HMS Oracle laying smoke screen |
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HMS Oracle (1915) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916-August 1917, where she helped rescue the survivors from HMS Nottingham in 1916 and sank U-44 in 1917, then served at Devonport for much of the rest of the First World War.
The Oracle was ordered as part of the Third War Programme of late November 1914. She was laid down at Doxford in February 1915, launched on 23 December 1915 and completed in August 1916.
1916
From August 1916 to August 1917 the Oracle was part of the 13th Destroyer Flotilla of Grand Fleet
In August 1916, once much of the damage caused at Jutland had been repaired, the German High Seas Fleet ventured out into the North Sea. The Grand Fleet responded, but at about 5.30 on 19 August the cruiser Nottingham was hit by a torpedo fired by U-52. News of this reached Admiral Beatty half an hour later and he sent the Oracle and Penn to aid the cruiser. The Nottingham was hit by a second torpedo at 6.25, and sank at 7.10. Later on the same day the Falmouth was sunk by U-66. As a result the British decided not to risk engaging the Germans too far south in the North Sea due to the risk of losses to U-boats and mines.
On 13 September 1916 the Oracle collided with HMS New Zealand.
On 9 October the Oracle salvaged SS Jupiter near May Island Lighthouse in the Firth of Forth
1917
On 18-19 January 1917 the Oracle took part in an anti-submarine sweep off the Dogger Bank. The sweep was carried out by two cruisers, four screening destroyers and six destroyers equipped with paravanes. However during the night of 18-19 January the destroyers lost touch with the cruisers, and the sweep was cancelled at daylight on 19 January.
On 12 August the Oracle was patrolling off the coast of Norway with the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron when she encountered U-44. The U-boat had been damaged in a clash with the Q-ship Bracondale/ Chagford and couldn’t submerge. The Q boat was sunk in the attack. The U-boat had signalled for an escort through the German minefields, and the message had been interceptred and decoded in Britain. The Oracle was sent to intercept, and found her on the surface, unable to escape from the Oracle. U-44 was rammed and sank with the loss of her entire crew.
From October 1917 to August 1918 the Oracle was part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport
1918
In November 1918 she was part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla but detached to the Grand Fleet
In December 1918 she was back with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport
In December 1919 she was in the charge of a Care and Maintenance Party at Portsmouth.
On 16 January 1920 the Oracle collided with HMS trawler Thomas Haggarty at Portsmouth.
She was sold to be broken up in October 1921.
Service Record
August 1916-August 1917: 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
October 1917-August 1918: 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Devonport
November 1918: 4th Destroyer Flotilla but detached to Grand Fleet
December 1918: 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Devonport
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 |
23 December 1915 |
Completed |
August 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]
HMS Oracle making smoke