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HMS Pylades (1916) was a Repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916 to the end of the First World War.
The Pylades was ordered under the Fifth War Programme of May 1915. She was laid down at Stephens, launched on 28 September 1916 and completed on 30 December 1916.
1916
From December 1916 to January 1918 the Pylades served with the 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
1917
On 3 May the cruisers Sydney and Dublin and the destroyers Nepean, Pelican, Pylades and Obdurate left Rosyth to sweep two of cleared channels in the coastal minefields. On the morning of 4 May this force encountered the Zeppelin L.43, and the two cruisers opened fire on her. The Zeppelin wasn’t operating alone, and the British soon sighted U-boats. The British turned to the north-west to avoid being drawn onto a possible trap. The Zeppelin followed. At 11.50 the Nepean and Pelican were ordered to move around to the south-west, and the British soon had the airship surrounded. However neither side was able to inflict damage – the Germans dropped several bombs but all missed, and the British were unable to score any hits with their gunnery.
When the Germans attacked a Scandinavian convoy on 16 October, sinking the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow, the Pylades 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
From February-December 1918 the Pylades served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
The 14th 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 Devonport.
She was sold for scrap in May 1921
Service Record
December 1916-January 1918: 13th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
February-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 |
- |
Launched |
28 September 1916 |
Completed |
30 December 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]
