HMS Druid (1911)

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.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Druid.

Druid
History
United Kingdom
NameDruid
BuilderWilliam Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton
Yard number936[1]
Laid down8 November 1910
Launched4 December 1911
CommissionedApril 1912
FateSold for scrap, 9 May 1921[2]
General characteristics
Class and typeAcheron-class destroyer
Displacement778 long tons (790 t)
Length246 ft (75 m)
Beam25 ft 8 in (7.8 m)
Draught8 ft 9 in (2.7 m)
Installed power
Propulsion3 shafts; 1 steam turbine
Speed27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph)
Range1,620 nmi (3,000 km; 1,860 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement70
Armament

Design and description

The 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

Druid, 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

She 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

On 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
Pennant number[2]FromTo
H336 December 19141 January 1918
H301 January 1918Early 1919
H92Early 19199 May 1921

References
  1. "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)
  2. ""Arrowsmith" List: Royal Navy WWI destroyer pendant numbers". Retrieved 30 June 2008.
  3. Gardiner & Gray, p. 75
  4. Friedman, p. 295
  5. March, pp. 116–117
  6. Friedman, pp. 119, 295
  7. Colledge, p. 103
  8. Friedman, p. 306
  9. "Battle of Heligoland Bight - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  10. "Hansard, Written Answers, 25 November 1914". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 25 November 1914. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
  11. "An Index of Prize Bounties as announced in the London Gazette 1915 - 1925". Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  12. "Battle of Dogger Bank - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  13. "Ceiriog Valley and Ceiriog Memorial Institute". Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2009.
  14. S E Brooks. "The Entry of the Allied Fleet through the Dardanelles". Oxford University. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
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