Difference between revisions of "Third Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)"
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Originally the '''Nore Destroyer Flotilla''', composed of [[Nucleus Crew|nucleus crew]] vessels, it became the '''Third Destroyer Flotilla''' in April, 1910.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue '''39251''', col A, p. 9.</ref> | Originally the '''Nore Destroyer Flotilla''', composed of [[Nucleus Crew|nucleus crew]] vessels, it became the '''Third Destroyer Flotilla''' in April, 1910.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue '''39251''', col A, p. 9.</ref> | ||
− | == | + | ==Operations== |
− | + | Based in Harwich with fifteen [[Laforey Class Destroyer (1913)|"L" class destroyers]] (soon growing to 20) under flagship {{UK-Amphion|f=t}} at the start of the war,{{DittColl|p. 15}} {{UK-Lance}} and {{UK-Landrail}} fired the first shots of the war against German minelayer ''Konigen Luise'' on 5 August. {{UK-Amphion}} was sunk as she returned to port.{{March|p. 141}} Commodore (T) was in the {{UK-Amethyst|f=t}}.{{March|p. 164}} | |
+ | |||
+ | At 7 AM of 28 August, acting in concert with {{UK-DF|1}} in the [[Battle of Heligoland Bight]], destroyers {{UK-Laertes}}, {{UK-Laurel}}, {{UK-Liberty}}, and {{UK-Lysander}} torpedoed light cruiser {{DE-Mainz}}. Only ''Lysander'' avoided receiving significant damage.{{March|p. 141}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | In September 1914, it was decided that an [["M" Class Destroyer (1914)|M class destroyer]] (apparently, {{UK-Miranda}} was selected{{GFConferences1914|p. 218}}) should join as the half-flotilla leader and be fitted with a [[Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus Mark II|Mark II W/T set]], longer mast, No. 2 set of flags and two additional signal ratings. Additionally, {{UK-Undaunted}} would replace {{UK-Amphion}} as flotilla leader.{{GFConferences1914|p. 104}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | In September-October, 1915, the Third Destroyer Flotilla became the {{UK-DF|9}}. However, it was to return. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Composition== | ||
+ | '''1 November, 1911''' | ||
+ | <br>The flotilla was comprised of:{{March|p. 160}} | ||
* {{UK-Diamond}} (flag) | * {{UK-Diamond}} (flag) | ||
* {{UK-Foresight}}, {{UK-Forward}} (scouts) | * {{UK-Foresight}}, {{UK-Forward}} (scouts) | ||
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The following year, it was largely comprised of [[Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)|''Beagles'']]. | The following year, it was largely comprised of [[Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)|''Beagles'']]. | ||
− | + | '''July, 1914''' | |
+ | |||
Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of sixteen [[Laforey Class Destroyer (1913)|"L" class destroyers]] (at least three ''very'' recently added) under {{UK-Amphion|f=t}} with depot ship {{UK-Dido}}. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, {{UK-Amethyst|f=t}}. Its composition during the Test Mobilisation of July 1914 was as follows.{{AWO1914|109 of 10 July 1914}} | Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of sixteen [[Laforey Class Destroyer (1913)|"L" class destroyers]] (at least three ''very'' recently added) under {{UK-Amphion|f=t}} with depot ship {{UK-Dido}}. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, {{UK-Amethyst|f=t}}. Its composition during the Test Mobilisation of July 1914 was as follows.{{AWO1914|109 of 10 July 1914}} | ||
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|} | |} | ||
− | + | '''July, 1918'''<ref>''Supplement to the Monthly Navy List'' (July, 1918). p. 12.</ref> | |
− | + | <br>The Flotilla appears quite small at this point, one of six attached to the [[Grand Fleet]] under overall command of Commodore (F) in {{UK-Castor}}. The flotilla is tender to depot ship ''Woolwich'', in which the Captain (D) was posted. | |
− | + | *{{UK-Nimrod}} (leader) | |
− | + | *{{UK-Talisman}} (leader) | |
− | + | *{{UK-Menace}} | |
− | + | *{{UK-Nessus}} | |
− | + | *{{UK-Noble}} | |
− | + | *{{UK-Onslaught}} | |
==Captains (D)== | ==Captains (D)== |
Revision as of 18:04, 21 December 2012
The Third Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.
Originally the Nore Destroyer Flotilla, composed of nucleus crew vessels, it became the Third Destroyer Flotilla in April, 1910.[1]
Operations
Based in Harwich with fifteen "L" class destroyers (soon growing to 20) under flagship scout cruiser Amphion at the start of the war,[2] Lance and Landrail fired the first shots of the war against German minelayer Konigen Luise on 5 August. Amphion was sunk as she returned to port.[3] Commodore (T) was in the third class protected cruiser Amethyst.[4]
At 7 AM of 28 August, acting in concert with First Destroyer Flotilla in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, destroyers Laertes, Laurel, Liberty, and Lysander torpedoed light cruiser Mainz. Only Lysander avoided receiving significant damage.[5]
In September 1914, it was decided that an M class destroyer (apparently, Miranda was selected[6]) should join as the half-flotilla leader and be fitted with a Mark II W/T set, longer mast, No. 2 set of flags and two additional signal ratings. Additionally, Undaunted would replace Amphion as flotilla leader.[7]
In September-October, 1915, the Third Destroyer Flotilla became the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla. However, it was to return.
Composition
1 November, 1911
The flotilla was comprised of:[8]
- Diamond (flag)
- Foresight, Forward (scouts)
- Aquarius, St. George (depot ships)
- Twenty-six "Rivers"
The following year, it was largely comprised of Beagles.
July, 1914
Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of sixteen "L" class destroyers (at least three very recently added) under scout cruiser Amphion with depot ship Dido. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, third class protected cruiser Amethyst. Its composition during the Test Mobilisation of July 1914 was as follows.[9]
scout cruiser Amphion | |||
Laertes | Laforey | Lance | Landrail |
Lark | Laurel | Lawford | Legion |
Lennox | Liberty | Linnet | Llewellyn |
Louis | Loyal | Lydiard | Lysander |
July, 1918[10]
The Flotilla appears quite small at this point, one of six attached to the Grand Fleet under overall command of Commodore (F) in Castor. The flotilla is tender to depot ship Woolwich, in which the Captain (D) was posted.
Captains (D)
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Godfrey M. Paine, 2 June, 1909.[11]
- Captain Ernest S. Carey, 31 July, 1912.[12]
- Captain Cecil H. Fox, 3 April, 1913.[13]
- Captain Francis G. St. John, M.V.O., 26 October, 1914.[14]
- Captain Harold E. Sulivan, 15 August, 1917.[15]
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue 39251, col A, p. 9.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 141.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 164.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 141.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 218.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July 1914.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List (July, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 2 June, 1909. Issue 38975, col B, p. 9.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 26 July, 1912. Issue 39961, col C, p. 12.
- ↑ "Movements of Ships" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 28 March, 1913. Issue 40171, col E, p. 6.
- ↑ Navy List (October, 1915). p. 398s.
- ↑ Navy List (November, 1917). p. 395a.
Bibliography
- March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co. Limited. (on Bookfinder.com).
- 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 |
[[Category:Royal Navy {{{1}}}]][[Category:{{{1}}}]]