Second Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

From The Dreadnought Project
Revision as of 22:02, 10 January 2013 by Tone (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigationJump to search

The Second Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.

From 1912 through at least 1916, it was comprised of Acorn class destroyers[1] armed with the 21-in R.G.F. Mark II Torpedo.[2] Their test runnings of the 21-in Mark II Torpedoes in the first half of 1916 resulted in 89% of the shots being dangerous to the enemy.[3]

Composition

1 November, 1911

The flotilla was comprised of:[4]

July, 1914

Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of twenty Acorns under destroyer Active with depot ship Blake. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from flagship third class protected cruiser Amethyst.[5]

destroyer Active
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

September, 1914

With depot ship still being Blake, the Flotilla was one of four supporting the Home and Atlantic Waters under overall flotilla flagship light cruiser Arethusa.[6]

destroyer Active
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last just one month, as during the month, it was decided that Broke should join as the half-flotilla leader and be fitted with a Mark II W/T set, longer mast, No. 2 set of flags and two additional signal ratings.[7]

October, 1914

With depot ship still being Blake, the Flotilla was still supporting Home and Atlantic Waters, but Broke was asterisked to join as second-in-command "when ready".[8]

destroyer Active   flotilla leader Broke*
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

On 24 November, the flotilla was attached to the Grand Fleet and the leader changed to Fearless (arriving from First Destroyer Flotilla) while Active went off to undergo a refit.[9]

December, 1914

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla was still supporting Home and Atlantic Waters. Broke has joined, and Fearless has arrived from First Destroyer Flotilla.[10]

destroyer Fearless   flotilla leader Broke*
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

January, 1915

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla was still supporting Home and Atlantic Waters. Galatea has joined as temporary flagship.[11]

light cruiser Galatea   flotilla leader Broke
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last until February or March.[12]

March, 1915

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla was still supporting Home and Atlantic Waters. Active is again flagship. Though Goldfinch was wrecked on 19 February, she is still shown as attached.[13]

destroyer Active   flotilla leader Broke
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury Goldfinch Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last just the month.

April, 1915

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla is now supporting the Grand Fleet. Goldfinch is belatedly removed following her wrecking on 19 February.[14]

destroyer Active   flotilla leader Broke
Acorn Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet
Fury   Hope Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last until September.[15][16][17][18]

September, 1915

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet. From this month, the asterisked ships are tenders to H.M.S. Vivid rather than Blake.[19]

destroyer Active   flotilla leader Broke
Acorn* Alarm Brisk Cameleon Comet*
Fury*   Hope* Larne Lyra
Martin Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe
Redpole* Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake* Staunch*

This roster would last just the month.

October, 1915

With depot ship Blake, the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet. flotilla leader Tipperary has been slyly added to the ships tender to H.M.S. Vivid, though she is not denoted as having special status. The ships with Vivid, however, are now marked as being "detached from Grand Fleet".[20]

destroyer Active flotilla leader Broke
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Larne Lyra Martin
Minstrel Nemesis Nereide Nymphe Rifleman Ruby
Tipperary
Acorn Comet Fury Tipperary
Hope Redpole Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last just the month.

November, 1915

With depot ship Blake, only part of the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet, with a Tipperary now designated as leader for the detached group, tendered to H.M.S. Vivid. Moreover, the detached group has attracted more destroyers from the attached group, and Active has been removed for work "in Home Waters or on detached service".[21]

Attached to Grand Fleet, tenders to Blake
flotilla leader Broke
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Larne
Lyra Martin Nemesis Nymphe
Detached, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid
flotilla leader Tipperary
Acorn Comet Fury Hope Minstrel  
Nereide Redpole Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake Staunch

This roster would last just the month.

December, 1915

With depot ship Blake, only part of the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet. The detached group has attracted two more destroyers from the attached group, and Comet, Fury, Redpole and Staunch have been transferred to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterraean.[22]

Attached to Grand Fleet, tenders to Blake
flotilla leader Broke
Alarm Cameleon Larne Lyra Nemesis Nymphe
Detached, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid
flotilla leader Tipperary
Acorn Brisk Hope Martin Minstrel
Nereide Rifleman Ruby Sheldrake

This roster would last just the month.

January, 1916

With depot ship Blake, only a tiny part of the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet. The detached group has seduced four more destroyers from the attached group, and Acorn, Minstrel, Rifleman and Sheldrake have also been transferred to the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterraean.[23]

Attached to Grand Fleet, tenders to Blake
flotilla leader Broke
Nemesis Nymphe
Detached, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid
flotilla leader Tipperary
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Larne
Lyra Martin Nereide Ruby

This roster would last just the month.

February, 1916

With depot ship Blake, only a tiny part of the Flotilla is still supporting the Grand Fleet. Larne and Nemesis appear to have gone missing in some administrative sense.[24]

Attached to Grand Fleet, tenders to Blake
flotilla leader Broke
Nymphe
Detached, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid
flotilla leader Tipperary
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope
Lyra Martin Nereide Ruby

This roster would last just the month.

March, 1916

With depot ship Blake, it appears that Broke alone is still supporting the Grand Fleet. Larne and Nemesis have re-appeared in the detached group, but Nymphe is not mentioned, and trusty Tipperary has gone off to join the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron.[25]

Attached to Grand Fleet, tenders to Blake
flotilla leader Broke
Detached, tenders to H.M.S. Vivid
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra
Martin Nereide Ruby Larne Nemesis

This roster would last just the month.

April, 1916

The Flotilla has been removed from its Grand Fleet role, but with Nymphe back in the roster, the formation is now eleven destroyers under orders of Captain-in-Charge, Devonport with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. The format is not clear, but the flotilla may be under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping.[26]

Under orders of Captain-in-Charge, Devonport
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra Martin
Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne Nymphe

This roster would last until June. In May, it was noted that the flotilla was temporarily tender to Vernon.[27]

June, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, Nymphe has again gone missing.[28]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra Martin
Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne

This roster would last just the month.

July, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, the Acheron class destroyer Tigress has joined from the First Destroyer Flotilla.[29][30]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra Martin
Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne Tigress

This roster would last until September.[31]

September, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, destroyer Eclipse has joined, bearing a Captain (D).[32]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra Martin
Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne Tigress

This roster would last just the month.

October, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, Hope has left for an undiscovered appointment.[33]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Alarm Brisk Cameleon   Lyra Martin
Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne Tigress

This roster would last just the month.

November, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders, Hope has magically returned and seven Acheron class destroyers (Acheron, Archer, Ariel, Attack, Goshawk, Hydra and Lizard) have arrived from the First Destroyer Flotilla.[34][35]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
  Alarm Brisk Cameleon Hope Lyra Martin
  Nereide Ruby Nemesis Larne Tigress
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Goshawk Hydra Lizard

This roster would last just the month.

December, 1916

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. Cameleon, Nereide, Larne, Nemesis have been sent to join the Adriatic Squadron.[36]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Acheron Alarm Archer Ariel Attack Brisk Lyra
Hope Martin Goshawk Ruby Hydra Lizard Tigress

Some blessed level of stability was finally found, as this roster would last until April, 1917.[37][38]

April, 1917

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. Lapwing and Phoenix have joined from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[39][40]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Acheron Alarm Archer Ariel Attack Brisk Goshawk Hope
Hydra Lapwing Lizard Lyra Martin Phoenix Ruby Tigress

This roster would last just the month.

May, 1917

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. Hydra has been detached.[41]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Acheron Alarm Archer Ariel Attack Brisk Goshawk Hope
  Lapwing Lizard Lyra Martin Phoenix Ruby Tigress

This roster would last just the month.

June, 1917

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport (under overall command of the Admiral of Minesweeping) with no mention of a depot ship or leaders. Jackal and Badger have joined from an escort flotilla in Portsmouth.[42][43]

Under orders of Commander-in-Chief, Devonport
destroyer Eclipse
Acheron Alarm Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Brisk Goshawk Hope Jackal Lapwing Lizard
Lyra Martin Phoenix Ruby Tigress

This roster would last just the month.

[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]

On 2 October 1917, Brisk struck a mine while moving to assist the torpedoed armoured cruiser Drake.[44]


Captains (D)

Dates of appointment given:

Footnotes

  1. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
  2. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
  3. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
  4. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
  5. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July 1914.
  6. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 11.
  7. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
  8. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 11.
  9. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 218-9.
  10. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 11.
  11. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 11.
  12. ↑ No Supplement for February, 1915 has been found.
  13. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 14.
  14. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 11.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 11.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 12.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 12.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 12.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 12.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 12.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). pp. 12, 14.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). pp. 12, 20.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). pp. 12, 20.
  24. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 12.
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 12, 13.
  26. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 14.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 14.
  28. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 14.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 14.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 12.
  31. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 14.
  32. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 14.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 14.
  34. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 14.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
  36. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). pp. 14, 21.
  37. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 14.
  38. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 14.
  39. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 14.
  40. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 15.
  41. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
  42. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 14.
  43. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
  44. ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. p. 162.
  45. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 15 March, 1912. Issue 39847, col F, p. 3.
  46. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 26 July, 1912. Issue 39961, col C, p. 12.
  47. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 1 December, 1913. Issue 40383, col F, p. 72.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co. Limited. (on Bookfinder.com).
  • Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations. Vol. V. London: Longmans, Green and Co..

See Also


British Destroyer Flotillas
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh | Eighth | Ninth | Tenth
Eleventh | Twelfth | Thirteenth | Fourteenth | Fifteenth | Sixteenth | Seventeenth | Eighteenth | Nineteenth
Twentieth | Twenty-first
Local Defence Flotillas
Clyde | Devonport | Devonport & Falmouth | Falmouth | Firth of Forth | Gibraltar
Liverpool | Mersey | Newhaven | Nore | North Channel | Milford & Pembroke | Pembroke
Portland | Portsmouth | Queenstown

[[Category:Royal Navy {{{1}}}]][[Category:{{{1}}}]]

Retrieved from "http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Second_Destroyer_Flotilla_(Royal_Navy)&oldid=66702"