HMS Patrician, 1919 |
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HMS Patrician (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from August 1916 to the end of the First World War, sinking U-44 in August 1917, then serving in the Royal Canadian Navy in the 1920s.
The Patrician was ordered under the Fourth War Programme of February 1915. She was laid down at Thornycroft in June 1915, launched on 5 June 1916 and completed in August 1916.
1916
From August 1916 to January 1918 the Patrician served with the 13th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet
On 31 October 1916 the Patrician was damaged in a collision with the steam trawler Scotia L H 68 while operating off the coast of Scotland.
1917
In April 1917 the Patrician supported an anti-Zepplin patrol that included the seaplane carrier Manxman. On 29 April the Manxman launched two aircraft but conditions were bad. One aircraft had to make a forced landing on the Danish coast, while the other ditched and her pilot had to be rescued by the Patrician.
On 3 June 1917 the Patrician collided with the oiler Appalachee at Rosyth.
On 12 August 1917 U-44 was heading home along the Norwegian coast when she ran into a patrol line of British cruisers, flanked by destroyers. HMS Oracle spotted her at a distance of two miles, and headed towards her. The submarine appeared to be having some difficulties, and the Oracle was able to ram her at full speed, hitting between the conning tower and stern. Birkenhead and Patrician closed in to search for any evidence, but only found cork, oil and some stores from the Oracle. However U-44 had been sunk in the attack.
When the Germans attacked a Scandinavian convoy on 16 October, sinking the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow, the Patrician was one of twelve destroyers that were attached to the 6th Light Cruiser Squadron at Rosyth. When news that the Germans were at sea reached the British this squadron was ordered to head east to patrol off the Danish coast, but the Vimiera, Nerissa, Pylades and Osiris lost touch with the 6th Light Cruiser Squadron on 16 October, got back in touch with the Cardiff (part of the squadron) on 17 October and returned to port on the night of 17-18 October.
1918
In February 1918 the Patrician served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet
From March to August 1918 the Patrician served with the 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
On 24 March the Obdurate and Patrician collided.
From November to December 1918 the Patrician served with the 15th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
The 15th 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.
Canadian Service
In September 1920 the Patrician was transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, along with the Patriot and the light cruiser Aurora. The Patrician needed an extra electrical engine to allow her to maneuver in harbour, an oil fuel galley to avoid having to carry coal just for cooking and an enclosed bridge for operations in the North Atlantic. The cost of making these alterations to the two destroyers came to $14,000.
The three ships reached Halifax in late 1920.
On 21 January 1921 they departed for a cruise to Central and North America, carrying secret documents from the Admiralty to British consulates. During the cruise the squadron visited Puntarenas in Costa Rica to support the Canadian governments position in negotiations over oil.
In 1922 she was posted to the west coast of Canada. She was mainly used as a training ship, but also carried out some fisheries patrols. In December 1924 she unsuccessfully attempted to intercept a group of bank robbers believed to be heading to the United States by boat.
By 1927 the two destroyers were in need of expensive repairs. In was decided to replace them with two newer destroyers on loan from the Royal Navy and two new purpose built destroyers. The Patrician was sold to be broken up in 1929.
Service Record
August 1916-January 1918: 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
February 1918: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
March-August 1918: 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
November-December 1918: 15th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
Displacement (standard) |
1,025t (Admiralty design) |
Displacement (loaded) |
1,250t |
Top Speed |
35 knots at 26,500shp |
Engine |
3-shaft turbines |
Range |
|
Length |
274ft 3in (Thornycroft) |
Width |
27ft 3in (Thornycroft) |
Armaments |
Three 4in/ 45cal QF Mk IV |
Crew complement |
80 |
Laid down |
June 1915 |
Launched |
5 June 1916 |
Completed |
August 1916 |
To Royal Canadian Navy |
1920 |
Sold for Break Up |
1929 |
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]
