Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

From The Dreadnought Project
Revision as of 15:22, 10 December 2013 by Tone (Talk | contribs) (→‎April, 1918)

Jump to: navigation, search

The Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy first instituted in September, 1915.

History

In 1916, it was comprised of M class destroyers whose 104 torpedo test runs in the first half of that year proved 91% probable to endanger the enemy.[1]

September, 1915

The flotilla appears for the first time in the Supplement to the Monthly Navy List, becoming the fourth flotilla attached to the Grand Fleet. Its small initial size (a flotilla leader, seven "M" class destroyers, and a depot ship shared with the Second Destroyer Flotilla) augurs future growth. The ships all appear to be new in service, though Kempenfelt, Mandate and Michael were listed with a miscellaneous status in the August edition.[2][3]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
shared with Second Destroyer Flotilla
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Mandate Marmion Marne Michael Mons Moon
Morning Star

October, 1915

New destroyers Manners, Martial and Milbrook have brought the strength to a flotilla leader, ten "M" class destroyers, and a depot ship shared with the Second Destroyer Flotilla.[4]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
shared with Second Destroyer Flotilla
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial Michael
  Milbrook Mons Moon Morning Star

November, 1915

The newly completed H.M.S. Castor has come to act as flotilla cruiser. Mounsey, Mystic and Ossory arrive to bring the strength to a cruiser, a flotilla leader, thirteen "M" class destroyers, and a shared depot ship.[5]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Castor
Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
shared with Second Destroyer Flotilla
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial Michael
Milbrook Mons Moon Morning Star Mounsey Mystic
Ossory

December, 1915

Magic and Minion arrive to bring the strength to a cruiser, a flotilla leader, fifteen "M" class destroyers, and a shared depot ship.[6]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Castor
Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
shared with Second Destroyer Flotilla
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
Mounsey Mystic Ossory

January, 1916

Musketeer joins to bring the strength to a cruiser, a flotilla leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers, and a shared depot ship.[7]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Castor
Flotilla Leader
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
shared with Second Destroyer Flotilla
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory

This arrangement would apply until April, 1916.[8]

April, 1916

Broke has joined to bring the strength to a cruiser, two flotilla leaders, sixteen "M" class destroyers, and a depot ship which appears to be now exclusively the Eleventh's.[9]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Castor
Flotilla Leaders
Kempenfelt Broke
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory

May, 1916

Castor now bears Commodore (F) and Kempenfelt is designated as second-in-command. Broke has departed to become second-in-command of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.

Flotilla strength is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers, and a depot ship.[10]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser, Commodore (F)
Castor
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory

The flotilla would emerge from the Battle of Jutland with some ships damaged but without loss, allowing this arrangement to apply until September, 1916.[11]

Battle of Jutland

Main article: Eleventh D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

Only Marmion and Musketeer missed participating in the battle, giving the flotilla 14 "M" class destroyers and two leaders, organised as follows[12] under the commanders given in the Official Despatches.[13]

At 10.5 at night, the Eleventh was five miles from the Second Battle Squadron, bearing about Green 169 when it encountered the German battlecruisers. Castor, Marne and Magic exchanged fire at just 2,000 yards and each fired a torpedo and turned away to port. Castor lost her W/T and was unable to direct the flotilla to attack more generally. Compounding this, some destroyers worried that the battlecruisers were British.

At 0.15 a.m., Castor encountered a destroyer on her bow and fired on it with gusto at point blank range. Its disappearance was taken as a sign that it was surely sunk.[14]

September, 1916

"R" class destroyers Romola and Sarpedon have joined.

Flotilla strength is now a cruiser, a flotilla leader, eighteen destroyers, and a depot ship.[15]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser, Commodore (F)
Castor
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon

October, 1916

Broke has again joined, curiously listed as a "flotilla cruiser" and bearing the Captain (D).

Flotilla strength is now a cruiser, two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers, and a depot ship.[16]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser, Commodore (F)
Castor
Flotilla "Cruiser", Captain (D)
Broke
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon

This arrangement would apply until December, 1916.[17]

January, 1917

The flotilla leader Seymour has replaced Castor as "flotilla cruiser", as Castor, with Commodore (F) embarked, now is overseeing four of the five flotillas attached to the [Grand Fleet]]: the Eleventh, Twelfth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers, and a depot ship.[18]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla "Cruiser", Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
  Mounsey Musketeer Mystic Ossory
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon

This arrangement would apply until July, 1917.[19]

July, 1917

Skate and Tyrant have joined, but Musketeer has been removed for unknown reasons, destined to be restored to the roster in August.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, nineteen destroyers, and a depot ship.[20]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla "Cruiser", Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Kempenfelt
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Marne Martial
Michael Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
Mounsey Mystic Ossory
"R" class Destroyers
  Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Tyrant

August, 1917

Musketeer has returned from her month away. Marne and Ossory have been dropped, destined to appear with the Second Destroyer Flotilla in September.

Newly-completed Sturgeon, Tenacious and Tormentor have been added.

Valorous has replaced Kempenfelt, which would eventually appear with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla of the Dover Patrol in September.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, twenty-one destroyers (14 "M"s, 7 "R"s), and a depot ship.[21][22]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Mandate Manners Marmion Martial Michael
Milbrook Minion Mons Moon Morning Star Mounsey
Musketeer Mystic
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Sturgeon Tenacious Tormentor
Tyrant

September, 1917

The trend of replacing "M" destroyers with "R"s continues.

Mandate Martial Michael Milbrook have departed to follow Marne and Ossory to the Second Destroyer Flotilla and Tancred has joined.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers (10 "M"s, 8 "R"s), and a depot ship.[23][24]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Manners Marmion Minion Mons Moon
  Morning Star Mounsey Musketeer Mystic
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Sturgeon Tancred Tenacious
Tormentor Tyrant

This arrangement would apply until November, 1917.[25]

November, 1917

Marmion has been dropped, lost in a collision with Tirade on 21 October.[26]

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, seventeen destroyers (9 "M"s, 8 "R"s), and a depot ship.[27]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Manners Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
Mounsey Musketeer Mystic
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Sturgeon Tancred Tenacious
Tormentor Tyrant

This roster would apply until January, 1918.{SMNLDec17|p. 12 and Supplements through January}}

January, 1918

"V" class destroyer Vivacious has joined.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers (9 "M"s, 8 "R"s, a "V"), and a depot ship.[28]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Manners Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
Mounsey Musketeer Mystic
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Sturgeon Tancred Tenacious
Tormentor Tyrant
"V" class Destroyers
Vivacious

February, 1918

Newly minted destroyers Versatile, Vortigern, Walker and Watchman have joined. Flotilla strength is now three flotilla leaders, twenty-two destroyers (9 "M"s, 8 "R"s, 3 "V"s and 2 "W"s), and a depot ship.[29]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Flotilla Leader, temporarily
Nimrod
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Magic Manners Minion Mons Moon Morning Star
Mounsey Musketeer Mystic
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Skate Sturgeon Tancred Tenacious
Tormentor Tyrant
"V" class Destroyers
Versatile Vivacious Vortigern
"W" class Destroyers
Walker Watchman

March, 1918

New destroyers Vancouver, Viscount, {UK-Vittoria}}, and Walrus have joined.

Nimrod, Magic, Mons and Mystic have been detached, to appear with the Third Destroyer Flotilla "shortly".

Skate and Sturgeon have transferred to the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla of the [Harwich Force]].

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, twenty-one destroyers (6 "M"s, 6 "R"s, 6 "V"s and 3 "W"s), and a depot ship.[30]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
"M" class Destroyers
Manners Minion Moon Morning Star Mounsey Musketeer
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon|align=center|Tancred Tenacious Tormentor Tyrant
"V" class Destroyers
Vancouver align=center|Versatile Viscount Vittoria Vivacious Vortigern
"W" class Destroyers
Walker Walrus Watchman

April, 1918

A shake-up in the flotilla sent all but one of the "M" class destroyers away. Manners went to the Second Destroyer Flotilla, Minion and Morning Star to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla (to be joined there by Mounsey in a month's time), and Moon was sent to help the {UK-SF|11}}.

Three flotilla leaders, Kempenfelt, Lightfoot and Marksman, joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla as nominal destroyers.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, nineteen destroyers (3 leaders, 1 "M", 6 "R"s, 6 "V"s and 3 "W"s), and a depot ship.[31][32]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
Lightfoot class
Kempenfelt Lightfoot Marksman
"M" class Destroyer
Musketeer
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon Tancred Tenacious Tormentor Tyrant
"V" class Destroyers
Vancouver Versatile Viscount Vittoria Vivacious Vortigern
"W" class Destroyers
Walker Walrus Watchman

May, 1918

Musketeer transferred to the Second Destroyer Flotilla, leaving the flotilla with no "M" class vessels.

Tyrant transferred to the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla, and Vanessa has joined.

Flotilla strength is now two flotilla leaders, eighteen destroyers (3 leaders, 5 "R"s, 7 "V"s and 3 "W"s), and a depot ship.[33]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader, Captain (D)
Seymour
Flotilla Leader, second-in-command
Valorous
Depot Ship
Blake
Lightfoot class
Kempenfelt Lightfoot Marksman
"R" class Destroyers
Romola Sarpedon Tancred Tenacious Tormentor
"V" class Destroyers
Vancouver Vanessa Versatile Viscount Vittoria Vivacious
Vortigern
"W" class Destroyers
Walker Walrus Watchman

1917

The Flotilla's composition was, in part:[34]

July, 1918

The Flotilla is one of six attached to the Grand Fleet under overall command of Commodore (F) in Castor. The flotilla is tender to depot ship Blake.[35]

Captains (D)

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
  2. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 12.
  3. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 14.
  4. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 12.
  5. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 12.
  6. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 12.
  7. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 12.
  8. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 12, and Supplements through April.
  9. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 12.
  10. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 12.
  11. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 12, and Supplements through September.
  12. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 432.
  13. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 44-5.
  14. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 22-23.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 12.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 12, and Supplements through December.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 12, and Supplements through July.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 12.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 12.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 15, 17.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 12.
  24. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 15, 17.
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 12, and Supplements through November.
  26. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 80.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 12.
  28. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 12.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 12.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). pp. 12, 13.
  31. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 12, 17, 18.
  32. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 14.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 12, 18.
  34. ↑ March. British Destroyers. caption Photo 20/1.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List (July, 1918). p. 12.
  36. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 44.

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://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Eleventh_Destroyer_Flotilla_(Royal_Navy)&oldid=78792"