R class Destroyer (1916)

The R class is certainly one of the most important destroyer class in WWI Britain. The first R class represented a total of no less 62 destroyers built between 1916 and 1917 as an improvement of the Admiralty M-class in several areas but most specifically fuel economy, having for example two instead of three shafts/geared turbines and their aft 4-inch gun mounted in a bandstand. The prototypes were ordered in May 1915 then 17 in July 1915, 8 in December 1915, 13 in March 1916 of which 11 were of a modified design. 50 were under the standard ‘Admiralty’ design, 12 by Yarrow Shipbuilders and John I. Thornycroft & Co. under their own designs and 5 more ordered from them.
They were also the last three-funnelled destroyers and they saw extensive service, some as minelayers. Eight were lost in action and survivors were scrapped in the interwar due to the Washington treaty reductions, but one survived, HMS Radiant, to be resold as Phra Ruang in September 1920 to the Thai Navy and seeing action in 1941. HMS Skate, used as TS and other roles, escaped scrapping and was also present in 1939, acting as convoy escort, and having the distinction of being the oldest RN destroyer in WW2…

Development

The M class already a mass-produced design and a good design, but they lacked range, a common critic towards this generation of steam turbines destroyers. Like their precedessors they had three shafts, three turbines. Albeit it gave extra flexibility and redundancy as the central shaft turbine, stagerred, could be used for cruising, fuel economy was simply not there. With escort work, it was estimated these ships needed a range enabling them to reach at least the mid-Atlantic (German submarines of the time also lacked range and limited themselves to the British Isles waters), and perform multiple submarine chases. For this, they needed also the reserve to zip in and out of convoy. From 1917 with unlimited submarine warfare, the entire Atlantic, including the east coast of the US became fair game. At this rate, the US entered the war and also had their own classes, like the Caldwell (6 ships launched) as well as their precessors were taking over escort work from the mid-Atlantic. But back in mid-1915, it was recoignized the M-class then in mass-contruction lacked range to reach the mid-Atlantic and at best they could only patrol around the British Isles.

So in July 1915, the Admiralty Board gave approval for all future destroyers to be engined with two-shaft geared turbines instead of three in order to reduce fuel consumption, preferably Brown-Curtis, which by that time had developed a new, larger steam turbine with a well thought HP and LP stages promising larger fuel economy. This far-sighted move was made only on the basis of the success of a year’s service of L-class built with these turbines, HMS Leonidas and Lucifer. So once the powerplant choice, alongside space gains that would allow installing larger fuel tanks, in other respects the new class, already called the “R” were to be merely a duplication of the standard “M” class design to gain time in design and for the shipyards to cause less disruption when transiting from this one to another.

There were still a few modifications, like adding more flare forward on the forecastle as well as a 0.3m more freeboard for improved seaworthiness for Atlantic escort work. Other improvements was that the aft of “Q” 4-inches or 102mm QF gun was placed on a bandstand and that a more robust bridge structure would be built, also to better deal with bad weather. The silhouette however did not changed much with the same appearance overall as the M class, and the same three round funnels, each for a Yarrow boiler (Or White-Forster in some cases). The bridge was bulkier, sturdier, by also 2.7m wider. So the 40mm pom-poms at the end of the forecastle were now changed to a single one, replacing the 2-inches or 51cm searchlight on its platform between the Torpedo Tubes. However some late produced M and early R class had two extra 14 inches of 356mm torpedo tubes, one fixed on each beam, added at the break of the forecastle as an extra armament against surfaced submarines more than German TBs.

Overall, the new geared turbines became a stunning success, providing both the high speed required, but with less cavitation, a bit less noise, already important for German U-Boats used early hydrophones by 1916, and they helped as planned to reduce fuel consumption. On trials, the class lead-ship, HMS Romola, sometimes leading authors to name it the “Romola class” maintained 36 knots (66 kph) for four hours in light load (no ammo, reduced crew, food, water and fuel). On her acceptance trials she still reached 32.5 kts (60 kph) while deeply loaded. Comparative trials runs between Romola and the N class HMS Norman showed the “R” class used 15% less fuel at 18 knots (33 kph) and 28% less fuel at 25 knots, resulting in an increase of 17.8 % and 40 % of range at these rates, quite an achievement. The Yarrow “specials” were the only ships to retain direct-drive turbines as well and the oil fuel bunkerage was even increased further as seen above compared with the M class. More details below as well as builder’s specifics.

Design of the class

Hull and General Outlook

The R-class destroyers had the same hull as the previous M class, they displaced 975 long tons (991 t) standard for 1,035 long tons (1,052 t) for those built by Thornycroft and 930 long tons (940 t) built by Yarrow at standard load, then between 1,200 and 1,244 tonnes for the Admiralty design, and for the Thornycroft specials 1,208 tonnes, then for the Yarrow specials 1,051 tonnes. The latter was indeed 200 tonnes lighter, which is not small at that scale. The admiralty design measured 276 ft (84.1 m) overall for a beam of 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m) and draught of 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m). Of course again the Thornycrift and Yarrow desifn diverged.
The general outlook was the same however as for the M class, apart the beefier bridge, and aft deck gun moved on a bandstand. The fortecastle still represented less than 1/3 of the overall lenght. The stem was still angled, but near straight, there was a slight increase of a foot or 3 cm more freeboard towards the prow (slight slope up) and more flare for better seakeeping. They had two main anchors port and starboard, and had half moon bulwarks past the forecastle cut to protect the deck. The ships also kept the preculiar three raked funnels of their precessors with a large central one and thinner fore and aft funnels. They also had a raked, taller foremast carrying wireless radio cables anchored to the smaller aft mast.

The main guns were placed a different way: “A” was located still on the forecastle protected by a small gun shield, then “Q” remains on a bandstand between the amidship and aft funnels, and “Y” was no elevated on a bandstand instead of on deck to better cope with water splashes aft in heavy weather. The popom AA guns had been reduced to a single mount relocated between the torpedo tbe banks (twins) and the former 51 cm or 2 inches light projector here was rleocated on a platform behind “B” TT bank.

The aft raked mast was now anchored on the pompom platform structure. As for the bridge it was as said before now no longer a simple platform covered with canvas but a hard-built three faceted structure, opened to the rear with a frame above that could be wrapped in tarpaulins to deal with the weather as well, and a fire control system as well as a light projector on a platform aft of it. It was beamier and had wings extending full beam, supported by pillars. The ships still had two cutters under davits abeam the first two funnels, for a crew of 82 officers and ratings.
Note that calling them the “R” class is deceiptive. In reality the names differed like for the M class, some being named in “S” and “T”. The latter “modified R class”, next post, are given mostly “U” names. As usual 1st Lord of the Admiralty W. Churchill is believed to have a say or even drafting himself these names.

Powerplant

The R class of the admiralty design (all yards but Thornycroft and Yarrow) had three Yarrow boilers except HMS Sable and Setter from White, Cowes that had White-Forster models. They were nearly all also powered by three geared Brown Curtis steam turbines for a total output of 27,000 shp. The exceptions were Redoubt, Recruit, Satyr, Sharpshooter, Starfish, Stork, Thisbe, Thruster from Doxford and Hawthorne Leslie, perhaps due to shortages, had Parson turbines intead. They also had two 26.25 kw dynamos arranged in parallel.
Top speed was setup to 36 knots (41.4 mph; 66.7 km/h) on trials, 32 knots in service. Range was 3,440 nmi (6,370 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h). To compare, the repeat M class, ranging from 23,000 to 26,500 hp on three shafts (some had three, others had to turbines) had a range likely down to 2000 nm at 14-15 knots but this varied greatly among sources. See dreadnoughtproject.org for trials full range figures at various speeds and specs of modified “R”.

Armament

The R class were armed like the M class, except for “X” on a bandstand. To recall, “A” was forward on the forecastle, “Q” amidship, and “X” the aft gun, now on a bandstand. Like the previous class they also had as standard two sets of twin torpedo tubes for the 21 inches standard Mark II or later types (2 to 5-starred models depending on availability). Lastly, they had a 40 mm or 2-pdr pompom AA gun located on a platform aft of the second TT bank. This improved its fore arc versus one either side of the bridge on the previous design and became a standard position. As usual during the war they were equipped with depth charges and projectors. A few were also converted as minelayers.

4-in Mark IV/40 (101.6 mm)

The QF 4-inch gun Mk IV was introduced in 1911 as a faster-loading light gun, successor to the BL 4 inch Mk VIII. 1,141 were produced, and of these, 939 were still available in 1939. They evolved later into the XII and Mk XXII variants which armed British interwar and World War II submarines as deck guns. The Mark IV remained in service on all WWI destroyers as standard, but the late war V-W classes. On the Laforeys they were called “A” (forecastle), “Q” (amidship) and “X” (aft deck). They used P. IX mountings as the preceding L class and last Acasta batch. Usual round provision was 120 rounds (per gun), with 36 common, 84 lyddite, 19 practice rounds, but no illumination rounds. If elevation was possible up to 20 degrees the sight onbly reached 15 degrees athough whereas the range dial only went to 12.5 degrees, that is the equivalent of 7,900 yards. Later, additional sight strips graduated to 10,200 yards were provided.

The midship “Q” gun was supplied with ammunition from the forward stores, so that the gun crew was larger for it, with extra loaders to make up for the distance. There was a deflection gearing corresponding to 2200 fps at 2000 yards and drift was corrected by 2 degrees correction. Each gun had a layer’s telescope, which sight line was 12.5 inches above the bore, 21.45 inches to its left and the trainer’s own 12.5 top, 17.4 in right respectively, with open sights 13.3 in above, 24.35 in (layer) or 20.3 in (trainer). In wartime some ships lost the “X” or aft gun to make room for depth charges.

⚙ Specifications

Mass: 2,750 pounds (1,250 kg) barrel & breech, barrel 160 inches (4.064 m) bore (40 cal.)
Breech: horizontal sliding-block
Elevation: P IX Mount: -10° to +20°. 1917 CP III Mount: +30°
Muzzle velocity: 2,370 feet per second (720 m/s), range 11,580 yards (10,590 m) at +30°.
Shell: Separate QF 31 pounds (14.06 kg) 4-inch (101.6 mm)

QF 2-Pdr (40mm/39) QF Mk II pom-pom

Ubiquitous AA gun of the RN in WWI, still used in WW2 in many new versions. Two were placed abaft the bridge on the aft upper deck in previous classes but the issue with this position was their inability to cross-fire so on the R class they were relocated on an amidship platform, where the “Q” gun was previously located. The usual provision was one, but some had two and this became common towards the end of the war.

⚙ specifications

Mass: 850 lb (390 kg), length 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m).
Shell: 40×158mmR 40.4 mm (1.59 in) filling 71 g (2.5 oz)
Feed system: 14-round steel-link belt, 115 rpm, 732 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 3,960 m (13,300 ft) A/A ceiling

21-in Torpedoes

The R class had two double revolving 21-in torpedo tubes on the centreline. In standard they were equipped with the 21-in Mark II** torpedo, or 3-starred if available, and later swapped to the 21-in Mark II***** (5 starred) variant. HMS Fearless and this class had above water tubes built with screw plugs to allow an alteration of range and depth and for the gyro angle to be adjusted. The charging valve could be accessed, the collision head filled while in the tube. The RGF Mk II 21-in torpedo had a Hardcastle heater to run at 50 kts (93 km/h; 58 mph) over 1000yds (910 m) or 12,000yds (11,000 m) at 30kts (56 km/h; 35 mph). But if present, it was due to shortages. Mark II** had a 2,500 psi pressure as special setup, over the standard normal 2,350 psi. To reach the highest ranges, normal pressure was used to reduce consumption. The Mark II** was used as standard until 1918 as more recent Marks were preferrably assigned to more recent destroyers.Some ships were also given single surplus 356 mm or 14 inches tubes at the beam, two in all, with limited traverse.

⚙ Specs 21-in Mark II*****

The Mark Two five star or “two-five” entered service in 1916.
Weight: 2,953 lb (1,339 kg), Length: 22 ft (6.7 m), warhead 400 lb (180 kg) TNT
Settings: 18,000 yd (16,000 m)/19 kts, 15,000 yd (14,000 m)/24 knots, 6,000 yd (5,500 m)/35 knots, 4,500 yd (4,100 m)/45 knots (83 km/h).
Usually captains preferred the fastest, shortest setup as it was easier to calculate for close combat engagements with peer vessels, and the longest for “distruptive launches” in line battle.

Depth Charges

These ships, completed in 1916-1917, were never equipped with the explosive sweep, mated with an electrically-fired charge of earlier vessels, as it was proven almost useless*. Most were refited with two depth charge throwers (Y-guns) and four stern chutes for 12 charges. There could be eight spares, and one one “runner” with 23 charges in some cases.
It’s a paradox that a new type of minesweeping gear was still fitted on HMS Skate in 1940, but ot was to deal with magnetic mines.

Mines

If equipped with rails for 44-60 mines, which only concerned in 1917 HMS Tarpon and Telemachus (later Venturous of the V class), fitted as minelayers temporarily until 1918) they lost two main guns (keeping “A” and their TT banks.
These were Elia mines, invented by Captain G. Elia of the Italian Navy, of a buoyant type with long lever. If triggered by a passing by hull, the lever rotated and detonated the mine.
Specs: Weight 448 lbs. (203 kg), charge 220 lbs. (100 kg) TNT. Diameter 32.9 in (83.6 cm).

Fire Control

Grand Fleet destroyers tested the combo of dumaresqs and Vickers Range Clocks with classic voicepipes was a crucial advantage in accuracy versus simple unaided aiming, but this required some training in the new equipment. To find a rangefinder small enough and low enough to be effective was also a challenge, but by order of 3 April, 1916 all M class, R class, S class would be equipped with a Waymouth-Cooke sextant rangefinder, a Vickers Range Clock, a Dumaresq system and range and deflection receivers at each gun. This required two ratings to be trained to work this equipment for calibration. But installation was gradual and they were bottlenecks. More were available in numbers from 1917 and by mid-1917 the while Harwich Force was so equipped.
Director Firing System were tested also for installation by May 1918 and at the end of the war they started to received a voice pipe to the director, fire gong on the fore bridge and repeat receivers installed in a way to be visible to the director sightsetter.

The Torpedo Control was not forgotten either, with electrical Torpedo Control Instruments in almost all “R” class destroyers consisting in a single sighting position high in the bridge, using simple firing pushes or keys operating a buzzer at the forward torpedo mount and rattler for the aft mount to differenciate them to the operators.
There was a single Mark I deflection transmitter for separate order transmitters and keys with the mounts having a combined receiver for these. By 1921, they were upgraded to the Torpedo Deflection Sight Mark IIIs.

Modernizations

Speaking of upgrades, there were many modifications from 1916 to 1930+ when the last were discarded:
As said above, in addition of the 21-inches tubes, some ships received after commission two extra 356mm TT or 14 inches beam torpedo tubes. These were surplus older models that could add some firepower, located on the beam, at a point they caused a bit less extra roll or pitch. They were not reloadable at sea.
In 1917 also as seen above, Tarpon, Telemachus were fitted as minelayers for 44 to 60 mines depending of the type.

The case of HMS Skate:

In the late 1930s, the last R class still around, HMS Skate, was converted to a minelayer. She had her aft “X” 4-in/40 gun landed as well as one (the aftermost) 21-inches or 533mm TT bank, rails were fitted for 40 mines of the latest type. This was found so useful she was used as prototype for conversion of more recent destroyers and save her from the scrapyard. By early 1940, still around, she was obilized and reconverted as a minesweeper to deal with magnetic mines: She lost her amidship “Q” gun, lost her songle pompom 40mm/39 AA aft and second 21-in TT bank for a quad 40mm/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII repalcing her single 1914 model. She also received two quad 12.7mm or 0.5 inches/62 Vicker HMG AA mounts in place of “Q” position. She also gaine a magnetic minesweeping gear.

Still in mid-1941, Skate now was reconverted as an escort destroyer. She lost her quad 40mm/39 and quad Vickers 0.5 in mounts plus minesweeping gear for a single 3-in/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II/V AA and two 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV AA guns, eight DCT (throwers), two DCR (racks) for a total of 70 DC. This was completed by a type 286 radar, type 133 sonar. Her full displacement went up to 1,360 t.
In 1942 she was further modified, with two more 20mm/70 Oerlikon Mk II/IV installed and a new type 271 radar…

Author’s old profile at 1/750 scale. Ther were all 3-funneled (and the last to be so).

⚙ R class Admiralty specifications
Displacement	975 long tons (991 t) standard, 1200 – 1244t FL
Dimensions	276 ft x 26 ft 9 in x 9 ft 10 in (84.1 x 8.15 x 3 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts Brown Curtis turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers: 27,000 shp
Speed	36 knots (41.4 mph; 66.7 km/h) trials
Range	296-300t oil, 2,380-3,440 nm at 14-15 kts
Armament	3x QF 4-in Mk.IV, 2-pdr pom-pom Mk. II, 2×2 21 in TTs
Crew	82

Admiralty R class Career

Radstock (D94, H64, G76, G79, G81) was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson based on 5th War Programme order in May 1915, laid down on 6 September 1915, launched on 8 June 1916, and commissioned on 20 September 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Raider (D95, G41, G81, G82, G86) was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson as well, based on 5th War Programme order in May 1915, laid down on October 1915, launched on 17 July 1916, and commissioned on October 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Romola (G15, G18, G53, G83) was ordrered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 25 August 1915, launched on 14 May 1916, and commissioned on 17 August 1916. She was built under 449 and often stated as the head of her own-sub-class. She was the longest to build, under 263 days and fitting out 96 days, for this yard. She joined the 11th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet. On 24 April 1918, she departed to intercept the last major sortie of the High Seas Fleet but they were never met and she never fired in anger until November. Postwar, she was based at Gibraltar with Rowena, operating from 8 May 1920 at the Local Defence Flotilla and escorting the battlecruiser Renown as she hosted Edward, Prince of Wales for his trip in the Med on 29 October 1921. From 1922 she had a reduced complement. In September she is deployed for the Chanak Crisis with Turkey, under full complement escorting the cruiser Vindictive with Rigorous to Malta. In September 1923 they were replaced by Splendid and Tourmaline and sent into reserve at Plymouth. By November 1927 she relieved Simoom at Devonport, but then replaced by Thanet, recommissioned at Devonport, in reserve until stricken and sold for BU on 13 March 1930 (Troon).

Rowena (D84, F45, H85, G81, G90) was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 25 August 1915, launched on 1 July 1916, and commissioned on 29 September 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Restless (G85, G88) was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 22 September 1915, launched on 12 August 1916, and commissioned on 21 October 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Rigorous (G86, G90) was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 22 September 1915, launched on 30 September 1916, and commissioned on 30 November 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Rocket (G43, G82, G88, H76) was ordered from William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 28 September 1915, launched on 2 July 1916, and commissioned on 7 October 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Rob Roy was ordered from William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 15 October 1915, launched on 29 August 1916, and commissioned on 15 December 1916. She joined the 15th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet and on 18 January 1917 led by HMS Grenville to temporarily reinforce the Harwich Force. On the night of 23/24 January 1917, they were sent in interception a German destroyer flotilla transferred to Zeebrugge undeer orders from Tyrwhitt. She was in the pincer patrolling off the River Maas. But the cruisers clashed and the DD left their position hearing the engagement. Simoom was sunk.
On 14 February Rob Roy back to the HF patrolled to Peterhead and Aberdeen after an attack from UC-44. From 15 June 1917 she took part in Operation BB, part of 53 destroyers and 17 submarines dsweeping the North Sea for U-Boats in transit around the Orkney and Shetland. She was deployed east of Shetland, Fair Isle spootted one on 21 June (submerged), and on 24 June joined her sister Rowena and later Trenchant, led a fruitless hunt. 61 spottings until 24 June, 12 attacks, no kills.
In August 1917 Rob Roy, Restless, Tirade and Trenchant, was detached to the Northern Division, Ireland Station Buncrana for convoy escort duties. On 6 August she was with HH.11 when Argalia was torpedoed and sunk by U-94. On 11 August this was HH.13 until the 14th and back to the 15th Flotilla by October 1917 and until V-Day. She was sold for scrap on 13 July 1926.

Redgauntlet (F51, F58, F97, FA4) was ordered from William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 28 September 1915, launched on 23 November 1916, and commissioned on 7 February 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Redoubt (F56, F57) was ordered from William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 28 October 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Recruit was ordered from William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 9 December 1916, launched on April 1917, and commissioned on 9 August 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Sable (G44, G91, H93) was ordered from J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 26 June 1916, launched on 30 November 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Setter (F55, G98) was ordered from J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 18 August 1916, launched on 12 February 1917, and commissioned on 17 May 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

Salmon (renamed Sable) (F18, G93, G94, H36, H58) was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 27 August 1915, launched on 7 October 1916, and commissioned on 20 December 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Sylph (D93, F54, F68, G69, H0A) was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 30 August 1916, launched on 15 November 1916, and commissioned on 10 February 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Sarpedon (F15, G14, G19, G21, G82) was ordered from R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 27 September 1915, launched on 1 June 1916, and commissioned on 2 September 1916. She was named after a former Laforey class destroyer, sunk in action. She joined the 11th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet, assigned to escort convoys between Britain and Scandinavia and on 19 July 1917, with HMS Arab she ezscorted a convoyfrom Lerwick to Norway when ambushed by U-67, sinking the Danish steamer Harrildsborg. On 21 October, she escorted a convoy from Bergen, when Tirade collided with Marmion (heavy damaged). Postwar she ended in the local defence flotilla at Nor and in 1923, she was decommissioned, sold to Alloa Shipbreaking, BU from 23 July 1926, then Rosyth from 6 November, and finally Charlestown from December.

Sorceress (G68, G93, G94, H66) was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 13 November 1915, launched on 29 August 1916, and commissioned on 4 December 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Sturgeon (F47, F49, G17) was ordered from Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Govan for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 10 November 1915, launched on 11 January 1917, and commissioned on 26 February 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Sceptre (F60, F79) was ordered from Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Govan for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 10 November 1915, launched on 18 April 1917, and commissioned on 26 May 1917. To be updated in 2027.

7th War Programme order in December 1915 (8 ships)

Satyr (F51, F59, G52, H78) was ordered from William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on April 1916, launched on 27 December 1916, and commissioned on 2 February 1917. She joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force under CO Hubert de Burgh. On 4 June 1917, she was deployed with 7 cruisers and 25 destroyers to protect the bombardment sortie of the monitors HMS Erebus and Terror on Ostend. During this mission, detached with Taurus, Sharpshooter and Torrent, they sank sank the German destroyer S20. Satry was the most proactive in the engagement and is attributed the lead in this action, her CO earning the Distinguished Service Order, but also for saving the destroyer’s crew (seven men) while under fire. No more firing in anger until V day. From February 1919, she was transferred to the Torpedo School, Devonport. In 1923, she is selected for decommission, stricken, and sold to Thos. W. Ward, Milford Haven on 16 December 1926 for BU.

Sharpshooter (F48, F61) was ordered from William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on May 1916, launched on 27 February 1917, and commissioned on 2 April 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Simoom was ordered from John Brown & Company (hull 549), Clydebank for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on 23 May 1916, launhed on 22 December 1916, and commissioned on 23 January 1917 for £150,103. To be updated in 2027.

Skate was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on 12 January 1916, launched on 11 January 1917, and commissioned on 19 February 1917. On commissioning, she joins the 11th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet, but then the Harwich Force, 10th Destroyer Flotilla. She was torpedoed and damaged in the North Sea, off the Maas Lightship by the U-Boote SM UC-69 with the loss of a single man on 12 March 1917. She could be towed to safety and repaired but made no more sortie. In October 1918 she is transferred to Vernon as tender to the torpedo school. She is then reduced to reserve complement and joins the depot ship HMS Dido on 12 March 1920. She took on more auxiliary roles, disarmed and discounted by the Washington, then london treaties …until 1939. Sold remainder of her class still around, she is taken in hands for a much extensive refit and modernization, along the standards of the V-W class ships (see abive), and returns to service as a convoy escort. There was even press articles on the “oldest destroyer to see service with the Royal Navy”. Her survival was also due she was convertedr into a minelayer, sto still useful enough to be listed in 1939. But this was a particular type called an “influence minesweeper” dealing with magnetic mines the Germans dropped in drove at the opening of the war around the main entrances of the Thames and other rivers.

Once the danger rescinded, she was rearmed again as an escort in 1941 and entered the Battle of the Atlantic. She took part in all the main convoys until 1942. Her role was then “local escort” as she was a bit small and elderly for her role: In January she startes to operate in coastal waters, notably newt month with WS28/KMF11, first part and back to the Clyde. by November with MIDDLETON and SALADIN first leg of the Russian Convoy JW54B from Loch Ewe. By December Convoy RA54B, NW Approaches with BRISSENDEN, MIDDLETON and SALADIN and back at Loch Ewe.
She is returned to active service for the Normandy landings in June 1944. This is her last major campaign, making reinforcement convoy escort missions across the channel. Her role after that in 1945 was to return to coastal convoys and specialized in tracking snorkelling U-Boats but by May she is at last withdrawn from service, placed in Reserve and transferred back postwar to the Torpedo school at Vernon until decommissioned and sold for BU in 1947, at Newport in Wales.

Skilful was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on 3 February 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Springbok was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915, laid down on 27 January 1916, launched on 9 March 1917, and commissioned on 30 April 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Starfish (F60, F64, G50, H70) was ordered from R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on 27 September 1916. To be updated in 2027.

Stork (F65, F66, G60, H90 ) was ordered from R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne for the 7th War Programme order in Dec. 1915. She was laid down on 10 April 1916, launched on 25 November 1916, and commissioned on 1 February 1917. To be updated in 2027.

8th War Programme order in March 1916 (12 ships)

Tancred (F12, F85, G07, G08, G79, H67) was ordered from William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 5 November 1916, launched on 30 June 1917, and commissioned on 1 September 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tarpon (F22, F65, F72, F79, H97) was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 12 April 1916, launched on 10 March 1917, and commissioned on April 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Telemachus (F23, F66, F81, F86, H98) was ordered from John Brown & Company, Clydebank for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 12 April 1916, launched on 21 April 1917, and commissioned on June 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tempest was ordered from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 26 January 1917, launched on April 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tenacious (F96, G02, G61, H1A) was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan; J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 25 July 1916, launched on 21 March 1917, and commissioned on 12 August 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tetrarch (F74, F87, G54, H59) was ordered from Harland and Wolff, Govan; J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 26 July 1916, launched on 20 April 1917, and commissioned on 2 June 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Thisbe (F75, F82, G80, H72) was ordered from R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on June 1916, launched on 8 March 1917, and commissioned on 6 June 1917. Thisbe was a woman of Babylon from Greek mythology. She joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force. She tested a method with CMBs and lighters carrying these of a flying boat, on 10 August 1918, this was her which towed the flying boat on a lighter, joined 4 light cruisers and 13 destroyers for Heligoland. The only result, they shot down a Zeppelin LZ 100. After the Armistice of 11 November she remained in her unit, but was placed in reserve at Nore on 24 February 1920. On 26 July 1924, she took part of the naval review for King George V but on 17 November, she underwent a refit and joined the Compass Department, testing in 1925 six different compasses. On 22 April 1930 with the London Naval Treaty she was placed in reserved and on 31 August 1936, stricken and sold for BU to Thos. W. Ward, BU at Pembroke Dock.

Thruster (F74, F76, G81, H73) was ordered from R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 2 June 1916, launched on 10 January 1917, and commissioned on 30 March 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tormentor was ordered from Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Govan for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 22 May 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tornado was ordered from Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Govan for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 4 August 1917, launched on November 1917, and commissioned on 23 December 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Torrent was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 26 November 1916, launched on February 1917, and commissioned on 23 December 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Torrid was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne for the 8th War Programme order in March 1916. She was laid down on 19 July 1916, launched on 10 February 1917, and commissioned on 5 May 1917. Her name derived from the French prize ship taken in 1798, Torride (meaning “very hot”). She joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force until 11 November, having not fired once in anger. Her Crew was reduced on 20 October 1919. On 26 July 1924, she took part of the naval review in front of George V. She became a trial ship for new anti-submarine weapons, notably a new ASDIC in 1930, and notably sank the aircraft-carrying submarine M2 on 3 February 1932. The system proved of course invaluable in WW2 and the second Battle of the Atlantic. She also tested a forward-firing anti-submarine mortar which inspired much later the hedgehog. She was selected for the defence of traffic between Port Said and Alexandria on 19 October 1935 (Second Italo-Ethiopian War) but never sailed there after Italy declared war on Turkey. She was stricken and sold on 27 January 1937 for BU, then on 16 March 1937 under two, she ran aground Trefusis, Falmouth, scrapped in situ, bottom remains lingered long on site.

Admiralty Modified R-class destroyers
The remaining eleven ships ordered in March 1916 were of the Admiralty Modified R class with a slightly increased breadth of 27 ft, a draught of 11 ft, and a tonnage of 1,085. These ships had two funnels.
8th War Programme order in March 1916 (11 ships)

Trenchant (G78, G96) was ordered from J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 23 December 1916, launched on 30 April 1917, commissioned on 30 April 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Tristram (F11, F25, F89) was ordered from J. Samuel White, Cowes for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 23 September 1916, launched on 24 February 1917, commissioned on 30 June 1917. To be updated if logs are found in 2027.

Tirade (F07, F81, G80, HA7) was ordered from Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 1 May 1916, launched on 21 April 1917, commissioned on 30 June 1917. To be updated if logs are found in 2027.

Tower was ordered from Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on September 1916, launched on 5 April 1917. Assigned to the Grand Fleet and Harwich Force. She held the pennant F24 from January 1918. No logs (so far). She had the motto “God save King George and his Tower”. She served with reduced crews postwar, decommissioned on 17 May 1928, stricken, Sold for scrapping later that same year. To be updated if logs are found in 2027.

Ulster (F01, F17, F91, H09) was ordered from William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 10 October 1917, launched on 21 November 1917. To be updated if logs are found in 2027.

Ulysses was ordered from William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 24 March 1917, launched on 29 October 1918. To be updated in 2027.

Umpire (F02, F26, F94, H10) was ordered from William Doxford & Sons, Sunderland for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 9 June 1917, launched on August 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Undine (F03, G79, G97, H61) was ordered from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 23 September 1916, launched on 22 March 1917, commissioned in 26 May 1917. She joined the 15th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet, and served there until 1919 until disbanded (she never fired in anger for the whole war). She is then transferred to the Home Fleet, under the personal flag of King George V. From 3 December 1920, she carried the dead bodies of members of the Black and Tans killed, in the Irish War of Independence, to Milford Haven. She ends in reserve on 22 February 1922, mothballed until paid off on 28 September 1927, sold for scrapping to Thos. W. Ward, Briton Ferry, in April 1928 but sank under tow off Horse Sand Fort, Portsmouth. The wreck in shallow waters was raised on 27 August and broken up on site, with remains still detected by sonar in 2013.

Urchin (F04, F99, H62) was ordered from Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was launched on 7 June 1917, completed on August 1917, joined the 13th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet. On 17 November 1917, she was present for the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight for the 1st Cruiser Squadron under Vice-Admiral Trevylyan Napier, flagship Courageous. She was part in a detached flotilla led by Ursa under John Tovey (this one) attacking the German ships with torpedoes (no hit for her). Postwar she remained in her unit led by the cruiser Champion. On 8 February 1919 she had a reduced crew and on 6 August 1928, she carried a Spanish naval delegation to the Cowes Regatta. She was decommisioned, sold for BU on 7 January 1930, to Metal Industries of Charlestown, Fife.

Ursa (F05, F10, H63) was ordered from Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915. She was laid down on 23 July 1917, launched on 16 October 1917. To be updated in 2027.

Ursula (F01, F84, F88, H11) was ordered from Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock for the 6th War Programme order in July 1915 as hull 480. She was laid down on 22 September 1916, launched on 21 April 1917, commissioned on 26 September 1917. Before being the name of a famous WW2 and then Cold War Submarine, Ursula, first of the name, under her first pennant F88 she joined the 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet. Thus she took part in the interception attempt of the final sorties of the German High Seas Fleet on 24 April 1918, but saw no action as they never met. In November she was still in the 13th Df led by the cruiser Champion. She is then transferred to the 5th Destroyer Flotilla under the personal fag of King George V when the Home Fleet is formed. However she is sent to the Reserve Fleet on 23 August 1920. On 18 July 1924, she is briefly reactivated to be used by Prince George, acting midshipman for the naval review. Later she is selected to be stricken, sold to Cashmore, Newport, Wales, on 19 November 1929, and then BU.

Thornycroft Specials R class

The “Thornycroft Specials” were delivered on a design specific from the John I. Thornycroft & Company, while still based on Admiralty standards. They were the largest and heaviest of the lot (see the specs below), and this concerned HMS Rosalind, Radiant, Retriever, Taurus and Teazer, so five ships in all. They were all built at the Woolston shipyard.

⚙ Thornycroft Specials specifications
Displacement	1,035 long tons standard, 1,208t FL
Dimensions	83.6m x 8.24 – 8.31m x 2.75 m

Rosalind (pennants D87, G64, G89, G95) was ordered in July 1915 as part of the 6th War Programme, laid down in October 1915, launched on 14 October 1916 so a year after, and commissioned on December 1916.
To be updated in 2027.

HMS Radiant was ordered in July 1915 as part of the 6th War Programme, laid down in late 1915, launched on 25 November 1916 and commissioned in February 1917. Disposed of 21 June 1920 and sold to Thailand as Phra Ruang. To be updated in 2027.

Retriever was ordered in July 1915 as part of the 6th War Programme, laid down in late 1915, launched on 15 January 1917, commission date unknown.
Decom. 26 July 1927, Sold for scrap. To be updated in 2027.

HMS Taurus (D82, F39, F70, F71, H30) was ordered in Dec. 1915 as part of the 7th War Programme, laid down in March 1916, launched on 10 March 1917 and commissioned in May 1917. She joins the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force. On 4 June 1917, she is deployed with 7 cruisers and 25 destroyers for the bombardment sortie of HMS monitors Erebus and Terror on Ostend. She takes part with Satyr, Sharpshooter and Torrent in a fight against German TBs resulting in the siking of S20. On 16 October, she takes part in a sortie pf 30 cruisers and 54 destroyers in search for the German fleet, misidentified (in reality only 10) but there was no contact. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918 she had a reduved personnel while still in the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla and ends in the Reserve Fleet, Devonport, 16 October 1919 and tender to the depot ship Woolwich. She serves at Queenstown, Ireland. She is refitted at Devonport from 26 March 1923. On 26 July 1924 she takes part of the naval review for King George V. She returned afterward sin reserve at Devonport, pending disposal. She is discarded on 18 February 1930 and sold for scrap.

Teazer (D83, F40, F71, F93, H17) was ordered in Dec. 1915 as part of the 7th War Programme, laid down in March 1916, launched 21 April 1917 and completed in July 1917. She joins the 10th Destroyer Flotilla but saw little action due to the German fleet activites post-Jutland were severely hampered. On 22 May 1918, the Dover Patrol protects a deployment of monitors for the bombardment of Zeebrugge: HMS Erebus, Terror and Marshal Soult. Teazer patrols the outer perimeter. The other alternative against German coastal raids are the new Thornycroft Coastal Motor Boats (CMBs) combined with Curtiss and Felixtowe flying boats. Lighter towed by destroyers carried the CMBs close to the objective. On 10 August, Thisbe was however towing a flying boat on a lighter and 6 CMBs under tow by others, and they were escortd by four light cruisers and thirteen destroyers to Heligoland and target shipping. However the flying boat failed to take off and the CMBs, entering Heligoland waters, are all sunk or interned. An aircraft launched another destroyer still manage to shoot down the Zeppelin LZ 100. She also took part in the last operations of the war like on 1 October 1918 with 4 others destroyers led by FL HMS Montrose, which entered Zeebruge and Ostende to witness the Germans effectively had withdrawn from Flanders.
After 11 November she is assigned to the 10th Destroyer Flotilla, placed in reserve until recommissioned on 16 October 1919, transferred to Devonport, and bacl to reserve on 11 August 1920. Wirth the reductions of the London Naval Treaty she is stricken and sold on 6 February 1931 to Cashmore of Newport, BU.

Yarrow Specials R class

Same observation as above. This enable different interpretation of Standard design and enable to pickup some good design ideas if any for the next class after making comparisons. This concerned early and later vessels, namely HMS Sabrina, Strongbow, Surprise, Sybille, Truculent, Tyrant and Ulleswater. They were lighter than the standards, with a significantly narrow beam but not much faster apparently with probably a slightly degraded stability.

⚙ Thornycroft Specials specifications
Displacement	930 long tons standard, 1051t FL
Dimensions	83.4m x 7.82m x 2.75 m

Sabrina was ordered under the 6th War Programme order in July 1915, laid down in August 1915, launched on 24 July 1916 and commissioned on September 1916.
To be updated in 2027.

Strongbow was ordered under the 6th War Programme order in July 1915, laid down in 30 September 1916, launched on November 1916 and commissioned on 17 October 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

Surprise was ordered under the 6th War Programme order in July 1915, laid down in 25 November 1916, launched on February 1917 and commissioned on 23 December 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

Sybille was ordered under the 6th War Programme order in July 1915, laid down in August 1915, launched on 5 February 1917 and commissioned on February 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

8th War Programme order in March 1916 (3 ships):

Truculent was ordered under the 8th War Programme order in March 1916, laid down in March 1916, launched on 24 March 1917 and commissioned on May 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

Tyrant was ordered under the 8th War Programme order in March 1916, laid down in March 1916, launched on 19 May 1917 and commissioned on July 1917.
To be updated in 2027.

Ulleswater was ordered under the 8th War Programme order in March 1916, laid down in 1916, launched on 4 August 1917 and commissioned on 15 August 1918. In April 1918, she was assigned to ‘Outer Patrol off Zeebrugge’ for the Zeebrugge Raid. On 15 August 1918, she was sunk by U-71 or UC-17 in the North Sea with 5 sailors missing. There is a painting of the sinking by the war artist Charles Pears in the Imperial War Museum as seen above.

HMTS Phra Ruang was the ex-Radiant (see above). She was acauired in June 1920 as the only modern destroyer in the Royal Thai Navy until 1939. In order to finance her acquisition King Rama VI and other senior figures donated personally, making the first publication donation to procure such warship in Thailand. Royal Prince Admiral Abhakara Kiartivongse negotiated its purchased personally and commanded the ship to Thailand. Thailand changed regime for an authoritarian, fascist leaning one prewar and a war broke up with French Indochina in 1941 but the destroyer played no role in it. Thus the country was considered a pro-Japanese bemlligerent. Thus On 29 January 1943, the destroyer was spotted underway by USS Trout which launched three torpedoes which were Mark 14 and missed. Still around postwar, she became the last survivor of the RN’s First World War destroyer, a training ship in the 1950s until decommissioned in 1957, stricken in 1959 and sold for BU. A pity she was not preserved or proposed back to UK.

Read More/Src

Books

Kemp, Paul (1999). The Admiralty Regrets: British Warship Losses of the 20th Century. Sutton Publishing Ltd.
Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record… Chatham Publishing.
British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953 Drawn by Admiralty Permission from Official Records and Returns. Edgar J. March 1966.
Destroyers of the Royal Navy, 1893–1981, Maurice Cocker, 1983, Ian Allan.
British Destroyers, From Earliest Days to the Second World War Norman Friedman, 2009.

Links

web.archive.org/ navypedia.org/
on dreadnoughtproject.org/
on modelboatmayhem.co.uk/
on commons.wikimedia.org/

Videos

Model Kits

R Class Destroyer – Elevation, Deck Plans and Sections By Harold A. Underhill, A.M.I.E.S.

3D (Phra Ruang Wow shots)