Eighth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

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

History

In November 1912, fifteen destroyers were to be given Destroyer W/T Sets, part of an initiative to equip 26 destroyers in three patrol flotillas.

Outbreak of War

At the outbreak of war, the Eighth had thirteen "B", "C" and "D" class destroyers led by scout cruiser Pathfinder and eleven first-class torpedo boats. It was deemed a "Patrol Flotilla" and served out in the Nore Command with the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla, based out of Chatham..

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruiser
Pathfinder
Depot Ships
Aquarius			Tyne
"30-knotters"
Albacore	Bat*	Cheerful	Express	Fairy*	Flying Fish*
Mallard	Osprey	Ostrich	Peterel	Stag	Star*
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25	T.B. 26	T.B. 27	T.B. 28	T.B. 29	T.B. 30
T.B. 31	T.B. 32	T.B. 34	T.B. 35	T.B. 36

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

September, 1914

The strength is largely the same, except the cruiser has been sunk, leaving the strength at thirteen "30 knotters", though Bat, Fairy, Flying Fish and Star are noted as being "detached", and eleven first-class T.B.s.

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruiser
Depot Ships
Aquarius			Tyne
"30-knotters"
Albacore	Bat*	Cheerful	Express	Fairy*	Flying Fish*
Mallard	Osprey	Ostrich	Peterel	Stag	Star*
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25	T.B. 26	T.B. 27	T.B. 28	T.B. 29	T.B. 30
T.B. 31	T.B. 32	T.B. 34	T.B. 35	T.B. 36

October, 1914

submarine Sentinel has joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, and the previously detached destroyers as well as Albacore and Osprey are all amongst the twenty T.B.D.s attached directly to Home and Atlantic Waters.

T.B. 33 has finally joined, bringing the strength to seven "30 knotters" and twelve first-class T.B.s.

A Patrol Flotilla in Home and Atlantic Waters under the orders of the Admiral Commanding on the Coast of Scotland
Flotilla Cruiser
Sentinel
Depot Ships
Aquarius			Tyne
"30-knotters"
Cheerful	Express	Mallard	Ostrich	Peterel	Stag
Vigilant
First-class T.B.s
T.B. 25	T.B. 26	T.B. 27	T.B. 28	T.B. 29	T.B. 30
T.B. 31	T.B. 32	T.B. 33	T.B. 34	T.B. 35	T.B. 36

This arrangement would persist through May, 1915.

June, 1915

Along with the Seventh Submarine Flotilla, the flotilla is now part of the Firth of Forth Defence Flotilla, but it has lost Sentinel to the Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron.

Tyne is still attached but is noted as now also serving the miscellaneous destroyers attached to the Grand Fleet.

[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]

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

Captains (D)

Date of appointment given:

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

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).