Royal Navy Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in WWI Mediterranean

9/8/13
Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project
Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

From The Dreadnought Project
The Fifth Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy. Originally called the
Devonport Flotilla and comprised of Nucleus Crew vessels, it was re-designated as the Fifth Destroyer
Flotilla in April, 1910.[1]
During the Great War, it primarily served in the Mediterranean.
Contents
1 History
1.1 1 November, 1911
1.2 July, 1914
1.3 September, 1914
1.4 December, 1914
1.5 January, 1915
1.6 March, 1915
1.7 April, 1915
1.8 July, 1915
1.9 August, 1915
1.10 October, 1915
1.11 November, 1915
1.12 December, 1915
1.13 January, 1916
1.14 February, 1916
1.15 March, 1916
1.16 April, 1916
1.17 May, 1916
1.18 June, 1916
1.19 July, 1916
1.20 August, 1916
1.21 September, 1916
1.22 October, 1916
1.23 November, 1916
1.24 January, 1917
1.25 March, 1917
1.26 May, 1917
1.27 August, 1917
1.28 September, 1917
1.29 October, 1917
1.30 November, 1917
1.31 December, 1917
1.32 January, 1918
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1.33 February, 1918

1.34 March, 1918
1.35 April, 1918
1.36 May, 1918
1.37 June, 1918
1.38 July, 1918
1.39 August, 1918
1.40 November, 1918
1.41 December, 1918
1.42 January, 1919
1.43 February, 1919
1.44 March, 1919
2 Captains (D)
3 Footnotes
4 Bibliography
5 See Also
History
During the Dardanelles campaign, sixteen Beagle class were amongst those comprising the Fifth in the
Mediterranean.[2][3]
In 1916, it was comprised of River, Beagle and Acorn class destroyers, whose torpedo test runnings in the first
half of that year resulted in shots that were 79%, 82% and 80% likely to be dangerous to the enemy.[4]
1 November, 1911
The flotilla was comprised of:[5]
Sapphire (flag)
Sentinel (scout)
Leander, Tyne (depot ships)
Twenty-four "30 knotters"
July, 1914
The flotilla was based in the Mediterranean, and each of the sixteen destroyers were allotted a larger store of
rifles and associated landing party supplies, roughly double the previous total, bring the number of rifles to 24.[6]
September, 1914
There are sixteen Beagles with a depot ship, but no Captain (D) is mentioned, and there are no leaders.[7]
Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet
Depot Ship
Blenheim
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Destroyers
Basilisk Beagle
Bulldog
Foxhound Grampus Grasshopper Harpy Mosquito
Pincher Racoon Rattlesnake Renard
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge Wolverine
This roster and tasking would persist until November or December, 1914.[8]
December, 1914
There are now twelve Beagles. The flotilla is marked as "joining squadrons", which seems odd. Beagle,
Bulldog, Pincher and Rattlesnake are gone, and are individually noted as "joining squadrons". They would
appear in the local defence flotilla at Portsmouth in February or March, 1915.[9][10]
"Joining Squadrons"
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Basilisk
Foxhound
Grampus
Grasshopper
Harpy
Mosquito
Racoon
Renard
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge
Wolverine
January, 1915
The flotilla is reformed in the Mediterranean with seven "River" class destroyers under third class protected
cruiser Sapphire. Ribble, Usk, Chelmer, Colne, Jed and Kennet had come from the China Station, and
Waveney from the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla. [11][12]
Flotilla Cruiser
Sapphire
Depot Ship
Colne
Chelmer
Jed
Blenheim
Destroyers
Kennet
Ribble
Usk
Waveney
March, 1915
Sapphire is no longer directly a part of the flotilla, but is one of the light cruisers attached to the Mediterranean
Fleet. Seven Beagles formerly of this flotilla have rejoined. Wear has joined from Gibraltar. Welland, of the
China Station as recently as December, has also joined.[13][14][15]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
3/26
9/8/13
Chelmer Colne
Jed
Kennet
Racoon Ribble Usk
Wear
Welland Basilisk Grampus Grasshopper Mosquito Renard Scorpion Wolverine
April, 1915
The flotilla continues to gain strength, now reaching 24 destroyers. Although they'd been slated to join the Tenth
Destroyer Flotilla, Beagle, Bulldog, Foxhound, Harpy, Pincher, Rattlesnake, Savage and Scourge have
joined from the Portsmouth Defence Flotilla.[16][17]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer Colne
Jed
Kennet Racoon Ribble
Usk
Wear
Welland Basilisk Beagle Bulldog Foxhound Grampus Grasshopper Harpy
Mosquito Pincher Rattlesnake Renard Savage Scorpion Scourge Wolverine
This roster would remain until July, 1915.[18]
July, 1915
The newly-acquired destroyer Arno has joined.[19]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Arno
Racoon
Basilisk
Chelmer
Ribble
Beagle
Destroyers
Colne
Usk
Bulldog
Grasshopper
Renard
Harpy
Savage
Mosquito
Scorpion
Jed
Wear
Foxhound
Kennet
Welland
Grampus
Pincher
Scourge
Rattlesnake
Wolverine
August, 1915
Six torpedo boats that had perviously been loosely affiliated with the Mediterranean Fleet now appear to be
attached.[20]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Arno
Chelmer
Colne
Jed
Kennet
4/26
9/8/13
Racoon
Basilisk
Ribble
Beagle
Usk
Bulldog
Wear
Foxhound
Welland
Grampus
Grasshopper
Renard
Harpy
Savage
Mosquito
Scorpion
Pincher
Scourge
Rattlesnake
Wolverine
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 046
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 97
This roster would apply until October, 1915.[21]
October, 1915
Four "L" class destroyers have joined from the Third Destroyer Flotilla and four more torpedo boats have
joined.[22][23]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Arno
Racoon
Chelmer
Ribble
Destroyers
Colne
Usk
Basilisk
Grasshopper
Renard
Beagle
Harpy
Savage
Bulldog
Mosquito
Scorpion
Laforey
Lawford
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Foxhound
Pincher
Scourge
Grampus
Rattlesnake
Wolverine
T.B. 043
Louis
Lydiard
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 046
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 97
T.B. 17
T.B. 30
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
November, 1915
T.B. 97 has left to go to Gibraltar.[24]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Arno
Racoon
Basilisk
Chelmer
Ribble
Beagle
Colne
Usk
Bulldog
Jed
Wear
Foxhound
Kennet
Welland
Grampus
Grasshopper
Renard
Harpy
Savage
Mosquito
Scorpion
Pincher
Scourge
Rattlesnake
Wolverine
5/26
9/8/13
Laforey
Lawford
Louis
Torpedo Boats
Lydiard
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 046
T.B. 063
T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
T.B. 070
December, 1915
Louis has been removed, as she was mined in late October, and Foxhound has gone on to work "in Home
Waters or on detached service." Comet, Fury, Redpole and Staunch have joined from a detached status with
the Second Destroyer Flotilla.[25][26]
Depot Ship
Arno
Racoon
Basilisk
Grasshopper
Chelmer
Ribble
Beagle
Harpy
Renard
Savage
Laforey
Fury
Comet
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Usk
Bulldog
Mosquito
Jed
Wear
Grampus
Pincher
Scorpion
Scourge
Lawford
Lydiard
Redpole
Staunch
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 046
T.B. 063
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
Kennet
Welland
Rattlesnake
Wolverine
T.B. 070
January, 1916
Grampus, Harpy, Mosquito, Redpole, Renard and Savage have left to work "in Home Waters or on
detached service." Acorn, Minstrel, Rifleman and Sheldrake have followed the previous detached group over
from the Second Destroyer Flotilla, and now are tender to Egmont. It is possible that these destroyers are
based in Malta,[Inference] as this Egmont group would be explicitly dubbed the "Malta Flotilla" in May, 1917.
Torpedo Boats 17, 18, 29 and 30 are now tenders to Aquarius.[27][28]
Chelmer
Ribble
Basilisk
Grasshopper

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Jed
Kennet
Usk
Wear
Welland
Beagle
Pincher
Bulldog
Racoon
Rattlesnake
6/26
9/8/13
Scorpion
Laforey
Comet
Acorn
Scourge
Lawford
Fury
Wolverine
Lydiard
Staunch
Arno
Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
T.B. 044
T.B. 046
T.B. 063
Torpedo Boats, tenders to Aquarius
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
T.B. 070
February, 1916
Welland has left for work "in Home Waters or on detached service" and T.B. 044 and T.B. 046 have also been
removed, though 044 would return in March. 046 had been wrecked in tow and would never return. Foxhound
has joined from the Portsmouth Defence Flotilla.[29][30]
Chelmer
Basilisk
Grasshopper
Scorpion
Laforey
Comet
Acorn
T.B. 17

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Jed
Kennet
Usk
Wear
Ribble
Beagle
Bulldog
Foxhound
Pincher
Racoon
Rattlesnake
Scourge
Wolverine
Lawford
Lydiard
Arno
Fury
Staunch
Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
March, 1916
T.B. 044 has returned from her month's absence. Renard, Mosquito, Grampus have joined, recently working
"in Home Waters or on detached service" while Laforey has departed to the same vague assignment.[31][32]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
7/26
9/8/13
Chelmer
Basilisk
Colne
Usk
Beagle
Renard
Rattlesnake
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
Destroyers
Jed
Bulldog
Kennet
Wear
Foxhound
Mosquito
Scorpion
Grampus
Scourge
Pincher
Wolverine
Comet
Lawford
Fury
Lydiard
Staunch
Arno
Ribble
Grasshopper
Racoon

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
April, 1916
Savage has joined from working "in Home Waters or on detached service".[33][34]
Chelmer
Basilisk
Renard
Rattlesnake
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 17

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Jed
Kennet
Usk
Beagle
Mosquito
Savage
Comet
Lawford
Bulldog
Grampus
Scorpion
Fury
Lydiard
Wear
Foxhound
Pincher
Scourge
Staunch
Arno
Ribble
Grasshopper
Racoon
Wolverine

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
May, 1916
Basilisk, Lawford and Lydiard have left for work "in Home Waters or on detached service" and Welland and
Harpy have joined from the same vague assignment.[35][36]
8/26
9/8/13

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Usk
Jed
Kennet
Wear
Beagle
Bulldog
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Renard
Rattlesnake
Arno
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
Mosquito
Grampus
Pincher
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge
Welland
Harpy
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Ribble
Racoon
Wolverine
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
June, 1916
Basilisk has returned. Additionally, the four Torpedo Boats formerly tenders to Aquarius are now tenders to
St. George.[37]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Basilisk
Renard
Rattlesnake
Arno
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
Colne
Usk
Beagle
Mosquito
Savage
Welland
Comet
Jed
Bulldog
Grampus
Scorpion
Fury
Kennet
Wear
Foxhound
Pincher
Scourge
Harpy
Staunch
Ribble
Grasshopper
Racoon
Wolverine

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
9/26
9/8/13
July, 1916
Redpole has joined from work "in Home Waters or on detached service".[38][39]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Basilisk
Colne
Usk
Beagle
Renard
Rattlesnake
Mosquito
Savage
Arno
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 17
Destroyers
Jed
Kennet
Wear
Welland
Bulldog
Foxhound
Ribble
Grasshopper
Grampus
Pincher
Scorpion
Scourge
Harpy
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Racoon
Wolverine
Redpole
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
August, 1916
Wolverine has been removed for work "in Home Waters or on detached service" (though she'd return the next
month) while Bulldog, Scorpion and Rifleman has been removed for some reason, to return in October.[40]
Chelmer
Basilisk
Renard
Rattlesnake
Arno

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Jed
Kennet
Usk
Wear
Welland
Beagle
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Mosquito
Grampus
Pincher
Savage
Scourge
Harpy
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Acorn
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
Minstrel
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
Ribble
Racoon
Redpole
Sheldrake
T.B. 070
10/26
9/8/13
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
September, 1916
Wolverine has reappeared.[41]
Chelmer
Basilisk
Renard
Rattlesnake
Arno
T.B. 043
Colne
Usk
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Beagle
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Mosquito
Grampus
Pincher
Savage
Scourge
Harpy
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Acorn
Minstrel
Sheldrake
T.B. 044
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
Ribble
Racoon
Wolverine
Redpole
T.B. 070

T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
October, 1916
Rifleman, Bulldog and Scorpion have joined from undiscovered points of origin.[42]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Destroyers
Jed
Basilisk
Usk
Beagle
Renard
Mosquito
Rattlesnake
Savage
Arno
Acorn
Kennet
Ribble
Wear
Bulldog
Welland
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Grampus
Pincher
Racoon
Scorpion
Wolverine
Scourge
Harpy
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Minstrel
Redpole
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
11/26
9/8/13
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
November, 1916
Ribble and {{UK-Pincher}] have gone, now "in Home Waters or on Detached Service." They'd remain so until
rejoining in January, 1917.[43][44]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Usk
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Basilisk
Beagle
Bulldog
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Renard
Rattlesnake
Mosquito
Savage
Grampus
Scorpion
Racoon
Scourge
Harpy
Staunch
Redpole
Arno
Comet
Wolverine
Fury

Acorn
Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
This same roster would apply until January.[45]
January, 1917
Ribble and {{UK-Pincher}] have rejoined, bringing the strength back up to 33 destroyers and eight torpedo
boats.[46]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Destroyers
Jed
Kennet
Ribble
Usk
Wear
Welland
Basilisk
Renard
Beagle
Mosquito
Bulldog
Grampus
Foxhound
Pincher
Grasshopper
Racoon
Rattlesnake
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge
Harpy
12/26
9/8/13
Wolverine
Arno
Acorn
T.B. 043
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Redpole

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
T.B. 044
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
T.B. 070

T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
This roster would apply until February or March.[47]
March, 1917
Four more Acorns have joined from the Adriatic Squadron, increasing strength to 37 destroyers and eight
torpedo boats.[48][49]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Usk
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Ribble
Basilisk
Renard
Beagle
Mosquito
Bulldog
Grampus
Foxhound
Pincher
Grasshopper
Racoon
Rattlesnake
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge
Harpy
Staunch
Redpole
Arno
Acorn
Comet
Wolverine
Fury

Minstrel
Rifleman
Sheldrake
Larne
Cameleon
Nemesis
Nereide
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
This roster would apply until May.[50]
May, 1917
The roster has not changed, but the eight Acorns under Egmont are now dubbed the "Malta Flotilla", and we
will treat them as an autonomous defence flotilla and detach them here. It is not clear whether that flotilla also
includes the torpedo boats.[51]
13/26
9/8/13

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Usk
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Ribble
Basilisk
Renard
Beagle
Mosquito
Bulldog
Grampus
Foxhound
Pincher
Grasshopper
Racoon
Rattlesnake
Savage
Scorpion
Scourge
Harpy
Staunch
Redpole
Arno
Comet
Wolverine
Fury
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
This roster would apply until August.[52]
August, 1917
The six Australian Acherons have all joined, Huon, Swan and Torrens coming from the China Station and the
others from Australia.[53][54]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Destroyers
Jed
Basilisk
Usk
Beagle
Wear
Bulldog
Welland
Foxhound
Grasshopper
Renard
Rattlesnake
Mosquito
Savage
Grampus
Scorpion
Pincher
Scourge
Racoon
Harpy
Torrens
Warrego
Fury
Staunch
Torpedo Boats
Redpole
Kennet
Ribble
Wolverine
Huon
Parramatta
Arno
Comet
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
Swan
Yarra
T.B. 063
T.B. 070

14/26
9/8/13
T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
September, 1917
Four Acherons (Acheron, Archer, Hydra and Phoenix) have joined from the Second Destroyer Flotilla at
Devonport. Grasshopper and Scourge have left to join the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla in Devonport. Foxhound
has also left, to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla by October, while Mosquito and Racoon would appear there
in November.[55][56][57][58]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Basilisk
Usk
Beagle
Destroyers
Jed
Kennet
Ribble
Wear
Bulldog
Welland
Grampus
Harpy
Pincher
Rattlesnake
Renard
Acheron
Savage
Archer
Scorpion
Phoenix
Wolverine
Hydra
Huon
Parramatta
Swan
Yarra
Torrens
Warrego
Arno
Comet
Fury
Torpedo Boats
Staunch
Redpole
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
October, 1917
Beagle, Harpy, and Wolverine have gone to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Lizard is coming the other way
from that same formation, slated to join the Fifth "shortly". [59][60]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Acheron
Huon
Colne
Usk
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Welland
Basilisk
Bulldog
Grampus
Pincher
Savage
Rattlesnake
Scorpion
Renard
Archer
Parramatta
Phoenix
Swan
Hydra
Torrens
Ribble
Lizard*
Warrego
15/26
9/8/13
Yarra
Arno
Comet
Fury
Torpedo Boats
Staunch
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
T.B. 063
Redpole
T.B. 070
November, 1917
Lizard has apparently now made her way to the flotilla. Usk has disappeared for an undiscovered reason, but
would rejoin the Fifth in March of 1918. Bulldog has left to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla and Jackal,
Ruby and Lapwing have just arrived from there.[61][62][63]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Wear
Jed
Kennet
Welland
Ribble
Basilisk
Grampus
Pincher
Rattlesnake
Renard
Savage
Acheron
Scorpion
Archer
Jackal
Phoenix
Ruby
Hydra
Lapwing
Lizard
Huon
Parramatta
Swan
Yarra
Torrens
Warrego
Arno
Comet
Fury
Torpedo Boats
Staunch
Redpole
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
December, 1917
Basilisk has moved out to join the Malta Flotilla. Alarm has joined, recently of the Second Destroyer Flotilla.
Attack and Tigress have joined from the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at Devonport. [64][65][66]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Wear
Jed
Kennet
Welland
Grampus
Pincher
Rattlesnake
Renard
Ribble
16/26
9/8/13
Savage
Acheron
Scorpion
Phoenix
Jackal
Hydra
Ruby
Lizard
Alarm
Huon
Attack
Parramatta
Archer
Swan
Tigress
Torrens
Warrego
Staunch
Redpole
Arno
Comet
Yarra
Fury
Lapwing
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 063
T.B. 070
T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
January, 1918
Martin has arrived, recently of the Second Destroyer Flotilla, and Lyra has joined, recently of the Fourth
Destroyer Flotilla.[67][68][69]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Destroyers
Jed
Wear
Kennet
Ribble
Welland
Grampus
Savage
Pincher
Scorpion
Rattlesnake
Jackal
Renard
Ruby
Lapwing
Acheron
Alarm
Phoenix
Attack
Hydra
Archer
Lizard
Tigress
Lyra
Martin
Huon
Parramatta
Swan
Yarra
Torrens
Warrego
Arno
Comet
Fury
Staunch
Redpole
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
T.B. 070
T.B. 17

T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
February, 1918
Four destroyers are still assigned to the formation, but are detached to Egypt. Savage, Scorpion and Pincher
has been sent to the Second Destroyer Flotilla, as has Grampus, which is expected there "shortly". Rattlesnake
has sent to the Malta Flotilla. Staunch and Attack have been dropped, being lost to torpedo on 11 November
and to a mine on 30 December, respectively.[70]
17/26
9/8/13
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Wear
Jed
Kennet
Welland
Ribble
Alarm
Comet
Fury
Hope
Lyra
Martin
Redpole
Hornet
Ruby
Hydra
Archer
Tigress
Acheron
Huon
Parramatta
Swan
Torrens
Warrego
Yarra
Arno
Staunch
Destroyers detached to Egypt

Jackal
Lapwing
Lizard
Renard
T.B. 043
T.B. 044
Torpedo Boats
T.B. 063
T.B. 070

T.B. 17
T.B. 18
T.B. 29
T.B. 30
March, 1918
The destroyers of the Malta Flotilla are now rolled back into the Fifth, tendered to Egmont, and those ships
detached to Egypt are seemingly back. Usk has rejoined from somewhere. The eight torpedo boats have all
been sent to join the British Aegean Squadron.[71]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Chelmer
Colne
Alarm
Usk
Comet
Martin
Hornet
Tigress
Torrens
Acorn
Cameleon
Destroyers
Jed
Kennet
Ribble
Wear
Fury
Welland
Hope
Lyra
Redpole
Ruby
Archer
Acheron
Hydra
Arno
Jackal
Huon
Lapwing
Parramatta
Lizard
Swan
Warrego
Yarra
Former Malta Flotilla, tenders to Egmont
Renard
Larne
Nereide
Template:JP-Sendan
Rifleman
Basilisk
Sheldrake
Phoenix
Rattlesnake
Template:JP-Kanran
18/26
9/8/13
Arno would be lost to a collision with flotilla-mate Hope on 23 March.[72]
April, 1918
Basilisk and Arno have been dropped, the former to appear sometime shortly after May in the Second
Destroyer Flotilla, and the latter due to her loss on 23 March. Beaver, Druid, Goshawk and Hind have joined
from the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, and Badger from the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Kennet is paid off.[73][74]
{SMNLMay18|p. 18}}
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Chelmer
Colne
Usk
Jed
Wear
Kennet*
Welland
Ribble
Alarm
Martin
Comet
Redpole
Fury
Ruby
Hope
Acheron
Lyra
Archer
Badger
Beaver
Druid
Goshawk
Hind
Hornet
Tigress
Hydra
Huon
Jackal
Lapwing
Parramatta
Lizard
Swan
Torrens
Acorn
Warrego
Yarra
Malta Contingent, tenders to Egmont
Cameleon
Larne
Nereide
Renard
Rifleman
Sheldrake Phoenix Rattlesnake Template:JP-Sendan Template:JP-Kanran
May, 1918
Nymphe has come up from Portsmouth, as has Forester, recently of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. Kennet is
still paid off.[75][76][77] Including the Malta group, the strength is an enormous 46 destroyers plus two Japanesecrewed ships.
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Kennet*
Chelmer
Colne
Jed
Alarm
Usk
Comet
Wear
Fury
Welland
Hope
Lyra
Martin
Nymphe
Redpole
Ruby
Acheron
Archer
Goshawk
Badger
Hind
Beaver
Hornet
Druid
Hydra
Forester
Jackal
Lapwing
Ribble
Lizard
19/26
9/8/13
Tigress
Torrens
Huon
Parramatta
Warrego
Yarra
Swan
Renard
Acorn Cameleon
Larne
Nereide
Rifleman
June, 1918
Kennet has been dropped and Brisk has joined from the Second Destroyer Flotilla. Strength remains at 48
destroyers.[78][79]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Colne
Jed
Brisk
Chelmer
Alarm
Usk
Comet
Wear
Fury
Welland
Hope
Lyra
Martin
Nymphe
Redpole
Ruby
Acheron
Archer
Goshawk
Badger
Hind
Beaver
Hornet
Druid
Hydra
Forester
Jackal
Tigress
Lapwing
Huon
Lizard
Parramatta
Swan
Torrens
Acorn
Warrego
Yarra
Cameleon
Larne
Nereide
Ribble
Renard
Rifleman
July, 1918
Kennet has reappeared, with the Malta contingent. Phoenix has been dropped, lost to a torpedo on 14 May.
Defender, Shark and Tribune have joined. The main group of destroyers is based in Brindisi, and the smaller
one at Malta (this may have long been true, but not before specified). A reorganization has placed the eight
Rivers in Malta, and the old Malta destroyers into the Brindisi group. Strength is now 51 destroyers.[80][81]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Acorn
Cameleon
Destroyers
Larne
Nereide
Sheldrake Rattlesnake
Alarm
Comet
Fury
Rifleman
Brisk
Hope
Lyra
20/26
9/8/13
Martin
Archer
Nymphe
Badger
Redpole
Beaver
Ruby
Druid
Acheron
Forester
Goshawk
Hind
Lapwing
Hornet
Hydra
Lizard
Jackal
Defender
Shark
Tribune
Tigress
Torrens
Chelmer
Usk
Huon
Warrego
Parramatta
Yarra
Swan
Renard
Malta Contingent, tenders to Egmont [Inference]

Colne
Jed
Kennet
Ribble
Wear
Welland
Template:JP-Sendan Template:JP-Kanran
August, 1918
Parthian and Northesk have joined from Gibraltar.
Renard has left, to appear with the Second Destroyer Flotilla "shortly". Defender has been sent to Gibraltar.
Strength is now 49 destroyers.[82][83]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Acheron
Beaver
Forester
Huon
Acorn
Destroyers
Alarm
Archer
Brisk
Cameleon
Goshawk
Hind
Hydra
Jackal
Lizard
Martin
Nereide
Parramatta Parthian Rattlesnake
Ruby
Torrens
Chelmer
Usk
Shark
Tribune
Sheldrake
Druid
Hope
Fury
Hornet
Lapwing
Larne
Northesk
Redpole
Nymphe
Rifleman
Swan
Warrego
Tigress
Yarra

Colne
Jed
Kennet
Wear
Welland
Badger
Ribble
November, 1918
The flotilla is no longer labelled as the Fifth in the Navy List, but appears largely intact although the Brindisi force
is now part of the Aegean Squadron. Rattlesnake has moved out to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla. The
new destroyers Senator and Sikh have been assigned to this formation, to arrive "shortly", as has Tilbury,
which has actually arrived.[84]
Supporting the British Aegean Squadron
21/26
9/8/13
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Acheron
Acorn
Alarm
Archer
Badger
Beaver
Brisk
Cameleon
Druid
Fury
Forester
Goshawk
Hind
Hope
Hornet
Huon
Lizard
Hydra
Martin
Jackal
Nereide
Lapwing
Northesk
Larne
Nymphe
Redpole
Rifleman
Ruby
Sheldrake
Sikh*
Swan
Parramatta Parthian
Senator*
Shark
Tigress
Tilbury align=center|Torrens
Tribune
Warrego
Yarra

Chelmer
Colne
Jed
Kennet
Usk
Wear
Welland
Ribble
December, 1918
The flotilla is no longer labelled as the Fifth in the Navy List, but continues as part of the Aegean Squadron.
Senator and Sikh have arrived.[85]
Supporting the British Aegean Squadron
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Acheron
Beaver
Acorn
Brisk
Alarm
Cameleon
Archer
Druid
Badger
Fury
Forester
Goshawk
Hind
Hope
Hornet
Huon
Hydra
Jackal
Lapwing
Larne
Lizard
Parramatta
Martin
Parthian
Nereide
Redpole
Northesk
Rifleman
Nymphe
Ruby
Senator
Shark
Sheldrake
Sikh
Swan
Tigress
Tilbury
Torrens
Tribune
Warrego
Yarra
January, 1919
The flotilla is no longer labelled as the Fifth in the Navy List, but continues its work, once again as part of the
Mediterranean Fleet. The six Australian Acherons have been ordered home. Defender has joined, coming up
from Gibraltar. The Malta contingent has been dissolved. Five of the Malta Rivers (Colne, Jed, Kennet, Wear
22/26
9/8/13
and Welland) have been ordered home, while Chelmer is in Portsmouth and Ribble and Usk are in Devonport.
[86][87]

Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Acheron
Acorn
Alarm
Archer
Badger
Beaver
Brisk
Cameleon
Defender
Druid
Fury
Forester
Goshawk
Hind
Hope
Hornet
Hydra
Jackal
Lapwing
Larne
Lizard
Parthian
Martin
Redpole
Nereide
Rifleman
Northesk
Ruby
Nymphe
Senator
Shark
Sheldrake
Sikh
Tigress
Tilbury
Tribune
February, 1919
Alarm has been sent to Portsmouth, to arrive "shortly".
Archer, Badger, Beaver, Defender, Goshawk, Jackal, Lizard and Tigress have also been ordered home.[88]
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Acheron
Fury
Acorn
Forester
Brisk
Hind
Cameleon
Hope
Druid
Hornet
Hydra
Lapwing
Larne
Martin
Nereide
Northesk
Nymphe
Parthian
Redpole
Rifleman
Ruby
Senator
Shark
Sheldrake
Sikh
Tilbury
Tribune
March, 1919
A post-war reorganization of the flotillas completely reinvents the Fifth Flotilla as one of seven in the Grand
Fleet, with 2 leaders (Parker will be joining "shortly") and 16 very modern destroyers. Blenheim has in this
month become the depot ship to the Mediterranean's new Sixth Destroyer Flotilla, retaining the "S" class vessels
23/26
9/8/13
Senator, Shark, {UK-Sikh}}, Tilbury and Tribune. Acorn, Cameleon, Lapwing, Redpole and Rifleman
have been ordered home while the other seventeen destroyers remain listed as part of the Mediterranean Fleet,
based at Malta, though Hope is paid off.[89]
Supporting the Grand Fleet
Flag Ship, Captain (D)
Saumarez
Flotilla Leader
Parker*
Depot Ship
Blake
Destroyers
Redgauntlet
Rob Roy
Salmon
Sarpedon
Sceptre
Trenchant
Tancred
Tristram
Tirade
Ulster
Tower
Umpire
Undine
Urchin
Ursa
Ursula
[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]
Captains (D)
Dates of appointment given:
Captain Herbert E. Holmes--Court, in command on 27 June, 1910..[90]
Captain Noel Grant, 20 December, 1910.[91]
Captain Edward G. Lowther-Crofton, 1 May, 1912.[92]
Captain Charles P. R. Coode, 1 February, 1914.[93]
Captain George K. Chetwode, 15 August, 1917.[94]
Footnotes
1. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 20 April, 1910. Issue
39251, col A, p. 9.
2. March. British Destroyers. pp. 108, 164.
3. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 19061921. p. 73.
4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
5. March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
6. Admiralty Weekly Order No. 125 of 10 July 1914.
7. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 15.
8. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 15. No November volume was issued.
9. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 11.
10. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 16.
11. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 15.
12. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). pp. 12, 16.
14. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 13.
15. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 16.
16. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 19.
24/26
9/8/13
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 19 and June.

Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). pp. 17, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). pp. 14, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 15.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). pp. 14, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 12.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 14, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 14.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 14.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). pp. 14, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). pp. 14, 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 14.
No Supplement for February was found.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 20.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 20 and Supplements through August.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 22, 23.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 14, 21.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). pp. 17, 21.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). pp. 17, 21.
Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 19061921. p. 78.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 22, 23.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 22.
25/26
9/8/13
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.

Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 19061921. p. 62.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). pp. 18, 22.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). pp. 18, 22, 23.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). pp. 20-22.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). pp. 20-22.
Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). pp. 11, 21, 22.
"The Mobilization of the Fleet" The Times. Monday, 27 June, 1910.
"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 21 November, 1910.
Issue 39435, col F, p. 8.
92. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 25 April, 1912. Issue
39882, col E, p. 10.
93. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 6 January, 1914. Issue
40413, col G, p. 11.
94. Navy List (December, 1918). p. 743.
Bibliography
Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 19141919. London: Ian Allan.
March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co.
Limited. (on Bookfinder.com (http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?
author=March&title=British+Destroyers&st=xl&ac=qr) ).
See Also
British Destroyer Flotillas

First Destroyer Flotilla | Second Destroyer Flotilla | Third Destroyer Flotilla | Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
Fifth Destroyer Flotilla | Sixth Destroyer Flotilla | Seventh Destroyer Flotilla | Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
Ninth Destroyer Flotilla | Tenth Destroyer Flotilla | Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla | Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla
Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla | Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla | Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla | Twentieth Destroyer
Flotilla
Twenty-first Destroyer Flotilla
Local Defence Flotillas

Clyde | Devonport | Devonport & Falmouth | Falmouth | Firth of Forth | Gibraltar
Liverpool | Mersey | Newhaven | Nore | North Channel | Milford & Pembroke | Pembroke
Portland | Portsmouth | Queenstown
Retrieved from "http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Fifth_Destroyer_Flotilla_(Royal_Navy)"

Categories: Formations | Royal Navy Destroyer Flotillas | Royal Navy Formations
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Royal Navy Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in WWI Mediterranean

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Royal Navy Fifth Destroyer Flotilla in WWI Mediterranean

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9/8/13

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

1.33 February, 1918

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Foxhound Grampus Grasshopper Harpy Mosquito

Pincher Racoon Rattlesnake Renard

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

This same roster would apply until January.[45]

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

This roster would apply until February or March.[47]

Destroyers, tenders to Egmont

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

This roster would apply until May.[50]

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Supporting the Mediterranean Fleet

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

This roster would apply until August.[52]

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Destroyers detached to Egypt

Torpedo Boats, tenders to St. George

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Arno would be lost to a collision with flotilla-mate Hope on 23 March.[72]

Sheldrake Phoenix Rattlesnake Template:JP-Sendan Template:JP-Kanran

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Sheldrake Phoenix Rattlesnake Template:JP-Sendan Template:JP-Kanran

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Malta Contingent, tenders to Egmont [Inference]

Malta Contingent, tenders to Egmont [Inference]

Fifth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project

Malta Contingent, tenders to Egmont [Inference]