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HMS Offa (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from August 1916 to August 1918, then with the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth, although she was detached back to the Grand Fleet at the end of the First World War.
The Offa was ordered under the Fourth War Programme of February 1915. She was laid down at Fairfield on 6 July 1915, launched on 7 June 1916 and completed on 31 July 1916.
1916
In July 1916 the Offa was mentioned in the Navy List but not allocated to a unit.
From August 1916 to August 1918 she was part of the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet.
On 26 December 1916 the Offa and the Steam Trawler Aries collided in Aberdeen harbour.
1917
On 31 January 1917 the Offa and SS Gracefield collided in the seas between Skye and Harris. This collision resulted in a court case between the Gracefield Steamship Company and C Trelawny and HMS Offa.
When the Germans attacked a Scandinavian convoy on 16 October, sinking the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow, the Noble and Menace from the 12th Flotilla and Medina, Nonpareil, Offa and Patriot from the 14th Flotilla were attached to the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron at Scapa. When news arrived that the Germans were at sea the 3rd LCS was ordered to patrol in the central part of the North Sea, the northernmost of three cruiser squadrons deployed in that area. However by the time news of the German attack had reached the Admiralty and new orders could be issued to the cruiser squadrons the Germans had already escaped to the south.
1918
In November 1918 she was recorded as being detached from the 14th Flotilla to the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth, but retained with the 14th Flotilla.
The 14th Flotilla took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.
In December 1918 she was with the 1st Flotilla at Portsmouth.
In December 1919 she was in the charge of a Care and Maintenance Party at Portsmouth.
She was sold to be broken up in October 1921.
Service Record
July 1916: Mentioned in Navy List but not allocated to unit
August 1916-August 1918: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
November 1918: 1st Flotilla, Portsmouth but detached to 14th
December 1918: 1st Flotilla, Portsmouth
Displacement (standard) |
1,025t (Admiralty design) |
Displacement (loaded) |
1,250t |
Top Speed |
34 knots |
Engine |
3-shaft Brown-Curtis or Parsons turbines |
Range |
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Length |
273ft 4in (Admiralty) |
Width |
26ft 8ft (Admiralty) |
Armaments |
Three 4in/ 45cal QF Mk IV |
Crew complement |
80 |
Laid down |
6 July 1915 |
Launched |
7 June 1916 |
Completed |
31 July 1916 |
Sold for break up |
October 1921 |
British Destroyers From Earliest Days to the Second World War, Norman Friedman. A very detailed look at the design of British destroyers from their earliest roots as torpedo boat destroyers, though the First World War and up to the start of the Second World War, supported by vast numbers of plans and well chosen photographs [read full review]
