Lennox
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Lennox
BuilderWilliam Beardmore and Company
Launched2 March 1914
FateSold and broken up October 1921
General characteristics
Class and typeLaforey-class destroyer
Displacement965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Length268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a
Beam27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power
Propulsion2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines
Speed29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement74
Armament

HMS Lennox was a Laforey-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s.

Description

The Laforey class were improved and faster versions of the preceding Acasta class.[1] They displaced 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t). The ships had an overall length of 268 feet 10 inches (81.9 m), a beam of 27 feet 8 inches (8.4 m) and a draught of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m). Lennox was powered by two Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.[2] The turbines developed a total of 24,500 shaft horsepower (18,300 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 280 long tons (280 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km; 2,010 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships' complement was 74 officers and ratings.[3]

The ships were armed with three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used.[3]

Construction and service

Headstone in Cowley, Oxfordshire of H Herbert, Officer's Steward First Class, who served on Lennox and died a week before the Armistice of 11 November 1918

Lennox was laid down at William Beardmore and Company's Clydebank shipyard as Portia on 14 November 1912.[4] On 30 September 1913, the Admiralty ordered that the L-class be renamed with names beginning with the letter "L", and Portia was renamed Lennox.[2] She was launched on 17 March 1914 on completed in July that year.[4]

On commissioning, Lennox joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based at The Nore.[5][6] On the outbreak of the First World War this Flotilla became part of the Harwich Force, under the overall command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt,[6] serving in the North Sea, but capable of reinforcing either the Grand Fleet or forces in the English Channel as required.[7] Lennox saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel. On 6 May 1916, Lennox accidentally collided with HMS Ben-my-Chree, a seaplane carrier. Damage was insignificant for both ships, however.[8]

Notes

  1. ^ Friedman, p. 129
  2. ^ a b Gardiner & Gray, p. 76
  3. ^ a b Friedman, p. 296
  4. ^ a b Friedman, p. 307.
  5. ^ "Naval Matters—Past and Prospective: Sheerness Dockyard". The Marine Engineer and Naval Architect. Vol. 37, no. 443. August 1914. p. 7.
  6. ^ a b Manning, p. 15.
  7. ^ Friedman, pp. 139–140.
  8. ^ Caruna, "et al"

Bibliography

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