military: West Coast Cruise". The Times. No. 44624. 4 July 1927. p. 27.
  19. ↑ "Submarine R4 In Collision". The Times. No. 44849. 23 March 1928. p. 14.
  20. ↑ "Afghan King With The Fleet: A Display of Mimic Warfare". The Times. No. 44859. 4 April 1928. p. 9.
  21. ↑ "Naval, Military, And Air Force: Anti-Submarine Cruise". The Times. No. 45249. 8 July 1928. p. 9.
  22. ↑ "Naval, Military, And Air Force: Anti-Submarine Cruise". The Times. No. 45530. 4 July 1930. p. 28.
  23. ↑ "Submarine Missing". The Times. No. 46041. 27 January 1932. p. 10.
  24. ↑ McDonald 1972, p. 258.
  25. ↑ "The Services Royal Navy: Manning Changes". The Times. No. 46401. 24 May 1933. p. 27.
  26. ↑ "ADM 116/3038 British position in the event of war". The National Archives. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  27. ↑ Brown 2004, p. 27.
  28. ↑ "The Services Royal Navy: Destroyers Returning Home". The Times. No. 47354. 21 April 1936. p. 19.
  29. ↑ "The Services Royal Navy: Destroyer Changes". The Times. No. 47388. 30 May 1936. p. 8.
  30. ↑ Colledge & Warlow 2010, p. 350.
  31. ↑ Dittmar, Colledge & 1972, p. 70.
  32. ↑ Bush & Warlow 2021, p. 51.
  33. ↑ Bush & Warlow 2021, p. 67.
  34. ↑ Bush & Warlow 2021, p. 75.

Bibliography

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.