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HMS Saumerez (1916) was a Parker class flotilla leader that served with the 12th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1917-18.
Hoste, Saumarez and Seymour were ordered as part of the Sixth War Programme of July 1915
She was laid down on 2 March 1916, launched on 14 October 1916 and commissioned on 21 December 1916.
In January 1917 she was listed as the flagship of the 12th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet, a role she filled for the rest of the war.
On 17 May 1917 the Saumarez spotted some boats carrying survivors from the Swedish ship Aspen, which had been torpedoed by UC-31 soon after leaving Kirkwall Harbour. Her captain sent the Michael to investigate. He found that the Aspenwas still afloat, although her crew were unwilling to go back onboard. As a result the Michael had to tow her back into Kirkwall.
In June 1917 the Saumarez took part in Operation B.B., an attempt to force German U-boats passing north to stay underwater in selected areas filled with British destroyers, so they would have to be on the surface while passing through a formation of British submarines. The Saumarez and her flotilla were to patrol Area A – the area to the west and north-west of the Hebrides. The patrols were in place from 14-24 June, but the operation had little impact – the submarine K.1 did manage to hit U-95 with a torpedo, but it failed to explode.
In November 1917 the Saumarez and her flotilla were at sea with the 1st Battle Squadron during the action in Heligoland Bight, but this squadron didn’t get involved in the battle.
Post-war
In February 1919 she was one of four Flotilla Leaders listed as being at Devonport.
In the July 1919 Navy List she was allocated to the 5th Destroyer Flotilla of the newly reformed Home Fleet.
By November 1919 she was still at Devonport, under orders of the Captain D, Devonport, but was in the reserve.
In December 1919 she was commandeered by Captain Frank Powell, assistant Captain (D) at Devonport
By January 1920 she was the only flotilla leader in the Devonport reserve, and was still commanded by Powell.
She spent the rest of her career in the reserve, before being sold for scrap on 8 January 1931.
Commanders
-January-May 1917-: Captain Anselan Stirling
-December 1919-January 1921-: Captain Frank Powell
Displacement (standard) |
1,660t-1,673t |
Displacement (loaded) |
1,900t |
Top Speed |
34 knots at 36,000shp |
Engine |
3-shaft Parsons IR turbines |
Range |
|
Length |
324ft 10in oa |
Width |
31ft 9in |
Armaments |
Four 4in/45 QF Mk IV guns |
Crew complement |
116 |
Laid down |
2 March 1916 |
Launched |
14 October 1916 |
Completed |
21 December 1916 |
Sold for break up |
January 1931 |
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, supportedby vast numbers of plans and well chosen photographs [read full review]
HMS Saumarez, Gutter Sound, 1918