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HMS Observer (1916): Difference between revisions

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==Design and development== ==Design and development==
''Observer'' was one of 16 Repeat {{sclass2|Admiralty M|destroyer|1}}s ordered by the ] in February 1915 as part of the Fourth War Programme soon after the start of the ].{{sfn|McBride|1991|page=45}} The M class was an improved version of the earlier {{sclass2|L|destroyer (1913)|4}}, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=on}} and, although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service, the extra performance that was achieved was valued by the navy. ''Observer'' was one of 16 Repeat {{sclass2|Admiralty M|destroyer|1}}s ordered by the ] in February 1915 as part of the Fourth War Programme soon after the start of the ].{{sfn|McBride|1991|page=45}} The M class was an improved version of the earlier {{sclass2|L|destroyer (1913)|4}}, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=on}} and, although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service, the extra performance that was achieved was valued by the navy. It transpired that the German warships did not exist.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=132}} The Repeat M class differed from the prewar vessels in having a raked stem and minor design improvements based on wartime experience.{{sfn|Parkes|Prendergast|1969|page=109}}

The destroyer had a length of {{convert|265|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} ] and {{convert|273|ft|4|in|m|1|abbr=on}} ], with a ] of {{convert|26|ft|8|in|m|1|abbr=on}} and ] of {{convert|8|ft|11|in|m|1|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=296}} ] was {{convert|948|LT|t|lk=on}} ]. Power was provided by three ]s feeding ]-Curtiss ]s rated at {{convert|27800|shp|kW|lk=on}}. The turbines drove three ] and exhausted through three ]. Design speed was {{convert|34|kn}}, which the vessel exceeded on ].


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 18:26, 16 November 2024

HMS Observer was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer that served in the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class was an improvement on those of the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Observer had a largely uneventful war. Joining the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet in 1916, the vessel was soon involved in an exercise that involved most of the dreadnoughts of the First and Third Battle Squadrons but did not take part in any fleet actions with Germany. In 1917, the destroyer was a participant in anti-ship and anti-submarine patrols, but, once again, the ship did not engage any enemy warships. After the Armistice that ended the war, Observer was initially put in reserve and then sold in 1921 to be broken up.

Design and development

Observer was one of 16 Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in February 1915 as part of the Fourth War Programme soon after the start of the First World War. The M class was an improved version of the earlier L class, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) and, although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service, the extra performance that was achieved was valued by the navy. It transpired that the German warships did not exist. The Repeat M class differed from the prewar vessels in having a raked stem and minor design improvements based on wartime experience.

The destroyer had a length of 265 ft (80.8 m) between perpendiculars and 273 ft 4 in (83.3 m) overall, with a beam of 26 ft 8 in (8.1 m) and draught of 8 ft 11 in (2.7 m). Displacement was 948 long tons (963 t) normal. Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding Brown-Curtiss steam turbines rated at 27,800 shaft horsepower (20,700 kW). The turbines drove three shafts and exhausted through three funnels. Design speed was 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph), which the vessel exceeded on trials.

References

Citations

  1. McBride 1991, p. 45.
  2. Friedman 2009, p. 132.
  3. Parkes & Prendergast 1969, p. 109.
  4. Friedman 2009, p. 296.

Bibliography

M-class destroyers
 Royal Navy
Admiralty M class
Hawthorn M class
Thornycroft M class
Yarrow M class
Yarrow Later M class
 Royal Canadian Navy
Thornycroft M class
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