H.M.S. Chester (1915)

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H.M.S. Chester (1915)
Pendant Number: C9 (1914)
39 (Jan 1918)
50 (Apr 1918)[1]
Builder: Cammell Laird[2]
Laid down: 7 Oct, 1914[3]
Launched: 8 Dec, 1915[4]
Commissioned: May, 1916[5]
Sold: 9 Nov, 1921[6]
Fate: to Rees, Llanelly[7]

H.M.S. Chester fought at the Battle of Jutland as part of the Third Light Cruiser Squadron. She suffered grievously from 5.9-in gunfire while screening the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron.

Service

Robert N. Lawson commanded her from October, 1915 through the Battle of Jutland, where she operated detached from her Third Light Cruiser Squadron, screening the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron. In this role, she delivered very effective fire but became the unfortunate focus of attention of a majority of the German ships able to identify a clear target in the failing light. Shs suffered a great many casualties – many to splinter effects.[8].

Lawson remained in command through the surrender of Germany's High Sea Fleet at war's end.

Chester paid off at the Nore 31 March, 1920.[9]

Alterations

Chester was one of just six light cruisers listed as having a Turret Control Table in her T.S. in June 1918. If and when this was provided is uncertain.[10]

She was fitted with a director in May, 1918. This alteration required her pole mast to be replaced with a tripod mast for greater rigidity.[11]

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 47.
  2. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 58.
  3. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 58.
  4. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 58.
  5. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 58.
  6. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 47.
  7. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 47.
  8. Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. his report on pp. 187-191.
  9. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 745.
  10. Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. p. 3.
  11. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 23. pp. 11-12.
  12. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 757.
  13. Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
  14. Successor assumed command that day.
  15. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 757.
  16. Hammersley-Heenan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/289. ff. 303, 304.
  17. The Navy List. (January, 1920). p. 745.
  18. Hammersley-Heenan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/289. ff. 303, 304.
  19. "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Friday, January 2, 1920, Issue 42297, p.16.
  20. Lowis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/93. f. 103.
  21. Lowis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/93. f. 103.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • Gray, Randal (editor) (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1918). Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. C.B. 1456. Copy No. 10 at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
  • Admiralty, Technical History Section (1919). The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. Vol. 3, Part 23. C.B. 1515 (23) now O.U. 6171/14. At The National Archives. ADM 275/19.


Birkenhead Class Light Cruiser
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