HMS Druid was one of 20 Acheron-class destroyers built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s. Completed in 1912 the ship served during World War I and was sold for scrap in 1921.
 Druid
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Druid |
| Builder | William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton |
| Yard number | 936[1] |
| Laid down | 8 November 1910 |
| Launched | 4 December 1911 |
| Commissioned | April 1912 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap, 9 May 1921[2] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Acheron-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 778 long tons (790 t) |
| Length | 246 ft (75 m) |
| Beam | 25 ft 8 in (7.8 m) |
| Draught | 8 ft 9 in (2.7 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 3 shafts; 1 steam turbine |
| Speed | 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) |
| Range | 1,620 nmi (3,000 km; 1,860 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 70 |
| Armament |
|
Design and description
editThe Acheron class was a repeat of the preceding Acorn class. The Admiralty provided general specifications, but each shipyard did their own detailed design so that ships often varied in size.[3] The Acherons had an overall length of 246 feet (75 m), a beam of 23 feet 8 inches (7.2 m), and a deep draught of 8 feet 9 inches (2.7 m). The ships displaced 778 long tons (790 t) at deep load and their crew numbered 70 officers and ratings.[4]
The destroyers were powered by a single Parsons steam turbine that drove three propeller shafts using steam provided by three Yarrow boilers. The engines developed a total of 13,500 shaft horsepower (10,100 kW) and were designed for a speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph). Druid reached a speed of 28.3 knots (52.4 km/h; 32.6 mph) from 15,014 shp (11,196 kW) during her sea trials.[5] The Acherons had a range of 1,620 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,860 mi) at a cruising speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[4]
The primary armament of the ships consisted of a pair of BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VIII guns in single, unprotected pivot mounts fore and aft of the superstructure. They were also armed with two single QF 12-pounder (3-inch (76 mm)) guns, one on each broadside abreast the bridge. The destroyers were equipped with a pair of single rotating mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes amidships and carried two reload torpedoes.[6]
Construction and career
editDruid, the sixth ship in the Royal Navy of that name,[7] was ordered under the 1910–1911 Naval Programme from William Denny & Brothers. The ship was laid down at the company's Dumbarton shipyard on 8 November 1910, launched on 4 December 1911 and commissioned in April 1912.[8]
Battle of Heligoland Bight
editShe was present with the First Destroyer Flotilla on 28 August 1914 at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, led by the scout cruiser Fearless.[9] Druid suffered one man wounded during the action[10] and shared in the prize money for the engagement.[11]
Battle of Dogger Bank
editOn 24 January 1915 the First Destroyer Flotilla, including Druid, were present at the Battle of Dogger Bank, led by the light cruiser Aurora.[12] Her battle ensign from the engagement is preserved at the Ceiriog Memorial Institute in Wales.[13] Her crew shared in the prize money for the German armoured cruiser Blücher.[11]
From 1917 the Third Battle Squadron was deployed to the Mediterranean. Druid was present at the entry of the Allied fleet through the Dardanelles on 12 November 1918.[14]
In common with most of her class, she was laid up after World War I, and on 9 May 1921 she was sold to Thos. W. Ward of Briton Ferry for breaking.[2]
Pennant numbers
edit| Pennant number[2] | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| H33 | 6 December 1914 | 1 January 1918 |
| H30 | 1 January 1918 | Early 1919 |
| H92 | Early 1919 | 9 May 1921 |
References
edit- ^ "HMS Druid at Clyde Built Database". Archived from the original on 26 May 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c ""Arrowsmith" List: Royal Navy WWI destroyer pendant numbers". Retrieved 30 June 2008.
- ^ Gardiner & Gray, p. 75
- ^ a b Friedman, p. 295
- ^ March, pp. 116–117
- ^ Friedman, pp. 119, 295
- ^ Colledge, p. 103
- ^ Friedman, p. 306
- ^ "Battle of Heligoland Bight - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ "Hansard, Written Answers, 25 November 1914". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 25 November 1914. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
- ^ a b "An Index of Prize Bounties as announced in the London Gazette 1915 - 1925". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
- ^ "Battle of Dogger Bank - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
- ^ "Ceiriog Valley and Ceiriog Memorial Institute". Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
- ^ S E Brooks. "The Entry of the Allied Fleet through the Dardanelles". Oxford University. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
External links
editMedia related to HMS Druid (ship, 1911) at Wikimedia Commons