H.M.S. Implacable (1899)
| H.M.S. Implacable (1899) | |
|---|---|
| Pendant Number: | 63 (1914) 72 (Jan 1918) N.48 (Apr 1918)[1] |
| Builder: | Devonport Royal Dockyard[2] |
| Ordered: | 1897-98 Programme[3] |
| Laid down: | 13 Jul, 1898[4] |
| Launched: | 11 Mar, 1899[5] |
| Completed: | Jul, 1901[6] |
| Commissioned: | 10 Sep, 1901 |
| Sold: | 8 Nov, 1921[7] |
| Fate: | Scrapped |
Service
Implacable was reduced at Sheerness on 13th May, 1912.[8]
The ship was added to the Fifth Battle Squadron from the end of 1912 or earlier, remaining with that formation until October, 1915.
Gallipoli
In 1915, she was helping the Fifth B.S. bombard shore positions at Gallipoli. On 29 September, Captain Lockyer forwarded Lieutenant Commander (G) J. W. Scott's report on Implacable's results and her methods of indicating the point of aim, as follows.[9]
On 25 April, this work had her at "X" beach, firing right ahead while under way with two 12-in,four 6-in and four 12-pdr guns. As the Royal Fusiliers advanced, her fire was directed at a distinctive tree near the beach and varied in deflection to chase concentrations of enemy that had been observed. Fire then shifted to seek out enemy concentrations in map squares reported from ashore, and fire was adjusted in range and deflection from the tree to probe these targets in indirect fire, though signals from observers ashore were occasional at best. In following days, deflection rakes and graphic point of aim cards were distributed, e.g., "Achi Baba, 2 and a half nails right." It was observed that squares being signaled from ashore were often entirely wrong, especially when from an airplane. There was a general want of practice and coherence of purpose between spotters ashore and men on the ship. A visit ashore by the gunnery officer helped improve this.
On 27 April, Krithia was shelled, driving a multitude of enemy into the open where they were subjected to shrapnel. The effect seemed appreciable, and the Vice-Admiral congratulated Implacable on her work.
On May 9th, Implacable destroyed a possible observation post by 6-in fire. On May 10th, she entered the strait and anchored. Almost at once, a 6-in shell from a hidden battery struck her. A lack of distinct features on shore proved problematic in the straits, and training racers were installed on the turrets and a desire for training receivers noted. On the 10th and 11th, the batteries on the Asiatic side were "searched for" with unknown results. Airplanes seemed to help, but fire directed at locations suggested by Agamemnon proved ineffective. On the 11th, large batteries of 8- or 9-in guns were visible below Erenkioi and were silenced. Also on the 11th, a Commander Samson spotted from the air and reported "Firing excellent. 4 shells right into position 154 K.9." while firing at targets over Kum Kale.
Captains
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
- Captain H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg, 10 September, 1901[10] – 8 November, 1902[11]
- Captain Reginald C. Prothero, 27 October, 1902[12] – 12 May, 1904[13]
- Captain Colin R. Keppel, 12 May, 1904[14][15] – 17 June, 1905[16]
- Captain George E. Patey, 17 June, 1905[17]
- Captain Mark E. F. Kerr, 16 June, 1907[18] – 29 May, 1908[19]
- Captain William B. Fawckner, 2 February, 1909[20] – 31 March, 1909[21]
- Captain Henry L. Tottenham, 31 March, 1909[22][23] – 21 May, 1910[24]
- Captain Robert J. Prendergast, 21 May, 1910[25][26] – 14 November, 1911[27]
- Captain Harry Jones, 14 November, 1911[28] – 14 May, 1912[29]
- Captain Ernest G. Barton, 14 May, 1912[30] – 3 June, 1912[31]
- Captain Gerald C. A. Marescaux, 3 June, 1912[32][33] – 20 August, 1913[34]
- Captain Hughes C. Lockyer, 21 August, 1913[35] – 19 April, 1916
- Captain Hughes C. Lockyer, 31 August, 1916[36] – 14 March, 1917
- Captain Bertram S. Evans, 14 March, 1917[37]
- Acting Commander Charles L. Brendon, mid February, 1918 – 19 August, 1918
- Commander Kenneth B. Toms, 19 August, 1918[38] – March, 1919 (and for duty with First and Second Destroyer Flotillas)
Radio
In 1901, while serving in the Mediterranean, she had or was slated to receive a Marconi W/T kit.[39]
Torpedoes
In 1904, in a competition to investigate how rapidly submerged tubes could be fired four times sequentially, starting with the tube loaded and the bar out, the ship's crew was able to do this in 2 minute, 27 seconds. The best time was achieved by Cressy at 50.75 seconds, though 2:30 was more typical.[40]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 36.
- ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. p. 36.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ Burt. British Battleships: 1889-1904. p. 191.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 30.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 326.
- ↑ The National Archives. ADM 1/8440/335., Enclosure 3.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 11 September, 1901. Issue 36557, col C, p. 8.
- ↑ Milford Haven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 391.
- ↑ Prothero Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1064.
- ↑ Prothero Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1064.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 16 May, 1904. Issue 37395, col A, p. 7.
- ↑ Keppel Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 168.
- ↑ Keppel Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 168.
- ↑ Patey Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1009.
- ↑ Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 30.
- ↑ Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 30.
- ↑ Fawckner Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38/374. ff. 445-6.
- ↑ Fawckner Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38/374. ff. 445-6.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 329.
- ↑ Tottenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 623.
- ↑ Tottenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 623.
- ↑ Prendergast Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 242.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 329.
- ↑ Prendergast Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 242.
- ↑ Jones Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 256.
- ↑ Jones Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 256.
- ↑ Barton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 74.
- ↑ Barton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 74.
- ↑ Marescaux Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 859.
- ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1913). p. 329.
- ↑ Marescaux Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 579.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 394s.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 395i.
- ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 394p.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1919). p. 817.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1901. p. 111.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1904. pp. 45-7.
Bibliography
- Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
- Parkes, O.B.E., Ass.I.N.A., Dr. Oscar (1990). British Battleships 1860–1950. London: Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0850526043. (on Bookfinder.com).
- Preston, Antony (1972). Battleships of World War I. New York, NY: Galahad Books. ISBN 0883653001.
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