H.M.S. Queen Mary (1912): Difference between revisions

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* Williams, M W.  ''The Loss of HMS Queen Mary at Jutland'', [[Warship (Journal)|Warship]] 1996.
*Williams, M W (1996).  "The Loss of HMS ''Queen Mary'' at Jutland".  In Preston, Antony; McLean, David.  ''[[Warship (Journal)|Warship]] 1996''.  London: Conway Maritime Press.  ISBN 085177685X.
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Revision as of 08:11, 21 July 2012

H.M.S. Queen Mary
Career Details
Pendant Number: 14 (1914)[1]
Built By: Palmers
Laid Down: 6 March, 1911
Launched: 20 March, 1912
Commissioned: 4 September, 1913
Sunk: 31 May, 1916
Fate: Sunk in Battle of Jutland

H.M.S. Queen Mary was a battlecruiser of the Lion class in the Royal Navy, although she differed somewhat from her two sisters. Built on Tyneside by Palmers and engined by John Brown, she was the fastest big ship in the fleet until H.M.S. Tiger, the last of the "Big Cats" was launched. She took part in all the major actions of the Great War before being destroyed at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

Construction

One battlecruiser was provided for in the 1910-1911 naval estimates as part of the 1910-1911 Programme. On Thursday, 13 January, 1911 it was announced that the new ship would be constructed by Palmers at their Jarrow dockyard, with the turbine machinery built by John Brown and Company. The keel was laid on 6 March, the same day that it was announced in The Times that the name of the ship would be Queen Mary, in honour of the consort of King George V. The naming was confirmed by the builders on 20 March.

A year later Queen Mary was launched on 20 March, 1912. A public holiday was declared in Jarrow so as to allow as many people as possible to view the spectacle. The ship was launched at 15:45 by Lady Allendale, with Lord Allendale in attendance as well as many other shipyard and political dignitaries. The Queen sent a message to Lady Allendale, to wit;

I am most grateful to you for so kindly representing me at the launch of his Majesty's ship Queen Mary and I sincerely hope that all prosperity may follow the ship which has been named after me.

While construction was underway, a coalminers' strike took place, which affected both the social climate and affected the delivery of goods due to decreased traffic consequent to a lack of coal supplies. Unlike most shipyards, Palmers was not duly affected by the situation, as a large amount of materiel had already been stocked. However, on 10 December, 1912 two hundred platers went on strike over a pay dispute related to odd jobs.

Career

Captain W. Reginald Hall was appointed to Victory for command of Queen Mary on 1 July, 1913.[2] She commissioned at Portsmouth on 4 September,[3] and completed to full crew on 15 September for service in the First Battle Cruiser Squadron.[4] Shortly after she commissioned, Captain Hall received a telegram from Queen Mary:

On the occasion of your hoisting your pennant on board the Queen Mary I offer you, your officers, and men my hearty good wishes for a happy and prosperous commission.[5]

From 11 February to 17 February, 1914, Queen Mary and the rest of the First Battle Cruiser Squadron visited the French port of Brest.[6] The Squadron then sailed for Vigo, Spain, arriving there on the 19th,[7] then Pontevedra on the 27th.[8] Next stop was the roadstead at Arosa Bay, which the Squadron arrived at on 6 March.[9] Following Fleet exercises,[10] she left Villagarcia in company with Lion on 21 March,[11] and arrived at Spithead on the 25th.[12] On 20 July Queen Mary was visited by King George V at Spithead during the naval review.[13]

Captain Cecil I. Prowse was appointed in command of Queen Mary on 13 October, 1914.[14] According to his service record Captain Rudolf W. Bentinck, Chief of the Staff to Vice-Admiral Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart. (commanding the Second Battle Squadron), was "Appointed in Cd of 'Queen Mary' tempy by CinC 13·10·14."[15] This is not necessarily incompatible with Prowse being appointed to Queen Mary on the same day, as Prowse, languishing on half-pay since his appointment as Flag Captain to Admiral Sir A. Berkeley Milne at the Nore had fallen through in August, would have had to travel up to meet the Fleet from the South of England on short notice.

After her sinking, a Memorial Service was held on Monday 12 June at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge for Captain Prowse and the Officers and Men of Queen Mary killed at Jutland. The service ended with National Anthem sung.[16]

Fire Control Systems

Dreyer Table

Queen Mary carried what was designated in March, 1914, as a Mark III* Dreyer Table, and later designated a Mark II Dreyer Table. As of March, 1914, she carried at least one Turret Control Table in "B" turret.[17][18][19] This implies that "X" turret may also have carried one, as it, too, was a control position.[Inference]

Alterations

In 1913, Queen Mary was slated as part of the twelve ship order to receive a director. It was fitted sometime between May, 1915 and December, 1915.[20]

Captains

Dates of appointment given:

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919
  2. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 78.
  3. ↑ The Navy List (April, 1914). p. 364.
  4. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 4 September, 1913. Issue 40308, col F, pg. 3.
  5. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 19 September, 1913. Issue 40321, col D, pg. 2.
  6. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 12 February, 1914. Issue 40445, col E, pg. 4.
  7. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 21 February, 1914. Issue 40453, col F, pg. 4.
  8. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 5 March, 1914. Issue 40463, col A, pg. 13.
  9. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 9 March, 1914. Issue 40466, col D, pg. 12.
  10. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 26 March, 1914. Issue 40481, col C, pg. 5.
  11. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 24 March, 1914. Issue 40479, col C, pg. 16.
  12. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 26 March, 1914. Issue 40481, col C, pg. 5.
  13. ↑ "Naval Spectacle at Spithead" (News). The Times. Monday, 20 July, 1914. Issue 40580, col A, pg. 10.
  14. ↑ Prowse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 423.
  15. ↑ Bentinck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 47.
  16. ↑ "The Loss of the Queen Mary" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 13 June, 1916. Issue 41192, col E, pg. 8.
  17. ↑ Brooks. pp. 8, 166.
  18. ↑ Sumida. p. 252.
  19. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Orders. "972.—Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control System—Various Types to be known as stated." N.S. 14083/14.—27.3.1914. The National Archives. ADM 182/5. Thanks to Mark Harris for bringing this reference to the editors' attention.
  20. ↑ The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships, pp. 9-11.
  21. ↑ Roberts. Battlecruisers. p. 123.
  22. ↑ Ibid.

Bibliography

Template:Lion Class (1910)

Template:CatShipUKBattlecruiser

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