HMS Laurel (1913)

HMS Laurel was a Laforey-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. Launched on 6 May 1913 as HMS Redgauntlet, the ship was renamed on 30 September under an Admiralty order to become one of the first alphabetical class destroyers. On commissioning, the vessel joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla and operated as part of the Harwich Force during World War I. During Battle of Heligoland Bight, Laurel led a flotilla that pursued German torpedo boats, engaging with G194 and G196, and was damaged in action with the cruiser Mainz. The vessel also played a minor role in the Battle of Dover Strait. With the cessation of hostilities, the ship was placed in reserve and scrapped on 1 November 1921.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Laurel and HMS Redgauntlet.
HMS Laurel at anchor
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Laurel
Builder: J. Samuel White, East Cowes
Yard number: 1390
Laid down: 17 August 1912
Launched: 6 May 1913
Decommissioned: 1 November 1921
Fate: Broken up
General characteristics
Class and type: Laforey-class destroyer
Displacement:
  • 965 long tons (980 t) normal
  • 1,150 long tons (1,170 t) deep load
Length: 268 ft 8 in (81.9 m) o/a
Beam: 27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Propulsion:
  • 3 White-Forster boilers
  • 2 geared Parsons steam turbines, 24,500 shp (18,300 kW)
Speed: 29 knots (33.4 mph; 53.7 km/h)
Range: 1,720 nmi (3,190 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement: 73
Armament:
  • 3 × QF 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mark IV guns, mounting P Mk. IX
  • 1 × single 2-pounder (40-mm) "pom-pom" Mk. II anti-aircraft gun
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (2×2)

Design and development
Main article: L-class destroyer

Originally launched as Redgauntlet, Laurel was renamed by Admiralty order on 30 September 1913.[1] Built under the 1912–1913 Programme as part of a class named after characters in Shakespeare’s plays and the Waverley novels by Sir Walter Scott, the destroyer joined what was to be the first alphabetical class.[2] The design followed the preceding Acasta-class but with improved seakeeping properties and armament, including twice the number of torpedo tubes.[3] The vessel was one of the last pre-war destroyers constructed by J Samuel White for the British Admiralty, built alongside the similar Liberty.[4]

The destroyer had a length overall of 268 feet 8 inches (81.89 m), a beam of 27 feet 8 inches (8.43 m) and a draught of 10 feet 6 inches (3.20 m).Displacement was 965 long tons (980 t) normal and 1,150 long tons (1,170 t) deep load. Power was provided by three White-Forster boilers feeding two Parsons steam turbines rated at 24,500 shaft horsepower (18,300 kW) and driving two shafts, to give a design speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). Two funnels were fitted.[2] 268 long tons (272 t) of oil were carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[5] Fuel consumption was 51.33 long tons (52.15 t) of oil in 24 hours during test.[6] Complement was 73 officers and ratings.[2]

Armament consisted of three 4 in (100 mm) Mk IV QF guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft and one between the funnels. A single 2-pounder (40 mm) pom-pom anti-aircraft gun was carried.[7] Torpedo armament consisted of two twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes mounted aft. Capacity to lay four Vickers Elia Mk.4 mines was included, but the facility was never used.[8]

Construction and career

Laurel was laid down by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight on 17 August 1912 with the yard number 1390. The ship was launched on 6 May 1913.[9]

On commissioning, Laurel joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla as part of the Harwich Force.[10] At the start of World War I, the flotilla was tasked with harassing the Imperial German Navy and on 26 August 1914 was ordered to attack German torpedo boats on their patrol as part of a large Royal Navy fleet in what was to be the Battle of Heligoland Bight.[11]

On 27 August 1914, Laurel was leading the 4th Division, which included sisterships Laertes, Liberty and Lysander, when the German warship G194 was sighted.[12] Laurel set off at speed in pursuit, engaging with G194 and G196 and soon encountering the German 5th Flotilla.[13] In the confusion that followed, Laurel continued to lead the pursuit, attacking a number of German torpedo boats and straying far from the main British fleet. This position meant that, when the cruiser Mainz arrived to reinforce the German forces, the first salvo landed on Laurel. Within two shots, the damage became critical. The central gun was hit, the resulting explosion blowing away half the funnel and wounding the captain, F. F. Rose. Fortunately, the smoke and steam pouring out from the wounded destroyer obscured the cruiser’s aim and Laurel was able to escape, covered by other British ships, which ultimately sank the German cruiser.[14] The destroyer was able to regain steam and returned to Harwich for repairs at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph), assisted by the cruiser Amethyst.[15]

After returning to service, the destroyer remained stationed at Harwich defending the Strait of Dover. On 26 October 1916, the destroyer was part of a four ship flotilla sent to defend the Dover Barrage in the Battle of Dover Strait.[16] The destroyer saw no action at the time, nor on subsequent patrol on 25 February 1917 despite the presence of German warships nearby.[17] The destroyer also sortied on 19 May 1917 to escort the first convoy to journey from Gibraltar. The convoy was a success, with no submarine attacks, and helped justify the convoy system.[18]

The destroyer was subsequently redeployed to the 4th Destroyer Flotilla based at Devonport.[19] After the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of mobilisation, and surplus vessels were culled. Laurel was initially placed in reserve at Nore alongside over sixty other destroyers.[20] On 1 November 1921, the vessel was sold and broken up for scrap.[1]

Pennant numbers
Pennant Number Date
H.911914[21]
H.511918[21]

References

Citations
  1. Colledge & Warlow 2010, p. 224.
  2. Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 76.
  3. Friedman 2009, p. 129.
  4. Williams & Sprake 1993, p. 32.
  5. Friedman 2009, p. 296.
  6. March 1966, p. 140.
  7. Parkes & Prendegast 1919, p. 111.
  8. March 1966, p. 149.
  9. Williams & Sprake 1993, p. 86.
  10. "Flotillas of the First Fleet", The Navy List, p. 269a, April 1914, retrieved 6 June 2020 – via National Library of Scotland
  11. Naval Staff Monograph No. 11 1921, p. 111.
  12. Naval Staff Monograph No. 11 1921, p. 119.
  13. Naval Staff Monograph No. 11 1921, p. 123.
  14. Naval Staff Monograph No. 11 1921, p. 134.
  15. Naval Staff Monograph No. 11 1921, p. 136.
  16. Naval Staff Monograph No. 18 1922, p. 83.
  17. Naval Staff Monograph No. 18 1922, p. 89.
  18. Naval Staff Monograph No. 35 1939, p. 118.
  19. "The Grand Fleet", The Navy List, p. 17, July 1918, retrieved 6 June 2020 – via National Library of Scotland
  20. "Vessels in Reserve at Home Ports and Other Bases", The Navy List, p. 707, October 1919, retrieved 6 June 2020 – via National Library of Scotland
  21. Dittmar & Colledge 1972, p. 63.

Bibliography
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2010). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy. Havertown: Casemate. ISBN 978-1-93514-907-1.
  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-71100-380-4.
  • Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-049-9.
  • Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.
  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers. London: Seeley. OCLC 898841922.
  • Monograph No. 11: The Battle of Heligoland Bight: August 28th 1914. Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). III. Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1921.
  • Monograph No. 18: Dover Command. Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). VI. Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1922.
  • Monograph No. 35: Home Waters Part IX: 1st May 1917 to 31st July 1917. Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). IX. Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1939.
  • Parkes, Oscar; Prendegast, Maurice (1919). Jane’s Fighting Ships. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.
  • Williams, David L.; Sprake, Raymond F. (1993). White's of Cowes : "White's-built, well-built!". Peterborough: Silver Link. ISBN 978-1-85794-011-4.
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