H.M.S. Syren (1900)

H.M.S. Syren (1900)
Pendant Number:	P.72 (1914) D.93 (Sep 1915) D.85 (Jan 1918)
Builder:	Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company
Ordered:	1899 Programme
Laid down:	24 Nov, 1899
Launched:	20 Dec, 1900
Commissioned:	Feb, 1902
Broken up:	1920

H.M.S. Syren was one of twenty-four "B" class destroyers built for the Royal Navy — a "30 knotter".

Construction & Service

The last of thirteen 30-knot T.B.Ds. built and by Palmer, Syren was laid down on 24 November 1899. She underwent her full-power trials on 10 September, 1901. She drew just 5' 1³⁄₈" forward and 9' ³⁄₄ aft. She made exactly 30 knots over three hours, total i.h.p. 6,708. Earlier coal trials had judged her consumption to be 2.4 pounds per i.h.p.-hour. Both speed and consumption were worse than previous articles had produced, but she carried 40 more tons than Star (Palmers' first 30 knotter) and 30 tons more than the recently-delivered Myrmidon. The ship passed into the Fleet Reserve on 14 March 1902, having cost £61,981.

On 6 May Syren collided with the first class protected cruiser Hawke while under the command of Lieutenant The Hon. Herbert Meade. A Court of Enquiry concluded that no one was to blame in the misadventure.

While making 25 knots on the night of 1 May 1905 as part of T.B.D. exercises within Berehaven Harbour, Syren ran "badly ashore as far aft as foremost torpedo tube", albeit without great personal injuries beind suffered. However, the vessel had nearly been broken in half by the impact. A Court Martial determined that Commander Sidney Richard Olivier had made an error of judgement in the event, earning him a reprimand and causing him to be replaced in command.

In March 1910, the boat was with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.

By mid-1913, Syren was operating with the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

• Lieutenant in Command Herbert Meade, 1902 – 12 November, 1902
• Lieutenant & Commander Henry C. R. Brocklebank, 5 November, 1902 – 3 April, 1903
• Commander Brian H. F. Barttelot, 3 April, 1903 – 15 December, 1903
• Commander Noel Grant, 15 December, 1903 – 8 February, 1905
• Commander Sidney R. Olivier, 8 February, 1905 – 8 May, 1905
• Lieutenant & Commander Francis R. Wood, 28 May, 1906 – 15 October, 1906^[Inference]
• Lieutenant-Commander Bertram O. F. Phibbs, 15 October, 1906 – 5 March, 1908
• Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Henniker-Heaton, 5 March, 1908 – 1 January, 1910
• Lieutenant & Commander George L. D. Gibbs, 1 January, 1910 – 1 August, 1911
• Lieutenant & Commander Kenneth F. Sworder, 1 August, 1911 – 4 June, 1913
• Commander William G. A. Kennedy, 4 June, 1913 – 15 August, 1913
• Commander Gilbert C. W. Crispin, 10 July, 1913 – 11 August, 1913
• Commander Thomas C. H. Williams, 15 August, 1913 – 10 August, 1915
• Commander Ernest L. Cardale, 10 August, 1915 – 11 November, 1916
• Lieutenant in Command Frank A. C. Baker, 11 November, 1916 – 28 November, 1916  (temporary)
• Commander William D. Irvin, 15 November, 1916
• Lieutenant in Command Adam Ferguson, 29 January, 1917 – 6 July, 1917
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Charles C. Halliday, 6 July, 1917 – 8 February, 1918
• Lieutenant-Commander R.N.R. (in Command?) Kenneth Boothroyd, 8 February, 1918 – 22 February, 1918
• Lieutenant R.N.R. in Command Cyril H. Bromley, 1 November, 1918 – 20 January, 1919

See Also

• Wikipedia