"S" Class Destroyer (1918)

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A total of sixty-seven "S" Class Destroyers were completed for the Royal Navy in 1918 and beyond.

Performance

Machinery

Generators

In 1916, it was stated that "new destroyers" have two 26.25 kw dynamos arranged in parallel.[1] It is possible that this applied to this class.

Armament

4-in Guns

Three 4-in Q.F. Mark IV guns on C.P. III mountings. These recoiled 38 inches and could elevate 30 degrees. The sights were graduated to 12,400 yards.[2]

Other Guns

Two 2-pdr pom-poms.[3]

Torpedoes

Initially, in 1917, it was planned that these boats would carry two double 21-in tubes on the centreline, and a single 18-in tube mounted each side forward under the bridge,[4] but in the end they were fitted with:

  • two triple sets of revolving 21-in tubes[5]

In mid-1920, it was ordered that "S", "V" and "W" class destroyers should be allocated the 21-in Mark IV* torpedo.[6]

Other Weapons

Fire Control

These ships had electrical fire control instruments and directors.[7]

Directors

Firing Circuits[8]
Training and Slewing Circuits[9]

In 1917, it was approved that the "V" class and later destroyers should all receive installations of the British Destroyer Director Firing System.[10] The first installations were completed in March 1918, but those vessels completed after February were then having training systems in place upon their delivery, and from May they had their mechanical elevating gear installed.[11]

In 1918, it was ordered that those destroyers with director installations were to additionally receive:[12]

  • a voice pipe from T.S. to director
  • a fire gong at director worked from existing push in T.S.
  • a fire gong push on fore bridge to be added, wired in parallel to that in the T.S.
  • the repeat receivers on the fore bridge were to be positioned so as to be visible to the director sightsetter.

Torpedo Control

Additional equipment in "S" class T.B.D.s[13]
Chadburn's Order and Deflection Equipment[14]

Sighting positions were provided on both sides of a bridge that had been enlarged from earlier classes with firing pushes and keys for sounding buzzers at the tubes. The order and deflection transmitters were situated centrally on a panel on the bridge, between the two sights.[15]

Chadburn's Torpedo Telegraphs communicated orders and deflection to the D.R. tubes. The 18-in S.R. tubes under the bridge were to receive no order instruments - merely firing gongs and firing circuits.[16]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 120.
  2. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 16.
  3. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 16.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 24.
  5. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 16.
  6. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1920. pp. 6-7. (G. 10141/20-6.8.1920).
  7. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 16.
  8. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. Plate100.
  9. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. Plate101.
  10. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 229.
  11. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. pp. 12, 13.
  12. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 376. (C.I.O. 1081/18, G. 24486/15).
  13. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. Plate 81.
  14. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. Plate 86.
  15. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 210.
  16. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. pp. 210, 211.

Bibliography

  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co. Limited. (on Bookfinder.com).
  • Gray, Randal (editor) (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
  • Commander H StA Maelleson RN (Ret). The "S" Class Destroyers 1918-1945 in Warship Issue 16.


"S" Class Destroyer
Admiralty Design
Simoom Scimitar Scotsman Scout Shark
Sparrowhawk Splendid Sabre Saladin Sikh
Sirdar Somme Success Shamrock Shikari
Senator Sepoy Seraph Swallow Swordsman
Steadfast Sterling Tribune Trinidad Tactician
Tara Tasmania Tattoo Scythe Seabear
Seafire Searcher Seawolf Sportive Stalwart
Tilbury Tintagel Sardonyx Stonehenge Stormcloud
Spear Spindrift Serapis Serene Sesame
Strenuous Stronghold Sturdy Trojan Truant
Trusty Turbulent Tenedos Thanet Thracian
Thornycroft Specials
Speedy Tobago Torbay Toreador Tourmaline
Yarrow Specials
Torch Tomahawk Tryphon Tumult Turquoise
  Tuscan Tyrian  
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