"A" Class Destroyer (1894): Difference between revisions

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The [[Destroyer|destroyers]] of the '''"A" Class''' entered service between 1895 and 1896.  
Forty-two '''"A" Class destroyers''' entered service in the [[Royal Navy]] between 1895 and 1896. Originally termed the '''26 Knotters''' and '''27 Knotters''', those vessels remaining were re-designated as "A" class destroyers on 30 August 1912 despite the fact that their designs were fairly diverse.{{Conways1906|p. 18}}


Originally termed the '''26 Knotters''' and '''27 Knotters''', those vessels remaining were re-designated as "A" class destroyers on 30 August 1912.<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921'', p. 18.</ref>
Their average cost was £35,780.{{HardLying|Table 2}}


By May 1920, seven of the ships were still worth documenting as regards their armament.<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref>
In July, 1918, seven ships were still in service, serving in local defence forces in Portsmouth and Devonport and in the Irish Sea.{{SMNLJul18|pp. 16, 17, 19, 28}}


By May 1920, seven of the ships were still considered worth documenting as regards their armament,<ref name=th15>''Technical History and Index'' Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.</ref> but it appears that was also the year in which the last nine vessels were broken up.
<div name=fredbot:ships>
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" border=2 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;" align=center;
|-
! colspan=6 align=left|Overview of 42 vessels
|-
| colspan=6 align=left|<small>Citations for this data available on individual ship pages</small>
|-
! align=center | Name
! align=center | Builder
! align=center | Laid Down
! align=center | Launched
! align=center | Completed
! align=center | Fate
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Havock}}
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|Jul, 1892
|12 Aug, 1893
|Jan, 1894
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Hornet}}
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|Jul, 1892
|23 Dec, 1893
|Jul, 1894
|Broken up 1909
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Daring}}
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|Jul, 1892
|25 Nov, 1893
|Feb, 1895
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Decoy}}
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|Jul, 1892
|2 Feb, 1894
|Jun, 1895
|Collision 1904
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Ferret}}
|[[Laird]]
|Jul, 1893
|9 Dec, 1893
|Mar, 1895
|Sunk 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Lynx}}
|[[Laird]]
|Jul, 1893
|24 Jan, 1894
|Aug, 1895
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Ardent}}
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|Dec, 1893
|16 Oct, 1894
|Apr, 1895
|Broken up 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Boxer}}
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|Mar, 1894
|28 Nov, 1894
|Jun, 1895
|Collision 1918
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Bruizer}}
|[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]
|Apr, 1894
|27 Feb, 1895
|Jun, 1895
|Broken up 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Charger}}
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|Nov, 1893
|15 Sep, 1894
|Feb, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Dasher}}
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|Dec, 1893
|28 Nov, 1894
|Mar, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Hasty}}
|[[Yarrow & Company]]
|Dec, 1893
|16 Jun, 1894
|May, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Hardy}}
|[[William Doxford & Sons]]
|4 Jun, 1894
|16 Dec, 1895
|Aug, 1896
|Broken up 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Haughty}}
|[[William Doxford & Sons]]
|28 May, 1894
|18 Sep, 1895
|Aug, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Janus}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|28 Mar, 1894
|12 Mar, 1895
|Nov, 1895
|Broken up 1914
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Lightning}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|28 Mar, 1894
|10 Apr, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Mined 30 Jun, 1915
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Porcupine}}
|[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]
|28 Mar, 1894
|19 Sep, 1895
|Mar, 1896
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Salmon}}
|[[Earle's Shipbuilding]]
|12 Mar, 1894
|15 Jan, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Snapper}}
|[[Earle's Shipbuilding]]
|2 Apr, 1894
|30 Jan, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Banshee}}
|[[Laird]]
|Mar, 1894
|17 Nov, 1894
|Jul, 1895
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Contest}}
|[[Laird]]
|Mar, 1894
|1 Dec, 1894
|Jul, 1895
|Broken up 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Dragon}}
|[[Laird]]
|Mar, 1894
|15 Dec, 1894
|Jun, 1895
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Conflict}}
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|3 Jan, 1894
|13 Dec, 1894
|Jul, 1899
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Teazer}}
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|3 Feb, 1894
|9 Feb, 1895
|Mar, 1899
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Wizard}}
|[[J. Samuel White]]
|3 Apr, 1894
|26 Feb, 1895
|Jul, 1899
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Fervent}}
|[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]
|27 Mar, 1894
|28 Mar, 1895
|Jun, 1900
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Zephyr}}
|[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]
|23 Apr, 1894
|10 May, 1895
|Jul, 1901
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Handy}}
|[[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]
|7 Jun, 1894
|9 Mar, 1895
|Oct, 1895
|Broken up 1916
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Hart}}
|[[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]
|7 Jun, 1894
|27 Mar, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Hunter}}
|[[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]
|7 Jun, 1894
|28 Dec, 1895
|May, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Opossum}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|17 Sep, 1894
|9 Aug, 1895
|Mar, 1896
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Ranger}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|17 Sep, 1894
|4 Oct, 1895
|Jun, 1896
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Sunfish}}
|[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]
|29 Aug, 1894
|23 May, 1895
|Feb, 1896
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Rocket}}
|[[J. & G. Thomson]]
|14 Feb, 1894
|14 Aug, 1894
|Jul, 1895
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-3Shark}}
|[[J. & G. Thomson]]
|14 Feb, 1894
|22 Sep, 1894
|Jul, 1895
|Broken up 1911
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Surly}}
|[[J. & G. Thomson]]
|14 Feb, 1894
|10 Nov, 1894
|Jul, 1895
|Broken up 1920
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Skate}}
|[[Vickers]]
|20 Mar, 1894
|13 Mar, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1907
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Starfish}}
|[[Vickers]]
|22 Mar, 1894
|26 Jan, 1895
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Sturgeon}}
|[[Vickers]]
|1 Mar, 1894
|21 Jul, 1894
|Jan, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-1Spitfire}}
|[[Armstrong, Whitworth & Company]]
|4 Jun, 1894
|7 Jun, 1895
|Nov, 1896
|Broken up 1912
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-2Swordfish}}
|[[Armstrong, Whitworth & Company]]
|4 Jun, 1894
|27 Mar, 1895
|Dec, 1896
|Broken up 1910
|- align=left
| {{Template:UK-Zebra}}
|[[Thames Ironworks, Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]
|Jul, 1894
|3 Dec, 1895
|Jan, 1900
|Broken up 1914
|}
</div name=fredbot:ships>
==Guns==
==Guns==
One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P I mounting.  The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).<ref name=th15/>
One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P. I mounting.  The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).<ref name=th15/>


Originally, the 26 knotters three and the 27 knotters five 6-pdr guns (though the 26 knotters could mount five by landing the torpedo tubes).<ref name=cw90>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1860-1905'', pp. 90-91.</ref> It appears these were removed by late in the war.<ref name=th15/>
Originally, the 26 knotters three and the 27 knotters five 6-pdr guns (though the 26 knotters could mount five by landing the torpedo tubes).{{Conways1860|pp. 90-91}} It appears these were removed by late in the war.<ref name=th15/>


By 1920, those remaining had also been fitted with a QF 6-pdr on Mark IV HA mounting.<ref name=th15/>
By 1920, those remaining had also been fitted with a Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark IV H.A. mounting.<ref name=th15/>


==Torpedoes==
==Torpedoes==
Most had two single 18-in torpedo tubes, particularly by the war.  Some had a third fixed bow tube which was removed from most although some boat retained only this tube. <ref name=cw90/>
Most had two single 18-in torpedo tubes, particularly by the war.  Some had a third fixed bow tube which was removed from most although some boat retained only this tube.{{Conways1860|pp. 90-91}}
 
From 1907, the decision was made to standardise the "A" through "D"s with torpedoes set for short range, allotting them the Mark IV S.R..{{ARTS1907|p. 32}}


==Other Weapons==
==Other Weapons==
Line 25: Line 337:


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_class_destroyer_(1913) Wikipedia]
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_class_destroyer_(1913)}}
{{refend}}


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
Line 32: Line 346:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{BibConways1860-1905}}
*{{Conways1860}}
*{{BibLyonTheFirstDestroyers}}
*{{LyonFirstDestroyers}}
*{{BibMarchBritishDestroyers}}
*{{March}}
*{{BibUKTHVol4Part34}}
*{{UKTHVol4Part34}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


{{"A" Class (1894)}}
{{Footer "A" Class Destroyer (1894)}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:A}}
 
{{CatClassDestroyer|UK}}
 
 
<!-- data
 
nat=UK
cat=Destroyer
type=destroyer
 
 
chain=Destroyers
 
{group
name=26 Knotters
}
 
{ship
name=Havock
pend=
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
order=1892{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
laid=July 1892{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
launch=12 8 93{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
comm=Jan 1894{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
}
 
{ship
name=Hornet
pend=
builder="
order="
laid="
launch=23 12 1893{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
comm=Jul 1894{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1909{{Conways1860|p. 90}}
}
 
{ship
name=Daring
pend=
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
order="
laid="
launch=25 11 1893{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Feb 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Decoy
pend=
builder="
order="
laid="
launch=2 2 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Jun 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Collision
fatedate=1904{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Ferret
pend=
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
order=1893{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
laid=Jul 93{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=9 12 1893{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Mar 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Sunk
fatedate=1911{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate2=Test Target
}
 
{ship
name=Lynx
pend=
builder="
order="
laid="
launch=24 1 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Aug 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{group
name=27 Knotters
}
 
{ship
name=Ardent
pend=
builder=[[John I. Thornycroft & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
order=1893-94{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
laid=Dec 93{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=16 10 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Apr 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1911{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Boxer
pend=H.4C (1914-Apr 1917)<br>D.16 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=Mar 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=28 11 1894{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=June 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Collision
fatedate=1918{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Bruizer
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=Apr 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=27 2 1895{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Jun 95{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1914{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Charger
pend=
builder=[[Yarrow & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
order="
laid=Nov 93{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=15 9 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Feb 96{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Dasher
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=Dec 93{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=28 11 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Mar 96{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Hasty
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=Dec 93{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=16 6 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=May 96{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
 
{ship
name=Hardy
pend=
builder=[[William Doxford & Sons]]{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
order=1893-94
laid=4 6 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=16 12 1895{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Aug 96{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1911{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Haughty
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=28 5 1894{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
launch=18 9 1895{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
comm=Aug 96{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 91}}
}
 
{ship
name=Janus
pend=
builder=[[Palmer Shipbuilding and Iron Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
order=1893-94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
laid=28 3 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=12 3 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Nov 95{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1914{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Lightning
pend=N.23 (1914)<br>D.98 (Sep 1915){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=28 3 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=10 4 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Mined
fatedate=30 6 1915{{DittColl|p. 56}}
}
 
{ship
name=Porcupine
pend=N.19 (1914)<br>D.OA (Sep 1915), D.69 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=28 3 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=19 9 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Mar 1896
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Salmon
pend=
builder=[[Earle's Shipbuilding]]{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
order=1893-94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
laid=12 3 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=15 1 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Snapper
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=2 4 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=30 1 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jan 96
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Banshee
pend=
builder=[[Laird]]{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
order="
laid=Mar 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=17 11 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jul 95{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Contest
pend=
builder="
order="
laid="
launch=1 12 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jul 95{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1911{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Dragon
pend=
builder="
order="
laid="
launch=15 12 1894{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jun 95{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Conflict
pend=P.24 (1914)<br>D.96 (Sep 1915-Apr 1918)<br>D.18 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder=[[J. Samuel White]]
order="
laid=3 1 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=13 12 1894{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Jul 99{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Teazer
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=3 2 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=9 2 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Mar 99{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Wizard
pend=H.3C (1914 - Apr 1917)<br>H.7A (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=3 4 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=26 2 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Jul 99{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Fervent
pend=N.17 (1914)<br>D.97 (Sep 1915)<br>D.39 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder=[[Hanna, Donald & Wilson]]{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
order="
laid=27 3 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=28 3 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}{{March|p. 31}}
comm=Jun 1900{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Zephyr
pend=N.86 (1914)<br>D.4A (Sep 1915), D.98 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=23 4 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=10 5 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Jul 1901{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Handy
pend=
builder=[[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
order="
laid=7 6 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=9 3 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Oct 95{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1916{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Hart
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=7 6 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=27 3 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Hunter
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=7 6 94{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
launch=28 12 1895{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
comm=May 96{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 92}}
}
 
{ship
name=Opossum
pend=D.12 (1914)<br>D.99 (Sep 1915), D. 62 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder=[[Hawthorn Leslie & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
order="
laid=17 9 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=9 8 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Mar 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Ranger
pend=D.1A (Sep 1915 - Apr 1917){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=17 9 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=4 10 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Jun 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
{ship
name=Sunfish
pend=D.47 (1914)<br>D.2A (Sep 1915), D.81 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=29 8 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=23 5 1895{{DittColl|p. 56}}
comm=Feb 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
 
{ship
name=Rocket
pend=
builder=[[J. & G. Thomson]]{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
order="
laid=14 2 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=14 8 1894{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Jul 95{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Shark
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=14 2 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=22 9 1894{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm="
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1911{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Surly
pend=P.30 (1914)<br>D.3A (Sep 1915), D.81 (1918){{DittColl|p. 56}}
builder="
order="
laid=14 2 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=10 11 1894{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm="
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1920{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Skate
pend=
builder=[[Vickers]]{{Conways1860|p. 93. Then known as the "Naval Construction and Armament Company"}} 
order="
laid=20 3 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=13 3 1895{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1907{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Starfish
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=22 3 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=26 1 1895{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Sturgeon
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=1 3 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=21 7 1894{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Jan 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Spitfire
pend=
builder=[[Armstrong, Whitworth & Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
order="
laid=4 6 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=7 6 1895{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Nov 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1912{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Swordfish
pend=
builder="
order="
laid=4 6 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=27 3 1895{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Dec 96{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1910{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
{ship
name=Zebra
pend=
builder=[[Thames Ironworks, Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]]{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
order="
laid=Jul 94{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
launch=3 12 1895{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
comm=Jan 1900{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
fate=Broken up
fatedate=1914{{Conways1860|p. 93}}
}
 
 
data -->


{{CatClassUKDestroyer|A}}
[[Category:Featured Ship Classes]]

Latest revision as of 21:25, 24 November 2018

Forty-two "A" Class destroyers entered service in the Royal Navy between 1895 and 1896. Originally termed the 26 Knotters and 27 Knotters, those vessels remaining were re-designated as "A" class destroyers on 30 August 1912 despite the fact that their designs were fairly diverse.[1]

Their average cost was £35,780.[2]

In July, 1918, seven ships were still in service, serving in local defence forces in Portsmouth and Devonport and in the Irish Sea.[3]

By May 1920, seven of the ships were still considered worth documenting as regards their armament,[4] but it appears that was also the year in which the last nine vessels were broken up.

Guns

One 12-pdr 12 cwt on a P. I mounting. The gun recoiled 12 inches and the mounting and its sights were capable of 30 degree elevations (9500 yards).[4]

Originally, the 26 knotters three and the 27 knotters five 6-pdr guns (though the 26 knotters could mount five by landing the torpedo tubes).[5] It appears these were removed by late in the war.[4]

By 1920, those remaining had also been fitted with a Q.F. 6-pdr on Mark IV H.A. mounting.[4]

Torpedoes

Most had two single 18-in torpedo tubes, particularly by the war. Some had a third fixed bow tube which was removed from most although some boat retained only this tube.[6]

From 1907, the decision was made to standardise the "A" through "D"s with torpedoes set for short range, allotting them the Mark IV S.R..[7]

Other Weapons

Searchlights

Fire Control

Visual fire control system.[4]

Torpedo Control

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 18.
  2. ↑ Smith. Hard Lying. Table 2.
  3. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). pp. 16, 17, 19, 28.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Technical History and Index Vol. 4, Part 34, p. 15.
  5. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. pp. 90-91.
  6. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1860–1905. pp. 90-91.
  7. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1907. p. 32.

Bibliography


"A" Class Destroyer
26 Knotters
  Havock Hornet Daring  
  Decoy Ferret Lynx  
27 Knotters
Ardent Boxer Bruizer Charger Dasher
Hasty Hardy Haughty Janus Lightning
Porcupine Salmon Snapper Banshee Contest
Dragon Conflict Teazer Wizard Fervent
Zephyr Handy Hart Hunter Opossum
Ranger Sunfish Rocket Shark Surly
  Skate Starfish Sturgeon  
  Spitfire Swordfish Zebra  
  Destroyers (UK) "B" Class –>
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