Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy.
In Command
- Captain The Hon. Herbert Meade, 8 December, 1915[1] – 19 April, 1916[2]
- Captain Rowland H. Bather, 3 July, 1918[3] – 24 November, 1918[4]
- Captain Anselan Stirling, 20 April, 1916[5] – 12 October, 1918[6] (in command at Battle of Jutland)
- Captain William Spencer Leveson-Gower, 12 October, 1918[7] – 1 January, 1919[8] (in command at the surrender of the High Sea Fleet)
- Captain Percival H. G. James, 28 September, 1938[9] – 9 October, 1938[10]
- Captain Jocelyn S. C. Salter, – 17 February, 1940[11]
- Captain Antony F. De Salis, 17 February, 1940[12] – 18 February, 1940[13]
- Captain Donald K. Bain, 4 August, 1940[14] – 1 August, 1941[15] (may have remained until 22 March, 1942)
There is confusion within this list.
Other Personnel
Gunnery Duties
History
November, 1915
The flotilla appears for the first time in the Supplement to the Monthly Navy List, becoming the fifth flotilla attached to the Grand Fleet. Like the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla which had become the fourth Grand Fleet flotilla two months prior, the Twelfth would get its start with newly constructed "M" class destroyers. This first month, it would have a flotilla leader and just three destroyers and would be sharing a depot ship with two other flotillas.[16]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Second and Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Blake | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mindful | Nessus |
December, 1915
It is noted that the three destroyers are tendered to Blake temporarily, but now the flotilla has its own depot ship, on paper.[17]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mindful | Nessus |
January, 1916
Royalist has been added as a flotilla cruiser, and Marvel and Mischief have joined. As the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla has reached a strength of 16 "M"s, allocations for the Twelfth should be speeding up from here. The Marksman is marked by an unexplained asterisk in the source.[18]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Royalist | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Marvel | Mindful | Mischief | Nessus |
February, 1916
Mameluke, Mary Rose, Munster, Napier, Noble, Obedient and Onslaught have joined. Strength is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader, twelve "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[19]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Royalist | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Nessus | Noble | Obedient | Onslaught |
March, 1916
Narwhal and Nonsuch have joined. Strength is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader, fourteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[20]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Royalist | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Nessus | Noble | Obedient | Onslaught |
Narwhal | Nonsuch |
April, 1916
Opal and Menace have joined. Strength is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[21]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Royalist | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal |
May, 1916
Royalist has gone, to reappear in the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron in June. She has been replaced by Faulknor, bearing a Captain (D). Marksman is now designated as second in command.
Strength is now two flotilla leaders, sixteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[22][23]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Faulknor | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal |
This roster would apply until September, 1916.[24]
Battle of Jutland
- Main article: Twelfth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
The Flotilla screened the Grand Fleet, helped by the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. The Twelfth's composition in the battle was 14 "M" class destroyers and two leaders, their commanders given as listed in the Official Despatches:[25][26] Mameluke and Napier seem to have missed taking part, perhaps due to being under refit.[Inference]
- flotilla leader Faulknor, Captain (D) Anselan Stirling
- flotilla leader Marksman, Commander Norton A. Sulivan
- Obedient, Commander George W. McOran Campbell
- Maenad, Commander John P. Champion
- Opal, Commander Charles G. C. Sumner
- Mary Rose, Lieutenant-Commander Edwin A. Homan
- Marvel, Lieutenant-Commander Reginald W. Grubb
- Menace, Lieutenant-Commander Charles A. Poignand
- Nessus, Lieutenant-Commander Eric Q. Carter
- Narwhal, Lieutenant-Commander Henry V. Hudson
- Mindful, Lieutenant-Commander John J. C. Ridley
- Onslaught, Lieutenant-Commander Arthur G. Onslow, D.S.C.
- Munster, Lieutenant-Commander Spencer F. Russell
- Nonsuch, Lieutenant-Commander Herbert I. N. Lyon
- Noble, Lieutenant-Commander Henry P. Boxer
- Mischief, Lieutenant-Commander THE HONOURABLE Cyril A. Ward, M.V.O.
September, 1916
New destroyers Orpheus and Prince have joined.
Strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[27]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Faulknor | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Orpheus | Prince |
October, 1916
Orpheus has been bumped over to the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla after just one month here.
Strength is now two flotilla leaders, seventeen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[28]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Faulknor | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince |
This roster would apply until December, 1916.[29]
December, 1916
The "R" class destroyer Strongbow has joined.
Strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[30]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Faulknor | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | |
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
January, 1917
Faulknor has left to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, operating as part of the Dover Patrol. Saumarez has replaced her.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[31]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | |
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
This roster would apply until February or March.[32]
March, 1917
Nonsuch has been dropped for some reason. She would return in June.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, seventeen destroyers and a depot ship.[33]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | ||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
This roster would apply until June, 1917.[34]
June, 1917
Nonsuch has returned.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[35]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | |
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
July, 1917
Narwhal has transferred out to the Southern Division of the Coast of Ireland Station, destined to return in September.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, seventeen destroyers and a depot ship.[36]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Marksman | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch |
Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | ||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
August, 1917
The new flotilla leader Valhalla has replaced Marksman, which has gone to the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the [Dover Patrol]].
Strength is two flotilla leaders, seventeen destroyers and a depot ship.[37]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch |
Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | ||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
September, 1917
Narwhal has returned.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[38]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mary Rose | Menace | Mindful |
Mischief | Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Prince | |
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Strongbow |
This roster would apply until November, 1917.[39]
November, 1917
Mary Rose and Strongbow have been dropped, having been sunk on 17 October in action against S.M.S. Brummer and Bremse.[40]
Petard Narborough have come in from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[41][42]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narborough | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Petard | Prince |
December, 1917
Onslaught has been dropped for some reason, but reappears in the coming month.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, seventeen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[43]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narborough | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Opal | Petard | Prince |
January, 1918
Onslaught has returned from her unexplained month away.
Strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[44]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narborough | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble |
Nonsuch | Obedient | Onslaught | Opal | Petard | Prince |
February, 1918
Narborough and Opal have been dropped, having been wrecked on 12 January.[45][46]
The Twelfth's strength is two flotilla leaders, sixteen "M" class destroyers and a depot ship.[47]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch |
Obedient | Onslaught | Petard | Prince |
March, 1918
The new "S" class destroyer Simoom has joined.
The Twelfth's strength is two flotilla leaders, seventeen destroyers and a depot ship.[48]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch |
Obedient | Onslaught | Petard | Prince | ||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Simoom |
April, 1918
The new destroyer Scimitar has joined.
The Twelfth's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[49]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mindful | Mischief |
Munster | Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch |
Obedient | Onslaught | Petard | Prince | ||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Simoom |
May, 1918
Menace and Onslaught have left to join the Third Destroyer Flotilla and Obedient has gone to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. Mindful went to the Second Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Northern Division of the Coast of Ireland Station.
Four new destroyers have come in to rejuvenate the vintage: Torch, Winchester, Wolsey and Wrestler.
The Twelfth's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[50]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mischief | Munster | Napier |
Narwhal | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch | Petard | Prince |
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Simoom | Torch | |||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
June, 1918
Menace and Onslaught have returned.
Scotsman, Scout, Vanity and Vivien have joined.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, twenty-four destroyers and a depot ship.[51]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Menace | Mischief | Munster |
Napier | Narwhal | Nessus | Noble | Nonsuch | Onslaught |
Petard | Prince | ||||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Simoom | Torch | |
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vanity | Vivien | ||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
On 19 June, the flotilla conducted a trial torpedo attack on the Second Battle Squadron in an exercise, with Valhalla and Saumarez acting as divisional leaders. A smoke screen proved helpful, but the target formation had kite balloons aloft and indeed its own turn was masked by the smoke. Valhalla's division achieved a laudable concentration of fire.[52]
July, 1918
Menace, Nessus, Noble and Onslaught have left to join the Third Destroyer Flotilla and Vanity has gone to the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla and Narwhal has left to join the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.
New destroyers Scythe, Tomahawk, and Waterhen have joined.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, twenty-one destroyers and a depot ship.[53]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Marvel | Mischief | Munster | Napier |
Nonsuch | Petard | Prince | |||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Simoom | Tomahawk |
Torch | |||||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
August, 1918
New destroyers Sepoy and Speedy have joined.
Marvel, Napier and Nonsuch have left to join the {UK-DF|3}}.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, twenty destroyers and a depot ship.[54]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Maenad | Mameluke | Mischief | Munster | Petard | Prince |
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Sepoy | Simoom |
Speedy | Tomahawk | Torch | |||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
This roster would change some time between September and November.[55]
November, 1918
New destroyers Seabear, Sirdar, Trinidad and Tryphon have joined, though Sirdar and Tryphon are on loan to the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla.
Conversely, all the "M"s have been sent to the Third Destroyer Flotilla, but Mischief and Munster are on loan back to the Twelfth.
Marvel, Napier and Nonsuch have left to join the Third Destroyer Flotilla.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[56]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Mischief* | Munster* | ||||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Seabear | Sepoy |
Simoom | Sirdar* | Speedy | Tomahawk | Torch | Trinidad |
Tryphon* | |||||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
December, 1918
The ships previously on inter-flotilla loans are now actually with their assigned formations.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[57]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Saumarez | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Seabear | Sepoy |
Simoom | Sirdar | Speedy | Tomahawk | Torch | Trinidad |
Tryphon | |||||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
January, 1919
Saumarez has been sent to Devonport, due there "shortly". She has been replaced by Stuart.
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[58]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Stuart | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Seabear | Sepoy |
Simoom | Sirdar | Speedy | Tomahawk | Torch | Trinidad |
Tryphon | |||||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
February, 1919
It appears that Stuart no longer bears a Captain (D).
The flotilla's strength is two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers and a depot ship.[59]
Attached to the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Stuart | |||||
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command | |||||
Valhalla | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Diligence | |||||
"S" class Destroyers | |||||
Scimitar | Scotsman | Scout | Scythe | Seabear | Sepoy |
Simoom | Sirdar | Speedy | Tomahawk | Torch | Trinidad |
Tryphon | |||||
"V" class Destroyers | |||||
Vivien | |||||
"W" class Destroyers | |||||
Waterhen | Winchester | Wolsey | Wrestler |
March, 1919
The post-war navy's reorganized order of battle has resulted in the disbanding of the Twelfth.
Flotilla is Dis-established |
The new navy's Third Destroyer Flotilla has taken up Valhalla, Vivien and all the "W"s except Waterhen, which has gone into the First Destroyer Flotilla.
Scimitar, Scotsman, Scout, Scythe, Seabear, Sepoy, Simoom and Sirdar have gone to the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla.
Stuart, Speedy, Tomahawk, Torch and Tryphon have joined Sixth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean.[60]
Drill and Practice
In trials from January to March 1916, 200 21-in Mark II torpedo test runs proved 90% probable to endanger the enemy.[61]
In 1917, the flotilla undertook a practice torpedo attack on four ships of the First Battle Squadron, achieving the following results.[62] The target ships were in line ahead in this order: Marlborough, Royal Oak, Emperor of India, followed by an unidentified ship.
The six destroyers of the first half-flotilla and their leader had their torpedoes set to 15,000 yards/23 knots. The target battleships sighted them at 25,000 yards on red 20. The attackers pressed in to 15,000 yards and fired their torpedoes from red 36, four destroyers aiming at Royal Oak, and the other three ships at Emperor of India. It was thought unlikely that the target ships would observe torpedoes being fired at this range, and the torpedo tracks were hard to see. Two torpedoes passed just ahead of Marlborough, 1 passed just ahead of Royal Oak, two hit Emperor of India, and the last two appeared to run poorly.
The five destroyers of the second half-flotilla and their leader had their torpedoes set to 10,000 yards/29 knots. The target battleships sighted them at 21,000 yards on red 20. The attackers pressed in to 5,500 yards from Marlborough, and fired their torpedoes from an undisclosed bearing: three destroyers aiming at Royal Oak, and the other three at Emperor of India. These firings were observed by all target ships, and the torpedo tracks seemed clear. Three torpedoes struck Marlborough, one passed under or ahead of Marlborough, one hit Emperor of India and one passed 90 yards ahead of Royal Oak.
In all, 11 of the 13 shots were judged dangerous to the enemy (in that they crossed the enemy line), and five hit. It was felt that the torpedoes on 29 knot settings produced clear tracks that may have made them easy to avoid, and that these same torpedoes had to be fired at ranges at which their splash of entry would leave the enemy forewarned of the attack.
Footnotes
- ↑ Meade Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 177.
- ↑ Meade Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 177.
- ↑ Bather Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/438. f. 438.
- ↑ Bather Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/438. f. 438.
- ↑ Stirling Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/157. f. 175.
- ↑ Stirling Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/157. f. 175.
- ↑ Leveson-Gower Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/178. f. 182.
- ↑ Leveson-Gower Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/178. f. 182.
- ↑ James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/130. f. 130. Day of month is blurry.
- ↑ James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/130. f. 130.
- ↑ De Salis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/74. f. 74.
- ↑ De Salis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/74. f. 74.
- ↑ De Salis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/74. f. 74.
- ↑ Bain Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/93/107. f. ?.
- ↑ Bain Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/93/107. f. ?.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 12, and Supplements through September.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 432.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 45.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 12, and Supplements through December.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). pp. 12, 15.
- ↑ No Supplement for February, 1917 was found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 12, and Supplements through June.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 12, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). pp. 12, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). pp. 12, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12, and Supplements through November.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. pp. 68, 80.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 79.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 66.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). pp. 12, 17, 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 230, Plate 150.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). pp. 12, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). pp. 12, 17.
- ↑ No Supplements for September or October were consulted.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). pp. 12, 20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). pp. 12, 22.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87. Data reflects runs from formation of flotilla to March 1916.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 122.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
See Also
British Destroyer Flotillas | |||
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh | Eighth | Ninth | Tenth | |||
Eleventh | Twelfth | Thirteenth | Fourteenth | Fifteenth | Sixteenth | Seventeenth | Eighteenth | Nineteenth | |||
Twentieth | Twenty-first | |||
Local Defence Flotillas | |||
Clyde | Devonport | Devonport & Falmouth | Falmouth | Firth of Forth | Gibraltar | |||
Liverpool | Mersey | Newhaven | Nore | North Channel | Milford & Pembroke | Pembroke | |||
Portland | Portsmouth | Queenstown |