Fourth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Fourth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy.
Originally called the Portsmouth Flotilla and composed of Nucleus Crew vessels, it was re-designated as the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla in April, 1910[1] though it seems that it was often still called the Portsmouth Flotilla as late as the Test Mobilisation of July 1914.
The flotilla distinguished itself by its bold and costly torpedo attacks on the German battle line during the night action at the Battle of Jutland. However, in August, 1916, it was removed from Fleet work and spent most of the rest of the war in Devonport, where its roster of destroyers grew to enormous levels, reaching 50 ships in July, 1918.
History
March, 1910
Immediately prior to redesignation as the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, the Portsmouth Flotilla was the largest of all the Navy's torpedo craft formations, comprising a mixture of early destroyers (both 27 and 30-knotters) and "Coastals". It was assigned to the Third Division of the Home Fleet.[2]
Coquette, Lightning, and Porcupine were attached to the Vernon. Hardy was attached to the Excellent.
Part of the Third Division, Home Fleet | ||||||
Cruiser | ||||||
Topaze | ||||||
Depot Ship | ||||||
Hecla | ||||||
Scout | ||||||
Forward | ||||||
Destroyers | ||||||
Bat | Brazen | Coquette | Crane | Cygnet | Cynthia | |
Electra | Fawn | Fervent | Hardy | Haughty | Hunter | |
Kangaroo | Kestrel | Lightning | Myrmidon | Peterel | Porcupine | |
Recruit | Shark | Spiteful | Star | Syren | Thorn | |
Vigilant | Vulture | Zephyr | ||||
Torpedo Boats | ||||||
T.B. 1 | T.B. 2 | T.B. 3 | T.B. 4 | T.B. 5 | T.B. 13 | |
T.B. 14 | T.B. 15 | T.B. 16 | T.B. 16 | T.B. 20 | T.B. 25 |
1 November, 1911
The flotilla was comprised of:[3]
- Topaze (flag)
- Pathfinder, Skirmisher (scouts)
- Hecla (depot ship)
- Twenty-three "30 knotters"
April, 1912
The Royal Navy's flotillas are re-arranged, leaving the 4 D.F. with sixteen destroyers of mixed type and a pair of cruisers, all with full crews and based on Portland.[4] The extensive reorganisation of the flotillas has made the Fourth one of four running flotillas, along with four patrol flotillas with nucleus crews. The new complement of the flotilla was comprised of the Tribal class and four later destroyers.[5]
A Patrol Flotilla based at Portland | ||||
Flagship | ||||
Blanche | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Adventure | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Fury | Hope | Sheldrake | Staunch | Amazon |
Nubian | Crusader | Saracen | Maori | Viking |
Zulu | Cossack | Afridi | Ghurka | Mohawk |
Tartar |
July, 1914 - Test Mobilisation
The Portsmouth Flotilla was included in the Test Mobilisation with the following vessels:[6]
- Angler, Conflict, Desperate, Spiteful, Surly, Velox
- T.B. 025, T.B. 027, T.B. 034, T.B. 042, T.B. 057, T.B. 065, T.B. 066, T.B. 068, T.B. 076, T.B. 077, T.B. 078
- T.B. 80, T.B. 81, T.B. 82, T.B. 85, T.B. 86, T.B. 87, T.B. 98, T.B. 101, T.B. 109, T.B. 110, T.B. 116
July, 1914 - Outbreak of War
Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of twenty Acasta class destroyers under flotilla leader Swift. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, third class protected cruiser Amethyst.[7] It retained this composition at the start of the war,[8] making it uniformly capable of 30 knots.[9]
The destroyers' test runnings of the 21-in Mark II torpedoes in 1916 resulted in five bad runs.[10][11]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters | ||||
Flotilla Leader | ||||
Swift | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Lynx | Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
The roster would remain the same until November or December.[12]
September, 1914
It was considered that Aurora should become flotilla leader and that Swift should become the half-flotilla leader, but no Supplements to the Monthly Navy List indicated that Aurora ever came over.[13]
On 24 November, as Swift required a refit, Faulknor came to lead the half-flotilla, and Caroline would soon be coming to temporarily replace Swift[14]
This roster lasted until November or December.[15]
December, 1914
Faulknor has joined to help lead.[16]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Swift | Faulknor | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Lynx | Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
January, 1915
Caroline has started her temporary stint as leader.[17]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters under Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Caroline | Faulknor | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Lynx | Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
This roster would apply until February or March.[18]
March, 1915
The flotilla is under Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets for March, but this is not mentioned thereafter. Swift is back as leader, as Caroline has returned to the First Light Cruiser Squadron.[19]
Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters under Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets* | ||||
Flotilla Cruisers | ||||
Swift | Faulknor | |||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Lynx | Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
In April, the flotilla would become part of the Grand Fleet. This roster would apply until September, 1915.[20]
September, 1915
Swift has been removed to answer directly to the Grand Fleet, being swapped with the light cruiser Carysfort in that posting. Lynx has been removed, as she was mined in mid-August.[21][22]
Serving in the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Carysfort | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | ||||
Faulknor | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise | |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
This roster would apply until May, 1916.[23]
May, 1916
Carysfort has vacated to the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron and Tipperary is now bearing the Captain (D), coming from the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla. Broke is now second-in-command, coming from a recent posting with the Second Destroyer Flotilla, while Faulknor has gone to lead the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla.[24][25][26]
Serving in the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Tipperary | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | ||||
Broke | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ardent | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Contest | Fortune | Garland | Hardy |
Midge | Owl | Paragon | Porpoise | |
Shark | Sparrowhawk | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
Battle of Jutland
- Main article: Fourth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
The flotilla, with substantially the same membership (Lynx had been lost earlier in the war, Paragon, Victor and Cockatrice were absent perhaps due to being under refit, and the "M" class destroyer Ophelia was attached), faced heavy losses in the night action when it met elements of the High Sea Fleet unexpectedly at short range. Its composition in the battle was as follows:[27][28]
- Tipperary, Flotilla leader (lost), Captain (D) Charles John Wintour
- Broke, flotilla leader, Commander Walter L. Allen
- Achates, Commander Reginald B. C. Hutchinson, D.S.C.
- Porpoise, Commander Hugh D. Colville
- Spitfire, Lieutenant-Commander Clarence W. E. Trelawny
- Unity, Lieutenant-Commander Arthur M. Lecky
- Garland, Lieutenant-Commander Reginald S. Goff
- Ambuscade, Lieutenant-Commander Gordon A. Coles
- Ardent (lost), Lieutenant-Commander Arthur Marsden
- Fortune (lost), Lieutenant-Commander Frank G. Terry
- Sparrowhawk (lost), Lieutenant-Commander Sydney Hopkins
- Contest, Lieutenant-Commander Ernald G. H. Master
- Shark (lost), Commander Loftus W. Jones
- Acasta, Lieutenant-Commander John O. Barron
- Ophelia, Commander Lewis G. E. Crabbe
- Christopher, Lieutenant-Commander Fairfax M. Kerr
- Owl, Commander Robert G. Hamond
- Hardy, Commander Richard A. A. Plowden
- Midge, Lieutenant-Commander James R. C. Cavendish
They fired a total of fifteen torpedoes, claiming seven hits.[29]
June, 1916
It suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Jutland, bringing its strength down to 15 destroyers when it was recently 20. Broke has been promoted to replace the lost Tipperary as leader. The lost destroyers Ardent, Fortune, Shark and Sparrowhawk have been dropped from the roster.[30]
Serving in the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | ||||
Botha | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Second-in-Command | ||||
Broke | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Christopher | Cockatrice |
Contest | Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl |
Paragon | Porpoise | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
July, 1916
The flotilla has been further reduced by the departure of Acasta and Spitfire for unknown purposes (they would reappear in August). Broke has been removed, as well.[31]
Serving in the Grand Fleet | ||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | ||||
Botha | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Christopher | Cockatrice | |
Contest | Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl |
Paragon | Porpoise | Unity | Victor |
August, 1916
The flotilla is no longer supporting the Grand Fleet, but has been moved down to embody the Humber Force. Active has arrived from a temporary attachment direct to the Grand Fleet and leads the flotilla and houses the Captain (D). Christopher has been detached for some undisclosed purpose, and Acasta and Spitfire have rejoined following their mysterious one month absence.[32]
Serving as the Humber Force | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Active | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Cockatrice | |
Contest | Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl |
Paragon | Porpoise | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
This roster and tasking would last until October, 1916.[33]
October, 1916
Christopher has rejoined.[34]
Serving as the Humber Force | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Active | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Christopher | Cockatrice |
Contest | Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl |
Paragon | Porpoise | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
This roster and tasking would last until December, 1916.[35]
December, 1916
The flotilla is no longer serving as the Humber Force, but Active and ten destroyers have moved on to augment the Portsmouth defences along with depot ship Hecla. It is not specified that Active retains her Captain (D). Five destroyers, Ambuscade, Paragon, Porpoise, Unity and Victor have departed to join the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla in the Dover Patrol.[36]
Augmenting Portsmouth Defence | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser | ||||
Active | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Christopher | Cockatrice | Contest |
Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl | Spitfire |
January, 1917
The flotilla is still in Portsmouth, with depot ship Hecla, now under orders of the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth. Active has departed to help lead the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla on the Dover Patrol.[37]
Augmenting Portsmouth Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Christopher | Cockatrice | Contest |
Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl | Spitfire |
This tasking would last until February or March, 1917.[38]
March, 1917
The flotilla has moved to Devonport, with depot ship Hecla, now under orders of the Commander-in-Chief, Devonport.[39]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Christopher | Cockatrice | Contest |
Garland | Hardy | Midge | Owl | Spitfire |
April, 1917
The flotilla has received nine more destroyers. Ambuscade, Porpoise, Unity and Victor have returned from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla. Laurel Lennox, Leonidas, Legion and Liberty from the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla, though the last two would have to recommission before they could rejoin.[40][41]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Cockatrice | Contest |
Christopher | Garland | Hardy | Laurel | Legion* |
Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty* | Midge | Owl |
Spitfire | Porpoise | Unity | Victor |
May, 1917
Legion and Liberty are still awaiting recommissioning; Victor has left for some undiscovered purpose; Lookout has joined, most recently of the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla.[42][43]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Cockatrice | Contest |
Christopher | Garland | Hardy | Laurel | Legion* |
Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty* | Lookout | Midge |
Owl | Spitfire | Porpoise | Unity |
June, 1917
Legion alone is still awaiting recommissioning; Laverock has joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[44][45]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Cockatrice | Contest |
Christopher | Garland | Hardy | Laurel | Laverock |
Legion* | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lookout |
Midge | Owl | Spitfire | Porpoise | Unity |
July, 1917
Laertes, Lance and Lochinvar have joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, and Victor has rejoined from wherever she'd gone. Legion has been sent to the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on the East Coast of England.[46][47]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Cockatrice | Contest |
Christopher | Garland | Hardy | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty |
Lochinvar | Lookout | Midge | Owl | Spitfire |
Porpoise | Unity | Victor |
August, 1917
The Flotilla continues to grow, reaching 27 destroyers. Beaver Druid Forester have joined from the First Destroyer Flotilla and Lysander from the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla.[48][49]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Hecla | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Beaver | Cockatrice |
Contest | Christopher | Druid | Forester | Garland |
Hardy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout |
Lysander | Midge | Owl | Spitfire | Porpoise |
Unity | Victor |
September, 1917
The flotilla now has a new depot ship – Apollo. By taking in elements of the Second Destroyer Flotilla which had also been at Devonport, it has now reached a phenomenal 38 destroyers and gained a Captain (D) in the former flotilla cruiser for the Second, Eclipse which has brought along five destroyers with her: Ariel, Attack, Goshawk, Lyra and Tigress. Defender, Hind, Hornet, Sandfly have come from the First Destroyer Flotilla and Grasshopper and Scourge have joined from the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.[50] [51]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Ariel | Attack |
Beaver | Cockatrice | Contest | Christopher | Defender |
Druid | Forester | Garland | Goshawk | Grasshopper |
Hardy | Hind | Hornet | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty |
Lochinvar | Lookout | Lyra | Lysander | Midge |
Owl | Porpoise | Sandfly | Scourge | Spitfire |
Tigress | Unity | Victor |
October, 1917
Ariel has left to become a minelaying destroyer on the East Coast of England. Contest has been detached as she was torpedoed on 18 September, while Grasshopper and Scourge have gone to the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Almost meeting this attrition was the arrival of three destroyers: Loyal from the East Coast of England, Oriole from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla and Oracle recently of the Thirteenth.[52] [53]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Attack | Beaver |
Cockatrice | Christopher | Defender | Druid | Forester |
Garland | Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Hornet |
Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock | Lennox |
Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal |
Lyra | Lysander | Midge | Oracle | Oriole |
Owl | Porpoise | Sandfly | Spitfire | Tigress |
Unity | Victor |
November, 1917
Lyra has been detached (ultimately to join the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in January), but Nereus, Oberon, Onslow, Orpheus and Pasley have joined from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla, bringing the strength up to an incredible forty-one destroyers.[54] [55][56]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Attack | Beaver |
Cockatrice | Christopher | Defender | Druid | Forester |
Garland | Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Hornet |
Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock | Lennox |
Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal |
Lysander | Midge | Nereus | Oberon | Onslow |
Oracle | Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley |
Porpoise | Sandfly | Spitfire | ||
Tigress | Unity | Victor |
December, 1917
Attack and Tigress have left for the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla; Lochinvar, Porpoise and Victor have left for a mysterious end.[57]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Beaver | Cockatrice |
Christopher | Defender | Druid | Forester | Garland |
Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Hornet | Laertes |
Lance | Laurel | Laverock | Lennox | Leonidas |
Liberty | Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge |
Nereus | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle | Oriole |
Owl | Pasley | Sandfly | Spitfire | Unity |
January, 1918
Hornet has left, soon to reappear in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.[58][59]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Beaver | Cockatrice |
Christopher | Defender | Druid | Forester | Garland |
Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge | Nereus |
Oberon | Onslow | Oracle | Oriole | Orpheus |
Owl | Pasley | Sandfly | Spitfire | Unity |
February, 1918
Acasta has left, but is soon to return. Sandfly has left to become a minelaying destroyer based in Humber. Conversely, Lawford is joining from the same tasking. Lochinvar and Porpoise rejoined from an undiscovered assignment.[60][61]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Beaver | Cockatrice | |
Christopher | Defender | Druid | Forester | Garland |
Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas |
Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal | Lysander |
Midge | Nereus | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle |
Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley | |
Porpoise | Spitfire | Unity |
March, 1918
Acasta and Victor have rejoined from unknown assignments. Nereus is paid off, and will remain so until May.[62][63]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Beaver | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Defender | Druid | Forester | Garland |
Goshawk | Hardy | Hind | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas |
Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal | Lysander |
Midge | Nereus* | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle |
Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley | |
Porpoise | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
April, 1918
Beaver, Druid, Goshawk and Hind have left for the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, and Forester has been detached and will join them in the coming month. Minion and Morning Star have joined from the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla and Nepean, Nerissa and Obdurate from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.[64][65][66]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Acasta | Achates | Ambuscade | Christopher | Cockatrice |
Defender | Garland | Hardy | Laertes | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas |
Liberty | Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal | Lysander |
Midge | Minion | Morning Star | Nepean | Nereus* |
Nerissa | Obdurate | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle |
Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley | Porpoise |
Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
May, 1918
Acasta has gone to Portsmouth, attached to Vernon. Obedient has joined from the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla, and Oriana and Rival from the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.[67] Nereus is no longer paid off.[68]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Christopher | Cockatrice | Defender |
Garland | Hardy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel |
Laverock | Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty |
Lochinvar | Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge |
Minion | Morning Star | Nepean | Nereus | Nerissa |
Obdurate | Obedient | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle |
Oriana | Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley |
Porpoise | Rival | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
June, 1918
The strength has bloomed to an amazing forty nine destroyers! Beagle, Bulldog, Grasshopper, Harpy, Mosquito, Pincher, Savage, Scorpion and Scourge have all joined from the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Foxhound, recently of the Second Destroyer Flotilla has also joined. Defender has bucked the trend and been dropped, to reappear next month in the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla.[69][70][71]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Beagle | Bulldog | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Foxhound | Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy |
Harpy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge | Minion |
Morning Star | Mosquito | Nepean | Nereus | Nerissa |
Obdurate | Obedient | Oberon | Onslow | Oracle |
Oriana | Oriole | Orpheus | Owl | Pasley |
Pincher | Porpoise | Rival | Savage | Scorpion |
Scourge | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
July, 1918
Narwhal has joined from the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla, bringing the strength to fifty destroyers. Rival and Scourge are paid off.[72][73]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Beagle | Bulldog | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Foxhound | Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy |
Harpy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge | Minion |
Morning Star | Mosquito | Narwhal | Nepean | Nereus |
Nerissa | Obdurate | Obedient | Oberon | Onslow |
Oracle | Oriana | Oriole | Orpheus | Owl |
Pasley | Pincher | Porpoise | Rival* | Savage |
Scorpion | Scourge* | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
August, 1918
Rival and Scourge remain paid off, and Lookout has joined them. Pincher has been removed, as she was wrecked on 24 July.[74]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Ambuscade | Beagle | Bulldog | Christopher |
Cockatrice | Foxhound | Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy |
Harpy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge | Minion |
Morning Star | Mosquito | Narwhal | Nepean | Nereus |
Nerissa | Obdurate | Obedient | Oberon | Onslow |
Oracle | Oriana | Oriole | Orpheus | Owl |
Pasley | Porpoise | Rival* | Savage | Scorpion |
Scourge* | Spitfire | Unity | Victor |
The next Supplement I have to work from is for November, 1918.
November, 1918
The strength is forty-seven destroyers. Ambuscade, Christopher and Cockatrice have left to join the Northern Patrol Force. Beagle and Foxhound have gone to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Nizam, Norseman and Osiris have joined from the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla. Midge just paid off, Rival remains so, while Scourge and Lookout are no longer so. Lastly, Lawford, Nizam, Norseman, Oracle, Oriana and Orpheus are attached, but are on loan to the Third Destroyer Flotilla. [75][76]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Bulldog | Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy |
Harpy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lawford* | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge* | Minion |
Morning Star | Mosquito | Narwhal | Nepean | Nereus |
Nerissa | Nizam* | Norseman* | Obdurate | Obedient |
Oberon | Onslow | Oracle* | Oriana* | Oriole |
Orpheus* | Osiris | Owl | Pasley | Porpoise |
Rival* | Savage | Scorpion | Scourge | Spitfire |
Unity | Victor |
December, 1918
The roster is unchanged, but now only Spitfire is paid off, and the destroyers on loan are back.[77]
Augmenting Devonport Defence under Commander-in-Chief, Devonport | ||||
Flotilla Cruiser, Captain (D) | ||||
Eclipse | ||||
Depot Ship | ||||
Apollo | ||||
Destroyers | ||||
Achates | Bulldog | Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy |
Harpy | Laertes | Lance | Laurel | Laverock |
Lawford | Lennox | Leonidas | Liberty | Lochinvar |
Lookout | Loyal | Lysander | Midge | Minion |
Morning Star | Mosquito | Narwhal | Nepean | Nereus |
Nerissa | Nizam | Norseman | Obdurate | Obedient |
Oberon | Onslow | Oracle | Oriana | Oriole |
Orpheus | Osiris | Owl | Pasley | Porpoise |
Rival | Savage | Scorpion | Scourge | Spitfire* |
Unity | Victor |
January, 1919
The flotilla is disbanded. Eclipse has been lost in paperwork somewhere and Hecla has gone to the Nore. The destroyers have been returned to various Home Ports "temporarily".[78]
Flotilla Disestablished Ships dispersed to following ends | ||||
To the Nore | ||||
Achates | Bulldog | Christopher | Harpy | Lance |
Laurel | Laverock | Lawford | Lennox | Liberty |
Lookout | Midge | Mosquito | Nerissa | Nereus |
Nizam | Norseman | Obdurate | Oberon | Onslow |
Oriole | Orpheus | Osiris | Scorpion | Victor |
To Portsmouth | ||||
Laertes | Lysander | Oracle | Oriana | Owl |
Porpoise | Savage | Scourge | Unity | |
To Devonport | ||||
Garland | Grasshopper | Hardy | Leonidas | Lochinvar |
Loyal | Minion | Morning Star | Narwhal | Nepean |
Obedient | Pasley | Spitfire |
The flotilla would be reconstituted in March as part of a Fleet-wide reorganization aimed at creating the peacetime navy.
March, 1919
The flotilla is one of seven newly-devised flotillas, each with a flagship and a second-in-command leader and 15 destroyers intended to cover the Grand Fleet. The depot ship is again Hecla. A Captain (D) resides within leader Seymour.[79]
Supporting the Grand Fleet one of seven modern flotillas | |||||
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D) | |||||
Seymour | |||||
Division Leader | |||||
Grenville | |||||
Depot Ship | |||||
Hecla | |||||
Destroyers | |||||
Radiant | Radstock | Raider | Ready | Redoubt | Restless |
Retriever | Rigorous | Rosalind | Rowena | Sorceress | Sylph |
Taurus | Teazer | Tempest |
[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]
September, 1919
Apollo is serving as depot ship, with Captain (D) Arthur Edmund Wood embarked.[80]
[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]
In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, 10 August, 1909[81] – 5 August, 1910[82]
- Captain Mortimer L'E. Silver, 2 August, 1910[83][84] – 31 July, 1912[85]
- Captain Wilfred Henderson, 1 May, 1912[86][87] – 5 July, 1913[88]
- Captain Raymond A. Nugent, 8 August, 1912[89]
- Captain Robert G. Corbett, 5 July, 1913[90] – 20 August, 1913[91] (temporary)
- Captain Charles J. Wintour, 20 August, 1913[92] – 31 May, 1916[93] (killed in command at Battle of Jutland[94][95])
- Captain Charles D. Roper, 1914[96]
- Captain Edward O. Gladstone, 3 June, 1916[97] – c. July, 1916[Inference] (temporarily)
- Captain Charles D. Roper, 8 June, 1915[98] – 6 July, 1916[99]
- Captain Percy Withers, 6 July, 1916[100] – 7 January, 1917[101]
- Captain Arthur E. Wood, 1 September, 1917[102] – 1 March, 1919
- Captain Dashwood F. Moir, 21 December, 1920[103] – 15 January, 1923[104]
- Captain Sidney R. Bailey, 15 January, 1923[105] – 15 January, 1925
- Captain The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham, September, 1923[106] – 1 October, 1924[107]
- Captain Edmond J. G. Mackinnon, 1 October, 1924[108] – 29 April, 1926[109]
- Captain Cyril H. G. Benson, 13 September 1926[110] – June, 1928[111]
- Captain Bertram C. Watson, 31 May, 1928[112] – April, 1930[113]
- Captain Hugh H. Rogers, c. mid 1930[114] – May, 1932
- Captain Gerald C. Harrison, 29 April, 1932[115] – 18 October, 1933[116]
- Captain Frederick H. G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, 18 October, 1933[117]
- Captain Rhoderick R. McGrigor, 22 September, 1936[118] – 18 August, 1938
- Captain George H. Creswell, 1 May, 1939[119] – 2 January, 1940[120]
- Captain Philip Louis Vian, 1 January, 1940[121] – 12 July, 1941[122]
I am not sure why Bingham and Bailey seem to overlap, but it may have to do with a designation swap with the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue 39251, col A, p. 9.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 269a.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
- ↑ "Torpedo Flotilla Organization" The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 06, 1912; pg. 4; Issue 39866.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July 1914.
- ↑ Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 164.
- ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 131.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 11 and October. No November Supplement was issued..
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. pp. 218-219.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 11. No November issue was found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ No Supplement for February was found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). pp. 11, 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 11 and Supplements through August.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). pp. 10, 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 12 and Supplements through April, 1916.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 432.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 44.
- ↑ Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 35.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). pp. 15, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). pp. 14, 15.
- ↑ No February Supplement was found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 14, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 15.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 14, 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). pp. 14, 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). pp. 14, 16, 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 14, 16, 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). pp. 14, 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). pp. 14, 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). pp. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 17, 22.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 21.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 18.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). pp. 17, 19.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 12.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 17.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). pp. 19-20.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 11.
- ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1919). p. 730.
- ↑ Tyrwhitt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 125.
- ↑ Tyrwhitt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 125.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 5 July, 1910. Issue 39316, col C, p. 9.
- ↑ Silver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 46.
- ↑ Silver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 46.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 25 April, 1912. Issue 39882, col E, p. 10.
- ↑ Henderson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/334. ff. 334, 218.
- ↑ Henderson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/334. ff. 334, 218.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 2 August, 1912. Issue 39967, col F, p. 2.
- ↑ Corbett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/254. f. 280.
- ↑ Corbett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/254. f. 280.
- ↑ Wintour Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/224. f. 245.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 44.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 44.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 397.
- ↑ The National Archives. ADM 137/1645, p. 41.
- ↑ Gladstone Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/129. f. 144.
- ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
- ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
- ↑ Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
- ↑ Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
- ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1919). p. 730.
- ↑ Moir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/232. f. 236.
- ↑ Moir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/232. f. 236.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1923). p. 780.
- ↑ Bingham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/117. f. 117.
- ↑ Bingham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/117. f. 117.
- ↑ Mackinnon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/228. f. 232.
- ↑ Mackinnon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/228. f. 232.
- ↑ Benson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/318. f. 83.
- ↑ Benson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/318. f. 83.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/339. f. 341.
- ↑ Watson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/339. f. 341.
- ↑ Service record indicates "undated".
- ↑ Harrison Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/164. f. 568.
- ↑ Harrison Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/164. f. 568.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1934). p. 248.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 251.
- ↑ Creswell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/79. f. 439.
- ↑ Creswell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/79. f. 439.
- ↑ Vian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/158. f. 160.
- ↑ Vian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/158. f. 160.
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
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 |