HMS Opportune, 1918 |
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HMS Opportune was a repeat M class destroyer that joined the Grand Fleet just after Jutland and remained with it to the end of the First World War.
The Opportune was ordered as part of the Third War Programme of late November 1914. She was laid down at Doxford in February 1915, launched on 20 November 1915 and completed in June 1916
From July 1916 to December 1918 the Opportune was part of the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet
1916
On 17 September 1916 the Opportune collided with the trawler Lizzy Birrell in Gutter Sound at Scapa Flow.
1917
On 17 October 1917 the Germans attacked a Scandinavian convoy, sinking the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow. At the time the Royal Navy had been expected a German operation and had a large force of cruisers and destroyers patrolling parts of the North Sea. The Opportune was operating with the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron, which was patrolled between the southern end of Sweden and the northern tip of Denmark.
1918
The 14th Flotilla took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.
In December 1919 she was in the charge of a Care and Maintenance Party at Portsmouth.
She was sold to be broken up in December 1923.
Service Record
July 1916-December 1918: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
Displacement (standard) |
1,025t (Admiralty design) |
Displacement (loaded) |
1,250t |
Top Speed |
34 knots |
Engine |
3-shaft Brown-Curtis or Parsons turbines |
Range |
|
Length |
273ft 4in (Admiralty) |
Width |
26ft 8ft (Admiralty) |
Armaments |
Three 4in/ 45cal QF Mk IV |
Crew complement |
80 |
Laid down |
February 1915 |
Launched |
20 November 1915 |
Completed |
May 1916 |
Sold for break up |
December 1923 |
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]
