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S class destroyer (1916)
Encyclopedia
The S class were a class
of 67 destroyer
s built from 1917 for the Royal Navy
. The design was based on the Admiralty modified R class
and all ships had names beginning with S or T.
They were built in three discrete groups; the Admiralty S class comprised 55 vessels (excluding two that were cancelled) built in two batches that were ordered in May and June 1917 respectively, while seven vessels were built to a distinct design by Yarrow
and five more to another distinct design by Thornycroft
. All ships had two funnels, a long fo'c'sle and a tall bridge which, unusually, was located behind the break in the main deck. Most of these ships were commissioned after World War I
, but only eleven survived to serve in World War II
. The remainder were scrapped in the mid-to-late 1930s.
33 vessels were ordered in June 1917.
destroyers previously ordered from Yarrow in December 1917 (Wayfarer and Woodpecker).
in June 1919. The ships were all commissioned on 27 January 1920 although they spent much of their careers in reserve. None of these ships served in World War II, having been scrapped in 1937.
in March 1928. Neither of these ships served in World War II, having been scrapped in 1937.
Ship class
A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....
of 67 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 built from 1917 for 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...
. The design was based on the Admiralty modified R class
R class destroyer (1916)
The first R class were a class of 62 destroyers built between 1916 and 1917 for the Royal Navy. They were an improvement, specifically in the area of fuel economy, of the earlier M-class destroyers...
and all ships had names beginning with S or T.
They were built in three discrete groups; the Admiralty S class comprised 55 vessels (excluding two that were cancelled) built in two batches that were ordered in May and June 1917 respectively, while seven vessels were built to a distinct design by Yarrow
Yarrow Shipbuilders
Yarrow Limited , often styled as simply Yarrows, was a major shipbuilding firm based in the Scotstoun district of Glasgow on the River Clyde...
and five more to another distinct design by Thornycroft
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
. All ships had two funnels, a long fo'c'sle and a tall bridge which, unusually, was located behind the break in the main deck. Most of these ships were commissioned after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, but only eleven survived to serve in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The remainder were scrapped in the mid-to-late 1930s.
Admiralty S-class ships
24 vessels were ordered in April 1917.- Sabre, built by Alexander Stephen and Sons, Linthouse, Govan, laid down 10 September 1917, launched 23 September 1918, and completed 9 November 1918. Sold for breaking up November 1945.
- Saladin, built by Stephen, laid down 10 September 1917, launched 17 February 1919, and completed 11 April 1919. Sold for breaking up 29 June 1947.
- Simoom, built by John Brown and Company, Clydebank, laid down 30 May 1917, launched 26 January 1918, and completed March 1918. Sold for breaking up 8 January 1931.
- Scimitar, built by John Brown, laid down 30 May 1917, launched 27 February 1918, and completed April 1918. Sold for breaking up 29 June 1947.
- Scotsman, built by John Brown, laid down 10 December 1917, launched 30 March 1918, and completed June 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 13 July 1937.
- Scout, built by John Brown, laid down 25 October 1917, launched 27 April 1918, and completed June 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 2 March 1946.
- Senator, built by William Denny and Brothers, Dumbarton, laid down 10 July 1917, launched 2 April 1918, and completed 7 June 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 7 September 1936.
- Sepoy, built by Denny, laid down 6 August 1917, launched 22 May 1918, and completed 6 August 1918. Sold for breaking up 2 July 1932.
- Seraph, built by Denny, laid down 4 October 1917, launched 8 July 1918, and completed 25 December 1918. Sold for breaking up May 1934.
- Shark, built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Wallsend on Tyne, launched 9 April 1918, and completed July 1918. Sold for breaking up 5 February 1931.
- Sparrowhawk, built by Swan Hunter, launched 14 May 1918, and completed September 1918. Sold for breaking up 5 February 1931.
- Splendid, built by Swan Hunter, launched 10 July 1918. sold for breaking up 8 January 1931.
- Success, built by William Doxford and Sons, Sunderland, launched 29 June 1918, and completed April 1919. Transferred to Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919, commissioned 27 January 1920, paid off to reserve 21 June 1930, sold (£2277) for breaking up by Penguins Ltd of Balmain, Sydney 4 June 1937. - Speedy, built by Doxford, launched 26 August 1918, and completed 1919. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 23 November 1936.
- ShikariHMS Shikari (1919)HMS Shikari was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was built by Doxford Shipyard, Sunderland and launched on 14 July 1919. She was one of the destroyers that took part in the Invergordon Mutiny...
, built by Doxford, launched 14 July 1919, and completed at Chatham Dockyard in March 1924. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 4 November 1945. - Sikh, built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, launched 7 May 1918, and completed 29 June 1918. Sold for breaking up 26 July 1927.
- Sirdah, built by Fairfield, launched 6 July 1918, and completed 6 September 1918. Sold for breaking up 4 May 1934.
- Somme, built by Fairfield, launched 10 September 1918, and completed 4 November 1918. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1932.
- Steadfast, built by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company, Hebburn on Tyne, launched 8 August 1918, and completed March 1919. Sold for breaking up 28 July 1934.
- Sterling, built by Palmers, laid down 1 April 1917, launched 8 October 1918, and completed March 1919. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1932.
- Swallow, built by Scott's Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Greenock, launched 1 August 1918, and completed September 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 24 September 1936.
- Swordsman, built by Scott's, launched 28 December 1918, and completed March 1919. Transferred to Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919, commissioned 27 January 1920, paid off to reserve 21 December 1929, sold (£2774) for breaking up by Penguins Ltd of Balmain, Sydney 4 June 1937. - Tribune, built by J. Samuel White and Company, Cowes, laid down 21 August 1917, launched 28 March 1918, and completed 16 July 1918. Sold for breaking up 17 December 1931.
- Trinidad, built by White, laid down 15 September 1917, launched 8 April 1918, and completed 9 September 1918. Sold for breaking up 16 February 1932.
33 vessels were ordered in June 1917.
- Sardonyx, built by Stephen, laid down 25 March 1918, launched 27 May 1919, and completed 1919. Sold for breaking up (delivered) October 1945.
- Saturn, also from Stephen, order cancelled 1919.
- Sycamore, also from Stephen, order cancelled 1919.
- Scythe, built by John Brown, laid down 14 January 1918, launched 25 April 1918, and completed July 1918. Sold for breaking up 28 November 1931.
- Seabear, built by John Brown, laid down 13 December 1917, launched 6 July 1918, and completed September 1918. Sold for breaking up 5 February 1931.
- Seafire, built by John Brown, laid down 27 February 1918, launched 10 August 1918, and completed November 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 14 September 1936.
- Searcher, built by John Brown, laid down 30 March 1918, launched 11 September 1918, and completed November 1918. Sold for breaking up 25 March 1936.
- Seawolf, built by John Brown, laid down 30 April 1918, launched 2 November 1918, and completed January 1919. Sold for breaking up 23 February 1931.
- Serapis, built by Denny, laid down 4 October 1917, launched 17 September 1918, and completed 21 March 1919. Sold for breaking up 25 January 1934.
- Serene, built by Denny, laid down 2 February 1918, launched 30 November 1918, and completed 30 April 1919. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 14 September 1936.
- Sesame, built by Denny, laid down 13 March 1918, launched 30 December 1918, and completed 28 March 1919. Sold for breaking up 4 May 1934.
- Spear, built by Fairfield, launched 9 November 1918, and completed 17 December 1918. Sold for breaking up 13 July 1926.
- Spindrift, built by Fairfield, launched 30 December 1918, and completed 2 April 1919. Sold for breaking up July 1936.
- Sportive, built by Swan Hunter, launched 19 September 1918, and completed December 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 25 September 1936.
- Stalwart, built by Swan Hunter, laid down April 1918, launched 23 October 1918, and completed April 1919. Transferred to Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919, commissioned 27 January 1920, paid off to reserve 1 December 1925, sold (£2474) for breaking up by Penguins Ltd of Balmain, Sydney 4 June 1937. - Tintagel, built by Swan Hunter, launched 13 June 1918, and completed September 1918. Sold for breaking up February 1931.
- Tilbury, built by Swan Hunter, launched 9 August 1918, and completed December 1918. Sold for breaking up 16 February 1932.
- Stonehenge, built by Palmers, launched 19 March 1919, and completed September 1919. Wrecked near SmyrnaSmyrnaSmyrna was an ancient city located at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Thanks to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to prominence. The ancient city is located at two sites within modern İzmir, Turkey...
6 November 1920. - Stormcloud, built by Palmers, launched 30 May 1919, and completed in late 1919. Sold for breaking up 28 July 1934.
- Strenuous, built by Scott's, launched 9 November 1918, and completed January 1919. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1932.
- Stronghold, built by Scott's, launched 6 May 1919, and completed in late 1919. Sunk in action south of Java 4 March 1942.
- Sturdy, built by Scott's, launched 25 June 1919, wrecked on TireeTiree-History:Tiree is known for the 1st century BC Dùn Mòr broch, for the prehistoric carved Ringing Stone and for the birds of the Ceann a' Mhara headland....
30 October 1940. - Tactician, built by William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir, laid down 21 November 1917, launched 7 August 1918, and completed 23 October 1918. Sold for breaking up February 1931.
- Tara, built by Beardmore, laid down 21 November 1917, launched 12 October 1918, and completed 9 December 1918. Sold for breaking up 17 December 1931.
- Tasmania, built by Beardmore, laid down 18 December 1917, launched 22 November 1918, and completed 29 January 1919. Transferred to Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919, commissioned 27 January 1920, paid off to reserve 9 January 1928, sold (£3474) for breaking up by Penguins Ltd of Balmain, Sydney 9 January 1937. - Tattoo, built by Beardmore, laid down 21 December 1917, launched 28 December 1918, and completed 7 April 1919. Transferred to Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919, commissioned 27 January 1920, paid off to reserve on three separate occasions before being sold (£2774) for breaking up by Penguins Ltd of Balmain, Sydney 4 June 1937. - TenedosHMS Tenedos (H04)HMS Tenedos was an Admiralty 'S' class destroyer. Commissioned in 1919 she served throughout the period between the two World Wars.Laid down on the 6 December 1917, she was constructed by Hawthorn Leslie of Tyne, and was completed in 1918....
, built by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Hebburn on Tyne, laid down 6 December 1917, launched 21 October 1918, and completed June 1919. Sunk by Japanese aircraft off ColomboColomboColombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
5 April 1942. - ThanetHMS Thanet (H29)HMS Thanet was an S-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. Built during, and commissioned shortly after the First World War, she went on to see service in the Second World War, being sunk early in 1942....
, built by Hawthorn, Leslie, laid down 13 December 1917, launched 5 November 1918, and completed 1919. Sunk in action off MalayaBritish MalayaBritish Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
27 January 1942. - ThracianHMS Thracian (1920)HMS Thracian was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Navy.HMS Thracian was laid down on 17 January 1918 at Hawthorn Leslie and Company, launched on 5 March 1920 and completed at Sheerness Dockyard on 1 April 1922....
, built by Hawthorn, Leslie, laid down 17 January 1918, launched 5 March 1920, and completed at Sheerness Dockyard April 1922. Run ashore at Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
24 December 1941, became Japanese Patrol Boat No.101 on 1 October 1942, returned to Royal Navy control October 1945, broken up 1947. - TurbulentHMS Turbulent (1919)HMS Turbulent was an S-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 29 May 1919 and saw little or no active service before being decommissioned in 1936. She was one of the obsolete destroyers handed over to the shipbreakers Ward in part-payment for on 25 August 1936, and was then broken...
, built by Hawthorn, Leslie, laid down 14 November 1917, launched 29 May 1919, and completed ?1919. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 25 August 1936. - Trojan, built by White, laid down 3 January 1918, launched 20 July 1918, and completed 6 December 1918. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 24 September 1936.
- Truant, built by White, laid down 14 February 1918, launched 18 September 1918, and completed 17 March 1919. Sold for breaking up 28 November 1931.
- Trusty, built by White, laid down 11 April 1918, launched 6 November 1918, and completed 9 May 1919. Sold for breaking up (delivered) 25 September 1936.
Thornycroft S-class ships
These five vessels were built to Thornycroft's own design; they were slightly larger than the Admiralty design and had engines of 29,000 shp. The first two were ordered in April 1917 and the last three in June 1917.- Speedy, built by J. I. Thornycroft and Company, Woolston, laid down May 1917, launched 1 June 1918, and completed August 1918. Sunk in collision with a merchant ship in the Sea of MarmaraSea of MarmaraThe Sea of Marmara , also known as the Sea of Marmora or the Marmara Sea, and in the context of classical antiquity as the Propontis , is the inland sea that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, thus separating Turkey's Asian and European parts. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Black...
24 September 1922. - Tobago, built by Thornycroft, laid down July 1917, launched 15 July 1918, and completed October 1918. Damaged by mine 12 November 1920 in the Black SeaBlack SeaThe Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
and declared constructive total loss, sold for breaking up at MaltaMaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
9 February 1922. - Torbay, built by Thornycroft, laid down November 1917, launched 6 March 1918, and completed July 1919. Transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in March 1928 and renamed Champlain, broken up 1937.
- Toreador, built by Thornycroft, laid down November 1917, launched 7 December 1918, and completed April 1919. Transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in March 1928 and renamed Vancouver, broken up 1937.
- Tourmaline, built by Thornycroft, laid down January 1918, launched 14 April 1919, and completed 1919. Sold for breaking up 28 November 1931.
Yarrow S-class ships
These seven vessels were built to Yarrow's own design; they were slightly smaller than the Admiralty design and had engines of only 23,000 shp. All ordered in April 1917; the orders for Torch and Tomahawk replaced previous orders for two Admiralty W-classW class destroyer
Two classes of destroyers of the Royal Navy are known as the W class:*Ships beginning with "W" of the V and W class, built late in World War I.*Ships beginning with "W" of the W and Z class launched in 1943–1944....
destroyers previously ordered from Yarrow in December 1917 (Wayfarer and Woodpecker).
- Torch, built by Yarrow and Company, Scotstoun, laid down April 1917, launched 16 March 1918, and completed May 1918. Sold for breaking up 19 November 1929.
- Tomahawk, built by Yarrow, laid down April 1917, launched 16 May 1918, and completed July 1918. Sold for breaking up 26 June 1928.
- Tryphon, built by Yarrow, laid down April 1917, launched 22 June 1918, and completed September 1918. Stranded 4 May 1919 and declared constructive total loss, sold for breaking up at MaltaMaltaMalta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
27 September 1920. - Tumult, built by Yarrow, laid down June 1917, launched 17 September 1918, and completed December 1918. Sold for breaking up 3 October 1928.
- Turquoise, built by Yarrow, laid down June 1917, launched 9 November 1918, and completed March 1919. Sold for breaking up January 1932.
- Tuscan, built by Yarrow, laid down June 1917, launched 1 March 1919, and completed June 1919. Sold for breaking up 25 August 1932.
- Tyrian, built by Yarrow, laid down June 1917, launched 2 July 1919, and completed late 1919. Sold for breaking up February 1930.
Australian ships
Five of the above Admiralty S class were transferred to the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
in June 1919. The ships were all commissioned on 27 January 1920 although they spent much of their careers in reserve. None of these ships served in World War II, having been scrapped in 1937.
- StalwartHMAS Stalwart (H14)HMAS Stalwart was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Built for the Royal Navy during World War I, the ship was not completed until 1919, and spent less than eight months in British service before being transferred to the RAN at the start of 1920...
- Success
- SwordsmanHMAS SwordsmanHMAS Swordsman was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Built for the Royal Navy during World War I, the ship was not completed until 1919, and was transferred to the RAN at the start of 1920. The destroyer's career was uneventful, with most of it spent moored in Sydney...
- TasmaniaHMAS TasmaniaHMAS Tasmania was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Built for the Royal Navy during World War I, the ship was not completed until 1919, and spent a year commissioned but not operational in British service before being transferred to the RAN at the start of 1920...
- TattooHMAS TattooHMAS Tattoo was an was an Admiralty S class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy . Built for the Royal Navy during World War I, the ship was not completed until 1919, and spent less than eight months in British service before being transferred to the RAN at the start of 1920...
Canadian ships
Two of the Thornycroft S class were transferred to the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
in March 1928. Neither of these ships served in World War II, having been scrapped in 1937.
- Champlain formerly Torbay
- Vancouver formerly Toreador
See also
- List of destroyers of the Royal Navy
- List of major warship classes of the Royal Australian Navy
- List of Royal Australian Navy ships