H.M.S. Abdiel (1915)

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H.M.S. Abdiel (1915)
Pendant Number: G.07 (Sep 1915)
F.43 (Jan 1917)
F.49 (Jan 1918)[1]
Builder: Cammell Laird[2]
Ordered: Nov, 1914[3]
Launched: 12 Oct, 1915[4]
Sold: Jul, 1936[5]

H.M.S. Abdiel was one of seven Lightfoot class flotilla leaders built for the Royal Navy.

Mines

By war's end, Abdiel was equipped to carry 66 "M" sinker mines when operating with the Twentieth Destroyer Flotilla.[6]

Service

Berwick Curtis commanded her through the end of the war, most notably at the Battle of Jutland,[7] where she was configured as a fast minelayer and attached to the Grand Fleet.

On 7 June, Commander Berwick Curtis issued a report:[8]

Enclosure No. 16 to Submission No. 1415/0022 of 20/6/16 •
from C.-in-C., Home Fleets.
H.M.S. " Abdiel,"
7th June 1916.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to forward herewith report of " Abdiel's "
proceedings during the action with the German Fleet on
31st May and until arrival at Queensferry, 8 p.m., on 1st June.
During the day and until coming in contact with the enemy
at 5.40 p.m., " Abdiel " was in company with the 4th Light
Cruiser Squadron, who were acting as a screen from four to
five miles ahead of the Battle Fleet and spread 34 of a mile apart
to starboard ; " Abdiel " being of a mile on the port beam of
the Commodore's ship—" Calliope "—the port wing ship.
P. M .
5.45. Steering S.E. by S. at 19.5 knots, observed ships in action
bearing South and steering East.
Closed " Calliope " on her ordering the 4th L.C.S. to
close and form single line ahead.
Remained close the " Calliope," conforming as far as
possible to the movements of the Squadron without
getting in their way until the Battle Fleet had deployed
at about 6.15 p.m., when I proceeded to the centre
of the disengaged side of the Fleet according to orders,
and remained there during the action.
10.15. Having received orders by W/T from C.-in-C. to lay
mines as directed in Operation Memo. " M " of
31st May, proceeded S.S.E. at 31 knots.
A.M. 1st June,
0.30. Sighted Horns Reef Light Ship ; bearing E. by S.
1.24. Arrived at a position 15 miles 215' from Vyl Lightship ;
reduced speed and ran a line of 80 mines, 10 to the
mile, set for 15 ft. deep at low water,, steering S. 9 E.
(mag.) for the first 40 and S. 34 W. (mag.) for the
remainder, zig-zagging on each course.
2. 4. Finished laying mines and proceeded North at 30 knots.
2.20. A/c to N. 77 W.
2.55. A/c to S. 79 W.
3.50. Heard heavy firing S.W. about 10 miles off.
4.30. Reduced to 25 knots.
7.40. A/c to N. 46 W., having passed round the South of
Area 1 Minefield according to orders.
4.40. Passed four of 8th Flotilla Patrol and arrived at Queens-
ferry at 8 p.m., having met or seen nothing else.
While laying the mines the lights of 3 Fishing Vessels
were seen, but I am of opinion that they did not
observe " Abdiel " or what she was doing, as it was
not daylight and visibility was very low owing to
drizzling rain and overcast sky.
No mines were seen to remain on the surface.
The ship was not hit during the action.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
B. CURTIS,
Commander in Command.

The Commander-in-Chief,

Grand Fleet,


H.M.S. "Iron Duke."

Around March 1918, she became the flagship of the newly created Twentieth Destroyer Flotilla. She would remain there through at least May, 1919.[9]

Post-War

Abdiel was reduced to Reserve at the Nore on 24 August, 1920.[10]

Paid off into Dockyard Control on 14 September, 1925.[11]

Reduced to Reserve at the Nore on 25 January, 1927.[12]

Abdiel was re-commissioned in Reserve at The Nore on 1 April, 1928.[13]

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
  2. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
  3. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
  4. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
  5. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
  6. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, Mining Appendix, 1917-18. Plate 7.
  7. Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 45.
  8. Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 297-8.
  9. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 15.
  10. The Navy List. (April, 1925). p. 214.
  11. The Navy List. (February, 1926). p. 214.
  12. The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 214.
  13. The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 213.
  14. The Navy List. (September, 1919). p. 721.
  15. Curtis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/262. f. 262.
  16. Curtis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/262. f. 262.
  17. Reinold Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/7. f. 410.
  18. Reinold Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/7. f. 410.
  19. Prichard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/356. f. 401.
  20. Prichard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/356. f. 401.
  21. The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 721.
  22. Goldsmith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 247.
  23. Goldsmith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 247.
  24. Goldsmith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 247.
  25. Goldsmith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 247.
  26. Lecky Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/54. f. 54.
  27. Lecky Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/54. f. 54.
  28. Scott Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/82. f. ?.
  29. Scott Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/82. f. ?.

Bibliography


Lightfoot Class Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt Lightfoot Marksman Nimrod Abdiel
  Gabriel Ithuriel  
<– Faulknor Class Destroyer Leaders (UK) Parker Class –>