Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Tenth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy instituted in mid-December, 1914. It fought as part of the Harwich Force throughout the war.
History
Its formation was commanded on 15 December 1914 under leader Aurora with Dido as the depot ship and eight Beagles and all the M class destroyers presently available except Miranda and Meteor.
In 1916, it was comprised of M class destroyers armed with 21-in Mark II torpedoes.[1]
March, 1915
The flotilla appears in The Navy List for the first time, under Commodore (T) in flagship cruiser Arethusa. It has a cruiser and nine "M" class destroyers.[2]
A Flotilla under Commodore (T) | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mastiff | Mentor | Milne | Minos | Moorsom |
Morris | Murray | Myngs |
April, 1915
Still under Commodore (T), it and the Third Destroyer Flotilla are now part of the Harwich Striking Force, sharing the depot ship Dido. With the arrival of Matchless and Meteor, the Tenth is a cruiser and eleven "M" class destroyers.[3]
Part of the Harwich Striking Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mastiff | Matchless | Mentor | Meteor | Milne |
Minos | Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
May, 1915
The still-being-completed Tipperary and Mansfield will be joining, bringing the Tenth to the strength of two cruisers and twelve "M" class destroyers.[4]
Part of the Harwich Striking Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruisers | |||||
Aurora | Tipperary* | ||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield* | Mastiff | Matchless | Mentor | Meteor |
Milne | Minos | Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
June, 1915
Plans to add Tipperary to the Tenth may have been altered, as she is now part of the Third Destroyer Flotilla. Mansfield is seemingly now complete. The Tenth is one cruiser and twelve "M" class destroyers.[5]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Mentor | Meteor |
Milne | Minos | Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
July, 1915
Medea, Medusa, Miranda and the Acorn class destroyer Hope have joined (the latter for just the month), and Melpomene is slated to join "shortly" – she would actually appear in September. In the meantime, the Tenth is projected to be one cruiser and seventeen destroyers.[6]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Medusa |
Melpomene* | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs | Hope |
August, 1915
Hope is gone, noted in the catch-all bin of "miscellaneous ships in home waters or on detached service". Melpomene is still not actually joined. The Tenth is one cruiser and sixteen "M" class destroyers.[7]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Medusa |
Melpomene* | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
September, 1915
Melpomene has finally, in fact, joined. Nimrod has joined as a Flotilla Leader. The Tenth is one cruiser, a flotilla leader and sixteen "M" class destroyers.[8]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Third/Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Medusa |
Melpomene | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
This arrangement would apply until January, 1916.[9]
January, 1916
Melampus has joined from "detached service" or what-not. On the other hand, Mastiff has departed to join the Eleventh Submarine Flotilla, destined to return in one month. For now, the Tenth is still one cruiser, a flotilla leader and sixteen "M" class destroyers.[10][11]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Matchless | Medea | Medusa | Melampus |
Melpomene | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
February, 1916
Mastiff has returned from her month with the Eleventh Submarine Flotilla, having been relieved by Talisman. The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and seventeen "M" class destroyers.[12][13]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Medusa |
Melampus | Melpomene | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos |
Miranda | Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
March, 1916
Melampus has left to join the Eighth Submarine Flotilla. The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and sixteen "M" class destroyers.[14]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Medusa |
Melpomene | Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Moorsom | Morris | Murray | Myngs |
April, 1916
Medusa has been removed, lost to a collision on 26 March. On the other hand, Termagant and Trident have arrived – their tenure here would be temporary.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and seventeen destroyers.[15]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Melpomene |
Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom |
Morris | Murray | Myngs | |||
Termagant | Trident |
May, 1916
Trident has moved out to join the Eleventh Submarine Flotilla. Termagant's assignment is noted as being temporary.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and sixteen destroyers.[16]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Medea | Melpomene |
Mentor | Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom |
Morris | Murray | Myngs | |||
Termagant* |
This arrangement would apply until July, 1916.[17]
Battle of Jutland
Just four destroyers from the flotilla were at the Battle of Jutland.[18]
Two fought with ?
And two were temporarily attached to the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla:[19]
- Turbulent (lost), Lieutenant-Commander Dudley Stuart
- Termagant, Lieutenant-Commander Cuthbert Patrick Blake
As Turbulent had so very recently joined that she never was listed in the Navy List as part of the Tenth, the strength of the flotilla was not affected by the Battle.
July, 1916
Medea has moved out, briefly disappearing from the Navy List, but destined to appear with the Tenth Submarine Flotilla in November, 1916. Termagant's assignment is noted as being temporary.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and fifteen destroyers.[20]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Melpomene | Mentor |
Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom | Morris |
Murray | Myngs | ||||
Termagant* |
This arrangement would last until September.[21]
September, 1916
Termagant has finally moved out to join the Tenth Submarine Flotilla.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and fourteen "M" class destroyers.[22]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Melpomene | Mentor |
Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom | Morris |
Murray | Myngs |
This arrangement would apply until December, 1916.[23]
December, 1916
The newly-completed "R" class destroyer H.M.S. Starfish has joined.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader and fifteen destroyers.[24]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Aurora | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Melpomene | Mentor |
Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom | Morris |
Murray | Myngs | ||||
Starfish |
January, 1917
The newly-completed destroyers Phoebe and Simoom have joined. Dedicated cruiser Aurora has moved out to join the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron, replaced in part by shared use of the Undaunted with the Ninth Submarine Flotilla, the Tenth's sister flotilla within the Harwich Force.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a shared flotilla leader and seventeen destroyers.[25]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted shared with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Melpomene | Mentor |
Meteor | Milne | Minos | Miranda | Moorsom | Morris |
Murray | Myngs | Phoebe | |||
Simoom | Starfish |
This arrangement would last until February or March, 1917.[26]
March, 1917
Melpomene, Mentor, Meteor and Morris have moved out to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol. Simoom seems to vanish from the Navy List for a full year until being listed with Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla in March, 1918.
Offsetting these losses and more, eight newly-completed destroyers have joined: North Star, Redgauntlet, Satyr, Setter, Skate, Stork, Surprise and Sylph.
The Tenth is now a cruiser, a shared flotilla leader and twenty modern destroyers.[27][28]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted shared with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Flotilla Leader | |||||
Nimrod 2nd in command | |||||
Depot Ship shared with Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | |||||
Dido | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Mastiff | Matchless | Milne | Minos |
Miranda | Moorsom | Murray | Myngs | North Star | Phoebe |
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Satyr | Setter | Skate | Starfish | Stork |
Surprise | Sylph |
April, 1917
The dissolution of the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in this month gives the Tenth exclusive use of the flagship cruiser it had been sharing with that formation, and has also lifted its flotilla leader, Lightfoot.
A trend toward flushing out "M" class in favour of "R" class gains speed as Mastiff, Moorsom and Myngs leave to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol while ten new "R" class destroyers join the Tenth: Radiant, Retriever, Redoubt, Sharpshooter, Skilful, Sturgeon, Sybille, Tempest, Thruster and Torrent.
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, two flotilla leaders and twenty-seven modern destroyers.[29]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Lightfoot 2nd in command |
Nimrod | ||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Matchless | Milne | Minos | Miranda |
Murray | North Star | Phoebe | |||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | Setter |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Starfish | Stork | Sturgeon |
Surprise | Sybille | Sylph | Tempest | Thruster | Torrent |
May, 1917
The flotilla continues a trend toward enrichment of the "R" class destroyer demographic. "M" class vessels Matchless and Miranda have gone to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol, the former not to arrive before June, however.
"R" class destroyer Skate has also left, next to appear in July with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla, to be replaced by the newly-completed Recruit, Springbok, Torrid and Taurus.
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, two flotilla leaders and twenty-eight modern destroyers.[30][31][32]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Lightfoot 2nd in command |
Nimrod | ||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Manly | Mansfield | Milne | Minos | Murray | North Star |
Phoebe | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Recruit | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr |
Setter | Sharpshooter | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Surprise | Sybille | Sylph | Tempest | Thruster |
Torrent | Torrid | Taurus |
June, 1917
The flotilla now has just three "M" class destroyers and twenty-three "R"s.
Manly, Mansfield, Milne and Minos have moved out to go to the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol.
Setter has been lost to a collision with Sylph on 17 May. Sturgeon has left, to appear next with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla in August.[33]
Newly-completed destroyers Sceptre, Tetrarch and Thisbe have joined.
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, two flotilla leaders and twenty-six modern destroyers.[34]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Lightfoot 2nd in command |
Nimrod | ||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"M" class Destroyers | |||||
Murray | North Star | Phoebe | |||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Recruit | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr |
Sceptre | Sharpshooter | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Surprise | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Tempest | Tetrarch |
Thisbe | Thruster | Torrent | Torrid | Truculent |
July, 1917
Murray, North Star and Phoebe have left to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol, leaving no "M"s in the Tenth.
Valkyrie has joined as a third flotilla leader, and Teazer has joined.
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, three flotilla leaders and twenty-four destroyers, all of the "R" class.[35]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Lightfoot 2nd in command |
Nimrod | Valkyrie | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Recruit | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr |
Sceptre | Sharpshooter | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Surprise | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrent | Torrid | Truculent |
This arrangement would apply until September.[36]
September, 1917
Recruit has been lost to a mine on 9 August.[37]
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, three flotilla leaders and twenty-three "R" class destroyers.[38]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Lightfoot 2nd in command |
Nimrod | Valkyrie | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | |
Sceptre | Sharpshooter | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Surprise | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrent | Torrid | Truculent |
October, 1917
A shuffle has brought in the new submarine Shakespeare as second in command, sending Lightfoot to the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.
Thisbe and Sharpshooter have been dropped without explanation, but they would reappear in December, 1917 and March, 1918, respectively.
Tornado and Ulleswater have entered service.
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, three flotilla leaders and twenty-three "R" class destroyers.[39]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Shakespeare 2nd in command |
Nimrod | Valkyrie | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | Sceptre |
Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork | Surprise | Sybille |
Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest | Tetrarch | Thruster |
Tornado | Torrent | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
This arrangement would apply until December.[40]
December, 1917
Thisbe has returned from her two month absence.
Spenser has come in as a flotilla leader. It is not clear from the format, but she may also have the rank of second in command).
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, four flotilla leaders and twenty-four "R" class destroyers.[41]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Spenser | Shakespeare 2nd in command | ||||
Nimrod | Valkyrie | ||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | Sceptre |
Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork | Surprise | Sybille |
Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest | Tetrarch | Thisbe |
Thruster | Tornado | Torrent | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
January, 1918
Spenser now bears the Captain (D). Scott is to join "shortly".
Surprise, Tornado and Torrent were all mined on 23 December.[42]
The Tenth is thus now a cruiser, four/five flotilla leaders and twenty-one "R" class destroyers.[43]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Cruiser | |||||
Undaunted | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Spenser (Captain D) | Shakespeare 2nd in command | ||||
Scott* | Nimrod | Valkyrie | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | Sceptre |
Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork | Sybille | Sylph |
Taurus | Teazer | Tempest | Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster |
Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
February, 1918
Four paddle sweepers have joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, and Undaunted has departed to join the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron, also part of the Harwich Force.
Scott has now arrived, but Nimrod has gone to a temporary assignment with the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla and Shakespeare is no longer marked as second in command.
The Tenth is thus now four flotilla leaders, twenty-one "R" class destroyers and four paddle sweepers.[44]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Scott | Shakespeare | Valkyrie | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Redgauntlet | Radiant | Retriever | Redoubt | Satyr | Sceptre |
Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork | Sybille | Sylph |
Taurus | Teazer | Tempest | Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster |
Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater | |||
Paddle Sweepers | |||||
Eglinton | Gatwick | Melton | Pontefract |
March, 1918
The four paddle sweepers are now marked "Harwich Fleet Sweeping Flotilla", but still seem as though they may be part of this flotilla in an administrative sense.[Inference] Valkyrie and Satyr are paid off, though this will last just a month for '"Satyr.
Sharpshooter and Sturgeon have returned. Skate has joined.
The flotilla strength is four flotilla leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers and four paddle sweepers.[45]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Scott | Shakespeare | Valkyrie* | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Satyr* | Sceptre |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
Harwich Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Eglinton | Gatwick | Melton | Pontefract |
April, 1918
Valkyrie has gone to join the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla in her paid off condition. Satyr no longer seems to be paid off.
The flotilla strength is three flotilla leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers and four paddle sweepers.[46]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Scott | Shakespeare | ||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Satyr | Sceptre |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
Harwich Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Eglinton | Gatwick | Melton | Pontefract |
May, 1918
Bruce has joined.
The flotilla strength is four flotilla leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers and four paddle sweepers.[47]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Bruce | Scott | Shakespeare | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Satyr | Sceptre |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
Harwich Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Eglinton | Gatwick | Melton* | Pontefract |
This arrangement would apply until X, but in June, Melton would be noted as bearing the sweeping flotilla's senior officer.[48]
July, 1918
The sweeping flotilla is now also called the Sixth. Shakespeare is paid off.
The flotilla strength is otherwise still four flotilla leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers and four paddle sweepers.[49]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Bruce | Scott | Shakespeare* | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Satyr | Sceptre |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent | Ulleswater |
Harwich (Sixth) Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Eglinton | Gatwick | Melton (S.O.) | Pontefract |
This arrangement would apply until some time between September and November.[50]
November, 1918
A second sweeping flotilla, the Twentieth, is present. It is normally to be from Felixstowe, but is temporarily detached to Granton in November, arriving in Felixstowe in December. All sweepers in the Sixth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla have changed.
Montrose has arrived, replacing Scott, which was lost on 15 August. Shakespeare no longer appears to be paid off.
Swallow has arrived, replacing Ulleswater, which was torpedoed by UC 17 on 15 August.
The flotilla strength remains four flotilla leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers and eight paddle sweepers.[51]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Bruce | Montrose | Shakespeare | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Satyr | Sceptre |
Sharpshooter | Skate | Skilful | Springbok | Starfish | Stork |
Sturgeon | Swallow | Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer |
Tempest | Tetrarch | Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent |
Harwich (Sixth) Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Bootle | Fareham | Sutton | Tring | ||
Felixstowe (Twentieth) Fleet Sweeping Flotilla* | |||||
Blackburn | Derby | Harrow | Stoke |
This arrangement would apply until February, 1919.[52]
February, 1919
The end of the war brings a draw-down in fighting capacity and an increase in mine clearance forces, with two more sweeping flotillas being formed.
The end of the war has allowed eight destroyers to do what they always wanted to do: teach! Some have joined torpedo schools at various ports; Satyr at Devonport, Skate at Portsmouth, and Springbok at the Nore, with Skilful to join her "shortly". Others have joined gunnery schools; Sharpshooter at Portsmouth, and Starfish and Stork at the Nore. Sturgeon has gone to Dartmouth College.
The flotilla strength is now four flotilla leaders, sixteen "R" class destroyers and eighteen paddle sweepers.[53]
Part of the Harwich Force | |||||
Flotilla Leader w/ Captain (D) | |||||
Spenser | |||||
Flotilla Leaders | |||||
Bruce | Montrose | Shakespeare | |||
Depot Ship | |||||
Dido | |||||
"R" class Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Redgauntlet | Redoubt | Retriever | Sceptre | Swallow |
Sybille | Sylph | Taurus | Teazer | Tempest | Tetrarch |
Thisbe | Thruster | Torrid | Truculent | ||
Harwich (Sixth) Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Bootle | Fareham | Sutton | Tring | ||
Felixstowe (Twentieth) Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Blackburn | Derby | Harrow | Stoke | ||
Twelfth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Template:UK-Gaddesdon | Irvine | Kendal | Marlow | Saltburn | Southdown |
Nineteenth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla | |||||
Faversham | Newark | Saltash (S.O.) | Tiverton |
March, 1919
The flotilla has ceased to exist by name. The other ships have been cast to the winds.[54]
Most of the fighting ships were sent to active formations of the post-war Navy. Tetrarch, Thruster and Truculent remain part of the Harwich Force, but without a flotilla designation of any kind. The sweeping flotillas seem to remain in Harwich, but not as part of the Force. Montrose and Swallow have gone to the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean. Spenser and Shakespeare are leading the Second Destroyer Flotilla and Bruce the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla. The Fourth Destroyer Flotilla has swiped the Radiant, Redoubt, Retriever, Sylph, Taurus, Teazer and Tempest. Redgauntlet and Sceptre went to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.
Others have been placed in reserve; Sybille and Thisbe at the Nore, Torrid at Devonport,
Flotilla is Dis-established |
Captains (D)
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Wilmot S. Nicholson, 11 November, 1914[55] – 1 December, 1916[56]
- Captain Colin K. MacLean, 17 October, 1917[57][58] – 1 March, 1919[59]
Footnotes
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). pp. 13, 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). pp. 13, 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 13, and Supplements through January, 1916.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). pp. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). pp. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 13, and Supplements through July, 1916.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 430.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 224.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 13, and Supplements through September, 1916.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 13, and Supplements through December, 1916.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ No February, 1917 edition of the Monthly Supplement to the Navy List was consulted.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 13, and Supplements through September.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 69.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). pp. 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. pp. 68-70.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). pp. 12, 13, 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 12, 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 13 and Supplements through November except September or October, as no copy was found for research.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 13, and Supplements through February, 1919.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). pp. 13, 16, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). pp. 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22.
- ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 239.
- ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 239.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 910.
- ↑ MacLean Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 285.
- ↑ MacLean Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 285.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
See Also
British Destroyer Flotillas | |||
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh | Eighth | Ninth | Tenth | |||
Eleventh | Twelfth | Thirteenth | Fourteenth | Fifteenth | Sixteenth | Seventeenth | Eighteenth | Nineteenth | |||
Twentieth | Twenty-first | |||
Local Defence Flotillas | |||
Clyde | Devonport | Devonport & Falmouth | Falmouth | Firth of Forth | Gibraltar | |||
Liverpool | Mersey | Newhaven | Nore | North Channel | Milford & Pembroke | Pembroke | |||
Portland | Portsmouth | Queenstown |