Cricket Class (1906)

The Cricket class were thirty-six coastal destroyers imagined by First sea Lord John “Jackie” Fisher as a complement to the Tribal class destroyer. They were small flush deck vessels with steam turbines and oil-fired boilers meant to replace vintage torpedo boats as well as perform various missions outside fleet work. They were built in several batches and programs from 1905 to 1910 and soon re-rated as “1st class torpedo boats”, and given TB pennants. A few were lost in action during the war, including three by mines and two by collision, and discarded soon after the war. This type became redundant when CMBs made their apparition during the war.

TB 27 underway on trials, official photo (IWM coll.) Note the funnels close together on this 2nd batch White boat.

Development

The scenario of the late 1880s (in most major navies) was a transition from large torpedo boats to the first torpedo boat destroyers, and development focused on the latter, with more speed looked at, notably a transition from VTE (Triple Expansion Engines) to turbines from 1897. For the Royal Navy, an important milestone was the appearance of the River class destroyers and their forecastle, more seaworthy for fleet work and showing a clear path, alternating between coal and fuel oil. But it was also recoignized that the lower en of the spectrum, until then covered by 1st and 2nd classs torpedo boats was going to be dried up as decommissions went on. These smaller vessels still had no replacement and this worried some in the naval staff. Hence the idea of a new class of ships that woul borrow the design codes of these earlier TBs, but called “coastal destroyers” when first envisioned by the First Sea Lord at the time, no other than Sir John “Jackie” Fisher.

This did not made them the ancestors of escort destroyers nevertheless, at least not at first as ASW was nonexistent in 1904 when planned. Instead, they were seen merely as a replacement for older Torpedo Boats and as a complement to the Tribal class for coastal defence. They cost less, so more could be built, and they would fill a role in the RN that was going to be vacant soon. They were more capable and faster than the old TBs, thanks to their 3-stage steam turbines (oil fired to boot) for 26 knots, still having three torpedo tubes and two 12-pdr guns. The base design was validated in 1905 and the first orders came out to Samuel J. White shipyards in September that year.

They were reclassified as “1st class torpedo boats” in 1906 and their denominations, at first names, was changed for all to TB-1 up to TB-36. They were ordered by simultaneous batches to gain time to White, Thornycroft (Chiswick and Woolston), Yarrow, Denny, Hawthorn, and Palmers for the last ones ordered in 1908. Externally they seemed a reboot of the flush deck early destroyers of the 1890s but if the design was standardized, it was nevertheless slightly improved along the way making for four classes: Batch 1 was from White as per the 1905–1906 programme, Batch 2 (Gadly Class) was mostly similar, related to the same programme (TB-6 to TB-10) from Thornycroft Chiswick and they diverged a bit in size and displacement, and so did the next Yarrow Mayfly class TB-11, White TB-13 class (now numbered only), and those of 1907–1908 Programme were all similar and the work carried out by more yards. The very last, Palmers’s TB-36 was completed in September 1910.

Design of the class

TB5 underway (Postcard)

These boats were a throback to the TB98 class globally, they had a slightly taller hull for a better seaworthiness, but the same rising and flared bow topped by the trademark turtleback. Fisher imposed both the armament and powerplant, so the only margin left to the various yards contracted was in size. The first program choice to contract White only, and Thornycroft was design ated in the same program, as they were often considered the best for these small ships, as well as Palmers, for comparative tests, so more leeway was given to prove their own respective designs. The design was better “standardized” for the 1906–1907 and 1907-1908 programmes, albeit they were still minor differences from yard to yard.

Hull and general design

Blueprint of the Cricket class (in some sources C-class incorrectly) src
The average size was between 53.3 and 54.9 meters in lenght oveall (175 ft or 53 m between perpendiculars), 5.3 to 5.5 meters in width for a 1:10 hull ratio, and 1.8 meters average draft. Displacement ranged from 225 to 256 tonnes normal (standard) and 300 tonnes fully loaded on average. They also all had two short funnels each exausting its own boiler, two TTs amidship, either side of the funnels and the last one at the stern, a small combined gun platform, open bridge forward with canvas and a smaller top platform with projector, single formast. The aft gun was also on a platform. Internal accomodation were also the sameon average for 39 officers and ratings, albeit some sources states 35. There was a perhaps an excessively large wardroom provided for the captain and his two officers, partitioned by private expenditures, entered via an overhead ammunition hatch.

Powerplant

TB 31 on trials (IWM). Livery was usually black. Note the funnels further apart on this Thornycoft Woolston boat.

Fisher was adamant about their use of steam turbines and oil-fired boilers as the best compromise for speed and range given their small hulls. They necessary had the same two oil-fired Yarrow boilers, feeding three small Parsons turbines for a measly 4,000 shp (3,000 kW), a power passed on three shafts. These turbines were hower three-stage with a high pressure (HP), mid- and low pressure (LP) for cruising. Top speed was required to be 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph) on realistic conditions (fully laoded and ready for combat) but on moderate seas:

On trials, the “Oily Wads” as they were soon nicknamed, performed only well in moderate seas. If conditions deteriorated, especially in the north sea in winter, they were soon unable to proceed at reasonable speeds. Truly coastal vessels intended to patrol the British Isles Coast in areas less risky such as the Channel, and Irish sea, or Scottish and Wales coast. They were totally unable of ocean escort work. Experience was mixed but one commander which made the swap regarded these as a great step up from the 27- and 30-knotters. The middle shaft had a smaller propeller, with a gearbox allowing reverse, albeit this was limited backing power. That limited their manoeuvrability and perhaps explained their losses to mines. The last twelve also had a steam capstan replacing their hand-worked one.

Armament

They had two 12-pdr (76 mm) as standard, determined as the minimum for self-defence, one on top of the forward platform and another a deck lower on a stern raised platform as well, both wrapped in canvas. Ready rounds were stored on railing to pick up and boxes present, more could be passed on from below. They also had three single tubes, 450 mm or 18 inches standard Whitehead but no reloads. One tube was located just aft of the bridge structure, one aft of the funnel (aft amidship) and one at the stern, all with moderate traverse. No reloads were carried apparently.

12-pounder guns

These 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I were well known, widespread guns in the IJN and also licenced notably by Italy and Japan. These 3-inch (7.62 cm) 12 cwt (0.6 tons, 510 kg) 40 caliber guns measured 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) overall, Barrel 10 ft (3 m) alone, with a single-motion screw breech, elevation up to 40° depending on the model.
Rate of fire was 15 rounds per minute for a well trained crew, with a muzzle velocity of 2,210 ft/s (670 m/s) and effective firing range of 11,750 yd (10,740 m) at 40° elevation. From late-1913 the PI. mountings had percussion firing gear.

18-in Torpedo Tubes

These single axial Light Pattern A.W. Torpedo Tubes fired the Whitehead Mark VI* as the 18″ (45 cm) Mark VI was designed in 1904 and entered service in 1905. This was a common destroyer type torpedo powered by Air-flask (cold running) and compressed air for either 4,000 yards (3,650 m) at 28.5 kts and 1,000 yard (910 m) at 41 knots settings, quite honorable.
However they may have been updated later in wartime to the Mark VII and Mark VII* entering service in 1910 on the Tribal class. However destroyers had the priority. They carried a larger 320 lbs. (145 kg) TNT warhead and the Mar VI had two settings, either 6,000-7,000 yards (4,570-7,650 m) at 30 knots or 3,000 yards (3,280 m) at 41 knots. The Mark VI* improved on that but it’s unlikely they were adopted given their limited usefulness as a class. Many probably kept their Mark VI* until decommissioned. Tests with T.B. 33 in 1909 showed a modified Mark VI* with pioneers, a net-penetrating head apputenance adding extra lenght, could not clear deck obstructions like the funnel casing if fired from the fore midship tube.

In combat, they had various fates: TB10 on 10 june 1915, TB11 on 7 march 1917 and TB12 on 10 june 1917 hit German mines laid by UC10 (TB10, TB11) and UC11 (TB12) in Thames mouth (TB10, TB12) and North sea (TB11). TB9 and TB13 collided in the North sea 26 July 1916 and 26 January 1916 respectively and TB24 was wrecked on 28 January 1917 in Dover. The experience was never repeated. It seems they were used to patrol coastal waters mostly for ASW work, despite having initially no depth charge or projectors ever mounted, relying on their main guns and torpedo to hope catching up a surfaced U-Boat. They often patrolled at night. Later into the war they received a DC rack as shown by their combat records, for at least six charges. Their concept was simply doomed by the adoption of the CMBs (Coastal Motor Boats), much faster and yet also much cheaper while escort work was done better by dedicated ships, Flower class sloop or PC-type sub-hunters.

Profile of the Cricket class src

TB-1 (White) class

⚙ specifications TB1
Displacement	247 t normal, 272 t deep load
Dimensions	178 ft x 17 ft 6 in x 6 ft 1.5 in (54 x 5.33 m x 1.867 m)
Propulsion	3 shafts Parsons 3-stage steam turbines, 2x Yarrow boilers 3,600 shp (2,700 kW)
Speed	26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range	21.7–37 t of oil, unknown, c1500 nm
Armament	2× 12-pdr (3-in/40 or 76mm) guns, 3× 18-in (457mm) torpedo tubes.
Crew	39

TB 1 was ordered from J. Samuel White in early 1905, laid down on 12 September, launched on 23 January 1906 and completed in December. No logs. She was sold on 7 October 1920 to Fowey Coaling & Ship Co.

Dragonfly was from the same J. Samuel White, laid down on 15 September 1905 and launched on 11 March 1906, completed by January 1907. She was sold 7 October 1920 to Thos. W. Ward.

Firefly was laid down at White on 18 September 1905, launched on 1 September 1906 and completed on February 1907. Sold 7 October 1920 to Thos. W. Ward.

TB 4 Sandfly was laid down at White on 18 September 1905, launched on 30 October 1906 and completed by April 1907. In 1912 she was part of the four Patrol Flotillas formed with torpedo boats and older destroyers to prevent any enemy minelaying or torpedo attack attempt on the east coast. She was in 1913 in the 8th Flotilla, Chatham and in 1914, 7th at Devonport, then 1915 9th, and 6th (Dover Patrol). On 17 November 1915, she assisted the sinking hospital ship Anglia, saving many lives by taking on board all that she could. On the night of March 17/18 1917 during an importan German raid, she spotted the German torpedo boats shelling targets on land, reported it but failed to catch them up. On the night of 26/27 April 1917, the same repeated off Kent, with the shelling of Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, also spotted by TB 4 and trie to close to deliver a torpedo attack, but it was too late as the forced already folded out.

TB 5, Spider was laid down at White on 18 September 1905, launched on 15 December 1906 and completed in 1907 (no date). She was also in the 8th Flotilla (Chatham) and by 1914, 7th at Devonport. In February 1915 she escorted a convoy to Newhaven with stores ships sailing from France. On 23 February, she chased the hunt for U-8 off Beachy Head based in Ostend. She was based afterwards to Portsmouth command to escort transports from Southampton. On 3 September 1916, SS Johan Siem was stopped off Newhaven by a German submarine but TB 5 came in time from Newhaven, driving it off and escorting the Danish steamship back to Newhaven. On 3 May 1917 she rescued the victims of UB-40. On 6 June 1917 she spotted an U-Boat which dove away, and attacked her with four depth charges, but success by naval intel was judged “Improbable”.

TB-6 (Thornycroft) class

⚙ specifications TB6
Displacement	244 t normal, 268 t deep load
Dimensions	171 ft 6 in x 17 ft 6 in x 6 ft 4.5 in (52.27 x 5.33 x 1.943 m)
Propulsion	Same
Speed	Same
Range	Same
Armament	Same
Crew	same

Gadfly was the lead vessel ordered from Thornycroft, Chiswick, she wa slaid down on 1 September 1905, launched on 24 June 1906 and completed by December 1906. No logs. She was sold 22 October 1920 to Stanlee, Dover.

Glowworm was also from Thornycroft, laid down on 25 September 1905, launched on 20 December 1906 and completed on February 1907. She was sold on 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

Gnat also from Thornycroft wa slaid down on 4 October 1905, launched on 1 December 1906 and completed in March 1907. She was sold for BU on 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 9 Grasshopper also from Thornycroftwas laid down on 1 November 1905, launched on 18 March 1907 and completed on June 1907. On 23 November 1914 she chased off the rampaging U-21. On the morning of 24 November 1914, with HMS Conflict, she escorted transports from Harwich but on 26 July 1916 TB 9 was sunk in collision with HMS Matchless, herself damaged after colliding with HMS Manly).

Greenfly from Thornycroft was laid down on 2 November 1905, launched on 15 February 1907 and completed in May 1907. She struck a mine in North Sea and sank on 10 June 1915.

TB-11 (Yarrow) class

⚙ specifications TB11
Displacement	264 t normal, 291 t deep load
Dimensions	175 ft 9 in x 18 ft x 5 ft 8 in (53.57 x 5.49 x 1.73 m)

HMS Mayfly was the lead ship from Yarrow, laid down on 23 November 1905, launched on 29 January 1907, reached 27.16 knots (31.26 mph; 50.30 km/h) in sea trials and was completed on May 1907.
In August 1910, she collided with the sea wall, at the eastern entrance to Dover harbour while practicing a night torpedo attack. Her stem needed repairs at Sheerness dockyard from 3 August. She was also refitted there in 1911. By March 1913 she was based at Chatham but with a nucleus crew, until July 1914. In the reserve force she was mobilized by August 1914 and in November assigned to the Nore Local Defence Flotilla, defending the Thames Estuary. The unit counter in all twelve old destroyers and 20 torpedo boats (12 Cricket-class). They remained there until March 1916. She was indeed sunk by a mine off Longsand Head, east coast, on 7 March 1916. 23 went down with the ships. The destroyer HMS Coquette was also lost shortly before in the same minefield. Both were victims of UC-10 laying mines on 6 March.

Moth also from Yarrow was laid down at Poplar, London on 23 November 1905, launched on 15 March 1907 and completed by May 1907. Before the war, she was employed at the Dartmouth Naval College, and joined the Nore Flotilla after a refit at Sheerness in 1911. On 9 June 1915, after U-10 gunned down six fishing smacks, the Nore Local Defence Flotilla sent a massive search party (five destroyers and six torpedo-boats including TB 12). At 03:30 on 10 June, TB 12 was just 2 miles north east of the Sunk Light Vessel when a detonation bloew up her entire fore hull. However the bulkhead held. TB 10 took her in tow, but shortly afterwards herself suffered an explosion breaking her hull in two. She quickly sank; leaving TB 12 stranded. Another towing attempt failed. She filled up and eventually sank at 10:55. It was believed both were torpedoed. Vulture reported indeed seen a torpedo heading towards TB 10 and thet herself had been near-missed by another. But postwar exploraton revealed both hit mines from a minelaying U-Boat. 23 of her crew were killed in the detonation, the remainder abandoned her before she sank.

TB-13 class

⚙ specifications TB13
Displacement	256 t normal, 306 t deep load
Dimensions	185 ft x 18 ft x 6 ft 6 in (56 x 5.49 x 1.98 m)

TB 13 was ordered from J. Samuel White, laid down on 14 March 1907, launched on 10 July 1907 and completed in May 1908. TB 13 was part of the 7th Flotilla at Devonport and 8th at Chatham by July 1914, 8th in November (Tyne), escorted transports and took part in ASW sweeps. She was lost in a collision (North Sea) on 26 January 1916.

TB 14 ws ordered from J. Samuel White, laid down on 18 March 1907, launched on 26 September 1907 and completed in May 1908. She was sold for BU at 7 October 1920 to Philip, Dartmouth.

TB 15 was laid down at White on 20 March 1907, launched on 19 November 1907 and completed on May 1908. She was sold 7 October 1920 to Thos. W. Ward.

TB 16 was laid dwon at White on 12 July 1907, launched on 23 December 1907 and completed on July 1908. She was sold 7 October 1920 to Thos. W. Ward.

TB 17 was ordered and built by Denny, laid down on 4 April 1907, launched on 21 December 1907 and completed on April 1908. She was Sold for BU 1919 at Gibraltar.

TB 18 was the second ordered from Denny, laid down on 4 April 1907, launched on 15 February 1908 and completed on June 1908. She was sold in 1920 at Gibraltar.

TB 19 was ordered from Thornycroft, Woolston (2nd batch) laid down on 13 March 1907, launhed on 7 December 1907 and completed on 2 June 1908. Sold for BU on 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Grays.

TB 20 was the second ship from Thornycroft, Woolston, laid down on 20 March 1907, launched on 21 January 1908 and completed on 19 August 1908. She was sold on 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward.

TB 21 was laid down at Hawthorn Leslie on 7 May 1907, launched on 20 December 1907 and completed on March 1908. She was sold for BU on 7 October 1920 to Maden & McKee.

TB 22 was the second from Hawthorn, laid down the same day on 7 May 1907, launched on 1 February 1908 and completed by March 1908. Sold for BU on 7 October 1920 to Maden & McKee.

TB 23 was from Yarrow laid down on 10 February 1907, launched on 5 December 1907 and completed on 19 February 1908. by March 1913 was in Chatham, until July 1914, versed in November to the Nore’s Local Defence Flotilla, defending the Thames Estuary, until December 1918. She was sold on 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward for scrapping.

TB 24 was ordered from Palmers (first of three, sole program 1906-07), laid down on 2 April 1907, launched on 19 March 1908 and completed by June 1908. She was wrecked off Dover, 28 January 1917.

TB 25 was the lead ship of the second batch from J. Samuel White, laid down on 30 December 1907, launched on 28 August 1908 and completed on 22 January 1909. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Grays.

TB 26 was laid down at J. Samuel White on 30 December 1907, launched on 28 August 1908, completed on February 1909. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 27 was laid down at J. Samuel White on 2 February 1908, launched on 29 September 1908, completed on March 1909. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 28 was laid down at J. Samuel White on 27 February 1908, launched on 29 October 1908, completed on 8 April 1909. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 29 was laid down at Denny on 20 February 1908, launched on 29 September 1908, completed on November 1909. Sold 28 November 1919 at Malta.

TB 30 was laid down at Denny on 20 February 1908, launched on 29 September 1908, completed on January 1910. Sold 28 November 1919 at Malta.

TB 31 was laid down at Thornycroft, Woolston on 8 February 1908, launched on 10 October 1908, completed on February 1910. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 32 was laid down at Thornycroft, Woolston on 9 February 1908, launched on 23 November 1908, completed on March 1910. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 33 was laid down atHawthorn on 17 January 1908, launched on 22 February 1909, completed on June 1910. Sold 24 August 1922 to Cashmore, Newport.

TB 34 was laid down atHawthorn on 7 February 1908, launched on 22 February 1909, completed on August 1910. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

TB 35 was laid down atPalmers on 4 February 1908, launched on 19 April 1909, completed on August 1910. Sold 24 August 1922 to Cashmore, Newport.

TB 36 was laid down at Palmers on 20 March 1908, launched on 6 May 1909, completed on September 1910. Sold 9 May 1921 to Thos. W. Ward, Rainham.

Read More/Src

Books

Brown, D. K. (2003). Warrior to Dreadnought: Warship Development 1860–1905. London: Chatham Publishing.
Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing.
Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway’s All The World’s Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press
Hythe, Viscount, ed. (1912). The Naval Annual 1912. Portsmouth, UK: J. Griffin & Co.
Gardiner, Robert; Lambert, Andrew, eds. (1992). Steam, Steel & Shellfire: The Steam Warship 1815–1905. Conway’s History of the Ship.
Moore, John (1990). Jane’s Fighting Ships of World War I. London: Studio Editions.

Links

dreadnoughtproject.org
facebook.com
dreadnoughtproject.org TB6
navypedia.org
wrecksite.eu
navweaps.com/
greatwarforum.org
Cricket-class_destroyer
cardemp.co.uk