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The Orpheus was ordered as part of the Third War Programme of late November 1914. She was laid down at Doxford on 1 March 1915, launched on 17 June 1916 and completed in September 1916.
1916
In September 1916 the Orpheus served with the 12th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet
From October 1916 to October 1917 the Orpheus served with the 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
1917
On 18-19 January 1917 the Oprheus 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 19 March the Orpheus and Rival were guarding some minesweepers forty miles off the Northumbrian coast. The submarine J.1, on her way to a patrol area off Utsire, had spotted an enemy submarine on the surface and attacked it. She then found the two British destroyers and reported the encounter to the Rival. However the message never reached the Orpheus, and about an hour later she spotted J.1, assumed she was a U-boat and opened fire, firing four rounds at her from close range. At the time J.1 had her wireless mast up and was flying the white ensign and made the correct recognition signal, but none were seen from Orpheus. Luckily none of her shots actually hit.
On 25 July the Grenville, Obdurate, Pelican, Nepean and Orpheus were escorting a convoy of five empty oilers heading from Scapa Flow to Texas when it was attacked by UC-41. The U-boat was able to sink the SS Oakleaf, although the entire crew were rescued.
From November 1917 to August 1918 the Orpheus served with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport
1918
In November 1918 the Orpheus was part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla but was detached to the Grand Fleet
In December 1918 she was back with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport
On 19 March 1919 the Oberon and Orpheus collided at Sheerness.
In December 1919 she was in the charge of a Care and Maintenance Party on the Nore.
She was sold to be broken up in November 1921
Service Record
September 1916: 12th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
October 1916-October 1917: 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
November 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 |
1 March 1915 |
Launched |
17 June 1916 |
Completed |
September 1916 |
Sold for break up |
November 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]
