Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Fifth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred. For tactical reasons the flotilla was divided into two half flotillas.
In 1911, while supporting operations in the Dardanelles, it was composed of the Beagle class destroyers.[1]
On 1 November, 1911, the flotilla was comprised of:[2]
- Sapphire (flag)
- Sentinel (scout)
- Leander, Tyne (depot ships)
- 24 "30 knotters"
History
Originally the Devonport Destroyer Flotilla, composed of nucleus crew vessels, it became the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in April, 1910.[3]
Outbreak of War, August, 1914
During the Dardanelles campaign, the Beagle class were amongst those comprising the Fifth in the Mediterranean.[4] In 1916, it was comprised of River, Beagle and Acheron class destroyers, whose torpedo test runnings that year resulted in shots that were 79%, 82% and 80% likely to be dangerous to the enemy.[5]
Battle of Jutland, June 1916
After Jutland, 1916
Captains (D)
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Noel Grant, 20 December, 1910.[6]
- Captain Edward G. Lowther-Crofton, 1 May, 1912.[7]
- Captain Charles P. R. Coode, 1 February, 1914.[8]
- Captain George K. Chetwode, 15 August, 1917.[9]
Footnotes
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921, p. 73.
- ↑ March, Edgar J. British Destroyers, p. 160. This is at odds with the Beagle/Dardanelle reference. Perhaps there was a Dardanelles detachment.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue 39251, col A, pg. 9.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers, p. 108.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 21 November, 1910. Issue 39435, col F, pg. 8.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 25 April, 1912. Issue 39882, col E, pg. 10.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 6 January, 1914. Issue 40413, col G, pg. 11.
- ↑ Navy List (December, 1918). p. 743.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.