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HMS Relentless (1916) was a repeat M class destroyer that served with the Grand Fleet from 1916-1918, then survived in the reserve before being scrapped in 1926.
The Relentless was ordered under the Fifth War Programme of May 1915. She was laid down at Yarrow in August 1915, launched on 14 June 1916 and completed in May 1916.
1916
From June 1916-December 1918 the Relentless served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
1917
The Relentless was often used to escort the Scandinavian convoys, which began in the spring of 1917.
On 14 June the armed merchant cruiser Avenger was torpedoed by U-69, while on her way back to Scapa Flow to refuel. The Relentless arrived several hours later, just as Commander Ashby of the Avenger had decided to withdraw the last few crew from the cruiser. Most of the destroyers on the scene left at 10.50, but the Relentless was left behind and saw her sink at 12.25, over ten hours after she was first damaged.
On 17 October 1917 the Germans attacked a Scandinavian convoy, sinking the destroyers Mary Rose and Strongbow. At the time the Royal Navy had been expected a German operation and had a large force of cruisers and destroyers patrolling parts of the North Sea. The Relentless was operating with the 4th Light Cruiser Squadron, which was patrolled between the southern end of Sweden and the northern tip of Denmark.
1918
The 14th Flotilla took part in the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet on 21 November 1918.
Post-War
In July and December 1919 she was in the reserve at Portsmouth
She was sold to be broken up in November 1926.
Service Record
June 1916-December 1918: 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Grand Fleet
Displacement (standard) |
895t (Yarrow) |
Displacement (loaded) |
1,250t |
Top Speed |
35 knots at 23,000shp |
Engine |
2-shaft turbines |
Range |
|
Length |
270ft 6in (Yarrow) |
Width |
24ft 7.5in (Yarrow) |
Armaments |
Three 4in/ 45cal QF Mk IV |
Crew complement |
80 |
Laid down |
August 1915 |
Launched |
15 April 1916 |
Completed |
May 1916 |
Sold for break up |
November 1926 |
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]
