Second Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Second Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy.
History
In August, 1907, the Second and the First Destroyer Flotilla transferred from the Home Fleet to the Channel Fleet.[1]
From 1912 through at least 1916, it was comprised of Acorn class destroyers[2] armed with the 21-in R.G.F. Mark II Torpedo.[3] Their test runnings of the 21-in Mark II Torpedoes in the first half of 1916 resulted in 89% of the shots being dangerous to the enemy.[4]
However, in September 1917, the flotilla ceased fleet operations and moved to Ireland where it became a sort of "Saturday Morning Breakfast Club" — its roster a large, ever-varying melange of mixed types, not of geeks, jocks and stoners, but of 30-knotters, Acorns and "R" class destroyers.
18 March, 1910
Part of the Second Division, Home Fleet. Comprised of a mixture of Rivers and older 30-knotters. Exe was temporarily reduced to nucleus crew manning.[5]
Flagship | |||||
Bellona | |||||
Scouts | |||||
Foresight | |||||
Skirmisher | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Arab | Arun | Chelmer | Cherwell | Colne | Dee |
Derwent | Doon | Erne | Ettrick | Exe | Flirt |
Flying Fish | Foyle | Itchen | Jed | Kale | Kennet |
Leven | Liffey | Moy | Ouse | Racehorse | Stour |
Test |
1 November, 1911
The flotilla was comprised of:[6]
July, 1914
Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of twenty Acorns under a cruiser. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from flagship third class protected cruiser Amethyst.[7]
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Active | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
September, 1914
The Flotilla is now one of four supporting the Home and Atlantic Waters under overall flotilla flagship light cruiser Arethusa.[8]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Active | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last just one month, as during the month, it was decided that Broke 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.[9]
October, 1914
Broke is now asterisked to join as second-in-command "when ready".[10]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Active| | Broke* | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
On 24 November, the flotilla was attached to the Grand Fleet and the leader changed to Fearless (arriving from First Destroyer Flotilla) while Active went off to undergo a refit.[11]
December, 1914
Broke has finally joined as second-in-command, and Fearless has arrived from First Destroyer Flotilla.[12]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Fearless| | Broke | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
January, 1915
Galatea has joined as temporary flagship, and the assignment is more fully specified as being under the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets.[13]
Under Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Galatea | Broke | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last until February or March.[14]
March, 1915
Active is again flagship, with Broke as second-in-command. Though Goldfinch was wrecked on 19 February, she is still shown as attached.[15]
Under Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
scout cruiser Active | flotilla leader Broke | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Goldfinch | Hope | Larne | Lyra |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last just the month.
April, 1915
The Flotilla is now supporting the Grand Fleet. Goldfinch is belatedly removed following her wrecking on 19 February.[16]
Part of the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Active | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | ||||
Broke | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet |
Fury | Hope | Larne | Lyra | |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last until September.[17][18][19][20]
September, 1915
From this month, the asterisked ships are tenders to H.M.S. Vivid rather than Blake.[21]
Part of the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Active | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | ||||
Broke | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Blake | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn* | Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Comet* |
Fury* | Hope* | Larne | Lyra | |
Martin | Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe |
Redpole* | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake* | Staunch* |
This roster would last just the month.
October, 1915
flotilla leader Tipperary has been slyly added to the ships tender to H.M.S. Vivid, though she is not denoted as having special status. The ships with Vivid, however, are now marked as being "detached from Grand Fleet".[22]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Active | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||||
Broke | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Larne | Lyra | Martin |
Minstrel | Nemesis | Nereide | Nymphe | Rifleman | Ruby |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | |||
Tipperary | |||
Acorn | Comet | Fury | Tipperary |
Hope | Redpole | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last just the month.
November, 1915
Tipperary's detached group has attracted more destroyers from the attached group, and Active has been removed for work "in Home Waters or on detached service".[23]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||
Broke | |||
Depot Ship | |||
Blake | |||
Destroyers | |||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Larne |
Lyra | Martin | Nemesis | Nymphe |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Tipperary | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Acorn | Comet | Fury | Hope | Minstrel | |
Nereide | Redpole | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake | Staunch |
This roster would last just the month.
December, 1915
The detached group has attracted two more destroyers from the attached group, and Comet, Fury, Redpole and Staunch have been transferred to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterraean.[24]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||||
Broke | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Cameleon | Larne | Lyra | Nemesis | Nymphe |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | ||||
Flotilla Leader | ||||
Tipperary | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acorn | Brisk | Hope | Martin | Minstrel |
Nereide | Rifleman | Ruby | Sheldrake |
This roster would last just the month.
January, 1916
The detached group has seduced four more destroyers from the attached group, leaving a mere two behind. Acorn, Minstrel, Rifleman and Sheldrake have also been transferred to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterraean.[25]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||||
Broke | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Nemesis | Nymphe |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | ||||
Flotilla Leader | ||||
Tipperary | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Larne |
Lyra | Martin | Nereide | Ruby |
This roster would last just the month.
February, 1916
The starvation continues, and only a single destroyer remains in the group attached to the Grand Fleet. Larne and Nemesis appear to have gone missing in some administrative sense.[26]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||||
Broke | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Nymphe |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | |||
Flotilla Leader | |||
Tipperary | |||
Destroyers | |||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope |
Lyra | Martin | Nereide | Ruby |
March, 1916
With depot ship Blake, it appears that Broke alone is still supporting the Grand Fleet. Larne and Nemesis have re-appeared in the detached group, but Nymphe is not mentioned, and trusty Tipperary has gone off to join the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron.[27]
Part of the Grand Fleet | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | |||||
Broke | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Blake |
Temporarily Detached from Grand Fleet, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra |
Martin | Nereide | Ruby | Larne | Nemesis |
April, 1916
The Flotilla has been removed from its place in the Grand Fleet, but with Nymphe back in the roster, the formation is now eleven destroyers under orders of Captain-in-Charge, Devonport with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. The format is not clear, but the flotilla may be under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping.[28]
Under orders of Captain-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra | Martin |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne | Nymphe |
This roster would last until June. In May, it was noted that the flotilla was temporarily tender to Vernon.[29]
June, 1916
Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, Nymphe has again gone missing.[30]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra | Martin |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne |
This roster would last just the month.
July, 1916
The Acheron class destroyer Tigress has joined from the First Destroyer Flotilla.[31][32]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra | Martin |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne | Tigress |
This roster would last until September.[33]
September, 1916
The second class protected cruiser Eclipse has joined, bearing a Captain (D).[34]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||
Eclipse | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra | Martin |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne | Tigress |
October, 1916
Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, Hope has left for an undiscovered appointment.[35]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||
Eclipse | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Lyra | Martin | |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne | Tigress |
November, 1916
The destroyer Hope has magically returned and seven Acheron class destroyers (Acheron, Archer, Ariel, Attack, Goshawk, Hydra and Lizard) have arrived from the First Destroyer Flotilla.[36][37]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||
Eclipse | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Cameleon | Hope | Lyra | Martin |
Nereide | Ruby | Nemesis | Larne | Tigress | |
Acheron | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Goshawk | |
Hydra | Lizard |
December, 1916
Cameleon, Nereide, Larne, Nemesis have been sent to join the Adriatic Squadron.[38]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | ||||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||||
Eclipse | ||||||
Destroyers | ||||||
Acheron | Alarm | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Brisk | Lyra |
Hope | Martin | Goshawk | Ruby | Hydra | Lizard | Tigress |
Some blessed level of stability was finally found, as this roster would last until April, 1917.[39][40]
April, 1917
Lapwing and Phoenix have joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[41][42]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||||
Eclipse | |||||||
Destroyers | |||||||
Acheron | Alarm | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Brisk | Goshawk | Hope |
Hydra | Lapwing | Lizard | Lyra | Martin | Phoenix | Ruby | Tigress |
May, 1917
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||||
Eclipse | |||||||
Destroyers | |||||||
Acheron | Alarm | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Brisk | Goshawk | Hope |
Lapwing | Lizard | Lyra | Martin | Phoenix | Ruby | Tigress |
This roster would last just the month.
June, 1917
Jackal and Badger have joined from an escort flotilla in Portsmouth.[44][45]
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||
Eclipse | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Acheron | Alarm | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Badger |
Brisk | Goshawk | Hope | Jackal | Lapwing | Lizard |
Lyra | Martin | Phoenix | Ruby | Tigress |
This roster would last just the month.
July, 1917
Under orders of Commander-in-Charge, Devonport | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | |||||
Eclipse | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Acheron | Alarm | Archer | Ariel | Attack | Badger |
Brisk | Goshawk | Hope | Hydra | Jackal | Lapwing |
Lizard | Lyra | Martin | Phoenix | Ruby | Tigress |
This roster would last until September, 1917.[47]
September, 1917
A new epoch dawned for the flotilla in September, as it has been moved to the Northern Division of Ireland Station, headquartered at Buncrana. The cruiser has left with four destroyers: Eclipse, Ariel, Attack, Goshawk, Lyra and Tigress have been sent to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.[48]
A number of "M" class destroyers have arrived: Mandate, Martial, Michael and Milbrook from the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla, and Pelican from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla,[49] as well as Ossory and Marne which had been with the Eleventh in July.[50] Finally, Nicator and Portia joined from a miasma of ships already puttering about Buncrana.[51] A pair of 30-knotters and "R" class also joined, tendered to different vessels.
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Hecla | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Alarm | Brisk | Badger | Hope | Jackal | Lapwing |
Lizard | Martin | Ossory | Ruby | Mandate | Portia |
Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Nicator | Pelican |
Tenders to Sandhurst loaned from Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Restless | Rob Roy | ||||
Tenders to Thetis | |||||
Thorn | Wolf |
October, 1917
The large roster continues to change, bringing in an even greater diversity of types — a culture conducive to patrol and escort operations but not fleet work.[52]
Grasshopper, Beagle, Harpy, Scourge and Wolverine fresh from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla,[53] as well as Foxhound recently of that flotilla.[54]
A number of "M" class destroyers also joined: Moresby from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla, Orestes from the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla,[55] while sister Miranda was to arrive "shortly" from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[56]
Rob Roy has bucked the trend by departing to the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla.[57]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Alarm | Brisk | Badger | Beagle | Foxhound |
Grasshopper | Harpy | Hope | Jackal | Lapwing |
Martin | Ossory | Ruby | Mandate | Portia |
Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Miranda* |
Moresby | Nicator | Pelican | Scourge | Wolverine |
Tenders to Greenwich loaned from Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla | ||||
Orestes | ||||
Tenders to Sandhurst loaned from Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla | ||||
Restless | ||||
Tenders to Thetis | ||||
Thorn | Wolf |
On 2 October 1917, Brisk struck a mine while moving to assist the torpedoed armoured cruiser Drake.[58]
November, 1917
Seven destroyers have left while three joined, and Miranda still seems slow to actually join.[59]
Destroyers Jackal, Lapwing and Ruby have moved over to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla[60] and Alarm and Hope would re-appear there a month later.[61] Orestes has departed to the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla and Restless to the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla.[62]
Some old destroyers have come in from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, Bulldog freshly so,[63] and Mosquito and Racoon after two months seemingly lost in the paperwork.[64]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Badger | Beagle | Brisk | Bulldog | Foxhound |
Grasshopper | Harpy | Martin | Ossory | Mandate |
Portia | Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook |
Miranda* | Moresby | Mosquito | Nicator | Pelican |
Racoon | Scourge | Wolverine | ||
Tenders to Thetis | ||||
Thorn | Wolf |
December, 1917
Three destroyers have left while five have joined.[65]
Brisk has been removed, presumably as she is having her mine damage repaired — she would return in March, 1918. Martin has gone, to appear in January in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.[66] Miranda has gone directly to the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[67]
Minos will be joining "shortly" from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[68] Savage joined from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla,[69] and Express and Osprey from the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla.[70]
Pigeon also joined, recently of the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.[71]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Badger | Beagle | Bulldog | Foxhound | Grasshopper |
Harpy | Ossory | Mandate | Portia | Marne |
Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Minos* | Moresby |
Mosquito | Nicator | Pelican | Pigeon | Racoon |
Savage | Scourge | Wolverine | ||
Tenders to Thetis | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
January, 1918
Wolverine has been removed after being sunk in a collision in December, and Pincher and Rattlesnake have joined from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, although Rattlesnake's arrival will occur "shortly".[72][73]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Badger | Beagle | Bulldog | Foxhound | Grasshopper |
Harpy | Ossory | Mandate | Portia | Marne |
Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Minos* | Moresby |
Mosquito | Nicator | Pelican | Pigeon | Pincher |
Racoon | Rattlesnake* | Savage | Scourge | |
Tenders to Thetis | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
February, 1918
Rattlesnake has detached, eventually to re-appear in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in April,[74] while Grampus and Scorpion have joined from the Mediterranean Fleet, although Grampus will actually join "shortly" (although Minos has now joined).[75][76]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Badger | Beagle | Bulldog | Foxhound | Grampus* |
Grasshopper | Harpy | Ossory | Mandate | Portia |
Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Minos |
Moresby | Mosquito | Nicator | Pelican | Pigeon |
Pincher | Racoon | Savage | Scorpion | Scourge |
Tenders to Thetis | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
March, 1918
Brisk has rejoined in a paid off condition following her mining, and Grampus still has yet to join. Mosquito has paid off, and Racoon has been detached as she wrecked on 9 January. The second depot ship has changed, as well.[77]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Badger | Beagle | Brisk* | Bulldog | Foxhound |
Grampus* | Grasshopper | Harpy | Ossory | Mandate |
Portia | Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook |
Minos | Moresby | Mosquito* | Nicator | Pelican |
Pigeon | Pincher | Savage | Scorpion | Scourge |
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
April, 1918
Badger has disappeared, not to re-appear until August in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla at Brindisi.[78] Basilisk will soon be joining from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla,[79] Manners from the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla and Mons from the Third Destroyer Flotilla.[80] The resulting flotilla was as follows.[81]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk* | Beagle | Brisk* | Bulldog | Foxhound |
Grampus* | Grasshopper | Harpy | Mandate | Manners |
Marne | Martial | Michael | Milbrook | Minos |
Mons | Moresby | Mosquito* | Nicator | Ossory |
Pelican | Pigeon | Pincher | Portia | Savage |
Scorpion | Scourge | |||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
May, 1918
Six more "M" class destroyers have joined: Magic, Medway, Mounsey and Mystic from the Third Destroyer Flotilla, Mindful from the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla and Musketeer from the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla. Basilisk is now marked as paid off, and also still yet to actually join. Brisk remains paid off and Grampus has still not actually joined.[82][83]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk* | Beagle | Brisk* | Bulldog | Foxhound |
Grampus* | Grasshopper | Harpy | Magic | Mandate |
Manners | Marne | Martial | Medway | Michael |
Milbrook | Mindful | Minos | Mons | Moresby |
Mosquito | Mounsey | Mystic | Musketeer | Nicator |
Ossory | Pelican | Pigeon | Pincher | Portia |
Savage | Scorpion | Scourge | ||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
June, 1918
Eleven destroyers have departed: Beagle, Bulldog, Foxhound, Grasshopper, Harpy, Mosquito, Pincher, Savage, Scorpion and Scourge to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, and Brisk to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla. Basilisk, Grampus and Magic are paid off.[84]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk* | Grampus* | Magic* | Mandate | Manners |
Marne | Martial | Medway | Michael | Milbrook |
Mindful | Minos | Mons | Moresby | Mounsey |
Mystic | Musketeer | Nicator | Ossory | Pelican |
Pigeon | Portia | |||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
July, 1918
Astonishingly, the roster remains unchanged. Basilisk and Grampus are no longer paid off; Magic remains so.[85]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk | Grampus | Magic* | Mandate | Manners |
Marne | Martial | Medway | Michael | Milbrook |
Mindful | Minos | Mons | Moresby | Mounsey |
Musketeer | Mystic | Nicator | Ossory | Pelican |
Pigeon | Portia | |||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
August, 1918
Magic remains paid off. Renard from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla is added, to join "shortly".[86][87]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk | Grampus | Magic* | Mandate | Manners |
Marne | Martial | Medway | Michael | Milbrook |
Mindful | Minos | Mons | Moresby | Mounsey |
Musketeer | Mystic | Nicator | Ossory | Pelican |
Pigeon | Portia | Renard* | ||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
Given the variability of this flotilla, this roster likely changed in September, but the next Supplement available to me is for November.
November, 1918
Magic remains paid off; Milbrook is, also. Sometime after August, Beagle and Foxhound joined from the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, and Rattlesnake from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla. Additionally, Marne, Medway, Michael, Mystic, Nicator and Pelican are marked as being on loan to the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla which is operating with the Grand Fleet.[88][89]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk | Beagle | Foxhound | Grampus | Magic* |
Mandate | Manners | Marne* | Martial | Medway* |
Michael* | Milbrook | Mindful | Minos | Mons |
Moresby | Mounsey | Musketeer | Mystic* | Nicator* |
Ossory | Pelican* | Pigeon | ||
Portia | Rattlesnake | Renard | ||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Wolf | Osprey |
December, 1918
Magic and Milbrook remain paid off; Mounsey now is, also. The six destroyers on loan to the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla appear to be back. Wolf has been dropped, and seemingly has vanished from the Navy List for undiscovered reasons.[90]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Basilisk | Beagle | Foxhound | Grampus | Magic* |
Mandate | Manners | Marne | Martial | Medway |
Michael | Milbrook* | Mindful | Minos | Mons |
Moresby | Mounsey* | Musketeer | Mystic | Nicator |
Ossory | Pelican | Pigeon | ||
Portia | Rattlesnake | Renard | ||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Osprey |
January, 1919
With the war over, the ships have been ordered to Home Ports, though a few remain here. Magic and Mounsey remain paid off, though Milbrook does not. Depot ship Hecla, Basilisk, Beagle, Foxhound, Renard, Manners, Moresby and Pigeon have gone to the Nore, Rattlesnake, Medway, Nicator have gone to Portsmouth, Mandate, Marne, Martial, Mindful, Mons, Musketeer, Ossory and Portia to Devonport.[91]
Northern Division, Coast of Ireland Station (Buncrana) | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Grampus | Minos | Magic* | Mounsey* | Michael |
Mystic* | Milbrook | Pelican | ||
Tenders to Template:UK-Vigorous | ||||
Express | Thorn | Osprey |
February, 1919
The Flotilla no longer appears in the Navy List. Presumably, the other ships have also been ordered to Home Ports. Express and Grampus went to the Nore, Minos to Portsmouth, and Milbrook, Mounsey, Mystic to Devonport, with Magic, Michael and Pelican soon to follow them. The wartime history of the flotilla was at an end.[92]
March, 1919
The formation has returned to life as one of seven new Grand Fleet flotillas for the post-war navy, crafted from a pair of leaders, a depot ship and 16 ultra-modern destroyers.[93]
Supporting the Grand Fleet one of seven modern flotillas | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Division Leader | |||||
Shakespeare | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Sandhurst | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Vidette | Valentine | Vectis | Vega | Venetia | Verulam |
Vesper | Vimiera | Violent | Walpole | Windsor | Wessex |
Wolfhound | Westminster | Winchelsea | Westcott |
[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]
Captains (D)
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, 5 January, 1909[94][95] – 7 February, 1911[96]
- Captain The Hon. Hubert G. Brand, 7 February, 1911[97]
- Captain Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, 10 August, 1912[98] – 1 December, 1913[99]
- Captain James U. Farie, 1 December, 1913[100] – 11 March, 1914[101]
- Captain John B. Sparks, 12 October, 1915[102] – October, 1919[103]
- Captain Colin K. MacLean, 1 March, 1919[104] – 29 April, 1920[105]
- Captain Humphrey T. Walwyn, 29 April, 1920[106][107] – 9 May, 1922[108]
- Captain Roger L'E. M. Rede, 9 May, 1922[109] – 1 November, 1923[110]
- Captain Eric G. Robinson, 1 November, 1923[111] – 30 May, 1925[112]
- Captain George H. D'O. Lyon, 30 May, 1925[113] – 7 May, 1927[114]
- Captain Montague G. B. Legge, 2 May, 1927[115] – 19 December, 1928[116]
- Captain William J. Whitworth, 19 December, 1928[117] – February, 1931[118]
- Captain Denis W. Boyd, – 25 February, 1938[119]
- Captain Ralph Kerr, 25 February, 1938[120]
- Captain Bernard A. W. Warburton-Lee, 28 July, 1939[121] – 10 April, 1940[122] (killed while in this post)
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 13 August, 1907. Issue 38410, col B, p. 10.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 269.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July 1914.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 11.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 11.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 218-9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ No Supplement for February, 1915 has been found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). pp. 12, 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). pp. 12, 20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). pp. 12, 20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). pp. 14, 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 14, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). pp. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. p. 162.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). pp. 17, 18, 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). pp. 17, 18, 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 17, 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). pp. 17, 28.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). pp. 18-20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). pp. 19, 20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 11.
- ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 372.
- ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
- ↑ Brand Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 118.
- ↑ Tyrwhitt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 125.
- ↑ Tyrwhitt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 125.
- ↑ Farie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 385.
- ↑ Farie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 385.
- ↑ Sparks Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 341.
- ↑ Sparks Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 341.
- ↑ MacLean Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 285.
- ↑ MacLean Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 285.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 866.
- ↑ Walwyn Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/24. f. 24.
- ↑ Walwyn Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/24. f. 24.
- ↑ Rede Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/42. f. 42.
- ↑ Rede Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/42. f. 42.
- ↑ Robinson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 281.
- ↑ Robinson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 281.
- ↑ Lyon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48. f. 480.
- ↑ Lyon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48. f. 480.
- ↑ Legge Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/170. f. 574.
- ↑ Whitworth Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/232. f. 117.
- ↑ Whitworth Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/232. f. 117.
- ↑ Whitworth Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/232. f. 117.
- ↑ Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/53/137. f. 136.
- ↑ Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/53/137. f. 136.
- ↑ Warburton-Lee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/93/23. f. 23.
- ↑ Warburton-Lee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/93/23. f. 23.
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).
- Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations. Vol. V. London: Longmans, Green and Co..
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 |