Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

The Fifth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. Originally called the Devonport Flotilla and comprised of Nucleus Crew vessels, it was re-designated as the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in April, 1910.

During the Dardanelles campaign, sixteen Beagle class were amongst those comprising the Fifth in the Mediterranean.

In 1916, it was comprised of River, Beagle and Acorn class destroyers, whose torpedo test runnings in the first half of that year resulted in shots that were 79%, 82% and 80% likely to be dangerous to the enemy.

Composition

1 November, 1911

The flotilla was comprised of:

• Sapphire (flag)
• Sentinel (scout)
• Leander, Tyne (depot ships)
• Twenty-four "30 knotters"

July, 1914

The flotilla was based in the Mediterranean, and each of the sixteen destroyers were allotted a larger store of rifles and associated landing party supplies, roughly double the previous total, bring the number of rifles to 24.

September, 1914

There are sixteen Beagles with depot ship Blenheim, but no Captain (D) is mentioned, and there are no leaders.

This roster and tasking would persist until November or December, 1914.

December, 1914

There are now twelve Beagles with depot ship Blenheim, but no Captain (D) is mentioned, and there are no leaders. The flotilla is now in Home and Atlantic Waters. Beagle, Bulldog, Pincher and Rattlesnake are gone, and noted as "joining squadrons". They would appear in the local defence flotilla at Portsmouth in February or March, 1915.

January, 1915

The flotilla is reformed in the Mediterranean with seven "River" class destroyers under third class protected cruiser Sapphire. Ribble, Usk, Chelmer, Colne, Jed and Kennet had come from the China Station, and Waveney from the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla.

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet
third class protected cruiser Sapphire
Colne	Chelmer	Jed	Kennet	Ribble	Usk	Waveney

March, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. Sapphire is no longer directly a part of the flotilla, but is one of the light cruisers attached to the Mediterranean Fleet. Seven Beagles formerly of this flotilla have rejoined. Wear has joined from Gibraltar. Welland, of the China Station as recently as December, has also joined.

April, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. The flotilla continues to gain strength, now reaching 24 destroyers. Although they'd been slated to join the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla, Beagle, Bulldog, Foxhound, Harpy, Pincher, Rattlesnake, Savage and Scourge have joined from the Portsmouth local defence flotilla.

This roster would remain until July, 1915.

July, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. The newly-acquired destroyer Arno has joined.

August, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. Six torpedo boats that had perviously been loosely affiliated with the Mediterranean Fleet now appear to be attached.

This roster would apply until October, 1915.

October, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. Four "L" class destroyers have joined from the Third Destroyer Flotilla and four more torpedo boats have joined.

November, 1915

In the Mediterranean with depot ship Blenheim. T.B. 97 has left to go to Gibraltar.

[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]

Captains (D)

Dates of appointment given:

• Captain Noel Grant, 20 December, 1910.
• Captain Edward G. Lowther-Crofton, 1 May, 1912.
• Captain Charles P. R. Coode, 1 February, 1914.

• Captain George K. Chetwode, 15 August, 1917.

Bibliography

• Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
• March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co. Limited. (on Bookfinder.com).

See Also

• Composition of the Grand Fleet

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