Difference between revisions of "Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)"

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Between April and October, 1910, they comprised the [[First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|First Destroyer Flotilla]].  In 1911, they were sent to the Mediterranean to become the {{UK-DF|5}} during the Dardanelles operation.  They were re-designated the '''"G" class''' in October 1913.{{Conways1906|p. 73}}
 
Between April and October, 1910, they comprised the [[First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|First Destroyer Flotilla]].  In 1911, they were sent to the Mediterranean to become the {{UK-DF|5}} during the Dardanelles operation.  They were re-designated the '''"G" class''' in October 1913.{{Conways1906|p. 73}}
  
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They burned coal and were, at 27 knots, about 6 knots slower than the "Tribals".<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 11.</ref>
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They burned coal and were, at 27 knots, about 6 knots slower than the "Tribals".{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 11}}
  
 
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===4-in Gun===
 
===4-in Gun===
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The single 4-in gun mounted forward was a 4-in B.L. Mark VIII gun on P III mounting with 120 rounds (60 common, 60 lyddite, plus 14 practice) .{{March|p. 101}}<ref>''The Sight Manual, 1916'', pp. 4, 88, 108, Plate 42.</ref>
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The single 4-in gun mounted forward was a 4-in B.L. Mark VIII gun on P III mounting with 120 rounds (60 common, 60 lyddite, plus 14 practice) .{{March|p. 101}}{{TheSightM|pp. 4, 88, 108, Plate 42}}
  
 
The mounting could elevate to 20 degrees and depress to 10 degrees, but though its sight could match the 20 degree elevation, the range dial was only graduated to 9,300 yards (14 degrees 44 arc minutes) at 2,225 fps.
 
The mounting could elevate to 20 degrees and depress to 10 degrees, but though its sight could match the 20 degree elevation, the range dial was only graduated to 9,300 yards (14 degrees 44 arc minutes) at 2,225 fps.
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Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.  Sighting lines on the left were 10.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches left.  The trainer's sighting lines were 12.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches right.  His sight could be used as a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]].  Open sights were provided (for the layer at least), but there is no sign of temperature correctors.
 
Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.  Sighting lines on the left were 10.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches left.  The trainer's sighting lines were 12.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches right.  His sight could be used as a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]].  Open sights were provided (for the layer at least), but there is no sign of temperature correctors.
  
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In some of these ships, the aft 12-pdr was landed to accommodate depth charges.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 14.</ref>
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In some of these ships, the aft 12-pdr was landed to accommodate depth charges.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 14}}
  
 
===Other Guns===
 
===Other Guns===
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Although not originally equipped, by 1920 some or all of the ships had been provided a Vickers 3-pdr Q.F. gun on a Mark III H.A. mounting.{{Conways1906| p. 74}}<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref>
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Although not originally equipped, by 1920 some or all of the ships had been provided a Vickers 3-pdr Q.F. gun on a Mark III H.A. mounting.{{Conways1906| p. 74}}{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 15}}
  
 
===Torpedoes===
 
===Torpedoes===
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===Other Weapons===
 
===Other Weapons===
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In mid-March 1916, Type D depth charges were fitted on either side of ''Scorpion'''s stern.  In June 1918, ''Harpy'' had two Thornycroft depth charge throwers, 16 carriers, 2 runners and 50 depth charges, adding to 18 tons additional weight.{{March|p. 108}}  The addition of depth charges obligated some ships to land their aft 12-pdr gun.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 14.</ref>
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In mid-March 1916, Type D depth charges were fitted on either side of ''Scorpion'''s stern.  In June 1918, ''Harpy'' had two Thornycroft depth charge throwers, 16 carriers, 2 runners and 50 depth charges, adding to 18 tons additional weight.{{March|p. 108}}  The addition of depth charges obligated some ships to land their aft 12-pdr gun.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 14}}
  
 
==Fire Control==
 
==Fire Control==

Revision as of 15:47, 26 September 2012

Sixteen destroyers of the Beagle Class were ordered as part of the 1908-1909 Naval Programme.

They inaugurated the use of 21-in torpedoes on Royal Navy destroyers.

Between April and October, 1910, they comprised the First Destroyer Flotilla. In 1911, they were sent to the Mediterranean to become the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla during the Dardanelles operation. They were re-designated the "G" class in October 1913.[1]

They burned coal and were, at 27 knots, about 6 knots slower than the "Tribals".[2]

Performance

Beagle steamed at over 27 knots for 4 hours burning over 11.5 tons of coal per hour, making 2.32 miles per ton — a little below the average for the class. Rattlesnake had the best tactical diameters of 382 yards to starboard and 457 yards to port, while Harpy was worst with 802 and 887 yards. The rudders were 55 square feet, but hull lengths ranged from 266 to 275 feet.[3]

On a patrol exercise with "Tribals", the Tribals returned early as they were short of fuel, whereas the Beagles had 30-40 tons of coal remaining. Similar comparison tests seem to confirm a greater endurance for the Beagles. The ships lacked any heating arrangements and men were unable to sleep in the extreme cold.[4]

In the Dardanelles during February, 1915, Beagle had her boilers lit for 26 consecutive days.

Armament

4-in Gun

The single 4-in gun mounted forward was a 4-in B.L. Mark VIII gun on P III mounting with 120 rounds (60 common, 60 lyddite, plus 14 practice) .[5][6]

The mounting could elevate to 20 degrees and depress to 10 degrees, but though its sight could match the 20 degree elevation, the range dial was only graduated to 9,300 yards (14 degrees 44 arc minutes) at 2,225 fps.

The gear-worked sight had a range gearing contant of 54 and spiral-reading range dials were provided for 2225 fps, 1-in aiming rifle and .303-in aiming rifle. MV could be corrected by adjustable pointer to +/- 75 fps.

The deflection gearing constant was 50.69 with 1 knot equal to 3.05 arc minutes, corresponding to 2275 fps at 2000 yards. Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees.

Sight lines were 10 inches above the bore, and 16 inches left and 15 inches right. Open sights and temperature correctors were provided.

12-pdr Guns

The three 12-pdr guns were mounted two in echelon on the beam and one aft.[7]

They were 12-pdr 12 cwt Q.F. guns on P V mountings with 100 rounds per gun, all common shell.[8] The mountings could elevate to 20 degrees and depress to 10.

The sights were the only cam-worked 12-pdr sights in the Royal Navy, with range dials for 2150 fps, 1-in and .303-in aiming rifles. They could elevate to 20 degrees but their graduations ended at 19.25 degrees (8100 yards full charge). MV was corrected by adjustable pointer, +/- 100 fps.

Deflection gearing constant was 43.76, with 1 knot equalling 3.76 arc minutes, corresponding to mv 2197 at 2000 yards.

Drift was corrected by inclining the sight 2 degrees. Sighting lines on the left were 10.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches left. The trainer's sighting lines were 12.25 inches above the bore and 10 inches right. His sight could be used as a free sight. Open sights were provided (for the layer at least), but there is no sign of temperature correctors.

In some of these ships, the aft 12-pdr was landed to accommodate depth charges.[9]

Other Guns

Although not originally equipped, by 1920 some or all of the ships had been provided a Vickers 3-pdr Q.F. gun on a Mark III H.A. mounting.[10][11]

Torpedoes

Two single 21-in tubes on the centre line, one right aft, firing the short 18.5-foot Mark I.[12]

Some of the ships were equipped with Fore Bridge Firing Gear, either upon completion or prior to 1911.[13]

Other Weapons

In mid-March 1916, Type D depth charges were fitted on either side of Scorpion's stern. In June 1918, Harpy had two Thornycroft depth charge throwers, 16 carriers, 2 runners and 50 depth charges, adding to 18 tons additional weight.[14] The addition of depth charges obligated some ships to land their aft 12-pdr gun.[15]

Fire Control

Voice Control Equipment[16]

The ships were probably completed with the Navyphone and Telaupad circuitry outlined in the Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909[17] for control of gunnery, searchlights and torpedoes. It was powered by six Pattern 1453 cells.

Each gun, torpedo tube and searchlight had a set of telaupads, and there were navyphones on fore bridge (a Pattern 863) and in the aft steering position (a Pattern 2140A). The commander of Bulldog had many complaints about the ship, including that "navy-phones no good."[18]

The C.O.S. on the fore bridge had two positions:

  1. Fore bridge Navyphone tied to after steering position Navyphone
  2. both Navyphones in communication with all Telaupads

By 1915, at least, these ships also had fixed voice pipes installed between decks with the last lengths being flexible (one voice pipe for gunnery, one for torpedoes) fitted between bridge and guns, torpedo tubes, and searchlights. A third voicepipe, entirely flexible, ran from bridge to the forward gun.[19]

The Technical History and Index indicates that destroyers prior to the Acorn class relied on a visual system for transmitting fire control information.[20]

Fire Control Instruments

Torpedo Control Instruments

There was torpedo fore bridge firing gear.[21]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 73.
  2. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 11.
  3. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 106.
  4. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 106.
  5. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 101.
  6. ↑ The Sight Manual, 1916. pp. 4, 88, 108, Plate 42.
  7. ↑ The Sight Manual, 1916. pp. 4, 96, 108, Plate 46.
  8. ↑ March. British Destroyers. pp. 101, 104.
  9. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 14.
  10. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 74.
  11. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 15.
  12. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 32.
  13. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 31.
  14. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 108.
  15. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 14.
  16. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. Plate 55.
  17. ↑ Handbook for Fire Control Instruments, 1909. p. 52, Plate 55.
  18. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 107.
  19. ↑ Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915., p. 150.
  20. ↑ Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 34, pp. 15-16.
  21. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 104.

Bibliography


Beagle Class Destroyer
Beagle Bulldog Foxhound Pincher Grasshopper
Mosquito Scorpion Scourge Racoon Renard
  Wolverine Rattlesnake Nautilus  
  Savage Basilisk Harpy  
<– Tribal Class Destroyers (UK) Acorn Class –>
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