Difference between revisions of "H.M.S. Fearless (1912)"

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to: navigation, search
(make common acronyms have periods within)
(→‎Service)
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{|align="right" border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300"
+
<div name=fredbot:career>{{ShipCareer|fullname=H.M.S. ''Fearless'' (1912)|fate2=Broken up
−
|align="center" colspan="2"|'''H.M.S. ''Fearless'''''
+
|comm=Oct, 1913{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
−
|-
+
|fatedate=8 Nov, 1921{{DittColl|p. 45}}
−
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: crimson;"| Career
+
|order=1911 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
−
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: crimson;"| Details
+
|name=Fearless
−
|-
+
|launch=1912{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
−
|Pendant Numbers:
+
|builder=[[Pembroke Royal Dockyard]]{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
−
|
+
|laid=15 Nov, 1911{{Conways1906|p. 53}}
−
|-
+
|fate=Sold
−
|Built By:
+
|pend=46 (1914)<br>64 (Jan 1918)<br>27 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 45}}
−
|
+
|fg=white|bg=crimson}}</div name=fredbot:career>
−
|-
+
'''H.M.S. ''Fearless''''' was a scout cruiser in the [[Royal Navy]] completed in 1913.  Modern sources often treat her as a member of a three-vessel ''Active'' class, but we treat her as contemporary documents do, as one of seven ships of the [[Boadicea Class Cruiser (1908)|''Boadicea'' class]].
−
|Laid Down:
+
−
|
+
−
|-
+
−
|Launched:
+
−
|
+
−
|-
+
−
|Completed:
+
−
|
+
−
|-
+
−
|Sold:
+
−
|
+
−
|-
+
−
|Fate:
+
−
|
+
−
|-
+
−
|}
+
  
−
==Guns==
+
==Service==
−
As the ship's gun mounts differed from those of her 2 sisters (which had P IV** mountings), the particulars for ''Fearless'' are recorded here on her ship's page.
+
In July, 1914, she was the flotilla cruiser of {{UK-DF|1}}.<ref>Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.</ref>
  
−
Ten (possibly just eight) 4-in B.L. Mark VII guns on P VIII mountings which could elevate 15 degrees and depress 10 degrees, but though the sights could match the 15 degree elevation, the range dials were only graduated to 14 degrees (11,000 yards).  It appears that no other ships carried this particular mount.
+
On 24 November, 1914, ''Fearless'' was replaced by {{UK-1Galatea}} as leader of the {{UK-DF|1}} and went over to lead the {{UK-DF|2}}, as that formation's leader was undergoing refit.{{GFConferences1914|pp218-219}}
  
−
These cam-worked sights had range dials for 2750 fps, and 1-in and .303-in aiming rifles. MV could be corrected by adjustable pointer through +/- 150 fps.
+
The loan to 2 D.F. proved short-lived, as ''Fearless'' returned to the 1 D.F. as soon as January, 1915.{{SMNLJan15|p. 11}}
  
−
The deflection gearing constant was 59.79 with 1 knot equal to 2.41 arc minutes, corresponding to 2750 fps at 2000 yards. Drift was corrected by inclining the sight bracket 2 degrees.
+
''Fearless'' was involved in a collision with the {{UK-Hydra|f=t}} on 11 September, 1915.<ref>Buchanan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/4.|D7603511}} f. 4.</ref>
  
−
The layer's sight line was 12 inches above the bore, and 22.3 inches left.  The trainer's sight line was 12 inches above and 18.25 inches right.
+
===Battle of Jutland===
 +
''Fearless'' led the nine [[Acheron Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acheron'' class]] destroyers of the {{UK-DF|1}}, as she had done since the start of the war, being attached to the [[Battle Cruiser Force]] at the [[Battle of Jutland]].{{March|p. 123}}{{GFConferences1914|p. 104}} The Flotilla screened the {{UK-BS|5}} during the battle.
  
−
In addition to the MV corrector, the sight had a temperature correcting scale plate and a "C" corrector.
+
''Fearless'' proved a poor candidate for such work, as she was utterly unable to keep up with her destroyers once the fight got going.  She eventually took her leave of the flotilla and milled about on the disengaged side.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 242-3}}
  
−
These were F.T.P. sights.
+
===Submarine Flotilla Work===
−
 
+
In January, 1917, ''Fearless'' was placed in service as the flotilla cruiser for the newly established {{UK-SF|12}}, a formation that would attempt to screen the [[Grand Fleet]] with ill-fated [["K" Class Submarine (1916)|"K" class submarines]].  The formation would grow in size to as many as eight of these steam powered submarines, and two would be lost to collision during the war. The suitability of the scout cruiser to this role seems strong enough, as she persists in the post through the end of the war and even through a fleet reorganization in March, 1919.{{SMNLJan17|p. 12 and Supplements through March, 1919}}
−
There was an open sight on both sides.  No mention is made of a [[Free Trainer's Sight|free sight]].<ref>''The Sight Manual, 1916'', pp. 81-82, 108, Plate 35.</ref>
+
−
 
+
−
==Battle of Jutland==
+
−
''Fearless'' led the [[First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|First Destroyer Flotilla]], attached to the [[Battle Cruiser Force]].<ref>March. ''British Destroyers'', p. 123.</ref>
+
  
 
==Fire Control Instruments==
 
==Fire Control Instruments==
−
The ship may have been equipped with Vickers F.T.P. Mark III equipment for sending range and deflection to the guns, as was her sister, ''Active''.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1910'', p. 148.</ref>
+
The ship may have been equipped with Vickers F.T.P. Mark III equipment for sending range and deflection to the guns, as was her sister, {{UK-1Active}}.{{ARTS1910|p. 148}}
 +
 
 +
==Torpedoes==
 +
Her torpedo tubes, along with those in the [["R" Class Destroyer (1916)|"R" class destroyers]] may have been among the first A.W. tubes built with screw plugs to permit the alteration of range and depth and perhaps gyro angle to be adjusted, the stop and charging valve to be access, and the collision head to be filled while the torpedo was in the tube.{{ARTS1911|p. 48}}{{ARTS1912|p. 36}}
  
 
==Captains==
 
==Captains==
 
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
 
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
−
 
+
<div name=fredbot:officeCapt otitle="Captain of H.M.S. ''Fearless''">
−
*Captain [[Charles James Colebrooke Little|Charles Little]], in command at end of war.
+
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Mervyn Hugh Cobbe|nick=Mervyn H. Cobbe|appt=9 August, 1913<ref>Cobbe Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/273.|D7602604}} f. 300.</ref>{{NLJan14|p. 314}}|end=1 January, 1914<ref>Cobbe Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/273.|D7602604}} f. 300.</ref>|note=lent for trials|precBy=New Command}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=William Frederick Blunt|nick=William F. Blunt|appt=1 January, 1914<ref>Blunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 109.</ref>|note=and in command of {{UK-DF|1}}|end=25 April, 1915<ref>Blunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 109.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Donnison Roper|nick=Charles D. Roper|appt=25 July, 1915<ref>Roper Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/151.|D7602937}} f. 169.</ref>{{NLOct15|p. 394''d''}}|end=6 July, 1916<ref>Roper Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/151.|D7602937}} f. 169.</ref>{{UKJutlandOD|p. 46}}|note=in command at [[Battle of Jutland]]}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles James Colebrooke Little|nick=Charles J. C. Little|appt=September, 1916<ref>Little Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47/95.|D7603802}} f. 300.</ref>{{NLFeb19|p. 793}}|end=4 March, 1919<ref>Little Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/47/95.|D7603802}} f. 300.</ref>|note=and as Captain (S), {{UK-SF|12}}}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Ernest William Leir|nick=Ernest W. Leir|appt=7 March, 1919<ref>Leir Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/48/21.|D7603925}} f. 424.</ref>|end=25 July, 1919<ref>Leir Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/48/21.|D7603925}} f. 424.</ref>|note=and as Captain (S), {{UK-SF|12}}}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:officeCapt>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
−
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Fearless_(1912) Wikipedia]
+
{{refbegin}}
 +
* [http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-06-HMS_Fearless.htm Transcribed Ship Logs at naval-history.net]
 +
* [[First D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland]]
 +
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Fearless_(1912)}}
 +
{{refend}}
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
Line 66: Line 59:
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
{{Footer Active Class Cruiser (1911)}}
+
{{Footer Boadicea Class Cruiser (1908)}}
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fearless}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fearless}}
  
 
{{CatShipScoutCruiser|UK}}
 
{{CatShipScoutCruiser|UK}}

Latest revision as of 10:02, 1 May 2020

H.M.S. Fearless (1912)
Pendant Number: 46 (1914)
64 (Jan 1918)
27 (Apr 1918)[1]
Builder: Pembroke Royal Dockyard[2]
Ordered: 1911 Programme[3]
Laid down: 15 Nov, 1911[4]
Launched: 1912[5]
Commissioned: Oct, 1913[6]
Sold: 8 Nov, 1921[7]
Fate: Broken up

H.M.S. Fearless was a scout cruiser in the Royal Navy completed in 1913. Modern sources often treat her as a member of a three-vessel Active class, but we treat her as contemporary documents do, as one of seven ships of the Boadicea class.

Service

In July, 1914, she was the flotilla cruiser of First Destroyer Flotilla.[8]

On 24 November, 1914, Fearless was replaced by Galatea as leader of the First Destroyer Flotilla and went over to lead the Second Destroyer Flotilla, as that formation's leader was undergoing refit.[9]

The loan to 2 D.F. proved short-lived, as Fearless returned to the 1 D.F. as soon as January, 1915.[10]

Fearless was involved in a collision with the destroyer Hydra on 11 September, 1915.[11]

Battle of Jutland

Fearless led the nine Acheron class destroyers of the First Destroyer Flotilla, as she had done since the start of the war, being attached to the Battle Cruiser Force at the Battle of Jutland.[12][13] The Flotilla screened the Fifth Battle Squadron during the battle.

Fearless proved a poor candidate for such work, as she was utterly unable to keep up with her destroyers once the fight got going. She eventually took her leave of the flotilla and milled about on the disengaged side.[14]

Submarine Flotilla Work

In January, 1917, Fearless was placed in service as the flotilla cruiser for the newly established Twelfth Submarine Flotilla, a formation that would attempt to screen the Grand Fleet with ill-fated "K" class submarines. The formation would grow in size to as many as eight of these steam powered submarines, and two would be lost to collision during the war. The suitability of the scout cruiser to this role seems strong enough, as she persists in the post through the end of the war and even through a fleet reorganization in March, 1919.[15]

Fire Control Instruments

The ship may have been equipped with Vickers F.T.P. Mark III equipment for sending range and deflection to the guns, as was her sister, Active.[16]

Torpedoes

Her torpedo tubes, along with those in the "R" class destroyers may have been among the first A.W. tubes built with screw plugs to permit the alteration of range and depth and perhaps gyro angle to be adjusted, the stop and charging valve to be access, and the collision head to be filled while the torpedo was in the tube.[17][18]

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 45.
  2. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 53.
  3. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 53.
  4. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 53.
  5. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 53.
  6. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 53.
  7. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 45.
  8. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.
  9. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. pp218-219.
  10. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 11.
  11. ↑ Buchanan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/4. f. 4.
  12. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 123.
  13. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
  14. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 242-3.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 12 and Supplements through March, 1919.
  16. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1910. p. 148.
  17. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1911. p. 48.
  18. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
  19. ↑ Cobbe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/273. f. 300.
  20. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1914). p. 314.
  21. ↑ Cobbe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/273. f. 300.
  22. ↑ Blunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 109.
  23. ↑ Blunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 109.
  24. ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
  25. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 394d.
  26. ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
  27. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 46.
  28. ↑ Little Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/95. f. 300.
  29. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 793.
  30. ↑ Little Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/95. f. 300.
  31. ↑ Leir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/21. f. 424.
  32. ↑ Leir Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/21. f. 424.

Bibliography


Boadicea Class Scout Cruiser
Boadicea Group
  Boadicea Bellona  
Blonde Group
  Blonde Blanche  
Active Group
  Active Amphion Fearless  
<– Sentinel Class Minor Cruisers (UK) Bristol Class –>
Retrieved from "http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=H.M.S._Fearless_(1912)&oldid=299921"