H.M.S. Pelican (1916)

H.M.S. Pelican (1916)
Pendant Number:	G.58 (Sep 1915) F.10 (Jan 1917) H.A8 (Jan 1918)
Builder:	William Beardmore & Company
Launched:	18 Mar, 1916
Completed:	1 May, 1916
Sold:

H.M.S. Pelican was one of one hundred and three destroyers of the "M" class built for the Royal Navy during the Great War.

Service

In April, 1916 Pelican was assigned to the newly-created Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.

At the Battle of Jutland, she screened the First Battle Cruiser Squadron as one of twelve destroyers operating with the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla.

On 19 August, 1916, she, Pasley and Negro assisted the torpedoed sloop Falmouth by taking her under tow. Her captain was credited with destroying an enemy submarine on that day, but the claim doesn't seem to correspond with known U-boat losses.

Pelican left 13 D.F. in September 1917, and by the next month was active with the Second Destroyer Flotilla of the Northern Division of the Coast of Ireland Station.

She was reduced to C. & M. Party at Portsmouth on 17 October, 1919.

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

• Lieutenant in Command (I) Joseph B. Newill, 31 March, 1916 – 7 May, 1916
• Lieutenant-Commander Kenneth A. Beattie, 7 May, 1916 – 15 September, 1917  (in command at Battle of Jutland)
• Lieutenant-Commander Kenneth F. Sworder, 15 September, 1917 – 1 January, 1918
• Lieutenant-Commander Edward B. Hoyle, 9 January, 1918 – 5 October, 1918
• Lieutenant in Command Maurice A. Brind, 5 October, 1918 – 20 December, 1918
• Acting Commander R.N.R. Cyril Edwards, 20 December, 1918 – March 1919  (temporary)
• Commander George O. Hewett, 5 March, 1919 – 3 February, 1920

See Also

• Thirteenth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
• Wikipedia