Difference between revisions of "River Class Destroyer (1903)"

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A total of thirty six [[Destroyer|destroyers]] of the '''River Class''' entered service between 1904 and 1909.
+
A total of thirty-six of the '''River Class destroyers''' entered service in the [[Royal Navy]] between 1904 and 1909.  Their displacement (about 550 tons) was much greater than the 350 or so tons that had characterised the 27 and 30 knotters, and which had contributed to their poor handling in anything but a glassy sea.  The "Rivers" also dispensed with the turtleback hulls of their predecessors and offered a greater radius of action.
  
−
They were designated the "E" class in 1912.<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 99.</ref>  ''Eden'', ''Stour'' and ''Test'' alone had turbine propulsion.
+
Of the "Rivers", {{UK-Eden}}, {{UK-Stour}} and {{UK-Test}} had turbine propulsion; the remainder retained the proven V.T.E. engines.
  
 +
The ships were re-designated the '''"E" Class''' in 1912.{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
 +
<div name=fredbot:ships>
 +
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
 +
|-
 +
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 36 vessels
 +
|-
 +
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
 +
|-
 +
! align=center | Name
 +
! align=center | Builder
 +
! align=center | Laid Down
 +
! align=center | Launched
 +
! align=center | Completed
 +
! align=center | Fate
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Erne}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|3 Jul, 1902
 +
|14 Jan, 1903
 +
|Feb, 1904
 +
|Wrecked 6 Feb, 1915
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Ettrick}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|9 Jul, 1902
 +
|28 Feb, 1903
 +
|Feb, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Exe}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|14 Jul, 1902
 +
|27 Apr, 1903
 +
|Mar, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Ribble}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|4 Jul, 1902
 +
|19 Mar, 1904
 +
|Jun, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Teviot}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|10 Jul, 1902
 +
|7 Nov, 1903
 +
|Apr, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Usk}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|30 Jul, 1902
 +
|25 Jul, 1903
 +
|Mar, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Derwent}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|12 Jun, 1902
 +
|14 Feb, 1903
 +
|Jul, 1904
 +
|Mined 2 May, 1917
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Eden}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|12 Jun, 1902
 +
|13 Mar, 1903
 +
|Jun, 1904
 +
|Collision 18 Jun, 1916
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Foyle}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|15 Aug, 1902
 +
|25 Feb, 1903
 +
|Mar, 1904
 +
|Mined 15 Mar, 1917
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Itchen}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|18 Aug, 1902
 +
|17 Mar, 1903
 +
|Jan, 1904
 +
|Torpedoed 6 Jul, 1917
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Kennet}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|5 Feb, 1902
 +
|4 Dec, 1903
 +
|Jan, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Jed}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|27 Feb, 1903
 +
|16 Feb, 1904
 +
|Jan, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Welland}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|1 Oct, 1902
 +
|14 Apr, 1904
 +
|Jul, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Cherwell}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|20 Jan, 1903
 +
|23 Jul, 1903
 +
|Mar, 1904
 +
|Sold 23 Jun, 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Dee}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|5 Mar, 1903
 +
|10 Sep, 1903
 +
|May, 1904
 +
|Sold 23 Jul, 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Arun}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|27 Aug, 1902
 +
|29 Apr, 1903
 +
|Feb, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Blackwater}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|27 Aug, 1902
 +
|25 Jul, 1903
 +
|Mar, 1904
 +
|Collision 1909
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Waveney}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|20 Oct, 1902
 +
|16 Mar, 1903
 +
|Jun, 1904
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Chelmer}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|11 Dec, 1904
 +
|8 Dec, 1904
 +
|Jun, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1920
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Colne}}
 +
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
 +
|21 Mar, 1904
 +
|21 May, 1905
 +
|Jul, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Gala}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|1 Feb, 1904
 +
|7 Jan, 1905
 +
|
 +
|Collision 1908
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Garry}}
 +
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
 +
|25 Apr, 1904
 +
|21 Mar, 1905
 +
|Sep, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Ness}}
 +
|[[J. Samuel White]]
 +
|5 May, 1904
 +
|5 Jan, 1905
 +
|Aug, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Nith}}
 +
|[[J. Samuel White]]
 +
|5 May, 1904
 +
|7 Mar, 1905
 +
|Oct, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Swale}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|23 Feb, 1904
 +
|20 Apr, 1905
 +
|Sep, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Ure}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|1 Mar, 1904
 +
|25 Oct, 1904
 +
|Jun, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Wear}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|7 Mar, 1904
 +
|21 Jan, 1905
 +
|Aug, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Liffey}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|22 Mar, 1904
 +
|23 Sep, 1904
 +
|May, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Moy}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|22 Mar, 1904
 +
|10 Nov, 1904
 +
|Jun, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Ouse}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|22 Mar, 1904
 +
|7 Jan, 1905
 +
|Sep, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Boyne}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|16 Feb, 1904
 +
|12 Sep, 1904
 +
|May, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Doon}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|16 Feb, 1904
 +
|8 Nov, 1904
 +
|Jun, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Kale}}
 +
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
 +
|16 Feb, 1904
 +
|8 Nov, 1904
 +
|Aug, 1905
 +
|Mined 27 Mar, 1918
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Rother}}
 +
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
 +
|23 Mar, 1903
 +
|5 Jan, 1904
 +
|May, 1905
 +
|Broken up 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Stour}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|
 +
|3 Jun, 1905
 +
|
 +
|Sold 30 Aug, 1919
 +
|- align=left
 +
| {{Template:UK-Test}}
 +
|[[Laird]]
 +
|
 +
|6 May, 1905
 +
|
 +
|Sold 30 Aug, 1919
 +
|}
 +
</div name=fredbot:ships>
 
==Armament==
 
==Armament==
  
Line 8: Line 277:
 
Originally carried the same armament dating back to the [["B" Class Destroyer (1895)|"B" class]]:
 
Originally carried the same armament dating back to the [["B" Class Destroyer (1895)|"B" class]]:
  
−
* One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P I mounting.  The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref>
+
* One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P. I mounting.  The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref>
−
* Five QF 6-pdr on Mark I* mountings recoiling 5 inches.  The mounting could elevate 30 degrees, but the sight only 25 degrees (4000 yards).  By 1920, two 6-pdrs had been removed.<ref name=th15/>
+
* Five Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark I* mountings recoiling 5 inches.  The mounting could elevate 30 degrees, but the sight only 25 degrees (4000 yards).  By 1920, two 6-pdrs had been removed.<ref name=th15/>
  
−
From 1906, the 6-pdrs had been replaced by three 12-pdr 8 cwt guns.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 10.</ref>  Sometime during the war, some of the ships landed two of these 8 cwt weapons to offset the weight of depth charges.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 14.</ref>
+
In 1906 and 1907, the 6-pdrs had been replaced by three additional 12-pdr 8 cwt guns.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 10}}  An order from March 1913 that special sights provided for these be returned indicates that the 8cwt guns were on G. I* mountings and had telescopic sights.<ref>Admiralty Weekly Orders. 7 Mar, 1913. {{TNA|ADM 182/4}}.</ref>  Sometime during the war, some of the ships landed two of these 8 cwt weapons to offset the weight of depth charges.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 14}}
  
−
By 1920, the 29 remaining ships had also been fitted with a QF 12-pdr 8 cwt on a converted HA mounting.<ref name=th15/>
+
In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.{{AWO1913|430 of 1 Aug, 1913}}
 +
 
 +
By 1920, the twenty-nine remaining ships had also been fitted with a Q.F. 12-pdr 8 cwt on a converted H.A. mounting.<ref name=th15/>
  
 
===Torpedoes===
 
===Torpedoes===
−
[[File:ARTS1909Plate15.jpg|thumb|300px| Reload tray for River class.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909'', Plate 15.</ref>]]
+
[[File:ARTS1909Plate15.jpg|thumb|300px| Reload tray for River class.{{ARTS1909|Plate 15}}]]
−
Two single 18-in tubes.
+
* two single 18-in tubes, on the centreline.
  
−
Arrangements were made in 1909 to equip the ships with chocks (for 21-inch Mark I or Mark II torpedoes, curiously) or fixed loading trays (for 18-inch torpedoes) for deck storage of a spare torpedo per tube in time of war.  This may have forecast hopes to switch to 21-inch torpedoes, as ''Waveney'' was testing an experimental 21-inch tube (weight:  2744 pounds), derrick and winch that same year before transferring the equipment to ''Rocket'', the then-tender to ''Vernon''.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909'', p. 32.</ref>
+
From 1907, the decision was made to standardise the Rivers and the "A" through "D"s with torpedoes set for short range.  In the case of the Rivers, the torpedo was to be the [[18-in Mark VI Torpedo (UK)|Mark VI]] S.R..{{ARTS1907|p. 32}}
  
−
In 1916, the torpedo in use was the 18-in Mark VII.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916'', p. 87.</ref>
+
In 1909, as heater torpedo supplies were still growing, these ships were to receive a handsome allotment of six each: [[18-in Mark VII Torpedo (UK)|Mark VII]], [[18-in Mark VII* Torpedo (UK)|Mark VII*]] or [[18-in Weymouth Mark I Torpedo|Weymouth Mark Is]].{{ARTS1909|p. 14}}
  
−
===Other Weapons===
+
Arrangements were made in 1909 to equip the ships with chocks (for 21-inch Mark I or Mark II torpedoes, curiously) or fixed loading trays (for 18-inch torpedoes) for deck storage of a spare torpedo per tube in time of war.  This may have forecast hopes to switch to 21-inch torpedoes, as {{UK-Waveney}} was testing an experimental 21-inch tube (weight:  2744 pounds), derrick and winch that same year before transferring the equipment to ''Rocket'', the then-tender to ''Vernon''.{{ARTS1909|p. 32}}
−
During the war, along with "A" to D" classes, these ships were given depth charges.  A pair of 12-pdr 8cwt guns were landed in some cases to maintain stability.<ref>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 14.</ref>
+
  
−
==Searchlights==
+
In 1916, the torpedo in use was the [[18-in Mark VII Torpedo (UK)|18-in Mark VII]].{{ARTS1916|p. 87}}
−
The River class were the last British destroyers to use a single searchlight.<ref>''Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915.'', p. 161.</ref>
+
 
 +
===Other Weapons===
 +
During the war, along with "A" to D" classes, these ships were given depth charges. A pair of 12-pdr 8cwt guns were landed in some cases to maintain stability.{{UKTHVol4Part34|p. 14}}
  
 
==Fire Control==
 
==Fire Control==
 
By 1915, at least, these ships had fixed voice pipes installed between decks with the last lengths being flexible (one voice pipe for gunnery, one for torpedoes) fitted between bridge and guns, torpedo tubes, and searchlights.<ref>''Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915.'', p. 150.</ref>
 
By 1915, at least, these ships had fixed voice pipes installed between decks with the last lengths being flexible (one voice pipe for gunnery, one for torpedoes) fitted between bridge and guns, torpedo tubes, and searchlights.<ref>''Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915.'', p. 150.</ref>
  
−
The ''Technical History and Index'' indicates that destroyers prior to the ''Acorn'' class relied on a visual system for transmitting fire control information.<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, pp. 15-16.</ref>
+
The ''Technical History and Index'' indicates that destroyers prior to the [[Acorn Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acorn'' class]] relied on a visual system for transmitting fire control information.{{UKTHVol4Part34|pp. 15-16}}
  
−
===Instruments===
+
By mid-1918, these destroyers were among several earlier classes for which "alarm circuits" were to be fitted.{{ARTS1917|p. 232}}
  
−
===Rangefinders===
+
==Torpedo Control==
 +
In 1907, the ships were to be equipped with [[Fore Bridge Firing Gear]].{{ARTS1907|p. 31}}{{ARTS1906|p. 28. offers further design detail}}  At least some had this upon completion or prior to 1911, though it may have been removed in some later.{{ARTS1916|p. 31}}
  
−
===Directors===
+
In 1917, it was approved that "D" through "G" class destroyers should receive firing gongs at the tubes, operated from the bridge.{{ARTS1917|p. 211. (A.L. G. 57852/17; C.I.O. 1705/17.)}}
  
−
==Torpedo Control==
+
==Searchlights==
−
Some of the ships were equipped with [[Fore Bridge Firing Gear]], either upon completion or prior to 1911.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916'', p. 31.</ref>
+
The River class were the last British destroyers to use a single searchlight.<ref>''Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915.'', p. 161.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Radio==
 +
In 1907 it was decided that all the Rivers (except {{UK-Test}} and {{UK-Stour}}, which were not yet in hand) would be among 42 destroyers (primarily Tribals and Rivers) and ''Swift'' to receive radio equipment fixed to the "D" tune of 700 feet wavelength for transmission and with a Mark II receiver tunable to 8,300 feet.  One P.O. telegraphist would be allowed each ship.  All ships had their mast fitted with a 12 foot yard 60 feet above the water and received the aft end of the aerial by the awning station, but the placement of the wireless office varied as follows.  {{UK-Liffey}}, {{UK-Foyle}}, {{UK-Arun}}, {{UK-Ouse}}, {{UK-Itchen}}, {{UK-Moy}}, {{UK-Blackwater}}, {{UK-Chelmer}}, {{UK-Colne}}, {{UK-Jed}}, {{UK-Kennet}}, {{UK-Wear}}, {{UK-Rother}}, {{UK-Ure}}, {{UK-Exe}}, {{UK-Swale}}, {{UK-Erne}}, {{UK-Ettrick}}, {{UK-Dee}}, {{UK-Cherwell}}, {{UK-Nith}}, {{UK-Ness}}, {{UK-Waveney}}, {{UK-Doon}}, {{UK-Boyne}}, {{UK-Kale}}, {{UK-Derwent}} and {{UK-Eden}} had the office on the bridge with an extended chart house, whereas {{UK-Welland}}, {{UK-Gala}}, {{UK-Ribble}}, {{UK-Teviot}}, {{UK-Garry}} and {{UK-Usk}} had their offices on the upper deck between the mast and fore funnel.
 +
 
 +
The short wavelength meant the sets worked less well during the day than at night, and tests between Portsmouth and Portland showed strength 8 by night and 6 by day.  Practical tests with {{UK-Usk}} showed the following strengths over 50 miles of water:{{ARTS1907|Wireless Appendix pp. 32-34}}
 +
 
 +
{|border=1
 +
!rowspan=2|Wave<br>length||colspan=3|Signal Strengths from/to
 +
|-
 +
!Large Ship||Scout||T.B.D.
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|D||align=center|-/6||align=center|-/6||align=center|6/6
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|R||align=center|8/-||align=center|6/-||align=center|-/-
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|S||align=center|7/-||align=center|6/-||align=center|-/-
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|T||align=center|7/-||align=center|5/-||align=center|-/-
 +
|-
 +
|align=center|U||align=center|6/-||align=center|5/-||align=center|-/-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
In 1909, {{UK-Kale}} and {{UK-Colne}} were definitely reported to receive their equipment.{{ARTS1909|Wireless Appendix, p. 25}}
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
−
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_class_destroyer Wikipedia]
+
{{refbegin}}
 +
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_class_destroyer}}
 +
{{refend}}
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
Line 51: Line 349:
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*{{BibConways1906-1921}}
+
*{{Conways1906}}
−
*{{BibMarchBritishDestroyers}}
+
*{{March}}
−
*{{BibUKTHVol4Part34}}
+
*{{UKTHVol4Part34}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
{{CatClassUKDestroyer}}
+
{{Footer River Class Destroyer (1903)}}
 +
 
 +
{{DEFAULTSORT:River}}
 +
 
 +
{{CatClassDestroyer|UK}}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<!-- data
 +
 
 +
nat=UK
 +
cat=Destroyer
 +
type=destroyer
 +
 
 +
chain=Destroyers
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Erne
 +
pend=N.58 (1914){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
order=
 +
laid=3 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=14 1 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Feb 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Wrecked
 +
fatedate=6 2 1915{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Ettrick
 +
pend=N.01 (1914)<br>D.18 (Sep 1915)<br>D.32 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order=
 +
laid=9 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=28 2 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Feb 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Exe
 +
pend=N.05 (1914)<br>D.19 (Sep 1915)<br>D.33 (Jan 1918)<br>H.70 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order=
 +
laid=14 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=27 4 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Mar 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Ribble
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
order=1901-02 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
laid=4 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=19 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jun 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Teviot
 +
pend=N.26 (1914)<br>D.33 (Sep 1915)<br>D.88 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=10 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=7 11 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Apr 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Usk
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=30 7 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=25 7 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Mar 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Derwent
 +
pend=N.25 (1914)<br>D.15 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=12 6 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=14 2 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jul 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Mined
 +
fatedate=2 5 1917{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
fate2=off Le Havre{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Eden
 +
pend=N.42 (1914)<br>D.17 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=12 6 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=13 3 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jun 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Collision
 +
fatedate=18 6 1916{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
fate2=w/ S.S. ''France''{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Foyle
 +
pend=N.44 (1914)<br>D.20 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=15 8 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=25 2 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Mar 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Mined
 +
fatedate=15 3 1917{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
fate2=in Dover Straits{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Itchen
 +
pend=N.06 (1914)<br>D.22 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=18 8 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=17 3 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jan 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Torpedoed
 +
fatedate=6 7 1917{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
fate2=by U.99 in North Sea{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Kennet
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
order=1902-03 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
laid=5 2 1902{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=4 12 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jan 1905{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Jed
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=27 2 1903{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
launch=16 2 1904{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
comm=Jan 1905{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 99}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Welland
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order=1902-03 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
laid=1 10 1902{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=14 4 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jul 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Cherwell
 +
pend=N.90 (1914)<br>D.13 (Sep 1915)<br>D.17 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=20 1 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=23 7 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Mar 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=23 6 1919{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Dee
 +
pend=N.95 (1914)<br>D.14 (Sep 1915)<br>D.24 (Jan 1918)<br>H.31 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=5 3 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=10 9 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=May 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=23 7 1919{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Arun
 +
pend=N.04 (1914)<br>D.11 (Sep 1915)<br>D.07 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=27 8 1902{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=29 4 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Feb 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Blackwater
 +
pend=
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=27 8 1902{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=25 7 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=March 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Collision
 +
fatedate=1909{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Waveney
 +
pend=N.79 (1914)<br>D.35 (Sep 1915)<br>D.96 (Jan 1918)<br>H.86 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=20 10 1902{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=16 3 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jun 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Chelmer
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order=1903-04 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
laid=11 12 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=8 12 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jun 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Colne
 +
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=21 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=21 5 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jul 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Gala
 +
pend=
 +
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=1 2 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=7 1 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Collision
 +
fatedate=1908{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Garry
 +
pend=N.10 (1914)<br>D.21 (Sep 1915)<br>D.41 (Jan 1918)<br>H.73 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=25 4 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=21 3 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Sep 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Ness
 +
pend=N.81 (1914)<br>D.26 (Sep 1915)<br>D.59 (Jan 1918)<br>H.77 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=5 5 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=5 1 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Aug 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Nith
 +
pend=N.77 (1914)<br>D.27 (Sep 1915)<br>D.60 (Jan 1918)<br>H.78 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=5 5 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=7 3 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Oct 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Swale
 +
pend=N.03 (1914)<br>D.31 (Sep 1915)<br>D.83 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=23 2 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=20 4 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Sep 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Ure
 +
pend=N.12 (1914)<br>D.34 (Sep 1915)<br>D.91 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=1 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=25 10 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jun 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Wear
 +
pend=N.92 (1914)<br>none (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=7 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=21 1 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Aug 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Liffey
 +
pend=N.07 (1914)<br>D.24 (Sep 1915)<br>D.52 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=22 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=23 9 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=May 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Moy
 +
pend=N.02 (1914)<br>D.25 (Sep 1915)<br>D.58 (Jan 1918)<br>H.76 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=22 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=10 11 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jun 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Ouse
 +
pend=N.69 (1914)<br>D.28 (Sep 1915)<br>D.66 (Jan 1918)<br>H.80 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=22 3 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=7 1 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Sep 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Boyne
 +
pend=N.68 (1914)<br>D.12 (Sep 1915)<br>H.23 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order="
 +
laid=16 2 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=12 9 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=May 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Doon
 +
pend=N.14 (1914)<br>D.16 (Sep 1915)<br>D.27 (Jan 1918)<br>H.41 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid="
 +
launch=8 11 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Jun 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Kale
 +
pend=N.45 (1914)<br>D.23 (Sep 1915)<br>D.47 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid="
 +
launch=8 11 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=Aug 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Mined
 +
fatedate=27 3 1918{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
fate2=in North Sea
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Rother
 +
pend=N.32 (1914)<br>D.29 (Sep 1915)<br>D.73 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
order=Purchased
 +
laid=23 3 1903{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
launch=5 1 1904{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
comm=May 1905{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
fate=Broken up
 +
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 100}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Stour
 +
pend=N.08 (1914)<br>D.30 (Sep 1915)<br>D.80 (Jan 1918)<br>H.83 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder=[[Laird]]{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
order=Purchased Dec 1909
 +
laid=
 +
launch=3 6 1905{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=30 8 1919{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
{ship
 +
name=Test
 +
pend=N.34 (1914)<br>D.32 (Sep 1915)<br>D.87 (Jan 1918)<br>H.84 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
builder="
 +
order="
 +
laid=
 +
launch=6 5 1905{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
comm=
 +
fate=Sold
 +
fatedate=30 8 1919{{DittColl|p. 59}}
 +
}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
data -->
  
−
{{River Class (1903)}}
+
[[Category:Featured Ship Classes]]

Latest revision as of 15:11, 26 May 2019

A total of thirty-six of the River Class destroyers entered service in the Royal Navy between 1904 and 1909. Their displacement (about 550 tons) was much greater than the 350 or so tons that had characterised the 27 and 30 knotters, and which had contributed to their poor handling in anything but a glassy sea. The "Rivers" also dispensed with the turtleback hulls of their predecessors and offered a greater radius of action.

Of the "Rivers", Eden, Stour and Test had turbine propulsion; the remainder retained the proven V.T.E. engines.

The ships were re-designated the "E" Class in 1912.[1]

Armament

Guns

Originally carried the same armament dating back to the "B" class:

  • One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P. I mounting. The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).[2]
  • Five Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark I* mountings recoiling 5 inches. The mounting could elevate 30 degrees, but the sight only 25 degrees (4000 yards). By 1920, two 6-pdrs had been removed.[2]

In 1906 and 1907, the 6-pdrs had been replaced by three additional 12-pdr 8 cwt guns.[3] An order from March 1913 that special sights provided for these be returned indicates that the 8cwt guns were on G. I* mountings and had telescopic sights.[4] Sometime during the war, some of the ships landed two of these 8 cwt weapons to offset the weight of depth charges.[5]

In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.[6]

By 1920, the twenty-nine remaining ships had also been fitted with a Q.F. 12-pdr 8 cwt on a converted H.A. mounting.[2]

Torpedoes

Reload tray for River class.[7]
  • two single 18-in tubes, on the centreline.

From 1907, the decision was made to standardise the Rivers and the "A" through "D"s with torpedoes set for short range. In the case of the Rivers, the torpedo was to be the Mark VI S.R..[8]

In 1909, as heater torpedo supplies were still growing, these ships were to receive a handsome allotment of six each: Mark VII, Mark VII* or Weymouth Mark Is.[9]

Arrangements were made in 1909 to equip the ships with chocks (for 21-inch Mark I or Mark II torpedoes, curiously) or fixed loading trays (for 18-inch torpedoes) for deck storage of a spare torpedo per tube in time of war. This may have forecast hopes to switch to 21-inch torpedoes, as Waveney was testing an experimental 21-inch tube (weight: 2744 pounds), derrick and winch that same year before transferring the equipment to Rocket, the then-tender to Vernon.[10]

In 1916, the torpedo in use was the 18-in Mark VII.[11]

Other Weapons

During the war, along with "A" to D" classes, these ships were given depth charges. A pair of 12-pdr 8cwt guns were landed in some cases to maintain stability.[12]

Fire Control

By 1915, at least, these ships had fixed voice pipes installed between decks with the last lengths being flexible (one voice pipe for gunnery, one for torpedoes) fitted between bridge and guns, torpedo tubes, and searchlights.[13]

The Technical History and Index indicates that destroyers prior to the Acorn class relied on a visual system for transmitting fire control information.[14]

By mid-1918, these destroyers were among several earlier classes for which "alarm circuits" were to be fitted.[15]

Torpedo Control

In 1907, the ships were to be equipped with Fore Bridge Firing Gear.[16][17] At least some had this upon completion or prior to 1911, though it may have been removed in some later.[18]

In 1917, it was approved that "D" through "G" class destroyers should receive firing gongs at the tubes, operated from the bridge.[19]

Searchlights

The River class were the last British destroyers to use a single searchlight.[20]

Radio

In 1907 it was decided that all the Rivers (except Test and Stour, which were not yet in hand) would be among 42 destroyers (primarily Tribals and Rivers) and Swift to receive radio equipment fixed to the "D" tune of 700 feet wavelength for transmission and with a Mark II receiver tunable to 8,300 feet. One P.O. telegraphist would be allowed each ship. All ships had their mast fitted with a 12 foot yard 60 feet above the water and received the aft end of the aerial by the awning station, but the placement of the wireless office varied as follows. Liffey, Foyle, Arun, Ouse, Itchen, Moy, Blackwater, Chelmer, Colne, Jed, Kennet, Wear, Rother, Ure, Exe, Swale, Erne, Ettrick, Dee, Cherwell, Nith, Ness, Waveney, Doon, Boyne, Kale, Derwent and Eden had the office on the bridge with an extended chart house, whereas Welland, Gala, Ribble, Teviot, Garry and Usk had their offices on the upper deck between the mast and fore funnel.

The short wavelength meant the sets worked less well during the day than at night, and tests between Portsmouth and Portland showed strength 8 by night and 6 by day. Practical tests with Usk showed the following strengths over 50 miles of water:[21]

Wave
length		 Signal Strengths from/to
Large Ship Scout T.B.D.
D -/6 -/6 6/6
R 8/- 6/- -/-
S 7/- 6/- -/-
T 7/- 5/- -/-
U 6/- 5/- -/-

In 1909, Kale and Colne were definitely reported to receive their equipment.[22]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 99.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.
  3. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 10.
  4. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Orders. 7 Mar, 1913. The National Archives. ADM 182/4.
  5. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 14.
  6. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 430 of 1 Aug, 1913.
  7. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Plate 15.
  8. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1907. p. 32.
  9. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 14.
  10. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 32.
  11. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
  12. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. p. 14.
  13. ↑ Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915., p. 150.
  14. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 4, Part 34. pp. 15-16.
  15. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 232.
  16. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1907. p. 31.
  17. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1906. p. 28. offers further design detail.
  18. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 31.
  19. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1917. p. 211. (A.L. G. 57852/17; C.I.O. 1705/17.).
  20. ↑ Manual of Gunnery, Vol. III., 1915., p. 161.
  21. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1907. Wireless Appendix pp. 32-34.
  22. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Wireless Appendix, p. 25.

Bibliography


River Class Destroyer
Erne Ettrick Exe Ribble Teviot
Usk Derwent Eden Foyle Itchen
Kennet Jed Welland Cherwell Dee
Arun Blackwater Waveney Chelmer Colne
Gala Garry Ness Nith Swale
Ure Wear Liffey Moy Ouse
  Boyne Doon Kale  
  Rother Stour Test  
<– "D" Class Destroyers (UK) Tribal Class –>
Retrieved from "http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=River_Class_Destroyer_(1903)&oldid=287264"