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HMS Pellew (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916-1918, and was the sole survivor when her Scandinavian convoy was attacked by four German destroyers on 12 December 1917.
The Pellew was ordered under the Fifth War Programme of May 1915. She was laid down at Beardmore on 25 June 1915, launched on 18 May 1916 and completed on 30 June 1916.
1916
From July 1916 to December 1918 the Pellew served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet.
On 23 December 1916 U-82 fired a torpedo at the Pellew but missed.
1917
In mid June the Northesk, Leopard and Pellew were escorting an east-bound convoy heading to Norway. On 17 June one of the ships in the convoy was sunk by U-100. She then escorted a west-bound convoy that arrived in British waters towards the end of a large Grand Fleet anti-submarine operation. The convoy was attacked by U-19, which sank three ships on 21 June. Several of the destroyers involved in the Grand Fleet operation joined the convoy escort, while others attempted to hunt the submarine without success.
In December 1917 the Pellew, then commanded by Lt Commander J.R.C. Cavendish,formed part of the close escort for one of the Scandinavian convoys (with the Partridge). This convoy was the target of a German attack, carried out by four modern German destroyers. The attack began at 11am on 12 December. The Pellew and Partridge ignored their orders not to engage superior forces and attempted to screen the convoy. The Partridge was soon immobilised and sunk after a battle lasting half an hour. The Pellew was damaged, her port engine rooms flooded and four men killed. She managed to hide behind a rain squall, and from there escaped to Norway, eventually making it back to Scapa Flow after making repairs in Norwegian waters with the aid of the Sabrina. Apart from her the entire convoy was lost.
1918
On 19 July the Pellew was escorting US warships that were laying the mines of the Northern Barrage, a massive minefield intended to stop U-boats passing north out of the North Sea. At 10.30 the Pellew was torpedoed, and part of the stern blown off. Despite this damage her crew were able to shore up the bulkheads, and six tugs from Aberdeen managed to tow her back to port.
The 14th Flotilla took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.
Post-war
On 8 September 1919 the Pellew and Stonehenge collided at Jarrow.
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.
The Pellew was awarded a battle honour for the Scandinavian Convoy battle of 12 December 1917.
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 |
25 June 1915 |
Launched |
8 May 1916 |
Completed |
30 June 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]
