The Fleets at War

by Archibald Hurd

DESTROYERS.

“L” CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

LLEWELLYN.
LENNOX.
LOYAL.
LEGION.
LAFOREY.
LAWFORD.
LOUIS.
LYDIARD.
LEONIDAS.
LUCIFER.
LAERTES.
LYSANDER.
LANCE.
LOOKOUT.
LAUREL.
LIBERTY.
LARK.
LANDRAIL.
LAVEROCK.
LINNET.

These are among the very latest destroyers. They were launched in 1913, and have a displacement of 965 tons. The designed speed is 29 knots, which was exceeded on trial. They consume oil fuel only. The armament consists of three 4-in. guns and four torpedo tubes, and they carry 100 officers and men.

“K” CLASS.
(Completed 1913.)

ACASTA.
ACHATES.
AMBUSCADE.
ARDENT.
FORTUNE.
CHRISTOPHER.
COCKATRICE.
CONTEST.
GARLAND.
PARAGON.
PORPOISE.
UNITY.
VICTOR.
LYNX.
MIDGE.
OWL.
SHARK.
SPARROWHAWK.
SPITFIRE.
HARDY.

These destroyers were built under the 1911 programme. The displacement is 935 tons, and they can steam at more than 30 knots. The armament is three 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil fuel only is consumed. The complement is 100 officers and men.

“I” CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

LURCHER.
FIREDRAKE.
OAK.
BADGER.
BEAVER.
ACHERON.
ARIEL.
ARCHER.
ATTACK.
GOSHAWK.
HIND.
FORESTER.
HORNET.
HYDRA.
DEFENDER.
DRUID.
JACKAL.
TIGRESS.
LAPWING.
LIZARD.
SANDFLY.
PHŒNIX.
FERRET.

Ocean-going destroyers of about 700 tons, with a speed of more than 30 knots. The armament consists of two 4-in. and two 12-pounder guns, with two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is seventy-two officers and men. These boats were built under the 1910 programme.

“H” CLASS.
(Completed 1910-11.)

ACORN.
ALARM.
BRISK.
CAMELEON.
COMET.
FURY.
GOLDFINCH.
HOPE.
LARNE.
LYRA.
MARTIN.
MINSTREL.
NEMESIS.
NEREIDE.
NYMPHE.
REDPOLE.
RIFLEMAN.
RUBY.
SHELDRAKE.
STAUNCH.

These destroyers were built under the 1909 programme. Their displacement is 760 tons, the designed speed 27 knots. The armament is two 4-in. and two 12-pounder guns, with two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is 76 officers and men.

“G” CLASS.
(Completed 1910.)

BASILISK.
BEAGLE.
BULLDOG.
FOXHOUND.
GRASSHOPPER.
HARPY.
MOSQUITO.
GRAMPUS.
PINCHER.
RACOON.
RATTLESNAKE.
RENARD.
SAVAGE.
SCORPION.
SCOURGE.
WOLVERINE.

These destroyers, which were built under the 1908 programme, have a displacement of 976 tons and a speed of 27 knots. They are armed with one 4-in. and three 12-pounder guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 96 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Completed 1908-9.)

AFRIDI.
COSSACK.
GHURKA.
MOHAWK.
TARTAR.

These are ocean-going destroyers, displacing about 880 tons, with a speed of more than 33 knots. They are armed with five 12-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed in the furnaces. Complement, 60 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

SARACEN.
AMAZON.
NUBIAN.

These destroyers are of 975 tons displacement, and have a speed of more than 33 knots. The armament is two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is 67 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

CRUSADER.
MAORI.
ZULU.

Ocean-going destroyers of more than 1,000 tons displacement, with a speed of nearly 34 knots. They burn oil fuel only. Armed with two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Complement, 71 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

VIKING.

An ocean-going destroyer of 1,090 tons and a speed of 34 knots. She is armed with two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is burned. The complement is 71 officers and men.

SWIFT.
(Completed 1908.)

This is the largest destroyer in the British Navy, and also the fastest. She displaces 2,170 tons, and is designed for a speed of 36 knots, but is said to have done as much as 39 knots in service. The armament is four 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. She is officially classed as a flotilla leader.

“E” CLASS.
(Completed 1902-5.)

ARUN.
BOYNE.
CHELMER.
CHERWELL.
COLNE.
DEE.
DERWENT.
DOON.
EDEN.
ERNE.
ETTRICK.
EXE.
FOYLE.
GARRY.
ITCHEN.
JED.
KALE.
KENNET.
LIFFEY.
MOY.
NESS.
NITH.
OUSE.
RIBBLE.
ROTHER.
STOUR.
SWALE.
TEST.
TEVIOT.
URE.
USK.
WAVENEY.
WEAR.
WELLAND.

These destroyers comprise the “River” class. They displace about 550 tons, have a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots, and are armed with four 12-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 72 officers and men.

H.M.S. Indefatigable. Photo: Cribb, Southsea.

INDEFATIGABLE CLASS.

INDEFATIGABLE, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND.

Displacement: 18,750 tons.

Speed: 28 knots; Guns: 8 12in., 16 4in.; Torpedo tubes: 3.

Astern fire:	Broadside:	Ahead fire:
6 12in.	8 12in.	6 12in.

“D” CLASS.
(Completed 1897-1900.)

ANGLER.
COQUETTE.
CYGNET.
CYNTHIA.
DESPERATE.
FAME.
MALLARD.
STAG.

These boats represent the older type of destroyers. They displace more than 300 tons, have a speed of 30 knots, and are armed with one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 60 officers and men.

“C” CLASS.
(Completed 1897-98.)

ALBATROSS.
AVON.
BAT.
BITTERN.
BRAZEN.
BULLFINCH.
CHEERFUL.
CRANE.
DOVE.
ELECTRA.
FAIRY.
FALCON.
FAWN.
FLIRT.
FLYING FISH.
GIPSY.
GREYHOUND.
KESTREL.
LEOPARD.
LEVEN.
MERMAID.
OSPREY.
OSTRICH.
RACEHORSE.
RECRUIT.
ROEBUCK.
STAR.
SYLVIA.
THORN.
VELOX.
VIGILANT.
VIOLET.
VIXEN.
VULTURE.

A comparatively old group of destroyers of 30 knots speed. Armed with one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is about 60 officers and men.

“B” CLASS.
(Completed 1895-1900.)

ALBACORE.
ARAB.
BONETTA.
EARNEST.
EXPRESS.
GRIFFON.
KANGAROO.
LIVELY.
LOCUST.
MYRMIDON.
ORWELL.
PANTHER.
PETEREL.
QUAIL.
SEAL.
SPITEFUL.
SPRIGHTLY.
SUCCESS.
SYREN.
THRASHER.
WOLF.

An early class of destroyer, with a speed of 30 knots. Armament: one 12 pounder, five 6 pounder guns, two torpedo tubes. Complement: about 60 officers and men.

“A” CLASS.
(1894-5.)

CONFLICT.
FERVENT.
LIGHTNING.
OPOSSUM.
PORCUPINE.
RANGER.
SUNFISH.
SURLY.
ZEPHYR.

These are our oldest destroyers, having been launched nearly twenty years ago. The speed is 27 knots. Armament: one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, two torpedo tubes. Complement, 50 officers and men.

H.M.S. Indomitable. Photo: Symonds & Co.

INDOMITABLE CLASS.

INDOMITABLE, INFLEXIBLE, INVINCIBLE.

Displacement: 17,250 tons.

Speed: 28 knots; Guns: 8 12in., 16 4in.; Torpedo tubes: 3.

Astern fire:	Broadside:	Ahead fire:
6 12in.	8 12in.	6 12in.

FLOTILLA LEADERS.
(Completed 1914.)

KEMPENFELT.
NIMROD.

These two large destroyers were ordered by the Chilian Government from Messrs. White & Co., and purchased by the British Admiralty on the outbreak of war. The displacement is 1,850 tons, speed more than 31 knots, and the armament consists of six 4-in. quick-firers, two Maxims, and three torpedo tubes. The complement is about 110 officers and men.

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