The Fleets at War

DUNCAN CLASS.
(Completed 1903-04.)

DUNCAN.
EXMOUTH.
CORNWALLIS.
ALBEMARLE.
RUSSELL.

These are vessels of 14,000 tons displacement, 405 ft. in length, with engines of 18,000 h.p., and a speed of 20 knots. Their armament consists of four 12-in., twelve 6-in., and ten 12-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The 12-in. guns are in turrets, the 6-in. in casemates. Broadside fire is from four 12-in. and six 6-in. guns.

The class to which these ships belong was designed with a view to speed, to gain which sacrifices were necessary. Hence the armour protection is very light, the thickness of the belt being only 7-in. on the waterline. The turrets are of the same moderate thickness. The maximum fuel capacity is 2,000 tons. A complement of 750 officers and men is carried. The average cost was £1,000,000 to build and complete.

FORMIDABLE CLASS.
(Completed 1901-04.)

FORMIDABLE.
IMPLACABLE.
VENERABLE.
PRINCE OF WALES.
IRRESISTIBLE.
LONDON.
BULWARK.
QUEEN.

This class displaces 15,000 tons, is 400 ft. long, and has engines of 15,000 h.p., giving a speed of about 18¹⁄₂ knots. It is armed with four 12-in., twelve 6-in., and sixteen 12-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The waterline is armoured with 9-in., the turrets with 12-in. plates, and there is 6-in. armour on the casemates containing the secondary guns. The full coal capacity is 2,100 tons. These ships carry 780 officers and men. They cost more than £1,000,000 to build and equip.

CANOPUS CLASS.
(Completed 1900-02.)

CANOPUS.
GOLIATH.
VENGEANCE.
OCEAN.
GLORY.
ALBION.

These ships belong to a class of old pre-Dreadnoughts which are rapidly losing their fighting value. They displace 12,950 tons, are 390 ft. long, and have engines of 13,500 h.p., which give a speed of nearly 19 knots. The armament comprises four 12-in., twelve 6-in., and ten 12-pounder guns, all of obsolescent pattern. There are four torpedo tubes. A belt only 6-in. thick protects the waterline, but there is 12-in. armour on the gun turrets. Coal to the amount of 1,750 tons can be carried. The complement numbers 750 officers and men. These ships cost about £850,000 each. They were designed with very light draught to enable them to navigate the Suez Canal. They are still comparatively fast steamers.

MAJESTIC CLASS.
(Completed 1895-98.)

MAGNIFICENT.
MAJESTIC.
VICTORIOUS.
PRINCE GEORGE.
ILLUSTRIOUS.
JUPITER.
CÆSAR.
MARS.
HANNIBAL.

The Majestic class is the oldest group of battleships in the Navy. The displacement is 14,900 tons, length 390 ft. and engines of 12,000 h.p. give them a maximum speed of 17¹⁄₂ knots. They are armed with four 12-in., twelve 6-in., and sixteen 12-pounder guns of old type, with five torpedo tubes. The armour belt is 9-in. amidships, and there is 14-in. armour on the big gun turrets. Coal to the amount of 1,900 tons can be stowed. A complement of 750 officers and men is carried. The ships cost slightly more than £900,000 each to build and complete.

ARMOURED CRUISERS

MINOTAUR CLASS.
(Completed 1908.)

MINOTAUR.
DEFENCE.
SHANNON.

These vessels are armoured cruisers of 14,600 tons, 490 ft. in length, and have engines of 27,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. They carry a very powerful armament, consisting of four 9·2-in., ten 7·5-in., and sixteen 12-pounder guns. The 9·2-in. and 7·5-in. guns are in armoured turrets, the four first named being mounted in pairs, the 7·5 in. singly.

Protection is afforded by a 6-in. belt amidships, with 8-in. armour on the 9·2-in. turrets, and 6-in. armour on the smaller turrets. The maximum coal supply is 2,250 tons. A complement of about 800 officers and men is borne. These ships cost more than £1,400,000 each to build and complete.

WARRIOR CLASS.
(Completed 1906-07.)

WARRIOR.
ACHILLES.
NATAL.
COCHRANE.

These are armoured cruisers of 13,550 tons. They are 480 ft. in length, and have engines of 23,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. The armament consists of six 9·2-in. and four 7·5-in. guns, all mounted in single turrets, and so disposed that six heavy guns bear on each broadside. There are, besides, twenty-four 3-pounder quick-firers for use against torpedo-craft, and three submerged torpedo tubes. The armour belt and turrets are 6 in. thick. The maximum coal capacity is 2,000 tons, and a complement of over 700 officers and men is carried. Each vessel cost about £1,200,000 to build and complete.

BLACK PRINCE CLASS.
(Completed 1906.)

BLACK PRINCE.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH.

These armoured cruisers have a displacement of 13,550 tons, are 480 ft. long, and have engines of 23,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23·3 knots. They are armed with six 9·2-in., ten 6-in., and twenty 3-pounder guns, with three torpedo tubes. The big guns are mounted in single turrets, the 6-in. weapons being in an armoured battery.

Owing to the low freeboard of these ships, their 6-in. guns are too near the water to be worked in rough weather. They are protected on the waterline by a 6-in. armour belt, with similar plating on the gun turrets and battery. The full coal capacity is 2,000 tons. These cruisers carry 700 officers and men. They cost nearly £1,200,000 to build and complete.

DEVONSHIRE CLASS.
(Completed 1905-06.)

ANTRIM.
CARNARVON.
HAMPSHIRE.
DEVONSHIRE.
ROXBURGH.
ARGYLL.

Armoured cruisers displacing 10,850 tons, 450 ft. in length, with engines of 20,500 h.p., giving a speed of 22·3 knots. The armament is weak for vessels of this size, and consists only of four 7·5-in. and six 6-in. guns, with twenty small quick-firers and two torpedo tubes.

The 7·5-in. guns are mounted in turrets, the 6-in. weapons in casemates. There is a 6-in. belt amidships, and 6-in. plating on the turrets and casemates. The maximum coal capacity is 1,800 tons. A complement of 655 officers and men is carried. The average cost, complete, of these ships was nearly £900,000.

“COUNTY” CLASS.
(Completed 1903-04.)

KENT.
ESSEX.
MONMOUTH.
BERWICK.
SUFFOLK.
DONEGAL.
LANCASTER.
CORNWALL.
CUMBERLAND.

The displacement of this class is 9,800 tons. They are 440 ft. in length, and have engines of 22,000 h.p., which drive them at a speed of 23 knots. The armament consists of fourteen 6-in., eight 12-pounder, and three smaller quick-firing guns. Four of the 6-in. weapons are mounted in twin turrets placed at the bow and stern, the remainder being in casemates. There are two torpedo tubes.

Protection is very light throughout, there being only a 4-in. belt amidships, with 5-in. armour on the turrets. The full coal supply is 1,600 tons. A complement of 540 officers and men is carried. Each ship cost complete about £750,000.

DRAKE CLASS.
(Completed 1902-03.)

DRAKE.
LEVIATHAN.
GOOD HOPE.
KING ALFRED.

These vessels are among the best of the older armoured cruisers. Each displaces 14,100 tons, is 500 ft. long, and has engines of 30,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. On trial and in service this speed has been much exceeded, and the ships can still steam at 24 knots. They are armed with two 9·2-in. breech-loaders, sixteen 6-in., and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns.

The big weapons are in single turrets, one placed at each end of the ship, the 6-in. guns being mounted in casemates. Two torpedo tubes are fitted. The armour protection on the turrets, casemates, and belt has a uniform thickness of 6-in. Coal to the amount of 2,500 tons is stored in the bunkers. The complement consists of 900 officers and men. These cruisers averaged about one million sterling complete.

CRESSY CLASS.
(Completed 1901-04.)

CRESSY.
SUTLEJ.
ABOUKIR.
HOGUE.
BACCHANTE.
EURYALUS.

The Cressy group are the oldest class of armoured cruisers on the active list. They displace 12,000 tons, are 440 ft. in length, and have engines of 21,000 h.p., producing a speed of 21 knots, which was exceeded on trial by one knot. The armament comprises two 9·2-in. breech-loaders, twelve 6-in., and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes.

The big guns are mounted in single turrets fore and aft, the 6-in. weapons in casemates. There is a 6-in. belt amidships, armour of the same thickness on the turrets, and 5-in. plating on the casemates. The coal bunkers can store 1,600 tons. A complement of 750 officers and men is carried. The cost of this class when complete averaged £750,000.

ARETHUSA CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

ARETHUSA.
AURORA.
GALATEA.
INCONSTANT.
PENELOPE.
PHAETON.
ROYALIST.
UNDAUNTED.

These are the light armoured cruisers which Mr. Churchill has described as “destroyers of destroyers.” They displace 3,600 tons, are 410 ft. long, and have turbines of 37,000 h.p., giving a speed of 30 knots. The armament consists of two 6-in., six 4-in., and four machine guns, with four torpedo tubes.

There is a belt of 3-in. armour amidships, with 3¹⁄₂-in. plating above this. The boilers are fired entirely by oil fuel, of which about 750 tons are carried. The complement numbers about 270 officers and men. The cost of this class has not yet been made public.

PROTECTED CRUISERS
(With protective decks instead of armoured belts.)

EDGAR CLASS.
(Completed 1893-94.)

EDGAR.
HAWKE.
THESEUS.
ENDYMION.
GRAFTON.
GIBRALTAR.

These vessels are the oldest cruisers we possess, displacing 7,350 tons, and having a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. They are armed with two 9·2-in., ten 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 1,250 tons. Complement, 544 officers and men. Cost over £400,000.

ROYAL ARTHUR CLASS.
(Completed 1893-94.)

ROYAL ARTHUR.
CRESCENT.

This class displaces 7,700 tons, and has a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. The armament is one 9·2-in., twelve 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. There is a steel deck over engines and boilers. Coal capacity, 1,250 tons. Complement, 560 officers and men. Cost, about £400,000.

TERRIBLE.
(Completed 1898.)

This is the largest protected cruiser in the British Navy. She displaces 14,200 tons, and can steam at 22 knots. Her armament consists of two 9·2-in., sixteen 6-in., and many smaller guns, with four torpedo tubes. Over engines and boilers there is a steel deck 6-in. thick. Coal capacity, 3,000 tons. Complement, 840 officers and men. Cost complete, £708,000.

DIADEM CLASS.
(Completed 1899-1902.)

DIADEM.
NIOBE.
AMPHITRITE.
ARIADNE.
EUROPA.
ANDROMEDA.
ARGONAUT.
SPARTIATE.

Protected cruisers of 11,000 tons and 20¹⁄₂ knots speed, armed with sixteen 6-in. and twelve 12-pounder quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes. Engines and boilers are protected by a 4-in. steel deck. Coal capacity, 2,000 tons. Complement, 677 officers and men. Cost, about £550,000. The Niobe is now a unit of the Canadian Navy.

MELBOURNE CLASS.
(Completed 1913.)

MELBOURNE.
SYDNEY.

These are protected cruisers belonging to the Australian Navy. They displace 5,600 tons, are 430 ft. long, and have a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. The armament consists of eight 6-in. and some small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes.

The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. A complement of 400 officers and men is carried. They each cost complete about £350,000.

NOTTINGHAM CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

NOTTINGHAM.
BIRMINGHAM.
LOWESTOFT.

Three of our latest light cruisers. They are of 5,440 tons, with turbines of 22,000 h.p., giving a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. The armament is nine 6-in. and four small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes. There is a thin armour belt on the waterline. Coal capacity, 1,000 tons. The complement is 400 officers and men.

CHATHAM CLASS.
(Completed 1912-13.)

SOUTHAMPTON.
CHATHAM.
DUBLIN.

These vessels are light cruisers of 5,400 tons, with turbines of 22,000 h.p., and a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots. They carry an armament of eight 6-in. and four small quick-firers, with two torpedo tubes submerged. Coal capacity, 1,000 tons. Complement, 400 officers and men. Cost complete, about £350,000.

FALMOUTH CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

FALMOUTH.
WEYMOUTH.
DARTMOUTH.
YARMOUTH.

Light cruisers displacing 5,250 tons, driven by turbines of 22,000 h.p. at a speed of 24³⁄₄ knots. They are armed with eight 6-in. and four small quick-firers, and two submerged torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. Complement, 390 officers and men. Cost complete, about £335,000.

BRISTOL CLASS.
(Completed 1910.)

GLASGOW.
LIVERPOOL.
BRISTOL.
GLOUCESTER.
NEWCASTLE.

These vessels are light cruisers of 4,800 tons, propelled by turbines of 22,000 h.p., at a speed of 25 knots. The armament is two 6-in., ten 4-in., and some small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 850 tons. Complement, 375 officers and men. Cost complete, over £350,000.

ACTIVE CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

ACTIVE.
FEARLESS.

These vessels belong to the Scout category, and displace 3,440 tons. Their turbines of 18,000 h.p. give a speed of 25 knots, but this is often exceeded. They are armed with ten 4-in. and four smaller quick-firers, and have two deck torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 320 officers and men. They averaged complete about £270,000. The ill-fated Amphion was a sister-ship.

BLANCHE CLASS.
(Completed 1910-11.)

BLANCHE.
BLONDE.

Light cruisers of the Scout type. They displace 3,350 tons, and have turbines of 18,000 h.p., giving a speed of 25 knots. The armament is ten 4-in. and four 3-pounder quick-firers, with two torpedo tubes mounted on deck. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 285 officers and men. Cost complete, about £275,000.

BOADICEA CLASS.
(Completed 1909-10.)

BELLONA.
BOADICEA.

Light cruisers of the Scout type, displacing 3,300 tons, and having a speed of 25 knots, which is frequently exceeded by two knots. Armament: Six 4-in., four 3-pounder quick-firing guns, two deck torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 600 tons. Complement, 263 officers and men. Cost complete, £330,000.

SENTINEL CLASS.
(Completed 1905-06.)

ADVENTURE.
ATTENTIVE.
FORESIGHT.
FORWARD.
PATHFINDER.
PATROL.
SENTINEL.
SKIRMISHER.

These vessels were the first fleet scouts. They are of about 3,000 tons displacement, and have engines of 16,500 h.p., which give them a speed of 25 knots. As originally armed, they carried a battery of 12-pounders, but these were replaced recently by nine 4-in. quick-firers, a change which much increased the fighting value. The coal supply is 400 tons, and they have a complement of 268 officers and men. The average cost, complete, was over £270,000.

“GEM” CLASS.
(Completed 1905.)

AMETHYST.
TOPAZE.
DIAMOND.
SAPPHIRE.

Light cruisers of 3,000 tons, with a speed of 22 knots. Armed with twelve 4-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes on deck. The coal supply is 500 tons, the complement 296 officers and men, and the average cost, complete, was about £235,000.

CHALLENGER CLASS.
(Completed 1904-06.)

CHALLENGER.
ENCOUNTER (Australian Navy).

These vessels are protected cruisers of 5,880 tons, capable of steaming 21 knots. The armament consists of eleven 6-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns. Over the engines and boilers there is a 3-in. steel protective deck. The coal capacity is 1,225 tons, the complement 454 officers and men, and they averaged, complete, £360,000.

HIGHFLYER CLASS.
(Completed 1900-01.)

HERMES.
HYACINTH.
HIGHFLYER.

These protected cruisers displace 5,600 tons. They have a speed of 20 knots, and are armed with eleven 6-in., several smaller quick-firing guns, and two torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,100 tons. They carry a complement of 456 officers and men, and each ship cost, complete, over £280,000.

PELORUS CLASS.
(Completed 1897-1901.)

PROSERPINE.
PELORUS.
PEGASUS.
PYRAMUS.
PANDORA.
PERSEUS.
PROMETHEUS.
PSYCHE.
PIONEER.

The displacement of this class is about 2,200 tons, speed 20 knots, and the armament consists of eight 4-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, with two torpedo tubes mounted on deck. The coal capacity is 520 tons. They have a complement of 234 officers and men, and each vessel cost complete, about £150,000.

ARROGANT CLASS.
(Completed 1898-99.)

FURIOUS.
VINDICTIVE.

Protected cruisers of 5,750 tons and 19 knots speed, armed with ten 6-in. and some smaller quick-firing guns, and two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity is 1,175 tons. The complement consists of 429 officers and men. Each cost complete, over £280,000.

TALBOT CLASS.
(Completed 1897-98.)

ECLIPSE.
MINERVA.
TALBOT.
DIANA.
DORIS.
JUNO.
VENUS.
ISIS.
DIDO.

These vessels are protected cruisers of 5,600 tons, with a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. They are armed with eleven 6-in. and some smaller guns, and have two torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 1,050 tons, and the complement 416 officers and men. Each cost complete about £275,000.

ASTRÆA CLASS.
(Completed 1894-95.)

ASTRÆA.
CAMBRIAN.
CHARYBDIS.
FLORA.
FOX.
HERMIONE.

The displacement of these cruisers is 4,360 tons. They have a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots, and are armed with two 6-in., eight 4·7-in., and some smaller guns. The coal capacity is 1,000 tons. A complement of 312 officers and men is carried. They averaged complete about £225,000.

SAPPHO CLASS.
(Completed 1893.)

SAPPHO.

A light cruiser of 1,400 tons displacement, with a speed of 19¹⁄₂ knots. She is armed with two 6-in., eight 4·7-in., and some smaller guns, and has four torpedo tubes. The coal supply is 1,000 tons. Her complement is 273 officers and men. She cost complete £176,000.

ÆOLUS CLASS.
(Completed 1892-93.)

ÆOLUS.
RAINBOW (Canadian Navy).
SIRIUS.
MELPOMENE.
BRILLIANT.

These light cruisers displace 3,600 tons, and have a speed of 20 knots. They are armed with two 6-in., six 4·7-in., and some smaller guns, besides four torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 535 tons. The complement is 273 officers and men.

PEARL CLASS.
(Completed 1892.)

PHILOMEL.

A light cruiser of 2,575 tons, with a speed of 19 knots. Armament: Eight 4·7-in., and thirteen smaller guns. Two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity 440 tons. The complement is 217 officers and men, and the ship cost complete about £164,000. She is the only vessel of the Pearl Class remaining on the active list.

MEDEA CLASS.
(Completed 1889.)

MEDEA.

This is the oldest light cruiser on the active list. She displaces 2,800 tons, has a speed of 19 knots, and is armed with six 4·7-in., and fourteen smaller guns, besides four torpedo tubes. The coal capacity is 400 tons. The complement is about 200 officers and men.

DESTROYERS.

“L” CLASS.
(Completed 1914.)

LLEWELLYN.
LENNOX.
LOYAL.
LEGION.
LAFOREY.
LAWFORD.
LOUIS.
LYDIARD.
LEONIDAS.
LUCIFER.
LAERTES.
LYSANDER.
LANCE.
LOOKOUT.
LAUREL.
LIBERTY.
LARK.
LANDRAIL.
LAVEROCK.
LINNET.

These are among the very latest destroyers. They were launched in 1913, and have a displacement of 965 tons. The designed speed is 29 knots, which was exceeded on trial. They consume oil fuel only. The armament consists of three 4-in. guns and four torpedo tubes, and they carry 100 officers and men.

“K” CLASS.
(Completed 1913.)

ACASTA.
ACHATES.
AMBUSCADE.
ARDENT.
FORTUNE.
CHRISTOPHER.
COCKATRICE.
CONTEST.
GARLAND.
PARAGON.
PORPOISE.
UNITY.
VICTOR.
LYNX.
MIDGE.
OWL.
SHARK.
SPARROWHAWK.
SPITFIRE.
HARDY.

These destroyers were built under the 1911 programme. The displacement is 935 tons, and they can steam at more than 30 knots. The armament is three 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil fuel only is consumed. The complement is 100 officers and men.

“I” CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

LURCHER.
FIREDRAKE.
OAK.
BADGER.
BEAVER.
ACHERON.
ARIEL.
ARCHER.
ATTACK.
GOSHAWK.
HIND.
FORESTER.
HORNET.
HYDRA.
DEFENDER.
DRUID.
JACKAL.
TIGRESS.
LAPWING.
LIZARD.
SANDFLY.
PHŒNIX.
FERRET.

Ocean-going destroyers of about 700 tons, with a speed of more than 30 knots. The armament consists of two 4-in. and two 12-pounder guns, with two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is seventy-two officers and men. These boats were built under the 1910 programme.

“H” CLASS.
(Completed 1910-11.)

ACORN.
ALARM.
BRISK.
CAMELEON.
COMET.
FURY.
GOLDFINCH.
HOPE.
LARNE.
LYRA.
MARTIN.
MINSTREL.
NEMESIS.
NEREIDE.
NYMPHE.
REDPOLE.
RIFLEMAN.
RUBY.
SHELDRAKE.
STAUNCH.

These destroyers were built under the 1909 programme. Their displacement is 760 tons, the designed speed 27 knots. The armament is two 4-in. and two 12-pounder guns, with two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is 76 officers and men.

“G” CLASS.
(Completed 1910.)

BASILISK.
BEAGLE.
BULLDOG.
FOXHOUND.
GRASSHOPPER.
HARPY.
MOSQUITO.
GRAMPUS.
PINCHER.
RACOON.
RATTLESNAKE.
RENARD.
SAVAGE.
SCORPION.
SCOURGE.
WOLVERINE.

These destroyers, which were built under the 1908 programme, have a displacement of 976 tons and a speed of 27 knots. They are armed with one 4-in. and three 12-pounder guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 96 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Completed 1908-9.)

AFRIDI.
COSSACK.
GHURKA.
MOHAWK.
TARTAR.

These are ocean-going destroyers, displacing about 880 tons, with a speed of more than 33 knots. They are armed with five 12-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed in the furnaces. Complement, 60 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

SARACEN.
AMAZON.
NUBIAN.

These destroyers are of 975 tons displacement, and have a speed of more than 33 knots. The armament is two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is consumed. The complement is 67 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

CRUSADER.
MAORI.
ZULU.

Ocean-going destroyers of more than 1,000 tons displacement, with a speed of nearly 34 knots. They burn oil fuel only. Armed with two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Complement, 71 officers and men.

“F” CLASS.
(Continued.)

VIKING.

An ocean-going destroyer of 1,090 tons and a speed of 34 knots. She is armed with two 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil only is burned. The complement is 71 officers and men.

SWIFT.
(Completed 1908.)

This is the largest destroyer in the British Navy, and also the fastest. She displaces 2,170 tons, and is designed for a speed of 36 knots, but is said to have done as much as 39 knots in service. The armament is four 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. She is officially classed as a flotilla leader.

“E” CLASS.
(Completed 1902-5.)

ARUN.
BOYNE.
CHELMER.
CHERWELL.
COLNE.
DEE.
DERWENT.
DOON.
EDEN.
ERNE.
ETTRICK.
EXE.
FOYLE.
GARRY.
ITCHEN.
JED.
KALE.
KENNET.
LIFFEY.
MOY.
NESS.
NITH.
OUSE.
RIBBLE.
ROTHER.
STOUR.
SWALE.
TEST.
TEVIOT.
URE.
USK.
WAVENEY.
WEAR.
WELLAND.

These destroyers comprise the “River” class. They displace about 550 tons, have a speed of 25¹⁄₂ knots, and are armed with four 12-pounder guns and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 72 officers and men.

“D” CLASS.
(Completed 1897-1900.)

ANGLER.
COQUETTE.
CYGNET.
CYNTHIA.
DESPERATE.
FAME.
MALLARD.
STAG.

These boats represent the older type of destroyers. They displace more than 300 tons, have a speed of 30 knots, and are armed with one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is 60 officers and men.

“C” CLASS.
(Completed 1897-98.)

ALBATROSS.
AVON.
BAT.
BITTERN.
BRAZEN.
BULLFINCH.
CHEERFUL.
CRANE.
DOVE.
ELECTRA.
FAIRY.
FALCON.
FAWN.
FLIRT.
FLYING FISH.
GIPSY.
GREYHOUND.
KESTREL.
LEOPARD.
LEVEN.
MERMAID.
OSPREY.
OSTRICH.
RACEHORSE.
RECRUIT.
ROEBUCK.
STAR.
SYLVIA.
THORN.
VELOX.
VIGILANT.
VIOLET.
VIXEN.
VULTURE.

A comparatively old group of destroyers of 30 knots speed. Armed with one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, and two torpedo tubes. The complement is about 60 officers and men.

“B” CLASS.
(Completed 1895-1900.)

ALBACORE.
ARAB.
BONETTA.
EARNEST.
EXPRESS.
GRIFFON.
KANGAROO.
LIVELY.
LOCUST.
MYRMIDON.
ORWELL.
PANTHER.
PETEREL.
QUAIL.
SEAL.
SPITEFUL.
SPRIGHTLY.
SUCCESS.
SYREN.
THRASHER.
WOLF.

An early class of destroyer, with a speed of 30 knots. Armament: one 12 pounder, five 6 pounder guns, two torpedo tubes. Complement: about 60 officers and men.

“A” CLASS.
(1894-5.)

CONFLICT.
FERVENT.
LIGHTNING.
OPOSSUM.
PORCUPINE.
RANGER.
SUNFISH.
SURLY.
ZEPHYR.

These are our oldest destroyers, having been launched nearly twenty years ago. The speed is 27 knots. Armament: one 12-pounder, five smaller guns, two torpedo tubes. Complement, 50 officers and men.

FLOTILLA LEADERS.
(Completed 1914.)

KEMPENFELT.
NIMROD.

These two large destroyers were ordered by the Chilian Government from Messrs. White & Co., and purchased by the British Admiralty on the outbreak of war. The displacement is 1,850 tons, speed more than 31 knots, and the armament consists of six 4-in. quick-firers, two Maxims, and three torpedo tubes. The complement is about 110 officers and men.

SUBMARINES.

“A” CLASS.—These submarines are the oldest in commission. The displacement is 204 tons, and on the surface they can travel at 12 knots, below water at 9 knots. They are armed with two torpedo tubes. Complement: 11 officers and men.

“B” CLASS.—These boats displace 314 tons, and have a surface and submerged speed of 13 and 9 knots respectively. They are armed with two torpedo tubes. Sixteen officers and men are carried.

“C” CLASS.—This class has a displacement of about 320 tons. Above water their speed is 14 knots, below it is 10 knots. They are fitted with two torpedo tubes, and have a crew of 16 officers and men.

“D” CLASS.—These are fairly new boats of about 550 tons displacement. On the surface the speed is 16 knots, below water it is 10 knots. They are armed with three torpedo tubes, and are also believed to have a quick-firing gun. The complement is about 20 officers and men.

“E” CLASS.

The “E” class comprises our latest boats, and no official details of the class have been published. The displacement, however, is about 800 tons, and the surface speed 16 knots. There are four torpedo tubes and two quick-firing guns, the latter being on disappearing mountings. About 25 officers and men are carried.

A.E. 1 and A.E. 2.
(Australian boats.)

These boats are identical with the “E” class.

NAUTILUS.
“F” CLASS.
SWORDFISH.

These boats, although not officially described, are known to be of extremely powerful type. They displace nearly 1,000 tons, can travel at 18 or 19 knots on the surface and 12 below, and are armed with six torpedo tubes and two guns. The complement is about 27 officers and men.

CHAPTER III
The German Navy

GERMAN BATTLESHIPS.
DREADNOUGHTS.

KÖNIG CLASS.
(Completed 1914-15.)

GROSSER KURFÜRST.
KÖNIG.
KRONPRINZ.
MARKGRAF.

The “König” class, to which these vessels belong, are the last battleships to carry the 12-in. gun, as the battleships laid down since are to be armed with 15-in. weapons. The “Königs” are considered by German experts to be very successful ships. The displacement is 25,500 tons, the length on the water-line 574 ft., and the engines are intended to develop 28,000 s.h.p. = 20¹⁄₂ knots.

The normal coal supply is 1,000 tons, but, if necessary, no fewer than 3,600 tons of fuel, including oil, can be carried. Ten 12-in. guns, 50 cals. long, represent the main armament. They are mounted in five twin turrets, all on the centre line, so arranged that four guns can fire ahead or astern, and all ten on either broadside. Fourteen 5·9-in. quick-firing guns are mounted in an armoured broadside battery, seven being available on either beam.

There are also ten 21-pounder quick-firers for repelling torpedo attack. Five submerged torpedo tubes, to discharge the 19³⁄₄-in. torpedo, are fitted.

These ships are strongly armoured, having a belt 13³⁄₄ in. thick amidships, with good protection to guns and main fighting stations. The last vessel of this class, the “Kronprinz,” is not expected to be ready before next year.

The complement numbers 1,130.

KAISER CLASS.
(Completed 1912-13.)

KAISER.
FRIEDRICH DER GROSSE.
KAISERIN.
PRINZREGENT LUITPOLD.
KÖNIG ALBERT.

In design the ships of this class are very similar to our “Neptune” class, but are much larger, the displacement being 24,300 tons. The designed speed is 20¹⁄₂ knots, but some ships of the class did much better than this on trial, one of them, the “Kaiser,” steaming at 23¹⁄₂ knots for a short period. These were the first German battleships to be fitted with turbines.

The armament consists of ten 12-in. guns, fourteen 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder quick-firers, with five submerged torpedo tubes. The big guns are twin-mounted in five turrets, two of which are placed diagonally amidships, whilst the other three turrets are on the centre line. By this means all the big guns can be trained on either broadside, through a fairly wide arc. Stern fire is nominally from eight, bow fire from six guns. The 5·9-in. quick-firers are in an armoured battery.

A feature of this class is the very strong armour belt, which is 13³⁄₄ in. over vital parts amidships. Each ship carries 1,080 officers and men, but the Friedrich der Grosse, which is the flagship of the commander-in-chief, has a complement of more than 1,100.

Two vessels of this class, “Kaiser” and “König Albert,” recently completed an ocean cruise of 20,000 miles, and are said to have proved excellent sea boats. Their maximum fuel capacity is 3,600 tons.

HELGOLAND CLASS.
(Completed 1911-12.)

HELGOLAND.
OSTFRIESLAND.
THÜRINGEN.
OLDENBURG.

The “Helgoland” class, to which these vessels belong, represents the second group of German Dreadnoughts. They are undoubtedly powerful units, but the design has been sharply criticised in Germany. Displacing 22,440 tons, and with a designed speed of twenty knots, which has been slightly exceeded in service, this class is armed with twelve 12-in., fourteen 5·9-in., fourteen 21-pounders, and six submerged torpedo tubes.

The big guns are in twin turrets, of which four are placed on the broadside, and two on the centre-line. This disposition allows only eight guns to be trained on either beam; in other words, only 66 per cent. of the heavy armament is available on the broadside. The designers have explained this apparent defect by pointing out that if the ship were attacked on both sides simultaneously it could reply effectively on each broadside. Nevertheless, this system was not approved by German experts, and was subsequently abandoned in favour of a turret disposition which permits the free use of all big guns on each beam, as in the “Kaiser” and “König” classes.

The “Helgolands” have 11³⁄₄-in. armour on the water-line. They are very steady in rough weather, and all have done well at gunnery. The maximum coal supply is 3,000 tons. A complement of 1,106 officers and men is carried.

NASSAU CLASS.
(Completed 1909-10.)

NASSAU.
WESTFALEN.
RHEINLAND.
POSEN.

The “Nassau” class, to which these vessels belong, were the first Dreadnoughts to be built by Germany. For their size they have an extremely powerful armament, but too much was obviously attempted on the displacement, and they are admittedly failures.

These ships displace 18,600 tons. They have exceeded their designed speed of nineteen knots by more than one knot.

The armament comprises twelve 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., sixteen 21-pounders, and six submerged torpedo tubes. Owing to the disposition of the four broadside turrets only eight of the big guns can be used on one broadside, so that the ships, in spite of their more numerous armament, can train only the same number of heavy guns on the beam as the British Dreadnought. So much room is taken up by the gun positions and their magazines, &c., that space between decks is very limited, and the officers and men can scarcely be accommodated.

Over vital parts of the hull there is 11¹⁄₂-in. armour, but the turrets have much thinner protection. It is held by experts that these ships would be quickly put out of action if subjected to heavy fire, and it is considered doubtful whether they would be able to stand for long the concussion of their own numerous heavy guns.

The complement is 966 officers and men. The full coal capacity is 2,700 tons.

BATTLE-CRUISERS.

DERFFLINGER.
(Completed 1914.)

The “Derfflinger” is Germany’s newest battle-cruiser. Laid down at the end of 1911 at Hamburg, she was intended to be launched on June 14th last year, but, owing to a mishap to the slipway, she did not go afloat until a fortnight later.

She was performing her trials when war broke out, but was then no doubt hurriedly completed and placed in commission. Her displacement is 26,200 tons, and she has a length on the waterline of 689-ft., with a maximum breadth of 95-ft.

High speed and great fuel endurance are the outstanding features of this ship, which in proportion to her size is by no means heavily armed. The main battery consists of eight 12-in. guns in four double turrets, all on the centre line. Twelve 5·9-in. quick-firers represent the secondary battery, and twelve 21-pounders the anti-torpedo armament. There are in addition some special anti-aerocraft guns. Four submerged torpedo tubes are fitted.

The maximum thickness of the armour belt is 12-in., but great attention has been paid to the protection of the guns and other important positions. The fuel capacity reaches the enormous figure of 4,300 tons, which includes about 1,000 tons of oil. The turbines are of a new pattern, designed to work up to 63,000 shaft horse-power, giving a speed of 26¹⁄₂ knots; but there is every reason to suppose this figure will be exceeded in service.

A peculiarity is the straight stem, no ram being fitted. The appearance of this huge vessel is strikingly formidable, and she is undoubtedly a most valuable addition to the German cruiser squadron, though in armament she is outclassed by contemporary British battle-cruisers. Complement, 1,125 officers and men.

SEYDLITZ.
(Completed 1913.)

The battle-cruiser Seydlitz is in a class by herself, though her design closely resembles that of the Moltke and the Goeben, of which she is a slightly larger edition. Her displacement is 24,600 tons, length 656 ft., and she has Parsons’ turbines of 63,000 h.p., designed for a speed of 26¹⁄₂ knots, though she is reported to have attained over twenty-eight knots on trial.

She was built at the Blohm and Voss yard, Hamburg, and was commissioned last year. Her armament comprises ten 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. The big guns, mounted in double turrets, are so disposed that all can be fired on either broadside, whilst eight can be trained astern and six ahead.

On the waterline amidships there is a 12-in. armour belt. The gun positions are also well protected. The maximum fuel capacity is 3,350 tons, equivalent to a steaming radius of 12,000 miles at moderate speed.

This ship, however, is a notorious “coal-eater,” and consumes an enormous amount of fuel when running at high speed.

Her complement numbers 1,108 officers and men.

MOLTKE CLASS.

MOLTKE.
GOEBEN.
(Completed 1911-12.)

These ships displace 22,640 tons, the length on water line is 610 ft., and the extreme breadth 96¹⁄₂ ft. They are propelled by Parsons’ turbines, of 52,000 h.p., designed to give a speed of twenty-five knots, but on trial the maximum speed was slightly over twenty-eight knots, and since being in service these two battle-cruisers are said to have proved themselves to be the fastest armoured vessels in the German fleet. The fuel capacity is over 3,000 tons, and at economical speed the vessels can cover 12,000 miles without replenishing their bunkers.

The armament is fairly powerful. It consists of ten 11-in., twelve 5·9-in., and twelve 21-pounder guns, with four submerged torpedo tubes. Two turrets amidships are en echelon, the remaining three being on the centre line, so that all ten big guns can be fired on either broadside. These ships are reported to have special arrangements for rapidly loading the heavy guns, but the report is not authenticated.

For battle-cruisers the protection is remarkably good, there being 11-in. armour on the waterline. In every respect these vessels are among the most powerful units of the German fleet.

They have a complement of 1,013 officers and men.

VON DER TANN.
(Completed 1910.)

The Von der Tann was the first battle-cruiser built by Germany. She was launched in 1909 and commissioned in the following year. The design of the British Invincible was closely followed, but certain improvements were introduced.

On a displacement of 19,100 tons there is carried an armament of eight 11-in. and ten 5·9-in guns, with sixteen 21-pounders for repelling torpedo attack. Four submerged torpedo tubes are fitted. The vessel has a length of 560 ft. She is equipped with Parsons’ turbines of 43,600 h.p., designed for a speed of twenty-five knots. On trial she touched twenty-eight knots, and has done even better than this since.

The four double turrets are so disposed that all eight guns are available on either broadside through a very wide arc. The vitals of the ship are protected by an armour belt 9³⁄₄-in. thick. She can carry 2,600 tons of fuel, which enables her to steam about 11,000 miles at economical speed.

Her complement numbers 911 officers and men. The Von der Tann flies the flag of Rear-Admiral Tapken, Junior Admiral of the Scouting Squadron.

PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.

DEUTSCHLAND CLASS.
(1906-08.)

DEUTSCHLAND.
POMMERN.
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.
SCHLESIEN.
HANNOVER.

The main characteristics of the “Deutschland” class, to which these vessels belong, are as follow: Displacement, 13,000 tons; speed, 19¹⁄₂ knots; armament, four 11-in., fourteen 6·7-in., twenty 21-pounder guns, and six submerged torpedo tubes. The armour belt is 9³⁄₄ in. at its thickest, with 11-in. armour on the turrets. The 6·7-in. guns are in a broadside battery, protected by 6³⁄₄-in. plates.