HMS Lapwing (1911)

HMS Lapwing was an Acheron-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that served during World War I and was sold for breaking in 1921. She was the seventh Royal Navy ship to be named after Vanellus vanellus, the northern lapwing.

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

HMS Lapwing
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Lapwing
BuilderCammell Laird and Company, Birkenhead[1]
Launched29 September 1911[1]
FateSold 26 October 1921[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeAcheron-class destroyer
Displacement745 tons
Length246 ft (75 m)
Beam26 ft (7.9 m)
Draught9 ft (2.7 m)
Installed power13,500 shp (10,100 kW)
Propulsion
  • Three Parsons Turbines
  • Three Yarrows boilers (oil fired)
  • Three shafts
Speed27 kn (50 km/h)
Complement72
Armament

Construction

She was built under the 1910-11 shipbuilding programme by Cammell Laird and Company of Birkenhead.[1] She had three Parsons turbines, and three Yarrows boilers.[2] Capable of 27 knots,[2] she carried two 4-inch guns, other smaller guns and two 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and had a complement of 72 men. She was launched on 29 September 1911.[3]

Pennant Numbers
Pennant Number[4]FromTo
H566 December 19141 January 1918
H481 January 1918Early 1919
H09Early 19199 May 1921

Career

Pre-War

Lapwing served with the First Destroyer Flotilla from 1911 and, with her flotilla, joined the British Grand Fleet in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I.[3]

The Battle of Heligoland Bight

She was present with First Destroyer Flotilla on 28 August 1914 at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, led by the light cruiser Fearless,[5] and shared in the prize money for the battle.[6] When HMS Laertes was seriously damaged and stopped in the water, Lapwing went to her aid under heavy fire. Lieutenant Commander Gye manoeuvred to pass a tow, but in getting underway the towing hawser parted.[7] Laertes was saved only by the arrival of the battle cruiser Lion.[8]

Lapwing attempts to take Laertes in tow during the Battle of Heligoland Bight

The Battle of Dogger Bank

On 24 January 1915, the First Destroyer Flotilla, including Lapwing, were present at the Battle of Dogger Bank, led by the light cruiser Aurora.[9] Her crew shared in the Prize Money for the German armoured cruiser Blücher.[6]

The Battle of Jutland

Lapwing, under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Alexander Gye, was present with her flotilla at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.[10]

Mediterranean Service

From 1917 the Third Battle Squadron was deployed to the Mediterranean. She later took part in the Battle of Jaffa and was present at the entry of the Allied Fleet through the Dardanelles on 12 November 1918.[11]

Disposal

In common with the survivors of her class, she was laid up after World War I, and on 26 October 1921 she was sold to the Barking Ship Breaking Company for scrap.[4]

References
  1. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. London: Conway's Maritime Press. 1985. p. 75. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
  2. "I-class destroyers (extract from Jane's Fighting Ships of 1919)". Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  3. "Battleships-Cruisers.co.uk website - Acheron Class". Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  4. ""Arrowsmith" List: Royal Navy WWI Destroyer Pendant Numbers". Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  5. "Battle of Heligoland Bight - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  6. "An Index of Prize Bounties as announced in the London Gazette 1915 - 1925". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  7. Osborne, Eric W (2006). The Battle of Heligoland Bight. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. p. 103. ISBN 9780253347428.
  8. Deeds That Thrill the Empire: True Stories of the Most Glorious Acts of Heroism of the Empire's Soldiers and Sailors during the Great War. Vol. V. Ludgate Hill, London: The Standard Art Book Co Ltd. 1920. p. 737.
  9. "Battle of Dogger Bank - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  10. "Battle of Jutland - Order of Battle (World War 1 Naval Combat website)". Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  11. S E Brooks. "The Entry of the Allied Fleet through the Dardanelles". Oxford University. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
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