Eighth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to navigationJump to search

The Eighth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers and torpedo boats of the Royal Navy.

History

April, 1912

The Royal Navy's flotillas were re-arranged, leaving 8 D.F. as one of four patrol flotillas provided with nucleus crews only while 1 through 4 D.F. were fully crewed. 8 D.F's. strength is now twenty-four first-class T.Bs. and two cruisers based on Harwich, to be moved to Rosyth in event of war.[1][2]

A Patrol Flotilla at Harwich
Flagship
Amethyst
Flotilla Cruiser
Forward
Depot Ship
Tyne
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. 21
T.B. 22 T.B. 24 T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27
T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30 T.B. 31 T.B. 32
T.B. 33 T.B. 34   T.B. 35 T.B. 36

In November 1912, fifteen destroyers were to be given Destroyer W/T Sets, part of an initiative to equip 26 destroyers in three patrol flotillas.[3]

Outbreak of War

At the outbreak of war, the Eighth had thirteen "B", "C" and "D" class destroyers led by scout cruiser Pathfinder and eleven first-class torpedo boats. It was deemed a "Patrol Flotilla" and served out in the Nore Command with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla, based out of Chatham.[4].

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruiser
Pathfinder
Depot Ships
Aquarius Tyne
"30-knotters"
Albacore Bat* Cheerful Express Fairy* Flying Fish*
Mallard Osprey Ostrich Peterel Stag Star*
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

It was noted that T.B. 33 was to join the Test Mobilisation, presumably delayed from a refit.[5]

September, 1914

The strength is largely the same, except the cruiser has been sunk, leaving the strength at thirteen "30 knotters", though Bat, Fairy, Flying Fish and Star are noted as being "detached", and eleven first-class T.B.s.[6] Cruiser Pathfinder was torpedoed and lost on the 5th of September.[7]

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruiser
Depot Ships
Aquarius Tyne
"30-knotters"
Albacore Bat* Cheerful Express Fairy* Flying Fish*
Mallard Osprey Ostrich Peterel Stag Star*
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

October, 1914

The scout cruiser Sentinel, near-sister to the lost Pathfinder, has joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, and the previously detached destroyers as well as Albacore and Osprey are all amongst the twenty T.B.D.s attached directly to Home and Atlantic Waters.

T.B. 33 has finally joined, bringing the strength to seven "30 knotters" and twelve first-class T.B.s.[8][9]

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters
under the orders of the Admiral Commanding on the Coast of Scotland
Flotilla Cruiser
Sentinel
Depot Ships
Aquarius Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would persist through May, 1915.[10]

June, 1915

Along with the Seventh Submarine Flotilla, the flotilla is now part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla, but it has lost Sentinel to the Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron.

Tyne is still attached but is noted as now also serving the miscellaneous destroyers attached to the Grand Fleet.[11]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ships
Aquarius Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would last until August.[12]

August, 1915

The flotilla has lost depot ship Aquarius to the Mediterranean Fleet, being marked with the designation "R.F.A.".[13]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28 T.B. 29 T.B. 30
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would last until October.[14]

October, 1915

T.B. 29 and T.B. 30 have gone to the Mediterranean to work alongside the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, reducing the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[15]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

November, 1915

T.B. 13 has joined from the Dover Patrol, increasing the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and eleven first-class T.B.s.[16][17]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 13 T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would apply until February, 1916.[18]

February, 1916

T.B. 34 has left to an undiscovered assignment, decreasing the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[19]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 13 T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

February, 1916

T.B. 34 has returned and T.B. 13 has been lost to a collision and T.B. 35 has left for an undiscovered purpose, decreasing the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and nine first-class T.B.s.[20]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27
T.B. 28 T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 36

This arrangement would apply until May, 1916.[21]

May, 1916

Express has left to an undiscovered assignment, though she would return in one month, and T.B. 35 has returned, making the Eighth's strength now six "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[22]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

June, 1916

Express has returned, making the Eighth's strength now seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[23]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

July, 1916

Cheerful has gone to some mysterious place, to return in October, reducing the Eighth's strength to six "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[24]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would apply until October, 1916.[25]

October, 1916

Cheerful has returned, making the Eighth's strength now seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[26]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would apply until February or March, 1917.[27]

March, 1917

Express has gone to some mysterious place, to return in one month, reducing the Eighth's strength to six "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[28]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

April, 1917

Express has returned restoring the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[29]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

May, 1917

T.B. 28 has been dropped for just this month, reducing the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and nine first-class T.B.s.[30]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful Express Mallard Ostrich Peterel Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

June, 1917

T.B. 28 has returned, restoring the Eighth's strength to seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s. Oddly, all the destroyers but Mallard and Stag are now noted as being "tender to Wallington".[31]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful* Express* Mallard Ostrich* Peterel* Stag
Vigilant*
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

July, 1917

Those four destroyers tender to Wallington in June are now dropped - Express, Ostrich and Peterel going to the East Coast Convoy Flotilla and Cheerful being lost to a mine on 30 June - the Eighth's strength is now two "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[32]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Mallard Stag
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

August, 1917

Stag has left to join the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla (formerly known as the East Coast Convoy Flotilla), reducing the strength to one "30 knotter" and ten first-class T.B.s.[33]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Mallard
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

This arrangement would apply until February, 1918.[34]

February, 1918

Stag has returned from the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla, restoring the Eighth's strength to two "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.[35]

Part of the Firth of Forth Local Defence Flotilla
Depot Ship
Tyne
"30-knotters"
Mallard Stag
First-class T.B.s
  T.B. 25 T.B. 26 T.B. 27 T.B. 28
T.B. 31 T.B. 32 T.B. 33 T.B. 34 T.B. 35 T.B. 36

March, 1918

The flotilla is abolished this month, not soon to return. Stag and Mallard have been sent to the Irish Sea Flotilla, and Tyne and the torpedo boats are now supporting the Methil Convoy Flotilla.[36]

Flotilla Disestablished
Not to be re-instituted during the Dreadnought Era

In Command

Date of appointment given:

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Torpedo Flotilla Organization" The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 06, 1912; pg. 4; Issue 39866.
  2. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
  3. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. Wireless Appendix, p. 7.
  4. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 164.
  5. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.
  6. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 12.
  7. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 44.
  8. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). pp. 8, 12.
  9. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 12.
  10. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 12, and Supplements through May, 1915.
  11. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). pp. 12, 16, 17.
  12. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 17, and Supplements through July, 1915.
  13. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). pp. 17, 20.
  14. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 17, and Supplements through September, 1915.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). pp. 17, 20.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 17.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 15.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p ?, and Supplements through January, 1916.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 17.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 17.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). and Supplements through May, 1916.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 17.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 17.
  24. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 17.
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 17 and Supplements through October, 1916.
  26. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 17.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 17 and Supplements through March, 1917 (less February).
  28. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 17.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 17.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 17.
  31. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 17.
  32. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 16, 17.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). pp. 16, 18.
  34. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 18, and Supplements through February, 1918.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 18.
  36. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). pp. 15, 18.
  37. ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 276-7.
  38. ↑ Leake Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 69.
  39. ↑ Leake Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 69.
  40. ↑ Bingham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/117. f. 117.
  41. ↑ Bingham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/117. f. 117.
  42. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  43. ↑ Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  44. ↑ Tovey Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. f. 131.
  45. ↑ Tovey Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. f. 131.
  46. ↑ Holt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/179. f. 240.
  47. ↑ Holt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/179. f. 240.
  48. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 219.
  49. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1929). p. 222.
  50. ↑ Porter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/292. f. 307.
  51. ↑ Porter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/292. f. 307.
  52. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 219.
  53. ↑ Perryman Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/117. f. 125.
  54. ↑ Perryman Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/117. f. 125.
  55. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 234. Double-check this.
  56. ↑ "8th Flotilla Command" The Times (London, England), Friday, Jul 30, 1937; pg. 10; Issue 47750.
  57. ↑ "8th Flotilla Command" The Times (London, England), Friday, Jul 30, 1937; pg. 10; Issue 47750.

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
Retrieved from "http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Eighth_Destroyer_Flotilla_(Royal_Navy)&oldid=298217"