Difference between revisions of "Eighth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)"

Revision as of 10:51, 27 November 2013

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

History

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.^[1]

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.^[2].

It was noted that T.B. 33 was to join the Test Mobilisation, presumably delayed from a refit.^[3]

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.^[4]

October, 1914

submarine Sentinel 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.^[5][6]

This arrangement would persist through May, 1915.^[7]

June, 1915

Along with the Seventh Submarine Flotilla, the flotilla is now part of the Firth of Forth 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.^[8]

This arrangement would last until August.^[9]

August, 1915

The flotilla has lost depot ship Aquarius to the Mediterranean Fleet, being marked with the designation "R.F.A.".^[10]

This arrangement would last until October.^[11]

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.^[12]

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.^[13][14]

This arrangement would apply until February, 1916.Template:SMNLDec15 and Supplements through January, 1916

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.^[15]

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.^[16]

This arrangement would apply until May, 1916.Template:SMNLDec15 and Supplements through May, 1916

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.^[17]

June, 1916

Express has returned, making the Eighth's strength now seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.^[18]

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.^[19]

This arrangement would apply until October, 1916.^[20]

October, 1916

Cheerful has returned, making the Eighth's strength now seven "30 knotters" and ten first-class T.B.s.^[21]

This arrangement would apply until February or March, 1917.^[22]

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.^[23]

[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]

In 1916, it was comprised of assorted old torpedo boats of classes "A" through "D".^[24]

Captains (D)

Date of appointment given:

• Captain (Acting) P. A. Bateman-Champain, 3 May, 1912.^[25]
• Captain Francis Martin Leake, 1 January, 1913.^[26]

Footnotes

Bibliography

See Also