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

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==History==
 
==History==
−
===Battle of Jutland===
+
Ten destroyers of the Thirteenth under the lead of the {{UK-Champion|f=t}} screened the {{UK-BCS|1}} during the battle, bolstered by two destroyers temporarily detached from the {{UK-DF|10}}.  Eight of these vessels delivered a torpedo attack against the enemy battle cruisers at about 4.15pm, after gun and torpedo battle with enemy destroyers who were similarly tasked.
−
:{{Main|Thirteenth D. F. at the Battle of Jutland}}
 
−
Ten destroyers under the lead of the {{UK-Champion|f=t}} screened the {{UK-BCS|1}}.  Eight of these vessels delivered a torpedo attack against the enemy battle cruisers at about 4.15pm, after gun and torpedo battle with enemy destroyers who were similarly tasked.
 
  
 
They were organised as follows:{{UKNavalOpsIII|p. 430}}{{UKJutlandOD|p. 46}}
 
They were organised as follows:{{UKNavalOpsIII|p. 430}}{{UKJutlandOD|p. 46}}
−
* {{UK-Champion|f=t}}, flagship, {{CaptRN}} (D) [[James Uchtred Farie|J. U. Farie]]
+
* {{UK-Champion|f=t}}, flagship, {{CaptRN}} (D) [[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]
 
** {{UK-Nestor}} (lost), {{CommRN}} [[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|E. B. S. Bingham]]
 
** {{UK-Nestor}} (lost), {{CommRN}} [[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|E. B. S. Bingham]]
 
** {{UK-Nomad}} (lost), {{LCommRN}} [[Paul Whitfield]]
 
** {{UK-Nomad}} (lost), {{LCommRN}} [[Paul Whitfield]]
Line 25: Line 23:
 
** {{UK-Moresby}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Roger V. Alison]]
 
** {{UK-Moresby}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Roger V. Alison]]
 
** {{UK-Nicator}}, {{LieutRN}} [[Jack E. A. Mocatta]]
 
** {{UK-Nicator}}, {{LieutRN}} [[Jack E. A. Mocatta]]
 +
** {{UK-Termagant}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Cuthbert P. Blake]] (temporarily attached)
 +
** {{UK-Turbulent}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Dudley Stuart]] (lost.  temporarily attached)
  
 
At the same time, {{UK-Nepean}} remained in harbour and {{UK-Paladin}}, {{UK-Negro}}, {{UK-Nereus}}, {{UK-Penn}} and {{UK-Penn}} were in dockyard hands.{{UKNavalOpsIII|p. 430}}
 
At the same time, {{UK-Nepean}} remained in harbour and {{UK-Paladin}}, {{UK-Negro}}, {{UK-Nereus}}, {{UK-Penn}} and {{UK-Penn}} were in dockyard hands.{{UKNavalOpsIII|p. 430}}
 +
 +
==Champion==
 +
 +
On 3 June, Captain (D) [[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]] issued a report from his flagship.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 224-225}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
 +
No. 60.
 +
::::::::::H.M.S. "Champion,"
 +
:::::::::::::3rd June 1916.
 +
SIR,
 +
:I HAVE the honour to forward the following report of
 +
Proceedings of H.M.S. " Champion " and 13th Destroyer Flotilla
 +
during the recent action of the 31st May–lst June 1916.
 +
:2. At 2.50 p.m., 31st May, H.M.S. " Onslow "and " Moresby "
 +
were detached to join H.M.S. "Engadine," but attacked enemy
 +
Battle Cruiser Fleet with remainder of Flotilla, as described in
 +
paragraph 5.
 +
:3. At commencement of action station was taken up on the
 +
starboard bow of .H.M.S. "Lion," Destroyers in company
 +
being :—
 +
:::" Nestor " - Commander Hon. Edward B. S.
 +
::::::Bingham.
 +
:::" Nomad " Lieut. Commander Paul Whitfield.
 +
:::" Narborough "- JP Geoffrey Corlett.
 +
:::" Obdurate " tt Cecil H. H. Sams.
 +
:::" Petard " 13 3/ Evelyn C. O. Thomson.
 +
:::" Pelican " 3t Kenneth A. Beattie.
 +
:::" Nerissa " Montague C. B. Legge.
 +
::: " Onslow "1 )3 John C. Tovey.
 +
:::"Moresby "1 tt PP Roger V. Alison.
 +
:::" Nicator " Lieutenant Jack E. A. Mocatta.
 +
:::" Termagant " Lieut. Commander Cuthbert P. Blake.
 +
:::" Turbulent " - Dudley Stuart.
 +
:::(The last two named Destroyers being temporarily attached.)
 +
:4. At 4.30 p.m. Enemy's Battle Fleet was sighted by
 +
" Champion " and reported to you.
 +
:5. At 4.15 p.m. the whole Flotilla was ordered to attack
 +
Enemy Battle Cruiser Fleet. This attack was well carried out,
 +
and it is thought that at least two Enemy Destroyers were sunk.
 +
I regret to state that H.M.S. " Nestor " (Commander Hon.
 +
E. B. S. Bingham) and H.M.S. " Nomad " (Lieutenant Commander
 +
Paul Whitfield) did not return from this action, and must be
 +
considered to have been sunk.
 +
:6. At 7.45 p.m. H.M.S. " Onslow " was reported unable to
 +
steam, and was taken in tow by H.M.S. "Defender."
 +
:7. No further opportunity of attacking Enemy occurred
 +
during. the day.
 +
:8. At night station was taken astern of Battle Fleet, course
 +
South. About 11.30 p.m. heavy firing was opened on our
 +
starboard beam, apparently at some of our Destroyers between
 +
the 13th Flotilla and the enemy. I hauled out to the eastward
 +
as I was unable to attack with any of our own Flotilla, our own
 +
forces being between me and the Enemy. I then resumed course
 +
South ; firing was observed at intervals during the night on
 +
our starboard beam. Destroyers of the 13th Flotilla, with the
 +
exception of H.M.S. " Obdurate " and "Moresby," lost touch
 +
with me during the night. H.M.S. " Narborough " as Senior
 +
Officer, reports that he took charge IA the remainder, and rejoined
 +
the Fleet at 9.45 a.m. on the 1st instant.
 +
:H.M.S. " Marksman " and " Maenad " joined me at about
 +
2.30 a.m. At 2.50 a.m. course was altered to North to conform
 +
with signal received from the Commander-in-Chief.
 +
:9. At 3.25 a.m. four Destroyers, steering southward, were
 +
sighted ; owing to the mist I was uncertain at first who they
 +
were ; but at 3.30 a.m. I made them out to be the enemy, and
 +
opened fire, range about 3,600 yards. Two torpedoes were
 +
fired at "Champion," the first one passing under our bows, the
 +
second just missing close astern. Enemy passed on opposite
 +
course, and when ship had been steadied after avoiding torpedoes,
 +
the enemy had disappeared in the mist, and I resumed my same
 +
course.
 +
:10. At 4.30 a.m. H.M.S. " Obdurate " picked up two
 +
survivors, and H.M.S. " Marksman " one survivor, from H.M.S.
 +
" Ardent."
 +
:At 5 a.m. two rafts were sighted, and H.M.S. " Moresby "
 +
rescued seven men, and H.M.S. " Maenad " eleven men, survivors
 +
from H.M.S. "Fortune."
 +
:11. At about 6 a.m. H.M.S. " Marksman " was detached to
 +
examine vessel to westward, which appeared to be a disabled
 +
Destroyer, and lost touch with me. Nothing further occurred,
 +
and I returned to base, by your orders, arriving at 3.30 p.m.,
 +
2nd June 1910.
 +
:12. Letter of Proceedings from H.M.S. " Narborough," the
 +
Senior Officer surviving from Destroyer attack, is attached.
 +
Reports have been called for from remainder of 13th Flotilla,
 +
and an addendum to this letter will be forwarded when the
 +
reports have been collected.
 +
:13. In addition to loss of H.M.S. " Nestor " and "Nomad,"
 +
H.M.S. " Turbulent " '(Lieutenant-Commander Dudley Stuart)
 +
is reported by H.M.S. " Narborough " to have been lost sight of
 +
at 0.30 a.m. on the 1st instant, and was probably rammed, or
 +
sunk by gunfire.
 +
Total casualties and names have not yet been ascertained.
 +
{{JODSig|J. U. Farie|13th Flotilla|The Vice-Admiral Commanding|Battle Cruiser Fleet, H.M.S. " Lion."}}
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
On the 7th, Farie forwarded a collection of reports from his flotilla destroyers he'd collected in the previous days, as follows.
 +
 +
==Obdurate==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 3rd June.{{UKJutlandOD|p. 226}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:On  receiving the signal to carry out torpedo attack on enemy
 +
battle cruiser fleet, Obdurate turned towards the enemy
 +
and soon  became engaged with their destroyers and one light
 +
cruiser. Range varied from 6,000 to 3,000 yards, and during the
 +
destroyer action one of the enemy's destroyers was blown up
 +
and two others  badly damaged; probably one of these two sank
 +
as the guns firing at her lost sight of her.
 +
:The enemy destroyers and light cruiser were driven back to
 +
the protection of their big ships, and " Obdurate " was then too
 +
far astern to deliver a torpedo attack. " Obdurate " was hit
 +
twice by  a 4.1 shell, but suffered no casualties.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Petard==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 2nd June.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 226, 227}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:On receiving the signal to attack with torpedoes, I attacked
 +
with H.M.S. "Turbulent." The first torpedo fired was set for
 +
high speed, six feet deep, and was aimed at the bead of the
 +
German destroyer  flotilla, which was crossing over to meet our
 +
attack. The track was closely followed, and tube's crew state
 +
that they undoubtedly saw it hit a German Destroyer about
 +
amidships and explode. I opened fire with my gun on this
 +
destroyer a few minutes later, and she was then lying stopped,
 +
with her upper deck awash and obviously sinking.
 +
:" Petard " then took part in the general engagement with
 +
the German Destroyers, and the three remaining torpedoes were
 +
fired at a range of about 7,000 yards on the bow of the German
 +
Battle Cruiser Fleet. All these torpedoes must have crossed
 +
the track of the German line.
 +
:At 12.15 a.m. course was altered to S.W. by W., and ten
 +
minutes later the line crossed ahead of a division of German
 +
Battleships. I sighted the leading battleship about six points
 +
on my starboard bow steering S.E. at about 400 or 500 yards.
 +
This ship switched on recognition lights, consisting of two red
 +
over one white light and, as some destroyer ahead of me in the
 +
line then switched on her "fighting lights," I think the Germans
 +
at once knew we were enemy. As " Petard " had no torpedoes
 +
left I could not attack, so I increased to full speed, and altered
 +
course slightly to port to avoid being rammed. I passed about
 +
200 yards ahead of the German ship, who appeared to be one
 +
of the " Wittelsbach " class. As soon as we were clear of her
 +
stem, she illuminated us with searchlights, and we came under
 +
a heavy fire from her and the next ship in the line. Two salvoes
 +
seemed to strike us, and, in all, I think, we received six hits.
 +
:I regret that I never saw " {{UK-1Turbulent}}," who was in station
 +
astern of " Petard," after passing the German Squadron ;
 +
according to the evidence of some of my Ship's Company, I
 +
am afraid she must have been rammed and sunk.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Pelican==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 4th June.{{UKJutlandOD|p. 227}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:" Pelican " was unable to fire torpedoes owing to the other
 +
two divisions being engaged by enemy torpedo craft between
 +
the fleets, and by a division of the 9th Flotilla, who were coming
 +
up in the opposite direction.
 +
:At about 10.35 p.m. there was heavy firing in N. Westerly
 +
direction, and destroyers were seen in the searchlight rays of
 +
attacking ships. Shortly afterwards there was a huge explosion
 +
in that direction. At 0.40, June 1st, when on a course S.W.,
 +
speed 30 knots, I observed two ships on starboard quarter,
 +
which were at first taken to be our Light Cruisers. They switched
 +
on three vertical lights, the upper two being red and lower green,
 +
at the same time " Pelican's " stem was lit up by a searchlight
 +
which was immediately transferred to " Petard" and " Turbu-
 +
lent," who were astern. When sighted position was unfavourable
 +
for attack.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Nerissa==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 5th June.{{UKJutlandOD|p. 227}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:4.30 p.m., commenced attack on a northerly course, owing
 +
to enemy turning 16 points, this attack had eventually to be
 +
carried out on a southerly course, which I did in company with
 +
" {{UK-Termagant}}," but firing two torpedoes, range 7,000 yards.
 +
Just previous to this attack " {{UK-Nomad}} " was observed quite
 +
close, stopped and apparently badly damaged in the engine
 +
room. One torpedo apparently took effect on rear ship.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Onslow==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 2nd June.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 227-8}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:At about 6.5 p.m., sighting an enemy Light Cruiser, class
 +
uncertain, with 3 funnels, with topgallant forecastle only about
 +
6,000 yards from 1st B.C.S., I decided to attack her. All guns
 +
engaged enemy Light Cruiser, and 58 rounds were fired at a
 +
range of 2,000 to 4,000 yards ; undoubtedly a large number of
 +
hits were scored, as they were easily spotted at this range. I
 +
then gave orders for all torpedoes to be fired. I saw the first
 +
torpedo leave the ship, and immediately was struck by a big
 +
shell amidships the starboard side. There was a big escape of
 +
steam, completely enveloping both torpedo tubes. Sub-Lieu-
 +
tenant Moore, Leading Signalman Cassin, also several other
 +
ratings and myself saw the torpedo hit Light Cruiser below
 +
conning tower, and explode.
 +
:Owing to two shells having exploded in No. 2 Boiler room,
 +
and badly damaged main feed tank and all the water in the
 +
reserve feed tank being now used, at 7.0 p.m. ship stopped and
 +
electric current was lost. At 7.15 p.m. " Defender " closed
 +
" Onslow " and asked if assistance was required. On learning
 +
" Defender " could only steam 10 knots, I asked to be taken in
 +
tow whilst endeavouring to effect repairs; this " {{UK-Defender}} "
 +
did under very trying circumstances, and with large enemy
 +
ships rapidly approaching. In tow of " {{UK-Defender}} " I then
 +
proceeded W. by N. Using salt-water feed, Engineer Lieutenant
 +
Commander Foulkes raised speed for slow speed to enable me
 +
to use steering engine, and when weather got worse to lessen
 +
strain on towing hawser. Owing to ship's condition I decided
 +
to make for the nearest port—Aberdeen—arriving there about
 +
1.0 p.m. the 2nd June.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Moresby==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 3rd June.{{UKJutlandOD|p. 228}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:At 5.0 p.m. an enemy Dreadnought squadron then observed
 +
steering Northward was attacked. At 5.10 p.m., being two
 +
points before the beam of the leading ship 6-8,000 yards, a long
 +
range torpedo was fired at the third ship. About 8 minutes later
 +
I observed an upheaval due to a torpedo, and am informed it
 +
was on the 6th ship. This agrees with the director setting.
 +
The enemy were then straddling frequently ; my smoke was
 +
bad; I therefore turned towards the enemy and ran between
 +
the lines, in order to clear the range from smoke nuisance.
 +
:At about 2.35 a.m., four " Deutschland " class ships were
 +
seen bearing West, 4,000 yards. I hauled out to port, firing a
 +
U.S. torpedo at 2.37 G.M.T. No more could be fired as left
 +
tube was empty, and the fore director was pointed skywards
 +
when the sight bore of that tube. Mist and smoke prevented
 +
the enemy being seen again.
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
==Nicator==
 +
 +
Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 4th June.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 228-9}}
 +
 +
<poem>
 +
:At 4.15 p.m. torpedo attack was carried out. Two torpedoes
 +
were fired at a range of about 6,000 yards. During this attack
 +
enemy's Destroyers were continually engaged with gunfire, and
 +
were observed to be retiring, leaving at least two in a disabled
 +
condition. A third torpedo was fired at second ship of enemy's
 +
Battle Fleet at a range of about 3,000 yards. " Nestor " and
 +
" Nicator " continued to close until within about 2,500 yards,
 +
when " Nestor " was hit in the region of No. 1 Boiler Room;
 +
she immediately altered course 8 points to starboard, and
 +
" Nicator " was obliged to alter inside her to avoid collision,
 +
thereby failing to fire a 4th torpedo.
 +
:At 3.30 p.m., June 1st, in Lat. 55.50 N., Long. 0.55 W., a
 +
torpedo fired by a hostile submarine was observed approaching
 +
from abaft the starboard beam at an angle of 30 degrees, running
 +
on the surface; helm was at once put hard a starboard and
 +
telegraphs to full speed. Torpedo passed ahead. On resuming
 +
course a submerged explosion was very distinctly felt all over
 +
the ship, but no damage could be found. Submarine was not
 +
sighted.
 +
</poem>
  
 
===July, 1918===
 
===July, 1918===

Revision as of 20:48, 1 October 2013

The Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.

In 1916, it was comprised of "M" class destroyers whose sixty-six 21-in Mark II torpedo test runs in the first half of that year proved 77% probable to endanger the enemy.[1]

Captains (D)

History

Ten destroyers of the Thirteenth under the lead of the light cruiser Champion screened the First Battle Cruiser Squadron during the battle, bolstered by two destroyers temporarily detached from the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla. Eight of these vessels delivered a torpedo attack against the enemy battle cruisers at about 4.15pm, after gun and torpedo battle with enemy destroyers who were similarly tasked.

They were organised as follows:[4][5]

At the same time, Nepean remained in harbour and Paladin, Negro, Nereus, Penn and Penn were in dockyard hands.[6]

Champion

On 3 June, Captain (D) James U. Farie issued a report from his flagship.[7]


No. 60.
H.M.S. "Champion,"
3rd June 1916.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to forward the following report of
Proceedings of H.M.S. " Champion " and 13th Destroyer Flotilla
during the recent action of the 31st May–lst June 1916.
2. At 2.50 p.m., 31st May, H.M.S. " Onslow "and " Moresby "
were detached to join H.M.S. "Engadine," but attacked enemy
Battle Cruiser Fleet with remainder of Flotilla, as described in
paragraph 5.
3. At commencement of action station was taken up on the
starboard bow of .H.M.S. "Lion," Destroyers in company
being :—
" Nestor " - Commander Hon. Edward B. S.
Bingham.
" Nomad " Lieut. Commander Paul Whitfield.
" Narborough "- JP Geoffrey Corlett.
" Obdurate " tt Cecil H. H. Sams.
" Petard " 13 3/ Evelyn C. O. Thomson.
" Pelican " 3t Kenneth A. Beattie.
" Nerissa " Montague C. B. Legge.
" Onslow "1 )3 John C. Tovey.
"Moresby "1 tt PP Roger V. Alison.
" Nicator " Lieutenant Jack E. A. Mocatta.
" Termagant " Lieut. Commander Cuthbert P. Blake.
" Turbulent " - Dudley Stuart.
(The last two named Destroyers being temporarily attached.)
4. At 4.30 p.m. Enemy's Battle Fleet was sighted by
" Champion " and reported to you.
5. At 4.15 p.m. the whole Flotilla was ordered to attack
Enemy Battle Cruiser Fleet. This attack was well carried out,
and it is thought that at least two Enemy Destroyers were sunk.
I regret to state that H.M.S. " Nestor " (Commander Hon.
E. B. S. Bingham) and H.M.S. " Nomad " (Lieutenant Commander
Paul Whitfield) did not return from this action, and must be
considered to have been sunk.
6. At 7.45 p.m. H.M.S. " Onslow " was reported unable to
steam, and was taken in tow by H.M.S. "Defender."
7. No further opportunity of attacking Enemy occurred
during. the day.
8. At night station was taken astern of Battle Fleet, course
South. About 11.30 p.m. heavy firing was opened on our
starboard beam, apparently at some of our Destroyers between
the 13th Flotilla and the enemy. I hauled out to the eastward
as I was unable to attack with any of our own Flotilla, our own
forces being between me and the Enemy. I then resumed course
South ; firing was observed at intervals during the night on
our starboard beam. Destroyers of the 13th Flotilla, with the
exception of H.M.S. " Obdurate " and "Moresby," lost touch
with me during the night. H.M.S. " Narborough " as Senior
Officer, reports that he took charge IA the remainder, and rejoined
the Fleet at 9.45 a.m. on the 1st instant.
H.M.S. " Marksman " and " Maenad " joined me at about
2.30 a.m. At 2.50 a.m. course was altered to North to conform
with signal received from the Commander-in-Chief.
9. At 3.25 a.m. four Destroyers, steering southward, were
sighted ; owing to the mist I was uncertain at first who they
were ; but at 3.30 a.m. I made them out to be the enemy, and
opened fire, range about 3,600 yards. Two torpedoes were
fired at "Champion," the first one passing under our bows, the
second just missing close astern. Enemy passed on opposite
course, and when ship had been steadied after avoiding torpedoes,
the enemy had disappeared in the mist, and I resumed my same
course.
10. At 4.30 a.m. H.M.S. " Obdurate " picked up two
survivors, and H.M.S. " Marksman " one survivor, from H.M.S.
" Ardent."
At 5 a.m. two rafts were sighted, and H.M.S. " Moresby "
rescued seven men, and H.M.S. " Maenad " eleven men, survivors
from H.M.S. "Fortune."
11. At about 6 a.m. H.M.S. " Marksman " was detached to
examine vessel to westward, which appeared to be a disabled
Destroyer, and lost touch with me. Nothing further occurred,
and I returned to base, by your orders, arriving at 3.30 p.m.,
2nd June 1910.
12. Letter of Proceedings from H.M.S. " Narborough," the
Senior Officer surviving from Destroyer attack, is attached.
Reports have been called for from remainder of 13th Flotilla,
and an addendum to this letter will be forwarded when the
reports have been collected.
13. In addition to loss of H.M.S. " Nestor " and "Nomad,"
H.M.S. " Turbulent " '(Lieutenant-Commander Dudley Stuart)
is reported by H.M.S. " Narborough " to have been lost sight of
at 0.30 a.m. on the 1st instant, and was probably rammed, or
sunk by gunfire.
Total casualties and names have not yet been ascertained.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. U. Farie,
13th Flotilla.

The Vice-Admiral Commanding

Battle Cruiser Fleet, H.M.S. " Lion."

On the 7th, Farie forwarded a collection of reports from his flotilla destroyers he'd collected in the previous days, as follows.

Obdurate

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 3rd June.[8]

On receiving the signal to carry out torpedo attack on enemy
battle cruiser fleet, Obdurate turned towards the enemy
and soon became engaged with their destroyers and one light
cruiser. Range varied from 6,000 to 3,000 yards, and during the
destroyer action one of the enemy's destroyers was blown up
and two others badly damaged; probably one of these two sank
as the guns firing at her lost sight of her.
The enemy destroyers and light cruiser were driven back to
the protection of their big ships, and " Obdurate " was then too
far astern to deliver a torpedo attack. " Obdurate " was hit
twice by a 4.1 shell, but suffered no casualties.

Petard

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 2nd June.[9]

On receiving the signal to attack with torpedoes, I attacked
with H.M.S. "Turbulent." The first torpedo fired was set for
high speed, six feet deep, and was aimed at the bead of the
German destroyer flotilla, which was crossing over to meet our
attack. The track was closely followed, and tube's crew state
that they undoubtedly saw it hit a German Destroyer about
amidships and explode. I opened fire with my gun on this
destroyer a few minutes later, and she was then lying stopped,
with her upper deck awash and obviously sinking.
" Petard " then took part in the general engagement with
the German Destroyers, and the three remaining torpedoes were
fired at a range of about 7,000 yards on the bow of the German
Battle Cruiser Fleet. All these torpedoes must have crossed
the track of the German line.
At 12.15 a.m. course was altered to S.W. by W., and ten
minutes later the line crossed ahead of a division of German
Battleships. I sighted the leading battleship about six points
on my starboard bow steering S.E. at about 400 or 500 yards.
This ship switched on recognition lights, consisting of two red
over one white light and, as some destroyer ahead of me in the
line then switched on her "fighting lights," I think the Germans
at once knew we were enemy. As " Petard " had no torpedoes
left I could not attack, so I increased to full speed, and altered
course slightly to port to avoid being rammed. I passed about
200 yards ahead of the German ship, who appeared to be one
of the " Wittelsbach " class. As soon as we were clear of her
stem, she illuminated us with searchlights, and we came under
a heavy fire from her and the next ship in the line. Two salvoes
seemed to strike us, and, in all, I think, we received six hits.
I regret that I never saw " Turbulent," who was in station
astern of " Petard," after passing the German Squadron ;
according to the evidence of some of my Ship's Company, I
am afraid she must have been rammed and sunk.

Pelican

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 4th June.[10]

" Pelican " was unable to fire torpedoes owing to the other
two divisions being engaged by enemy torpedo craft between
the fleets, and by a division of the 9th Flotilla, who were coming
up in the opposite direction.
At about 10.35 p.m. there was heavy firing in N. Westerly
direction, and destroyers were seen in the searchlight rays of
attacking ships. Shortly afterwards there was a huge explosion
in that direction. At 0.40, June 1st, when on a course S.W.,
speed 30 knots, I observed two ships on starboard quarter,
which were at first taken to be our Light Cruisers. They switched
on three vertical lights, the upper two being red and lower green,
at the same time " Pelican's " stem was lit up by a searchlight
which was immediately transferred to " Petard" and " Turbu-
lent," who were astern. When sighted position was unfavourable
for attack.

Nerissa

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 5th June.[11]

4.30 p.m., commenced attack on a northerly course, owing
to enemy turning 16 points, this attack had eventually to be
carried out on a southerly course, which I did in company with
" Termagant," but firing two torpedoes, range 7,000 yards.
Just previous to this attack " Nomad " was observed quite
close, stopped and apparently badly damaged in the engine
room. One torpedo apparently took effect on rear ship.

Onslow

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 2nd June.[12]

At about 6.5 p.m., sighting an enemy Light Cruiser, class
uncertain, with 3 funnels, with topgallant forecastle only about
6,000 yards from 1st B.C.S., I decided to attack her. All guns
engaged enemy Light Cruiser, and 58 rounds were fired at a
range of 2,000 to 4,000 yards ; undoubtedly a large number of
hits were scored, as they were easily spotted at this range. I
then gave orders for all torpedoes to be fired. I saw the first
torpedo leave the ship, and immediately was struck by a big
shell amidships the starboard side. There was a big escape of
steam, completely enveloping both torpedo tubes. Sub-Lieu-
tenant Moore, Leading Signalman Cassin, also several other
ratings and myself saw the torpedo hit Light Cruiser below
conning tower, and explode.
Owing to two shells having exploded in No. 2 Boiler room,
and badly damaged main feed tank and all the water in the
reserve feed tank being now used, at 7.0 p.m. ship stopped and
electric current was lost. At 7.15 p.m. " Defender " closed
" Onslow " and asked if assistance was required. On learning
" Defender " could only steam 10 knots, I asked to be taken in
tow whilst endeavouring to effect repairs; this " Defender "
did under very trying circumstances, and with large enemy
ships rapidly approaching. In tow of " Defender " I then
proceeded W. by N. Using salt-water feed, Engineer Lieutenant
Commander Foulkes raised speed for slow speed to enable me
to use steering engine, and when weather got worse to lessen
strain on towing hawser. Owing to ship's condition I decided
to make for the nearest port—Aberdeen—arriving there about
1.0 p.m. the 2nd June.

Moresby

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 3rd June.[13]

At 5.0 p.m. an enemy Dreadnought squadron then observed
steering Northward was attacked. At 5.10 p.m., being two
points before the beam of the leading ship 6-8,000 yards, a long
range torpedo was fired at the third ship. About 8 minutes later
I observed an upheaval due to a torpedo, and am informed it
was on the 6th ship. This agrees with the director setting.
The enemy were then straddling frequently ; my smoke was
bad; I therefore turned towards the enemy and ran between
the lines, in order to clear the range from smoke nuisance.
At about 2.35 a.m., four " Deutschland " class ships were
seen bearing West, 4,000 yards. I hauled out to port, firing a
U.S. torpedo at 2.37 G.M.T. No more could be fired as left
tube was empty, and the fore director was pointed skywards
when the sight bore of that tube. Mist and smoke prevented
the enemy being seen again.

Nicator

Extract from a report submitted to Farie on 4th June.[14]

At 4.15 p.m. torpedo attack was carried out. Two torpedoes
were fired at a range of about 6,000 yards. During this attack
enemy's Destroyers were continually engaged with gunfire, and
were observed to be retiring, leaving at least two in a disabled
condition. A third torpedo was fired at second ship of enemy's
Battle Fleet at a range of about 3,000 yards. " Nestor " and
" Nicator " continued to close until within about 2,500 yards,
when " Nestor " was hit in the region of No. 1 Boiler Room;
she immediately altered course 8 points to starboard, and
" Nicator " was obliged to alter inside her to avoid collision,
thereby failing to fire a 4th torpedo.
At 3.30 p.m., June 1st, in Lat. 55.50 N., Long. 0.55 W., a
torpedo fired by a hostile submarine was observed approaching
from abaft the starboard beam at an angle of 30 degrees, running
on the surface; helm was at once put hard a starboard and
telegraphs to full speed. Torpedo passed ahead. On resuming
course a submerged explosion was very distinctly felt all over
the ship, but no damage could be found. Submarine was not
sighted.

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 Columbine.[15]

1 August, 1918

While operating with the Battle Cruiser Force, the flotilla was comprised as follows.[16]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916, p. 87.
  2. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 46.
  3. ↑ The Navy List (December, 1918). p. 756.
  4. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 430.
  5. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 46.
  6. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. p. 430.
  7. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 224-225.
  8. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 226.
  9. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 226, 227.
  10. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 227.
  11. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 227.
  12. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 227-8.
  13. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. p. 228.
  14. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 228-9.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List (July, 1918). p. 12.
  16. ↑ Battlecruiser Force Signal Orders, The National Archives. ADM 137/2135.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.

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
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