H.M.S. Queen Mary (1912)

H.M.S. Queen Mary
Career	Details
Pendant Number:	14 (1914)
Built By:	Palmers, Hebburn
Laid Down:	6 March, 1911
Launched:	20 March, 1912
Commissioned:	4 September, 1913
Sunk:	31 May, 1916
Fate:	Sunk in Battle of Jutland

H.M.S. Queen Mary was a battlecruiser of the Lion class in the Royal Navy, although she differed somewhat from her two sisters. Built on Tyneside by Palmers and engined by John Brown, she was the fastest big ship in the fleet until H.M.S. Tiger, the last of the "Big Cats" was launched. She took part in all the major actions of the Great War before being destroyed at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

Construction

One battlecruiser was provided for in the 1910-1911 naval estimates as part of the 1910-1911 Programme. On Thursday, 13 January, 1911 it was announced that the new ship would be constructed by Palmers at their Jarrow dockyard, with the turbine machinery built by John Brown and Company. The keel was laid on 6 March, the same day that it was announced in The Times that the name of the ship would be Queen Mary, in honour of the consort of King George V. The naming was confirmed by the builders on 20 March.

A year later Queen Mary was launched on 20 March, 1912. A public holiday was declared in Jarrow so as to allow as many people as possible to view the spectacle. The ship was launched at 15:45 by Lady Allendale, with Lord Allendale in attendance as well as many other shipyard and political dignitaries. The Queen sent a message to Lady Allendale, to wit;

I am most grateful to you for so kindly representing me at the launch of his Majesty's ship Queen Mary and I sincerely hope that all prosperity may follow the ship which has been named after me.

While construction was underway, a coalminers' strike took place, which affected both the social climate and affected the delivery of goods due to decreased traffic consequent to a lack of coal supplies. Unlike most shipyards, Palmers was not duly affected by the situation, as a large amount of materiel had already been stocked. However, on 10 December, 1912 two hundred platers went on strike over a pay dispute related to odd jobs.

Career

Captain Cecil I. Prowse was appointed in command of Queen Mary on 13 October, 1914. According to his service record Captain Rudolf W. Bentinck, Chief of the Staff to Vice-Admiral Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart. (commanding the Second Battle Squadron), was "Appointed in C^d of 'Queen Mary' tempy by CinC 13·10·14." This is not necessarily incompatible with Prowse being appointed to Queen Mary on the same day, as Prowse, languishing on half pay since his appointment as Flag Captain to Admiral Sir A. Berkeley Milne at the Nore had fallen through in August, would have had to travel up to meet the Fleet from the South.

After her sinking, a Memorial Service was held on Monday 12 June at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge for Captain Prowse and the Officers and Men of Queen Mary killed at Jutland. The service ended with National Anthem sung.

Fire Control Systems

Dreyer Table

Queen Mary differed from Lion and Princess Royal by carrying a Mark II Dreyer table rather than the Mark III (later Mark IV*) her longer-lived sisters carried. She carried at least one Turret Control Table in her B turret from at least 27 March 1914.

Alterations

In 1913, Queen Mary was slated as part of the twelve ship order to receive a director. It was fitted sometime between May, 1915 and December, 1915.

Captains

Dates of appointment given:

• Captain W. Reginald Hall, 1 July, 1913.
• Captain Cecil I. Prowse, 13 October, 1914.

See Also

• Wikipedia
• 3D Model available for licensing

Bibliography

• Template:BibUKFireControlInHMShips1919
• Template:BibUKDirectorFiringHandbook1917
• Template:BibUKDreyerTableHandbook1918
• Template:BibBrooksDreadnoughtGunnery
• Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
• Template:BibRobertsBattlecruisers
• Template:BibSumidaIDNS