H.M.S. Aboukir (1900)

H.M.S. Aboukir (1900)
Pendant Number:	N.00 (1914)
Builder:	Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
Ordered:	1897-98 Programme
Laid down:	9 Nov, 1898
Launched:	16 May, 1900
Commissioned:	3 Apr, 1902
Torpedoed:	22 Sep, 1914
Fate:	by U 9

Service

Aboukir was commissioned at Portsmouth on 3 April, 1902, by Captain Sir Charles J. Graves-Sawle, Baronet for service on the Mediterranean Station.

On 15 June, 1905, the Aboukir was paid off by Captain Graves-Sawle at Portsmouth and recommissioned on 16 June by Captain William J. Grogan with a nucleus crew for service in the Chatham Reserve Division.

On 3 February, 1911, she collided with Lancaster while operating with the Sixth Cruiser Squadron. It was determined that Rear-Admiral Douglas Austin Gamble was at fault.

She re-commissioned at Devonport on 4 April, 1911 for service with the Sixth Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean.

She re-commissioned at Portsmouth on 16 December, 1911.

She recommissioned at Sheerness on 15 April, 1913.

In mid-July, 1914, the ship was stationed in the Humber as part of a force of four Majestic class battleships and two Cressy class cruisers being sent there.

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

• Captain Sir Charles J. Graves-Sawle, Bart., 3 April, 1902 – 15 June, 1905  (ceded command to George Smith for two days in July, 1904)
• Captain George W. Smith, 15 July, 1904 – 17 July, 1904
• Captain William J. Grogan, 16 June, 1905 – 1 February, 1906
• Captain Henry R. Robinson, 1 February, 1906
• Captain Henry H. Torlesse, 6 November, 1906 – 3 December, 1906
• Captain Robert J. Prendergast, 3 December, 1906 – 1 March, 1907
• Captain Claud A. W. Hamilton, 2 March, 1907 – 9 March, 1909
• Captain Norman C. Palmer, 9 March, 1909 – 17 July, 1909
• Captain Richard F. Phillimore, 17 July, 1909 – 3 April, 1911
• Captain Cuthbert E. Hunter, 4 April, 1911 – 5 December, 1911
• Commander Eric V. F. R. Dugmore, 15 December, 1911 – 19 April, 1912  (first appointed to ship in April, 1911)
• Commander Eric V. F. R. Dugmore, 25 April, 1912 – 1 June, 1912
• Commander James L. S. Kirkness, 1 June, 1912 – 1 July, 1912  (remained in ship after ceding command)
• Captain A. Ernle M. Chatfield, 2 July, 1912
• Captain Bentinck J. D. Yelverton, 22 October, 1912 – 1 February, 1913  (and for charge of a group of ships in 3rd Fleet)
• Commander Reginald L. Crichton, 1 February, 1913 – 12 February, 1913
• Commander John H. Loftie, 10 February, 1913 – 15 April, 1913
• Captain Guy L. Sclater, 15 April, 1913 – 17 November, 1913
• Captain Alexander P. Davidson, 17 November, 1913 – July, 1914
• Captain John E. Drummond, 10 August, 1914 – 22 September, 1914  (in command at time of her loss)

Torpedoes

In 1904, in a competition to investigate how rapidly submerged tubes could be fired four times sequentially, starting with the tube loaded and the bar out, the ship's crew was able to do this in 2 minutes, 25.4 seconds. The best time was achieved by sister Cressy at 50.75 seconds, though 2:30 was more typical.

See Also

• The Loss of the Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue
• Wikipedia

Bibliography

• Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
• Chesneau, Robert; Kolesnik, Eugene (editors) (1979). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. London: Conway Maritime Press. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).