Loyal
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Loyal
Builder	William Denny and Brothers
Launched	11 November 1913
Fate	Sold and broken up November 1921
General characteristics
Class and type	Laforey-class destroyer
Displacement	965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Length	268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a
Beam	27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power	24,500 shp (18,300 kW) 4 × Yarrow boilers
Propulsion	2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines
Speed	29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range	1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	74
Armament	3 × QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns 2 × QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) or QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns 2 × twin 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes

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

Description

The Laforey class was the 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). Loyal 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 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

The ship was laid down as Orlando at William Denny and Brothers' Dumbarton shipyard on 16 September 1912.^[4] The whole class was then renamed with names beginning with the letter "L" on 30 September 1913, with Orlando being renamed Loyal.^[2] Loyal was launched on 11 November 1913 and completed in May 1914.^[4]

Loyal joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla after commissioning.^[5] 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] which operated in the southern North Sea and could reinforce the Grand Fleet or forces in the English Channel as required.^[7][8]

The ship was attached to the Harwich Force and served in the North Sea. Loyal saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel.