HMS Electra (1896) explained

HMS Electra was a Clydebank-built, three-funnelled, 30-knot destroyer ordered by the Royal Navy under the 1895–1896 Naval Estimates. She was the fourth ship to carry this name since it was introduced in 1806 for a 16-gun brig-sloop.[1] [2]

In 1913 she was grouped along with similar vessels as a .

Construction

She was laid down as yard number 289 on 18 October 1895, at J & G Thompson shipyard in Clydebank, and launched on 14 July 1896. During her builder's trials, she had problems attaining her contract speed. Her hull was lengthened by 4feet, then she made her contract speed of 30knot. She was completed and accepted by the Royal Navy in July 1900.

Service

After commissioning Electra was assigned to the Chatham Division of the Harwich Flotilla. She was deployed in home waters for her entire service life. On 1 January 1901 she was commissioned by Lieutenant Bertram Sutton Evans as part of the Portsmouth instructional flotilla, taking the place and crew from,[3] but he was succeeded in command only two weeks later by Lieutenant Cecil Dacre Staveley Raikes.[4] In June 1902 she took the place of in the Portsmouth instructional flotilla,[5] under the command of Lieutenant Rowland Henry Bather,[6] but he transferred to after two months.[7] The destroyer took part in the fleet review held at Spithead on 16 August 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII.[8]

On 30 August 1912 the Admiralty directed all destroyer classes were to be designated by letters. Since her design speed was and she had three funnels, she was assigned with vessels built to the same specification as the C class. After 30 September 1913, she was known as a C-class destroyer and had the letter ‘C’ painted on the hull below the bridge area and on either the fore or aft funnel.[9]

In 1914 she was in active commission at the Nore based at Sheerness tendered to, a Royal Navy training establishment. With the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914 she was assigned to the Nore Local Flotilla. Her duties included anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols in the Thames Estuary.

In 1919 she was paid off and laid-up in reserve awaiting disposal. She was sold on 29 April 1920 to Barking Ship Breaking Company for breaking.[10]

Pennant numbers

Pennant Number FromTo
N556 Dec 19141 Sep 1915
D521 Sep 19151 Jan 1918
D311 Jan 191829 Apr 1920

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jane, Fred T. . Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships 1898 . 1898, sampson Low Marston, London . 1969 . ARCO Publishing Company . New York . 84 to 85.
  2. Book: Jane, Fred T. . Jane's Fighting Ships of World War I . 1990 . 1919, reprinted . Jane’s Publishing . 1-85170-378-0 . 76.
  3. Naval & Military intelligence. 1 January 1901 . 12 . 36340.
  4. Naval & Military intelligence . 10 January 1901 . 8 . 36348.
  5. Naval & Military intelligence . 7 June 1902 . 9 . 36788.
  6. Naval & Military intelligence . 14 June 1902 . 9 . 36794.
  7. Naval & Military intelligence . 6 August 1902 . 8 . 36839.
  8. The Coronation – Naval Review . 13 August 1902 . 4 . 36845.
  9. Book: Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. 2006 . 1985, reprinted 1986, 1997, 2002, 2006 . Conway Maritime Press . 0-85177-245-5 . 17–19.
  10. Web site: "Arrowsmith" List – Part 1 Destroyer Prototypes through "River" Class . 1 Jun 2013.

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