| Pennant number[1] | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| H12 | 6 December 1914 | 1 September 1915 | |
| H38 | 1 September 1915 | 1 January 1918 | |
| H92 (92) | 1 January 1918 | Early 1919 | |
| H56 | Early 1919 | May 1921 |
Sir Alfred Yarrow maintained that it was possible to build strong, seaworthy destroyers with a speed of 32kn, and eventually a contract for three such boats was placed with Yarrow & Company of Scotstoun, Glasgow. The "Firedrake Specials", "Special I class" or "Yarrow Specials" were a little larger than the rest of the class but carried the same armament. Firedrake, Lurcher and Oak were, however, distinctive in appearance and at least 4 knots faster than the rest of their class. They all exceeded their contract speed, Lurcher making over 35kn. Oak, the last of the class, was launched on 5 September 1912.
Oak was tender to the flagship of the Grand Fleet throughout the war, including the Battle of Jutland,[2] and had the distinction of having the same commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Douglas Faviell MVO, all her career. Her hull was painted white to distinguish her, and in the course of her duties she often carried the most important visitors. Of note, King George V travelled to Scapa Flow in 1915 for a two-day review of the Grand Fleet, crossing from Thurso. Oak also carried Lord Kitchener from Scrabster to Scapa Flow on 5 June 1916 before transferring him to the cruiser Hampshire, which struck a mine shortly before 19:30 the same day, with the loss of all but 12 crew, including Field Marshal Kitchener.
Distinctive in her white paint, Oak carried the German Rear-Admiral Hugo Meurer from the cruiser Königsberg to surrender on 15 November 1918, to Admiral Sir David Beatty on board his flagship,, in the Firth of Forth.
Under the terms of the Armistice, the German High Seas Fleet went into internment at the Royal Navy's base at Scapa Flow - in Operation ZZ, 60 Allied battleships escorted 11 battleships, 5 battlecruisers, 8 cruisers and 48 destroyers of the High Seas Fleet into captivity. At 11:00 on 20 November 1918 King George V, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales embarked in Oak and, preceded by the destroyer Verdun, steamed through the fleet, the Royal Standard at Oaks mainmast, cheered by every ship.[3]
Oak was sold in May 1921[4] for breaking.