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HMS Plucky (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet, in 1916, then at Plymouth where she lost her stern after a depth charge exploded after a collision, and on the Coast of Ireland Station in 1917, then with the Grand Fleet from the autumn of 1917 onwards.
The Plucky was ordered under the Fifth War Programme of May 1915. She was laid down at Scotts in August 1915, launched on 21 April 1916 and completed in July 1916.
1916
From July 1916 to June 1917 the Plucky officially served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet
1917
In February 1917 the Plucky was one of eight destroyers that was based at Plymouth to hunt submarines. At any one time three or four of these destroyers would be at sea.
On 1 February U-55 was operating off the Cornish coast. In response the Plucky and Orestes were sent to operate in the area.
On 20 February 1917 the Plucky collided with the SS Mervyn 15 miles to the SSE of Penzance. The Plucky lost her stern and with it at least one depth charge. This exploded, sinking the Mervyn with the loss of one man. The Plucky was out of action for some time while the damage was repaired.
From July to August 1917 the Plucky served on the Northern Division of the Coast of Ireland station, Buncrana
On 24 July 1917 the Plucky and the Arabis class sloop HMS Gladiolus salvaged the SS Clan MacPherson off Belfast Lough, after the merchant ship had been involved in a collision. The Clan MacPherson was repaired, but was sunk by UC 27 in the Mediterranean on 4 March 1918.
From September 1917 to November 1918 the Plucky served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
1918
On 18 November the Paladin and Plucky collided.
The 14th Flotilla took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.
In December 1918 the Plucky served with the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, 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 May 1921.
Service Record
July 1916-June 1917: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
July-August 1917: Northern Division Coast of Ireland, Buncrana
September 1917-November 1918: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
December 1918: 1st Destroyer 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 |
|
Length |
273ft 4in (Admiralty) |
Width |
26ft 8ft (Admiralty) |
Armaments |
Three 4in/ 45cal QF Mk IV |
Crew complement |
80 |
Laid down |
August 1915 |
Launched |
21 April 1916 |
Completed |
July 1916 |
Sold for Break Up |
May 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]
