Avon-class destroyer was a class of three destroyer

Destroyer

In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

s that served in the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

. These three funnelled 30 knot vessels were redesignated C-class destroyers

C class destroyer

Three classes of destroyer of the Royal Navy have been known as the C class:* The C class of destroyers launched from 1894 and 1901 and reclassified in 1913.* Five ships of the C and D class, all launched in 1931, are known as the "C class"....

 in the reorganisation of 1913.

The three ships, Avon

HMS Avon (1896)

HMS Avon was one of three s which served with the Royal Navy. She was launched by Vickers in 1896, served during the First World War in home waters and was sold off after the end of hostilities in 1920....

, Bittern

HMS Bittern (1897)

HMS Bittern was one of three Avon-class destroyers to serve with the Royal Navy. She was built by Vickers in 1897 and was sunk in a collision in 1918. Bittern was also involved in the salvage of and the controversy over the looting of Clan Sutherland by Bitterns crew.-Description:Bittern was long...

 and Otter

HMS Otter (1896)

HMS Otter was one of three s to serve with the Royal Navy. She spent her whole career on the China Station and was sold in 1916....

, were built by Vickers at Barrow, were 210 feet long and their Normand boilers produced 6,300 HP and 30 knots. They were armed with the standard twelve pounder and two torpedo tubes. They carried a complement of 63 officers and men.