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Simongraham (talk | contribs) Wartime service |
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==Construction and career== |
==Construction and career== |
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[[Keel laying|Laid down]] by [[Harland & Wolff]] at their shipyard in [[Govan]] on 26 July 1916, ''Tetrarch'' was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 20 April the following year and completed on 2 June.{{sfn|Parkes|Prendergast|1969|page=108}} The destroyer was the first ship in [[Royal Navy]] service to carry the name.{{sfn|Manning|Walker|1959|page=436}} On commissioning, ''Tetrarch'' was deployed with the [[10th Destroyer Flotilla|Tenth Destroyer Flotilla]] of the [[Harwich Force]].<ref>{{cite journal | title=II Harwich Force | journal=Supplement to the Monthly Navy List | date=October 1917 | page=13 | url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92176654 | via=National Library of Scotland | access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> |
[[Keel laying|Laid down]] by [[Harland & Wolff]] at their shipyard in [[Govan]] on 26 July 1916, ''Tetrarch'' was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 20 April the following year and completed on 2 June.{{sfn|Parkes|Prendergast|1969|page=108}} The destroyer was the first ship in [[Royal Navy]] service to carry the name.{{sfn|Manning|Walker|1959|page=436}} On commissioning, ''Tetrarch'' was deployed with the [[10th Destroyer Flotilla|Tenth Destroyer Flotilla]] of the [[Harwich Force]].<ref>{{cite journal | title=II Harwich Force | journal=Supplement to the Monthly Navy List | date=October 1917 | page=13 | url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92176654 | via=National Library of Scotland | access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> |
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''Tetrarch'' was allocated to [[anti-submarine warfare]]. Between 16 and 17 October, the destroyer was called upon to be part of a large force of 84 warships sent out to search for a German fleet based around a [[minelayer]], although ''Tetrarch'' saw no action.{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|pages=151–152}} The destroyer joined [[sister ship]] {{HMS|Tempest|H71|2}} in the [[First Ostend Raid]], accompanying [[monitor (warship)|monitors]] {{HMS|Erebus|I02|2}} and {{HMS|Terror|I03|2}} that led the attack on 23 April 1918. The action also included the sinking of [[blockship]]s to impede the flow of German submarines leaving the port.{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|pages=249, 264}} On 24 April, the flotilla took part in the Royal Navy's engagement with one of the final sorties of the German [[High Seas Fleet]] during the First World War, although the two fleets did not actually meet and the destroyer returned unharmed.{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|page=287}} On 10 August, ''Tetrarch'' joined a fleet of four [[light cruiser]]s and seven destroyers to escorted five destroyers each towing an aircraft on a lighter to sail for [[Heligoland]] and attack German shipping. Initially, the assignment was not a success as the aircraft failed to take off and the boats were all sunk or interned, but subsequently one of the aircraft shot down [[Zeppelin LZ 100]].{{sfn|Friedman|2014|page=184}}{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|pages=345-347}} |
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After the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918]] that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and the amount of personnel needed to be reduced to save money.{{sfn|Moretz|2002|page=79}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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* {{cite book | last1=Colledge | first1=J.J. | first2=Ben | last2=Warlow | title=Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy | location=London | publisher=Chatham Press | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-93514-907-1}} |
* {{cite book | last1=Colledge | first1=J.J. | first2=Ben | last2=Warlow | title=Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy | location=London | publisher=Chatham Press | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-93514-907-1}} |
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* {{cite book | last=Friedman | first=Norman| title=British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the First World War | year=2009 | publisher=Seaforth Publishing | location=Barnsley, UK | isbn=978-1-84832-049-9}} |
* {{cite book | last=Friedman | first=Norman| title=British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the First World War | year=2009 | publisher=Seaforth Publishing | location=Barnsley, UK | isbn=978-1-84832-049-9}} |
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* {{cite book | last=Friedman | first=Norman | title=Fighting the Great War at Sea: Strategy, Tactics and Technology | year=2014 | publisher=Seaforth Publishing | location=Barnsley | isbn= 978-1-84832-189-2}} |
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* {{cite book | last=Manning | first=Thomas Davys | title=The British Destroyer | location=London | publisher=Putnam | date=1961 | oclc=6470051}} |
* {{cite book | last=Manning | first=Thomas Davys | title=The British Destroyer | location=London | publisher=Putnam | date=1961 | oclc=6470051}} |
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* {{cite book | last1=Manning | first1=Thomas Davys | last2=Walker | first2=Charles Frederick |title=British Warship Names | location=London | publisher=Putnam | year=1959 | oclc=780274698}} |
* {{cite book | last1=Manning | first1=Thomas Davys | last2=Walker | first2=Charles Frederick |title=British Warship Names | location=London | publisher=Putnam | year=1959 | oclc=780274698}} |
Revision as of 14:24, 18 January 2024
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | HMS Tetrarch |
Ordered | March 1916 |
Builder | Harland & Wolff, Govan |
Laid down | 26 July 1916 |
Launched | 20 April 1917 |
Completed | 2 June 1917 |
Out of service | 28 July 1934 |
Fate | Sold to be broken up |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | R-class destroyer |
Displacement | |
Length | 265 ft (81 m) (p.p.) |
Beam | 26 ft 9 in (8 m) |
Draught | 9 ft (3 m) |
Installed power | 3 Yarrow boilers, 27,000 shp (20,000 kW) |
Propulsion | 2 geared Brown-Curtis steam turbines, 2 shafts |
Speed | 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
Range | 3,450 nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement | 82 |
Armament |
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HMS Tetrarch was an R-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The R class were an improvement on the previous M class with geared steam turbines to improve efficiency. Launched in 1917, Tetrarch served with the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Harwich Force. The destroyer took part in the First Ostend Raid in 1917 alongside the monitors Erebus and Terror. In 1918, the vessel escorted five destroyers each towing an aircraft on a lighter to attack German shipping off Heligoland. After the Armistice, the ship was initially placed in reserve at Devonport but soon joined the Atlantic Fleet, with a particular role as an escort to the aircraft carriers Courageous and Furious. As well as exercises with the fleet in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Scotland, the ship undertook visits of seaside resort in England and Wales. Following a decision to replace older destroyers in the Royal Navy, Tetrarch was retired in 1934 and sold to be broken up.
Design and development
Tetrarch was one of 23 R-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in March 1916 as part of the Seventh War Programme during the First World War.[1] The design was generally similar to the preceding M class, but differed in having geared steam turbines, giving greater fuel efficiency, the aft gun mounted on a raised platform, a higher forecastle for better seakeeping and a larger and a more robust bridge structure.[2][3][4] The destroyer had a length of 265 feet (81 m) between perpendiculars and 276 feet (84 m) overall, a beam of 26 feet 9 inches (8 m) and a draught of 9 feet (3 m).[5] Displacement was 975 long tons (991 t) normal and 1,173 long tons (1,192 t) deep load. Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding two Brown-Curtis geared turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) and driving two shafts, to give a design speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). Three funnels were fitted. A total of 296 long tons (301 t) of fuel oil was carried, which gave a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[2]
Armament consisted of three single 4 in (102 mm) Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the second and third funnels. A single 2-pounder 40 mm (2 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun was carried, while torpedo armament consisted of two twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes.[2] The destroyer was later fitted with racks and storage for depth charges.[6] The number of depth charges available increased in service. By 1918, the vessel was carrying between 30 and 50 depth charges.[7] The ship had a complement of 82 officers and ratings.[5]
Construction and career
Laid down by Harland & Wolff at their shipyard in Govan on 26 July 1916, Tetrarch was launched on 20 April the following year and completed on 2 June.[5] The destroyer was the first ship in Royal Navy service to carry the name.[8] On commissioning, Tetrarch was deployed with the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Harwich Force.[9]
Tetrarch was allocated to anti-submarine warfare. Between 16 and 17 October, the destroyer was called upon to be part of a large force of 84 warships sent out to search for a German fleet based around a minelayer, although Tetrarch saw no action.[10] The destroyer joined sister ship Tempest in the First Ostend Raid, accompanying monitors Erebus and Terror that led the attack on 23 April 1918. The action also included the sinking of blockships to impede the flow of German submarines leaving the port.[11] On 24 April, the flotilla took part in the Royal Navy's engagement with one of the final sorties of the German High Seas Fleet during the First World War, although the two fleets did not actually meet and the destroyer returned unharmed.[12] On 10 August, Tetrarch joined a fleet of four light cruisers and seven destroyers to escorted five destroyers each towing an aircraft on a lighter to sail for Heligoland and attack German shipping. Initially, the assignment was not a success as the aircraft failed to take off and the boats were all sunk or interned, but subsequently one of the aircraft shot down Zeppelin LZ 100.[13][14]
After the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and the amount of personnel needed to be reduced to save money.[15]
References
Citations
- ^ Friedman 2009, p. 310.
- ^ a b c Preston 1985, p. 81.
- ^ Manning 1961, p. 72.
- ^ Friedman 2009, p. 326.
- ^ a b c Parkes & Prendergast 1969, p. 108.
- ^ Friedman 2009, p. 150.
- ^ Friedman 2009, p. 152.
- ^ Manning & Walker 1959, p. 436.
- ^ "II Harwich Force". Supplement to the Monthly Navy List: 13. October 1917. Retrieved 18 January 2024 – via National Library of Scotland.
- ^ Newbolt 1931, pp. 151–152.
- ^ Newbolt 1931, pp. 249, 264.
- ^ Newbolt 1931, p. 287.
- ^ Friedman 2014, p. 184.
- ^ Newbolt 1931, pp. 345–347.
- ^ Moretz 2002, p. 79.
Bibliography
- Bush, Steve; Warlow, Ben (2021). Pendant Numbers of the Royal Navy: A Complete History of the Allocation of Pendant Numbers to Royal Navy Warships & Auxiliaries. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-526793-78-2.
- Colledge, J.J.; Warlow, Ben (2006). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy. London: Chatham Press. ISBN 978-1-93514-907-1.
- Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the First World War. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-049-9.
- Friedman, Norman (2014). Fighting the Great War at Sea: Strategy, Tactics and Technology. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-189-2.
- Manning, Thomas Davys (1961). The British Destroyer. London: Putnam. OCLC 6470051.
- Manning, Thomas Davys; Walker, Charles Frederick (1959). British Warship Names. London: Putnam. OCLC 780274698.
- Moretz, Joseph (2002). The Royal Navy and the Capital Ship in the Interwar Period. London: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-71465-196-5.
- Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations: Vol. V. History of the Great War. London: Longmans, Green and Co.
- Parkes, Oscar; Prendergast, Maurice (1969). Jane's Fighting Ships 1919. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. OCLC 907574860.
- Preston, Antony (1985). "Great Britain and Empire Forces". In Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.