View source for "B" Class Destroyer (1895)

The four-funneled subset of the destroyers originally termed the '''30 Knotters''', twenty-four '''"B" Class destroyers''' entered service with the [[Royal Navy]] between 1897 and 1898.

Their average cost was £60,000.{{HardLying|Table 3}}

They were designated the '''"B" class''' on 30 August 1912.{{Conways1906|p. 18}}

In July, 1918, twenty ships were still in service,{{SMNLJul18|pp. 10-28}} and in May 1920, twenty of the ships were still worth documenting as regards their armament.<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref>

<div name=fredbot:ships>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
|-
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 24 vessels
|-
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
|-
! align=center | Name 
! align=center | Builder 
! align=center | Laid Down 
! align=center | Launched 
! align=center | Completed 
! align=center | Fate
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Quail}}
|[[Laird]]
|28 May, 1895
|24 Sep, 1895
|Jun, 1897
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Sparrowhawk}}
|[[Laird]]
|30 May, 1895
|8 Oct, 1895
|Jun, 1897
|Wrecked 1904
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Thrasher}}
|[[Laird]]
|30 May, 1895
|5 Nov, 1895
|Jun, 1897
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Virago}}
|[[Laird]]
|13 Jun, 1895
|19 Nov, 1895
|Jun, 1897
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Earnest}}
|[[Laird]]
|2 Mar, 1896
|7 Nov, 1896
|Nov, 1897
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Griffon}}
|[[Laird]]
|7 Mar, 1896
|21 Nov, 1896
|Nov, 1897
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Locust}}
|[[Laird]]
|20 Apr, 1896
|5 Dec, 1896
|Jul, 1898
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Panther}}
|[[Laird]]
|19 May, 1896
|21 Jan, 1897
|Jan, 1898
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Seal}}
|[[Laird]]
|17 Jun, 1896
|6 Mar, 1897
|May, 1898
|Broken up 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Wolf}}
|[[Laird]]
|12 Nov, 1896
|2 Jun, 1897
|Jul, 1898
|Broken up 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Express}}
|[[Laird]]
|1 Dec, 1896
|11 Dec, 1897
|Feb, 1902
|Broken up 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Orwell}}
|[[Laird]]
|9 Nov, 1897
|29 Sep, 1898
|Jan, 1900
|Broken up 1922
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Lively}}
|[[Laird]]
|20 Jun, 1899
|14 Jul, 1900
|Apr, 1902
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Sprightly}}
|[[Laird]]
|20 Jun, 1899
|25 Sep, 1900
|Mar, 1902
|Broken up 1921
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Success}}
|[[William Doxford & Sons]]
|18 Sep, 1899
|21 Mar, 1901
|May, 1902
|Wrecked 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Spiteful}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|12 Jan, 1898
|11 Jan, 1899
|Feb, 1900
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Peterel}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|29 Jul, 1898
|30 Mar, 1899
|Jul, 1900
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Myrmidon}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|23 Oct, 1899
|26 May, 1896
|May, 1901
|Mined 26 Mar, 1917
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Syren}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|24 Nov, 1899
|20 Dec, 1900
|Feb, 1902
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Kangaroo}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|29 Dec, 1899
|8 Sep, 1900
|Jul, 1901
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Arab}}
|[[J. & G. Thomson]]
|5 Mar, 1900
|9 Feb, 1901
|Jan, 1903
|Broken up 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Cobra}}
|[[Armstrong, Whitworth & Company]]
|
|28 Jun, 1899
|1901
|Foundered 1901
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Albacore}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|
|19 Sep, 1906
|
| 1 Aug, 1919
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Bonetta}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|
|14 Jan, 1907
|
| 7 Jun, 1920
|}
</div name=fredbot:ships>
==Machinery==
The ships were used to compare oil firing and coal firing to see what new technology and methods could yield. {{UK-Surly}} was fitted with both Holden and Rusden & Eeles oil-fired boilers, but trials in 1898-99 produced a lot of smoke and firing only 82% as efficient as with coal.  The boilers were update in 1901, but results were not dramatically improved.  In 1902, Kermode and Orde systems were tried, and the Kermode system proved the better, now producing evaporation 14% better than was possible with coal.{{BrownGF|p. 21}}

Between September, 1905 and January 1905, ''Surly'''s oil-firing was compared to {{UK-1Peterel}}'s coal-firing.  The vital win was that ''Surly'' required just three men rather than six men in her boiler room, but in four different tests, she seemed superior in speed and in fuel consumption by weight, though there was variation and sometimes ''Peterel'' had a minor edge.{{BrownGF|p. 21}}

==Guns==
Like the 27 knotters within the [["A" Class Destroyer (1894)|"A" class]], the ships mounted:
* One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P. I mounting.  The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).<ref name=th15/>
* Five Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark I* mountings recoiling 5 inches.  The mounting could elevate 30 degrees, but the sight only 25 degrees (4000 yards).  By 1920, two 6-pdrs had been removed.<ref name=cw93>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', p. 93.</ref><ref name=th15/>

In late-1913, the 12-pdr mountings were equipped with percussion firing gear.{{AWO1913|430 of 1 Aug, 1913}}

By 1920, those remaining had also been fitted with a Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark IV H.A. mounting.<ref name=th15/>

==Torpedoes==
Two 18-in single torpedo tubes on the centre line.

In 1905-06, it was decreed that {{UK-Kangaroo}} and {{UK-Myrmidon}} were to have their 10 cubic foot air compressors replaced by a 20 cubic foot model to be able to pump to 2,500 psi.  In 1906-07, {{UK-1Peterel}} and {{UK-1Spiteful}} were to receive the same.{{ARTS1904|p. 75}}

From 1907, the decision was made to standardise the "A" through "D"s with torpedoes set for short range, allotting them the Mark IV S.R..{{ARTS1907|p. 32}}

==Other Weapons==

==Searchlights==

==Fire Control==
Visual fire control system.<ref name=th15/>

==Torpedo Control==

==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_class_destroyer_(1913)}}
{{refend}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Conways1860}}
*{{LyonFirstDestroyers}}
*{{March}}
*{{UKTHVol4Part34}}
{{refend}}

{{Footer "B" Class Destroyer (1895)}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:B}}

{{CatClassDestroyer|UK}}


<!-- data

nat=UK
cat=Destroyer
type=destroyer

chain=Destroyers

{ship
name=Quail
pend=D.85 (1914)<br>D.89 (Sep 1915)<br>D.70 (Jan 1918)<br>H.32 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 94}}l
order=1894-95 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
laid=28 5 1895{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=24 9 1895{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Jun 97{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Sparrowhawk
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=30 5 95{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=8 10 1895{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm="
fate=Wrecked
fatedate=1904{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Thrasher
pend=D.79 (1914)<br>D.94 (Sep 1915)<br>D.90 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=30 5 95{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=5 11 1895{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm="
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Virago
pend=unknown{{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=13 6 95{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=19 11 1895{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm="
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Earnest
pend=D.05 (1914)<br>D.79 (Sep 1915)<br>D.29 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order=1895-96 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
laid=2 3 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=7 11 1896{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Nov 97{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Griffon
pend=D.39 (1914)<br>D.81 (Sep 1915)<br>D.45 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=7 3 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=21 11 1896{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Nov 97{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Locust
pend=D.29 (1914)<br>D.84 (Sep 1915)<br>D.54 (Jan 1918)<br>H.02 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=20 4 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=5 12 1896{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Jul 98{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Panther
pend=D.69 (1914)<br>D.87 (Sep 1915)<br>D.67 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=19 5 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=21 1 1897{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Jan 98{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Seal
pend=D.77 (1914)<br>D.90 (Sep 1915)<br>D.75 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=17 6 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=6 3 1897{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=May 98{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1921{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Wolf
pend=D.98 (1914)<br>D.95 (Sep 1915)<br>D.97 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=12 11 96{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
launch=2 6 1897{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
comm=Jul 98{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1921{{Conways1860|p. 94}}
}

{ship
name=Express
pend=D.84 (1914)<br>D.80 (Sep 1915)<br>D.34 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
order=1896-97{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
laid=1 12 96{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
launch=11 12 97{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
comm=Feb 1902{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1921{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
}

{ship
name=Orwell
pend=D.49 (1914)<br>D.86 (Sep 1915)<br>D.63 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
order=1897-98{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
laid=9 11 97{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
launch=29 9 1898{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
comm=Jan 1900{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1922{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
}

{ship
name=Lively
pend=D.91 (1914)<br>D.83 (Sep 1915)<br>D.53 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
order=Purchased 1901{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
laid=20 6 99{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
launch=14 7 1900{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
comm=Apr 1902{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
}

{ship
name=Sprightly
pend=D.62 (1914)<br>D.92 (Sep 1915)<br>D.77 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
order=Purchased 1901{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
laid=20 6 99{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
launch=25 9 1900{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
comm=Mar 1902{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1921{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
}

{ship
name=Success
pend=D.24 (1914){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[William Doxford & Sons]]{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
order=1899{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
laid=18 9 99{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
launch=21 3 1901{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
comm=May 1902{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
fate=Wrecked
fatedate=1914{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
}

{ship
name=Spiteful
pend=P.73 (1914)<br>D.91 (Sep 1915)<br>D.76 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
order=1897-98 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
laid=12 1 98{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
launch=11 1 1899{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
comm=Feb 1900{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
}

{ship
name=Peterel
pend=P.74 (1914)<br>D.88 (Sep 1915)<br>D.68 (Jan 1918)<br>H.54 (Sep 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=29 7 98{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
launch=30 3 1899{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
comm=Jul 1900{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 96}}
}

{ship
name=Myrmidon
pend=P.83 (1914)<br>D.85 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
order=1899 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
laid=23 10 99{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
launch=26 5 1900{{DittColl|p. 57}}
comm=May 1901{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
fate=Mined
fatedate=26 Mar, 1917{{March|p. 52}}
}

{ship
name=Syren
pend=P.72 (1914)<br>D.93 (Sep 1915)<br>D.85 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order="
laid=24 11 99{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
launch=20 12 1900{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
comm=Feb 1902{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
}

{ship
name=Kangaroo
pend=P.02 (1914)<br>D.82 (Sep 1915)<br>D.48 (Jan 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder="
order=Purchased 1900{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
laid=29 12 99{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
launch=8 9 1900{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
comm=Jul 1901{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 97}}
}

{ship
name=Arab
pend=D.01 (1914)<br>D.77 (Sep 1915)<br>D.05 (Jan 1918)<br>H.08 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 57}}
builder=[[J. & G. Thomson]]{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
order=1896-97 Programme{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
laid=5 3 1900{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
launch=9 2 1901{{March|p. 55}}{{DittColl|p. 57}}
comm=Jan 1903{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1919{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
}

{ship
name=Cobra
pend=
builder=[[Armstrong, Whitworth & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
order=Purchased 1900{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
laid=
launch=28 6 1899{{Conways1860|p. 98}}
comp=mid September, 1901<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence."  ''The Times'' (London, England), Tuesday, Sep 10, 1901; pg. 8; Issue 36556.</ref>
fate=Foundered
fatedate=19 September, 1901
}

{ship
name=Albacore
pend=
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{DittColl|p. 58}}
order=Purchased 1909{{DittColl|p. 58}}
laid=
launch=19 9 1906{{DittColl|p. 58}}
comm=
fatedate=1 8 1919{{DittColl|p. 58}}
}

{ship
name=Bonetta
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=
launch=14 1 1907{{DittColl|p. 58}}
comm=
fatedate=7 6 1920{{DittColl|p. 58}}
}



data -->

[[Category:Featured Ship Classes]]