HMS Lennox was a built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s.
The Laforey class were improved and faster versions of the preceding .[1] They displaced 965-. The ships had an overall length of 268feet, a beam of 27feet and a draught of 10feet. Lennox was powered by two Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.[2] The turbines developed a total of 24500shp and gave a maximum speed of 29kn. The ships carried a maximum of 280LT of fuel oil that gave them a range of 1750nmi at . The ships' complement was 74 officers and ratings.[3]
The ships were armed with three single QF 4adj=onNaNadj=on Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for 21inches torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used.[3]
Lennox was laid down at William Beardmore and Company's Clydebank shipyard as Portia on 14 November 1912.[4] On 30 September 1913, the Admiralty ordered that the L-class be renamed with names beginning with the letter "L", and Portia was renamed Lennox.[2] She was launched on 17 March 1914 on completed in July that year.[4]
On commissioning, Lennox joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based at The Nore.[5] [6] On the outbreak of the First World War this Flotilla became part of the Harwich Force, under the overall command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt,[6] serving in the North Sea, but capable of reinforcing either the Grand Fleet or forces in the English Channel as required.[7] Lennox saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel. On 6 May 1916, Lennox accidentally collided with, a seaplane carrier. Damage was insignificant for both ships, however.[8]