| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMSOnslow |
| Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company,Govan |
| Launched | 15 February 1916 |
| Completed | By 15 April 1916 |
| Fate | Sold for scrapping on 26 October 1921 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Admiralty M-classdestroyer |
| Displacement | 971 long tons (987 t) |
| Length | 273 ft 4 in (83.31 m)o/a |
| Beam | 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 3 Shafts; 3steam turbines |
| Speed | 34knots (63 km/h; 39 mph) |
| Range | 2,100 nmi (3,900 km; 2,400 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 76 |
| Armament | |
HMSOnslow was anAdmiralty M-classdestroyer built for theRoyal Navy during the First World War. She took part in theBattle of Jutland in 1916 and was sold for scrap in 1921.
The Admiralty M class were improved and faster versions of the precedingLaforey-classdestroyer.[1] Theydisplaced 971 long tons (987 t). The ships had anoverall length of 273 feet 4 inches (83.3 m), abeam of 26 feet 8 inches (8.1 m) and adraught of 9 feet 8 inches (2.9 m). They were powered by threeParsons direct-drivesteam turbines, each driving onepropeller shaft, using steam provided by fourYarrow boilers. The turbines developed a total of 25,000shaft horsepower (19,000 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 34knots (63 km/h; 39 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 237 long tons (241 t) offuel oil that gave them a range of 2,100nautical miles (3,900 km; 2,400 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships' complement was 76 officers andratings.[2]
The ships were armed with three singleQF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns and twoQF 1.5-pounder (37 mm)anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair ofQF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above water twin mounts for21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes.[2]
Onslow was ordered under the Third War Programme in November 1914 and built byFairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company atGovan. The ship waslaunched on 15 February 1916 and completed in April 1916.[3] Her first commander wasJohn Tovey, (laterAdmiral of the Fleet).
On 24 April 1916, theEaster Rising against British rule broke out in Ireland. Two infantry brigades were ordered from Liverpool to Dublin to reinforce the British forces, withOnslow escorting the transports carrying these troops.[4] She saw action at theBattle of Jutland and was badly damaged, with her speed reduced to 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). Tovey pressed home the attack against first acruiser and then a line ofbattlecruisers.Onslow was brought back toAberdeen despite the damage, having been towed out of action by the destroyerHMS Defender, under heavy fire. The report on the battle byAdmiral Beatty stated that:
Defender, whose speed had been reduced to 10 knots, while on the disengaged side of the battle cruisers, was struck by a shell which damaged her foremost boiler, but closedOnslow and took her in tow. Shells were falling all round them during this operation, which, however, was successfully accomplished. During the heavy weather of the ensuing night the tow parted twice, but was resecured. The two struggled on together until 1pm 1st June, whenOnslow was transferred to tugs. I consider the performances of these two destroyers to be gallant in the extreme, and I am recommending Lieutenant-Commander J. C. Tovey ofOnslow, and Lieutenant Commander Palmer ofDefender, for special recognition...
Both officers were awardedDSOs.
Onslow was sold for breaking up on 26 October 1921.
