Ninth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

The Ninth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.

War Service

At the outbreak of war, the Ninth had seventeen "River" class destroyers led by scout cruisers Forward and Patrol. It was deemed a "Patrol Flotilla" and served as part of the Nore Command with the Eighth flotilla, based out of Chatham.

In 1916, it was comprised of Laforey class destroyers, whose torpedoes proved only 64% likely to be dangerous to the enemy in limited test runs of that year.

Four destroyers from the flotilla was at the Battle of Jutland:

• Lydiard, Commander M. L. Goldsmith
• Liberty, Lieutenant-Commander P. W. S. King
• Landrail Lieutenant-Commander F. E. H. G. Hobart
• Laurel, Lieutenant H. D. C. Stanistreet

Captains (D)

Dates of appointment given:

• Captain Alan C. Bruce, 27 January, 1914.

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

[[Category:Royal Navy {{{1}}}]][[Category:{{{1}}}]]