Laforey (L) class destroyers (1913)

UK Royal Navy (1913-1921) 1912 program, L-class 1913, 22 ships:

The Laforey class (L class from October 1913) were 22 torpedo boat destroyers of the Royal Navy: 20 ordered under the Naval Programme of 1912–13 and 2 under the second War Emergency Programme in August 1914. They were the penultimate pre-war British destroyer design, followed by the M and their repeats, largely based on the previous Acasta but much improved with a new improved hull, doubled torpedo armament (twin tubes) and better distributed artillery. All saw heavy action in the first world war and three were lost, the remainder scrapped in 1921-23.

Laforey class Design

The step-by-step improvements in previous designs showed to good advantage in the destroyers of the 1912-13 Programme. Although originally given Shakespearian and Waverley Novel names they were all given ‘L’ names by Admiralty order of 30 September 1913, thus becoming the first alphabetical class under the new organisation. After some discussion about the possibility of finding a design cheaper than the Acorns, in January 1912 the Controller issued a fresh Staff Requirement for a twin-screw TBD with 24,500shp, 3—4in semiautomatic guns, two twin torpedo-tubes and three boilers. Following the success of the semi-geared turbines in Badger and Beaver (Garland had not been laid down) two, Leonidas and Lucifer, were to have ‘all-geared’ turbines. Frahm anti-rolling tanks were also approved.

As designed the ‘Ls’ had short level funnels like the Acherons but height was raised to 20ft during construction. The White and Yarrow boats were two-funnelled but the rest had three funnels. As built all were fitted to stow and lay 4 Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, but there is no record of them laying these mines, and when the Elia Mk IV was replaced by the ‘H’ type in 1917 there was no reason to retain the capability. Lawford and Legion were converted to lay ‘H’ mines in 1917. Two additional boats were ordered from Beardmore late in 1914. They were intended to be extra ‘M’ class vessels but to save time the builders were ordered to repeat the design of the two ‘L’s already in hand, and they were renamed Lassoo and Lochinvar in February 1915.

Just Improved Acastas ?

HMS Fortune, Fairfield’s “Special” of the Acasta class as completed in trials. Her new hull was liked by the admiralty and led to a redesign of the standard, leading to the Laforey class.
The 1912 Acasta class had been essentially a larger version of the Acherons. The new Laforey class were based on a single ship in the Acasta class, the later destroyer HMS Fortune, which tested a new hull form, slightly longer and narrower with a redesigned, clipper bow. Fortune was ordered from Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan, as part of the 1911–1912 construction programme and launched on 17 March 1913. She was temporarily renamed HMS Kismet in October 1913. She was one of the “specials”.
That hull was adopted immediately by the admiralty for the “follow-up Acastas” in 1912 and the 20 ordered as part of the 1912-13 naval programme were designed with this hull. The remainder were still about the same as the Acastas.

Except for ships built by J. Samuel White (HMS Laurel and Liberty) and by Yarrow (HMS Lark, Landrail, Laverock and Linnet) which were two funnelled, the standard was three funnels of equal height, with a middle one thicker.
It was eventually decided not to just repeat the armament of the Acastas but trying to improve it in an important way, with the number of torpedo tubes doubled, to two pairs instead of singe tubes, one abaft the funnels and a small searchlight platform in between. The gun armament remained the same trusted three QF 4-inch, but the distribution was modified, with one gun each on the forecastle, between the funnels, after pair in ships with three funnels, and on the quarterdeck for a better arc of fire.

About the Names

HMS Laurel, a White shipyard 2-funneled.
The first 20 ships were allocated names without particular systematic theme, albeit a pattern emerged of Shakespearean or (Sir Walter) Scott characters. When in construction and redesignated in late 1913 the “L” class, some original names were replaced on 30 September by new names started with “L” for coherence. The first to follow this new convention and reflected by the last pair ordered in 1914, Lochinvar and Lassoo renamed as such in February 1915.

The Novelist Alexander Fullerton included a fictional Laforey class destroyer, the “Lanyard” in his book “The blooding of the Guns” related a semi-fictional account of the battle of Jutland.
The initial names were Picton, Portia, Orlando, Viola, Florizel (Laforey), Ivanhoe, Talisman, Waverley, Rob Roy, Rocket, Sarpedon, Ulysses, Daring, Dragon, Redgauntlet, Rosalind, Haughty, Havock, Hereward, Hotspur, Malice and Magic.

Hull and general design

Reconstitution from original plans by Kombrig, HMS Legion.

The Laforeys were a bit stretched compared to the Acastas: They displaced 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t) [acasta 934 standard to 984 tons specials] for an overall lenght of 268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a [acasta 267 ft 6 in (81.53 m)], a superior beam of 27 ft 8 in (8.43 m) [acasta 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)] and increased draught of 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) [acasta 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) to 9 ft (2.7 m)]. The increase draught was an attempt by the engineers to compensate for the longer, narrower hull to regain buoyancy and preserve stability and the metacentric height.
As for the general design, the Acasta pattern was still here. The crew was 74 strong, counting officers and ratings.

The Laforeys differed however from HMS Fortune by having a straight, not sinuous bow, but kept the same stem angle and chin. The flare was augmented as the bow was still “rounded” rather than narrow, and sloped from the bridge’s level cut to the actual stem. There was no wave breaker however, so “A” gun tended to be wet and was wrapped in canvas when not in use. There were still two rows of portholes on the forecastle, which as usual kept the same size in proportion of the hull, roughly about 1/4. The small bridge was still located on a deck extension past the forecastle break, and sat above the lower deck. It was composed of the usual coxwain’s post with a wheel, a few portholes, and the open navigation bridge above, without any roof by canvas on barriers circling around. There were sets of lookout scopes and a chadburn, voice pipes, some directly below for directions, some running to the machinery space and backup steering gear in the stern. There was also a one-man platform for a searchlight at its rear. The forward open deck was three-faceted with no wings, and two ladder stairs in cutouts for access.

The hull of course had an unequal draught, lesser forward, sloping aft into a straight breakup to the poop, leaving space to the shafts. There were two counter-keels amidship bottom. The rudder was axial and rounded, relatively small. The two shafts had struts and the propellers were 3-folded bronze single pitch. Superstructure was kept minimal, and apart to the bridge, and three funnels, all of unequal shape but same height and raked, were not heavenly spaced either. The first, immediately after the bridge and main foremast (also raked) was round in section and the smaller in diameter. After it were main access hatches to the machinery space, and the two boats were under davits on either side. Next was the largest of all three funnels, the middle one, same diameter but longer. Important air intakes and scoops for machinery ventilation were placed to their bases.

Next was installed the new gun position for “Q” gun amidship on a bandstand. The platform was a circle surrounded by barriers that could receive canvas wrapping. Small hatches enabled ammunition access from below. To clear the fire arc, the space between the mid-funnel and aft funnel was more important than between the mid-funnel and fore funnel. The aft funnel was also of the same diameter, but less elongated than the mid-funnel. Immediately aft of it was located “A” torpedo tube bank, for the first time on a RN destroyer, a twin mount without reloads.
It was raised a bit on a platform compared to “B” torpedo bank, which sat directly on the deck, and the two were separated by a second one-man searchlight platform.
There was no quarterdeck structure and instead a small aft mast mostly intended to support wireless radio cables. Next was the access to the stern section for the crew and backup steering post.
“X” gun was located aft, with a rounded bow. All three guns were masked. The main navigation lights were placed at the head of the tripod pole at the stern point and two navigation lights forward in small recesses “boxes” on the bridge deck.
As for external appearance, it changed during their career, see below.

Powerplant

No big change compared to the Acastas: The Laforeys were powered by two shafts driven by two steam turbines, in turn fed by the steam produced in between three (3 funneled) and four (4-funneled) admiralty (Yarrow) water-tube oil-fired boilers. For a total output of 24,500 shp (18,300 kW), which was the same as the Acastas. The Turbines were Parsons by default, but some were equipped wth Brown-Curtis model.
This was for a top speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) whereas some specials among the Acastas managed to reach 32 knots (59.3 km/h) on trials.
Range was 1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). Difficult to compare to the Acastas. The Laforeys carried 268t of fuel oil, while the previous Acasta were capable of carrying 258 tonnes, compared to 178 tonnes for the Acherons (2300 nm. at 13 knots) and thus probably capable of 2800-3000 nm. The change in testing speed was not helping there.
No other range figures has been recorded, notably in Conways.
There were many differences between ships:
-HMS Llewelyn, Lennox, Loyal, Legion, Laertes, Lysander, Lance, Lookout, Lochinvar, Lassoo were standard with 2 Parsons steam turbines and 4 Yarrow boilers
-Laforey, Lawford, Louis, Lydiard (Fairfield) had two Brown-Curtis steam turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers.
-Leonidas*, Lucifer* (Palmers): 2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers.
-Laurel, Liberty (White): 2 Parsons steam turbines, 3 White-Forster boilers.
-Lark, Landrail, Laverock, Linnet (Yarrow): 2 Brown-Curtis steam turbines, 3 Yarrow boilers
*HMS Lucifer and Leonidas had also geared instead of direct drive steam turbines (admiralty standard) and this showed increased efficiency.

The Parson’s destroyers Leonidas and Lucifer

Leonidas and Lucifer were two experimental destroyers ordered in 1912 from Parsons, to be fitted with fully geared turbines proposed by the latter and greenlight by the admiralty. Their turbine could run at higher speeds than the propeller for improved efficiency, and use a reducer. Badger and Beaver ordered in 1911 already used gearing for their high pressure turbines not the low pressure as there was a lack of robust gearboxes. Parsons however developed innovative gear cutting equipment. The propellers run at 380 rpm. The LP turbines ran at 1800 rpm and HP at 3000 rpm. Parsons claimed this additional gearing would produce an overall 10% increase in efficiency: 9% at full power and up to 26% at low power. Indeed, turbines are more efficient at higher speeds and quite poorly at slower speeds. Comparative tests showed fuel savings such as a two days full speed continuous patrol compared partially geared turbines. Their cost increased however due to gearboxes, offset the installation of smaller and cheaper turbines for the same results. The ratio was 24,500 shp versus 22,500 shp for the LP turbine.

Both destroyers however differed in their propellers due to a disagreement between the admiralty and Parsons. Parsons used 54 square feet (5 m2) blades, the Admiralty wanted 42.5 sq ft (3.95 m2) blades, still on a three-bladed pattern of about the same diameter. Parsons’ blades were just broader, having more “bite” and making the best of these lower revolutions. The downside of gearing meant the bearings holding the shafts were now subject to large lateral forces where the gears pushed against each other. This put a strain on the gearbox design, solved later with the Michell tilting-pad fluid bearing from 1913, used first on the cross-channel steamer Paris from Denny of Dunbarton. This tech was passed on to Leonidas and Lucifer. Traditional bearings indeed could not support the forces in turbine gearboxes, with higher friction than with standard reciprocating engines. This new system reduced frictional losses and saved the admiralty some £500,000 in reduced fuel consumption by 1918. The system was generalized and further improved in the interwar.

Armament

As seen above the noverlty resides mostly in new Twin torpedo tubes without reload (firing the new Whitehead Mark III), and relocated of the admiship 4.7 inches main gun to a between funnel bandstand instead of a position aft of the last TT tube, in front of the aft mast. This new arrangement was seen as much more coherent and repeated for the next classes.

4-in Mark IV/40 (101.6 mm)

The QF 4-inch gun Mk IV was introduced in 1911 as a faster-loading light gun, successor to the BL 4 inch Mk VIII. 1,141 were produced, and of these, 939 were still available in 1939. They evolved later into the XII and Mk XXII variants which armed British interwar and World War II submarines as deck guns. The Mark IV remained in service on all WWI destroyers as standard, but the late war V-W classes. On the Laforeys they were called “A” (forecastle), “Q” (amidship) and “X” (aft deck).

Specifications

Mass: 2,750 pounds (1,250 kg) barrel & breech, barrel 160 inches (4.064 m) bore (40 cal.)
Breech: horizontal sliding-block
Elevation: P IX Mount: -10° to +20°. 1917 CP III Mount: +30°
Muzzle velocity: 2,370 feet per second (720 m/s), range 11,580 yards (10,590 m) at +30°.
Shell: Separate QF 31 pounds (14.06 kg) 4-inch (101.6 mm)

4-in Mark VII/40 (101.6 mm)

The Mark VII were designed in 1908 entered service on the HMS Swift, Tribals, Beagle, Acorns and Acherons as well as most of the Acastas as completed due to shortages.

⚙ specifications 4-in Mark VIII

Weight: 2,912 pounds (1,320 kg), Barrel lenght 159.2 inches (4.044 m) bore 40 calibres< Elevation/Traverse: -10° to +20°, 360°
Breech: Welin single-motion screw
Muzzle velocity: 2,287 feet per second (697 m/s), Range 10,210 yards (9,340 m)
Round: 31 pds (14.06 kg) Common lyddite. Rate of Fire: 6-8 RPM
Crew: 8.

QF 1.5-Pdr Mark I

Depending on the yard, these destroyers could be armed either with a pair of QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) or QF 2-pounder (40 mm) “pom-pom” anti-aircraft guns.
It seems also initially they only had a single 03-in(7.7mm)/87 Vickers Machine Gun as completed. The 37 or 40mm were added later at completion or in their first refit in wartime.
The QF 1+1⁄2-pounder was the first naval pom-pom adopted, later redesignated Mark I. It had a 37 mm (1.46 in) calibre with a barrel 43 calibres long. First tested the cruisers HMS Arethusa and Undaunted, but apparently never entered full service, replaced by the QF 2-pdr Mark II. So if installed on some Laforeys, this was only transitional and due to shortages of the Mark II pom-pom.
Photos

QF 2-Pdr pom-pom Mark II

Ubiquitous AA gun of the RN in WWI, still used in WW2 in many new versions. On the Acasta class, this was a single mount amidship.

⚙ specifications 2-pdr pompom

Mass: 850 lb (390 kg), length 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m).
Shell: 40×158mmR 40.4 mm (1.59 in) filling 71 g (2.5 oz)
Feed system: 14-round steel-link belt, 115 rpm, 732 m/s (2,400 ft/s)
Effective firing range: 3,960 m (13,300 ft) A/A ceiling

21-in Torpedoes

The new RGF Mk II 21-in torpedo with the Hardcastle heater was now placed in two tubes per bank.
This torpedo ran at 50 kts (93 km/h; 58 mph) over 1000yds (910 m) or 12,000yds (11,000 m) at 30kts (56 km/h; 35 mph).
No spare torpedoes were carried.
Instead of the “Short” Mark They carried the “Long” Mark I at 23 ft 1.25 in (7.042 m) thanks to their longer tubes and then the Mark II.
The Mark I long explosive charge was 200 lb (91 kg) of gun cotton, increased later to 225 lb (102 kg).
The next Mark II* was then adopted for the Laforeys. It’s possible some operated as well from 1915-16 the Mark II** and Mark II** SL as well as the tripe, quad and quintuple starred models of 1915-16. More models will be covered in the next articles.

⚙ specifications Mark II* (1914)

Weight: 2,948 lb (1,337 kg)
Length: 22 ft (6.7 m)
Explosive charge: 400 lb (180 kg) TNT
Range and speed settings:
-17,000 yd (16,000 m) at 18 kn (33 km/h)
-14,000 yd (13,000 m) at 23 kn (43 km/h)
-6,000 yd (5,500 m) at 35 kn (65 km/h)
-4,200 yd (3,800 m) at 44.5 kn (82.4 km/h)

Depth Charges

-In July 1912, HMS Alarm (Acheron) was the first fitted for trials of an explosive sweep, mated with an electrically-fired charge.
-In May 1918, Nymphe combined a sweep gear with two depth charge throwers (Y-guns) and four stern chutes, 12 charges.
-In August 1918, HMS Brisk was equipped with the standard, two depth charge throwers (DCT or Y guns) eight spares, one “runner” with 23 charges. They no longer carried Paravanes to compensate for this 7.5 tons increase and some even had to land their aft 4-in gun. This became the new wartime standard for the Laforey as well.

Mines

HLS Legion was the only one later fitted for mine laying. Her quarterdeck gun and torpedo tubes were removed. Screens were erected aft of the after funnel, to provide protection for the stored mines. The screens were even painted with dummy torpedo tubes and a gun so to mask the real purpose of this ship in operations. It seems these were four Elia Mk IV mines, two either sides, launched sideways. These were invented by Captain G. Elia of the Italian Navy, of a buoyant type with long lever. If triggered by a passing by hull, the lever rotated and detonated the mine.
Specs: Weight 448 lbs. (203 kg), charge 220 lbs. (100 kg) TNT. Diameter 32.9 in (83.6 cm).

Fire Control

By 1915 fixed voice pipes were added between decks with flexible mouths, one for gunnery, one for torpedoes and linking the bridge with the guns, torpedo tubes and searchlights stations. There was a third fully flexible voice pipe from the bridge to the forward gun to pass information.
The standard one-meter base rangefinder was supplied to all destroyers of the “Tribal” class and delivered up to the “L” class of 1916.
In 1920 destroyers, from the Acorn to Laforey classes had Wise Pressure Telegraphy Systems in place, in support of the fire control.
The main sighting position located high up in the centre of the bridge used a single set of firing pushes/keys and keys for operating a buzzer lighting at the forward torpedo mount and rattler at the aft mount.
Data instruments were electrical with a Mark I deflection transmitter from the control post, separate order transmitters and keys (forward tube, aft tube) with each mount had been having a combined receiver for these electric signals.

Modifications

in 1917, Lawford was modified to carry mines like Legion and both were later converted to carry new “H” type mines.
In 1918, the survivors had an extra single 40mm/39 2pdr QF Mk II pompom added.

⚙ Admiralty (Fairfield) specs.
Displacement	965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Dimensions	268 ft 10 in x 27 ft 8 in x 10 ft 6 in (81.94 x 8.43 x 3.20 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts steam turbines, 3–4× water-tube boilers: 24,500 shp (18,300 kW)
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)
Armament	3× QF 4-in L/40 Mark IV (mount P Mk. IX), 2x AA guns*, 2×2 21-in TTs
Crew	74

Construction

The Acasta class destroyers were built on *almost* similar plans. They were:
John Brown and Company:
William Denny & Brothers: Loyal (ex-Orlando), Legion (ex-Viola)
Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Govan: Laforey (ex-Florizel), Lawford (ex-Ivanhoe), Louis (ex-Talisman), Lydiard (ex-Waverley)
Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson: Laertes (ex-Sarpedon), Lysander (ex-Ulysses).
Parsons, Wallsend: Leonidas (ex-Rob Roy), Lucifer (ex-Rocket), Lark (ex-Haughty), Linnet (ex-Havock), Laverock (ex-Hereward), Landrail (ex-Hotspur)
John I. Thornycroft & Company, Woolston: Lance (ex-Daring), Lookout (ex-Dragon)
J Samuel White & Co Cowes: HMS Laurel (ex-Redgauntlet), Liberty (ex-Rosalind)
William Beardmore, Dalmuir: HMS Llewellyn, Lennox, Lochinvar and Lassoo: First RN destroyers built in this new yard.

Evaluation of the Laforey

PW1231: ‘L-class destroyers and the battlecruisers ‘Lion’, ‘Queen Mary’, and ‘Princess Royal’, with the’Mainz’, at the Battle of the Heligoland Bight, 28 August 1914′ by William Lionel Wyllie circa 1915

At the start of World War I the recent Laforeys, barely commissioned, gradually as their arrived formed the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla. Lance is credited of the first shot when with HMS Amphion, she sank the German auxiliary minelayer Königin Luise on 5 August 1914, in the North Sea. This particular gun was saved at the scrapyard and preserved since at the Imperial War Museum in London.
On 17 October 1914 off Texel, Lance, Legion, Lennox and Loyal engaged German torpedo boats, sank S115, S117, S118 and S119 (Battle off Texel) showing their clear superiority. HMS Lydiard acted as flotilla leader. HMS Landrail, Laurel and Liberty were present at the Battle of Jutland in the 9th and 10th Destroyer Flotillas.

HMS Laforey crewmen with dog in 1915-16

As they were completed they joined the 3rd DF at Harwich, and in 1917 the survivors were dispersed to Devonport and Portsmouth for convoy escort duties. Four were sent to the Mediterranean in 1915 and the survivors were recalled in 1916. Lance fired first shot of the war at sea, when Amphion and her flotilla intercepted the minelayer Konigin Luise off Harwich on 5 August 1914 (13hrs after the declaration of war). Landrail was very badly damaged in collision with the light cruiser Undaunted, August 1915, losing her bow; towed home stern first by Mentor and took five weeks to repair. Legion, Undaunted, Loyal, Lennox and Lance sank German torpedo-boats S 115, S 117, S 118 and S 119 off the Texel on 17 October 1914. Legion was converted to a minelayer during her 6-month repair following mine damage in November 1916. Louts was in the Mediterranean from early 1915, and was wrecked in Suvla Bav, being subsequently destroyed by Turkish shellfire.

Overall, the Laforey class was seen as very successful, leading to several innovations:
-New hull form and clipper bow from Fairfield, which became standard.
-A better management of the main artillery with greater fire arcs.
-Twin torpedo tubes, instead of two spare torpedoes and single tubes, enabling a greater firepower where it mattered.
-Geared Turbines instead of direct drives turbines, improving efficiency, as shown by Lucifer and Leonidas from Hawthorne Leslie and Parsons (joint construction).
They really were the blueprints on which was based the next M-class, probably the new mass-produced standard of British destroyers until the introduction of the late war V-W.

Career of the Laforey class

HMS Llewellyn

Started as HMS Picton at William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir, a new yard specifically built for this, in addition to the Glasgow yard, she was laid down on 14 November 1912, launched on 30 October 1913 and completed in March 1914. She joined the Third Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force. The flotilla was tasked of “harassing the Imperial German Navy”. On 26 August 1914 she was sent in signalled German torpedo boats in what became the Battle of Heligoland Bight.This flared up on the 27th, led by HMS Fearless, attacking German torpedo boats until Stettin showed up. Next they crossed fire with Cöln and Strassburg and retreated, having no loss. Llewellyn fired 86 shells in that engagement but at no point they were able to launched their torpedoes.

Back to Harwich to defend the Strait of Dover her 1915 career was active, but typical. For example she escorted British minelayers to Heligoland Bight, made ASW sweeps in the Irish Sea, escorted troop convoys to France, protected minesweepers at the Dogger Bank. On 20 February 1916, she collided with HMS Lark with minor damage and repaired. By 25 March she escorted the seaplane carrier Vindex tasked to raid the German Zeppelin base din Tønder, and drew up instead German battlecruisers. Until late 1916 she remained in ASW patrols. On 4 December she attacked UB-18, which escaped.

On 28 February 1917, she was transferred to the Dover patorl and on 17 March, formed part of a flotilla with Laertes, Laforey, Paragon protecting the Dover Barrage and its armed trawlers guardians and spotters. German TBs ambushed them and sank Paragon in the mist and night. Llewellyn saw the flashes nearby and run for it, searchlight blazing, but never saw the Germans and instead picked up survivors. That is until S49 and G87 returned and launched two torpedoes, one hitting her bow befre retreating again. Llewellyn with a completely mushed bow could not run forward and was forced to return to safety by steaming backwards, without casualties. After repairs she was assigned to the Methil Convoy Flotilla, Firth of Forth. On 22 April 1918 she left Selbjørnsfjorden in Norway with a convoy, also protected by her sister Lark. This was th last capital ship sortie of the war, as the Hochseeflotted sortied in interception but missed them.
After 11 November, Llewellyn was placed in reserve at Portsmouth, then proposed to the Finnish Navy. This was halted with the Washington Naval Treaty, banning the sale of out-of-tonnage warships by signatories. So she was instead scrapped after decommission on 18 March 1922, sold to J. Smith of Poole.

HMS Lennox

Started as HMS Portia at Beardmore she was laid down on 14 October 1912, launched on 17 March 1914 and completed, commissioned in July 1914. She joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla at The Nore, then Harwich Force, under Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, North Sea, and detached when needed to escort the Grand Fleet or English Channel flotillas. Lennox saw combat at the Battle off Texel. On 6 May 1916, she accidentally collided with HMS Ben-my-Chree, but this was insignificant and she was quickly repaired. Lennox survived the war, was decommissoned in 1921, Sold and broken up by October 1921.

HMS Loyal

Started as HMS Orlando at William Denny & Brothers Limited, Dumbarton, on 16 September 1912, she was launched on 11 November 1913 and completed in May 1914. She joined the 3rd DF, Harwich Force in 1914 under command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, southern North Sea and Channel, she notably took part in the Battle off Texel. To be completed in the future. Sold and broken up November 1921.

HMS Legion

Ordered as HMS Viola at Denny, she was laid down on 19 September 1912, launched on 3 February 1914 and completed in July 1914. She joined the 3rd DF at The Nore after 15 July, Harwich Force. She saw action at the Battle off Texel. She was badly damaged by a German mine on 10 November 1916. She was later converted as a minelayer while under repair. Rails were fitted for up to 40 mines. Put in reserve after 1918, sold for scrap 9 May 1921.

First naval shots of the war (on Konigin Luise), August 5, 1914. Commemorative leaflet.

HMS Laforey

Ordered as HMS Florizel at Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Com. in Govan, the class leader was laid down on 9 September 1912, launched on 22 August 1913 and commissioned after completion in February 1914. Laforey joined the 3rd DF, 1st Fleet, Harwich Force under Cdr. Tyrwhitt. On 28 August 1914 she departed with her unit for a raid on the southeastern North Sea and near Heligoland Bight to ambush Hochseeflotte vanguard forces. This became the Battle of Heligoland Bight. Unlike Laurel, Liberty and Laertes, Laforey was undamaged.
On 23 January 1915, she departed with the Harwich Force, in vanguard of David Beatty’s BCs ininterception of a raid by German Battlecruisers notified by room 40, which became the Battle of Dogger Bank. Laforey however like her sisters was not fast enough to keep up with the battlecruisers in heavy weather and choppy seas. Only seven M class could follow. On 1 May 1915, HMS Recruit was torpedoed and sunk by UB-6 near the Goodwin Sands, Laforey was sent with sisters and four naval trawlers in an ASW hunt. Later SMS A2 and A6 sank one of these trawlers off Noordhinder before the destroyers arrived but they managed to catch and sink the TBs.
In October 1915, Laforey joined the 5th DF, Mediterranean Fleet and took part in the evacuation from ANZAC Cove (Gallipoli Campaign in December 1915) and remained in the unit until February 1916. She was back with the Harwich Force, 9th DF, escorting HMS Vindex in the raid on Tondern (25–25 March 1916). She wa sin reserve during the Battle of Jutland but assisted HMS Marlborough when damaged by a German torpedo, escorting her to the Humber.
In October 1916, she joined the Dover Patrol to guard the Dover Barrage under Vice-Admiral Reginald Bacon, sent to Dunkirk on 26 October. That night five German torpedo boats (18th Half Flotilla) proceed to the Straits of Dover when corssing the path, unspotted, by Laforey and sisters underway from Dover to Dunkirk. Later that night, other German TBs preyed on British drifters, sank Flirt, but they sent a signal. Six Tribal-class destroyers and Laforey’s division (4 destroyers) were sent from Dunkirk, ending in a confused action. Nubian was torpedoed, Amazon and Mohawk badly damaged by German gunfire. Laforey’s division was too far off to intervene.
In 1917 her unit was split up and she joined the 6th DF, Dover Patrol from 5 March. She took part in the action of the night 17–18 March during a German TB raid in which HMS Paragon was torpedoed and sunk, Laforey inverstigating the explosion and looked for survivors, signalling HMS Llewellyn. They were ambushed by SMS G87 and S49, which torpedoed Llewellyn and escaped unseen. On 23 March 1917, Laforey, Laertes, Lark and Melpomene escorted cargo ships to France (Folkestone-Dieppe) when about to return at 16:30 Laforey hit a British mine (after postwar investigation) not signalled. She broke in half, her stern sank rapidly. The bow remained afloat, from which Laertes rescued survivors, 18 out of 76. This happened off Shoreham-by-Sea.

HMS Lawford

Ordered as HMS Ivanhoe at Fairfield, she was laid down on 28 September 1912, launched on 30 October 1913 and completed in March 1914. On commissioning, Lawford joined the 3rd DF, 1st Fleet, Harwich Force (Tyrwhitt) taking part in the same actions (see above) like the raid towards Heligoland in which HMS Lawford launched a torpedo against Frauenlob but missed. She fired 238 lyddite and 52 common shells total for little results as well. Mainz, Cöln and Ariadne, V187 sunk for HMS Arethusa and three destroyers damaged. On 2 November she was led by Aurora with Lark and Laverock on an ASW hunt on the Broad Fourteens but returned to Harwich due to Condenser leaks. On 16 December 1914 her unit remained in reserve during the raid of Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby.
On 23 January 1915, she took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank, albeit she could not keep up with the battlecruisers. On 30 January 1915 she followed HMS Undaunted to the Irish Sea looking for U-21, preying on ships exiting Liverpool, reached Milford Haven on 2 February, but never found her. She returned in Escort duties and on 1 March escorted troopships to the Mediterranean (1st leg). On 4 March she escorted troopship SS Dongola but ran aground that night on the Welsh coast, docked at Newport for repair. On 1 May 1915 she was on the hunt for SM UB-6 and instead fell on SM A-2 and A-6, searching for a German floatplane ditched in the area, which became the action of Noordhinder Bank. The trawler Columbia was sunk and was attacked by the Lark group, bith caught and sunk by gunfire.
In September 1915, Lawford was detached to the Mediterranean, 5th DF for the evacuation from Cape Helles (8–9 January 1916) and remained until March 1916. In June she was back to Harwich Force’s 9th DF. On 1 June she joine the Grand Fleet after the Battle of Jutland, escorting back Marlborough. She was often detached to the Channel for the Dover Patrol. On 26/27 October while off The Downs, she engaged German torpedo boats that attacked British drifters and sank HMS Flirt, sent to investigate. In this action in which Tribal class DDs were involved, Lawford’s CO misinterpreted orders, and led the division south east to investigate, leaving the Downs unguarded. She later encountered the almost cut in half Nubian, taken in stern-first tow marred by bad weather. The two line slipped and she aground under the South Foreland.
On 25 February 1917, Lawford intercepted another night raid on the Dover Barrage. Laverock repelled it, but a second group of German TBs shelled Margate and Westgate-on-Sea, but slipped trhough uncaught.
In March 1917, the 9th DF was split up, she joined the 7th DF on the East coast, and during her refit, was modified to carry H-type mines. In August 1917 she was listed as a minelaying destroyer (4 in the 7th Flotilla) and in January 1918, transferred to the 4th DF at Devonport for convoy escort duties. On 11 November she was detached from the 4th to the 3rd DF, Grand Fleet, and back to the 4th. In March 1919 she was in reserve at the Nore, stricken, sold to Hayes of Porthcawl on 24 August 1922 for BU.

HMS Louis

Ordered as Talisman at Fairfield, she was laid down on 5 December 1912, launched on 30 December 1913 and completed in March 1914. She was wrecked in Suvla Bay on 31 October 1915 during the Dardanelles campaign. The wreck was destroyed by Ottoman coastal artillery.

HMS Lydiard

Ordered as HMS Waverley at Fairfield she was laid down on 14 December 1912, launched on 26 February 1914 and completed in June 1914. She served with the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, and fought at the Battle of Heligoland Bight in 1914, where she was credited with torpedoing the German light cruiser SMS Mainz. Lydiard also took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916, where she formed part of the 9th Destroyer Flotilla, along with her sister ships Liberty, Landrail and Laurel, supporting Admiral Beatty’s battlecruisers. She was transferred to escort duties after 1917, and sold for breaking in November 1921.

HMS Leonidas

Rob Roy was ordered from Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company, Wallsend, but her hull was sub-contracted to Hawthorn Leslie & Company, Hebburn. She was laid down on 26 October 1912 and launched on 30 October 1913, completed in August 1914 as the war broke out with Parson’s new geared steam turbines. Leonidas took part in the battle off Noorhinder Bank on 1 May 1915 with Laforey, Lawford and Lark, after armed trawlers were attacked by SM A2 and A6. She served in the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla at the first battle of Heligoland Bight as well. More records to come 2026.

HMS Lucifer

THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR Image: IWM (Q 75136)
She was the second Parsons’ Prototype for its new geared steam turbines, initially named HMS Rocket, with also her hull sub-contracted to Hawthorn Leslie. She was laid down on 26 October 1912, launched on 29 December 1913 and completed in August 1914. On commissioning she was in the 3rd DF, Harwich Force, then 2nd Division, 1st DF and took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, undamaged in the action. She later escorted the cruisers of the 7th Cruiser Squadron patrolling the Dogger Bank and Broad Fourteens. On 17 September bad weather led her to withdrawn. On 22 Tyrwhitt on HMS Lowestoft led the Harwich force to the Broad Fourteens, learning about U-9 sinking Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy. They arrived on the scene at 10:45, three hours later to pick up survivors already rescued by trawlers, the others trying to find U9.
On 24 October 1914, Lucifer escorted the seaplane carriers Engadine and Empress on the raid at Cuxhaven but only two of the six seaplanes took off and abandoned the mission in bad weather. On 16 December 1914 she was not engaged during the raid on Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby.
On 23 January 1915 she took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank, but not fast enough to keep up with the battlecruisers. On 30 January 1915, Lucifer followed Undaunted to the Irish Sea after the U-21 attacks off Liverpool.
From 7 to 12 February, she escorting troopships with the 1st Canadian Division to Saint-Nazaire, and recalled to Harwich. On 27 March, Lucifer, Laurel, Leonidas and Liberty patrolled off Hoofden after reports of U-Boote on the Harwich–Rotterdam route. On 28 March, there was spotting and a hunt, but they were recalled as room 40 intercepted a Battlecruiser sortie. 22 April saw her unit sent to Pembroke for escort operations and escorted HMS Orion to Devonport. In the Irish Sea they escorted troopships with the 10th (Irish) Division to Liverpool and after ASW patrols, covered the arrival of troops from Canada and the Dardanelles campaign. On 11 July 1915 she patrolled off Texel to tryo to tach German steamers stuck in Rotterdam. On 10 September 1915 she took part in Operation CY (minelayers Princess Margaret, Angora and Orvieto to the Amrum Bank).
On 20 March 1916, she took part of the air raid against Zeebrugge, escorting Riviera and Vindex and they acted as plane guard, but stumbled upon V47, V67 and V68. Lance and Linnet were in the lead, Lance was hit and damaged, Lucifer and Lookout repelled them. They returned for shore and under their coastal artillery but V47 and V68 were hit. On 3 May 1916, Lucifer and Lark escorted Princess Margaret for Operation XX with Abdiel combined to a raid from Engadine and Vindex at Tondern.
On 22 April 1916, Lucifer was in another minelayin ops. off the Belgian coast, Flanders ports. But she missed the raid on Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
On 19 August another Hochseeflotte sortie prompted the Harwich Force to join the Grand Fleet but no contact wa smade. On 26 October she was sent to Dunkirk to block an attempted German amphibious operation west of Nieuwpoort. Meanwhile, German TBs attacked Dover Barrage and at some point one spotted Lucifer’s division, but not the reverse, no action followed.
January 1917 saw her unit, the 9th DF split up, and she ended in the 6th DF, Dover Patrol from March 1917. On 17/18 March 1917, she was in the reserve force on standby when the Dover Barrage was attacked and Paragon sunk, Llewellyn damaged. They were recalled when it was reported this was caused by U-Boote. On 20 April 1917 there was another such alert, but she was recalled again. Later with Lydiard and Mentor they spotted gunfire and rushed to see Broke and Swift fighting six German TBs, and soo G42 and G85 sunk, Broke badly damaged. Mentor, Lydiard and Lucifer only picked up survivors. She left the Dover Patrol on 2 June 1917, joined the 1st DF at Portsmouth for training, up to January 1918, then the Firth of Forth in February and Methil Convoy Flotilla until 11 November. Placed in reserve at Devonport, March 1919, sold for BU Stanlee, Dover, 1st December 1921.

HMS Laertes

Ordered as HMS Sarpedon at Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson in Wallsend, she was laid down on 6 July 1912, launched on 6 June 1913 and commissined on October 1913. Laertes joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla at Harwich, was present at the Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August and was seriously damaged (four hits) notably in the boiler room, ending dead in the water, lost her middle funnel and a gun. Lapwing came to help under heavy fire. Lieutenant Cdr. Gye managed to pass a tow, but in getting underway, the towing hawser parted. She was aved by the arrival of HMS Lion. Some power was restored but she was towed back to Britain and have some long repairs.
Later she tried to intercept the Germans after the raid on Yarmouth and Lowestoft (25 April 1916) and caught par tof their force, hit by shellfire in the boiler room. Stoker Ernest Clarke single handily saved her bu shutting down the boiler before detonation, but later died from burns received, posthumously awarded the DSO. 5 more were injured. Stoker Petty Officer Stephen Pritchard worked a fire hose and was also awarded the DSO. In 1917, Laertes was transferred to escort duties until the end of the war. She was sold for BU on 1 December 1921 to Stanlee, Dover, but ran aground at Newhaven while under tow on 8 March 1922, later refloated and arrived on 13 March.

HMS Lysander

Ordered as HMS Ulysses at Swan Hunter on 8 August 1912, she was launched on 18 August 1913 and completed on December 1913. She joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force. On 26 August she was deployed in what became the Battle of Heligoland Bight. Newt she entered the 4th Division (Laertes, Laurel, Liberty) spotting and duelling with G194 and G196, and then the entire 5th Flotilla. Lysander was 3rd in line when they spotted the cruiser Mainz which repelled them. The cruiser hit all three but Lysander dodged some fire and collided with Liberty. Still, they returned fire, spent 93 rounds but the arrival of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron turned the tide.
On 24-25 October she covered the seaplane carriers Engadine and Riviera for the raid at Cuxhaven, aborted due to the poor weather. On 2–3 November 1914 she was led by Undaunted off Terschelling, missing a force sent to Great Yarmouth. On 23 January 1915 she was in the 1st Division, 3rd Flotilla at the Battle of Dogger Bank. They lagged behind the faster M-class destroyers which took the brunt of the battle. On 30 January she wa son the hunt for U-21 in the Irish Channel. On 5 February she escorted the liners Transylvania and Ausonia from Ireland to Liverpool. High seas damaged sent her in repair at Chatham. On 8 April she escorted the paddle-steamers Prince Edward and Queen Victoria laying mines and nets off Ostend and were shelled by shore batteries. By June they were in ASW patrols south of the Channel, covering troopships from Canada and from the Dardanelles campaign.
From 28 July to 31 July 1915 she was in Operation C, raid into the Skagerrak. She intercepted and detained the Danish merchant Cito to the Humber. She wa sin the covering force for minelaying on 16–18 August and 11 September. Theirr force became the 9th DF on 4 September.
On 24 April 1916 was the raid on Lowestoft and Yarmouth. Seydlitz struck a mine promting an interception by the Harwich Force on 24/25 April. But they already retired.
By April 1917, she wa sin the 7th DF, East coat, then transferred to Devonport, 4th DF from August, convoy escort duties. On 29 June 1918, she picked up 24 survivors from the Canadian hospital ship Llandovery Castle (sunk by U-27) a case for the Leipzig War Crimes Trials. After 11 November she was placed in reserve at Plymouth and on 9 June 1922, sold for BU to Cashmore of Newport.

HMS Lance

Ordered as HMS Daring at John I. Thornycroft & Co. Limited, Woolston, she was laid down on 1 August 1912, launched on 25 February 1914 and completed in August. She was in the 3rd DF, and on 4 August 1914 with the Harwich Force took part in the sweep of the North Sea and part of the first action of the war, the reported Königin Luise deploying mines. Lance fired her 4-inch guns at Königin Luise, the first shot of the war. The converted passenger ship attempted to flee, but was caught up and ordered a scuttling. Lance picked up 28 survivors. Her gun wa sltzr saved frm the scrapyard and is now exhibited at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth (loaned from the IWM). On 28 August she was at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. On 17 October she clashed with the 7th Half Flotilla off Texel. On 29 November she wa spart of a sweep into the Skagerrak, marred by poor weather. In 1916 she was trabsferred to the 9th DF, Harwich force. On 1 June she was sent to reinforce the Grand Fleet after the Battle of Jutland. She escorted damaged Marlborough to the Humber. On 13 August she escorted a convoy of seven merchants off the Netherlands when Lasso was torpedoed by UB-10. Later she sank and sherescued only 4 of her crew. By March 1917 she wa sin the 6th Flotilla, Dover Patrol. In October she was in the 4th DF at Devonport, until 1 December 1918. She was in reserve at the Nore in December 1919, sold for BU on 5 November 1921.

HMS Lookout

Ordered as HMS Dragon at Thornycroft she was laid down on 29 August 1912, launched on 27 April 1914 and completed in August and joining the 3rd DF, Harwich Force. On 28 August she was at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, launching two torpedoes at Mainz but missed. On 24 January 1915, she was the flasghip of the 1st division, 3rd DF at the Battle of Dogger Bank, albeit faster M-class destroyers took the lead. After a refit at Chatham she returned to her unit on 17 March, soon to be the 9th DF. On 18 March she escorted back troopships carrying the 29th Division for the Gallipoli campaign. On 1 June, she escorted a minesweeper force led by Arethusa whe spotted by Zeppelin LZ 24. On 16 August she escorted the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron escorting the minelayer Princess Margaret in the North Sea. 7 days later she shelled U-boat sheds in Zeebrugge. On 20 March 1916 she wa spart of the bombardment of Zeppelin hangars in Zeebrugge, supporting Riviera and Vindex. Whilke back they fought three German destroyers, but she was unscathed. On 24 April she was deployed too late afte the raid of Lowestoft and Yarmouth.
She then escorted more merchant ship convoys by March, April and May 1917 extended to the Atlantic as part of the 4th DF at Devonport. Notably on the route to Sandown Bay. From 24 May she escorted 71 ships, with just one torpedoed, none sunk. Convoys afterwards were generalized for the remainder of the war. On 7 July, she spotted UB-61 and attacked with depth charges but she escaped. On 11 November 1918 she was placed in reserve at Portsmouth, sold to the Finnish Navy but it was blocked by provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty. On 24 August 1922 she was sold for BU to Hayes of Porthcawl.

HMS Laurel

Ordered as HMS Redgauntlet from J. Samuel White & Company, Cowes she was laid down on 17 August 1912, launched on 6 May 1913 and completed in March 1914. She entered like her sisters the 3rd DF, Harwich Force. She took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight as part of 4th Division in a clash with G194 and G196. The chas was interrupted by Mainz, which first salvo landed on Laurel. She too two 15cm hits, lost her amidship gun and the explosion blew away half the funnel. Captain, F. F. Rose was also badly injured. Fortunately her smoke and steam obscured the cruiser’s aim so she could escape, sent to Harwich for repairs, escorted by Amethyst.
Next she defended the Strait of Dover. On 23 January 1915 she was in the 2nd div. 3rd DF at the Battle of Dogger Bank, but left behind by M-class destroyers. At the Battle of Jutland, with Landrail, Liberty and Lydiard she was to provide cover to the battlecruisers but failed to engage the German battle fleet in the confusion. She rescued 17 survivors from Queen Mary.
On 5 September 1916 she was in the Channel escorting Princess Victoria with a gold bullion from Cherbourg to Portsmouth. On 26 October 1916 she was deployed at the Dover Barrage, took part in the Battle of Dover Strait. She sortied on 19 May 1917 in escort to a convoy from Gibraltar. She was reassigned to the 4th DF, Devonport until 11 November 1918, then placed in reserve at Nore sold on 1 November 1921 for BU.

HMS Liberty

Ordered HMS Rosalind at White, she was laid down on 31 August 1912, launched on 15 September 1913 and completed in March 1914, part of the 3rd DF. She took part in the battle of Heligoland Bight as par tof the 4th Division in the cash later against G194 and G196 and 5th Flotilla, repelled by Mainz. She took a hit from her on the bridge, killing her commander, Nigel K. W. Barttelot but claimed two hits and back Harwich without assistance, repaired. She defended the Strait of Dover for the next months. On 23 January 1915 she was in the 2nd Division, 3rd Flotilla at the Battle of Dogger Bank. She assisted and rescued men from HMS Meteor, badly mauled by Blücher, and towed her back to Britain. From 31 May 1916 in the 9th DF she took in the Battle of Jutland with the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron but failed to engage the German battle fleet or spot any enemy ship. On 26 October she was in the Battle of Dover Strait.
On 8 February 1917 at 03:00, she spotted the German minelaying submarine UC-46 surfaced, opened fire and hit her conning tower while at 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph), sinking her (no survivors). Otherwise she was in regular convoy escort, later part of the 4th DF at Devonport. After 11 November 1918 she was placed in reserve at the Nore until sold for BU on 5 November 1921.

HMS Lark

Ordered as HMS Haughty at Yarrow & Company, Scotstoun she was laid down on 28 June 1912, and launched on 26 May 1913, completed in October. She was in the 3rd DF, Harwich Force, led by Amphion in the hunt of German minelayers entering the Channel and part of the hunt for Königin Luise off the Suffolk coast. On 6 August while returning they ran into her minefield, Amphion hit a mine and started to sink. Order wa given to abandon ship when she drifted onto another mine. The savage explosion and debris fell on Lark, killed two men just rescued from Amphion and a prisoner from Königin Luise. On 28 August 1914 she supported the Grand Fleet in a sweep to Heligoland, in the 2nd Div. and took part in the fight against the German light cruisers Frauenlob, Strassburg and Mainz, launching all four torpedoes and all her 4-inch ammo, later borrowing 100 rounds from Leonidas.
On 24 October she escorted Engadine and Empress for the raid at Cuxhaven, a mission cancelled due to bad weather.
On 2 November 1914 she was in ASW hunt in the Broad Fourteens but detected floating mines. Lark destroyed 6, for 15 total by the force that day. On 3 November was the raid of Yarmouth, Larke and others sailed for Terschelling, Dutch coast, hoping to cutting them off, but they escaped. On 15 December was the raid of Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool, Lark was abput to sail when she fouled a buoy when leaving Harwich harbour.
On 23 January 1915, there was a German sortie on the Dogger Bank, intercepted by room 40. Lark was sent in the 4th Division in her Flotilla, but left behind by M class DDs.
On 1 May 1915, she was on the hunt of SM UB-6 which sank HMS Recruit near the Galloper Light Vessel, Thames Estuary. The stumbled instead and sank the TBs SM A-2 and A-6. In June 1915, she wa sin AASW duties, west end of the Channel. Her unit became the 9th DF and by 20 February 1916 she covered minesweeping operations but collided with Llewellyn shortly after leaving Harwich ad returned for repairs. On 3 May 1916, Lark escorted the minelayer Princess Margaret on Operation XX and the raid at Tondern. On 1 June 1916 she was sent to reinforce the Grand Fleet coming back from the Battle of Jutland and escorted Marlborough. On 5 September she escorted Princess Victoria from Cherbourg to Portsmouth.
Next she was in the Dover Patrol. On 26/27 October 1916 she countered an attack on the Dover Barrage in a confused action where mostly Tribal class DDs were involved.
When her flotilla was split up in 1917 she ended in the 10th DF, Dover Patrol from 1 March 1917. She did not took part in the action of 17/18 March 1917 but Lark and Myngs were ordered to reinforce the patrol. On 23 March 1917 she escorted cargo ships to France on the Folkestone-Dieppe route but on her return, Lark and Laertes rescued 18 men from Laforey whcich struck a mine. On 10 April she joined the 1st Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth and on 27 May sighted a submarine mid-Channel, dropped four depth charges.
By January 1918 she was sent to the Firth of Forth, Methil Convoy Flotilla. Paid off in December 1918. In reserve, the Nore, June 1919, 28 November 1919, reduced maintetance crew, stricken, sold for scrap on 20 January 1923.

HMS Linnet

Ordered as HMS Havock at Yarrow she wa slaid down on 28 June 1912, launched on 16 August 1913 and completed in December. Third Destroyer Flotilla, Harwich Force under Commander Loftus Jones (VC). On 4 August 1914, Linnet escorted the minelayer Amphion to intercept SMS Königin Luise but Amphion struck a mine on 6 August. On 26 August, she was at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. On 28 August she was assigned to the 2nd flotilla led by Lark, seeing action against Mainz and Strassburg and she spent 227 rounds in the action for little results.
In 1915 she was in 9th Destroyer Flotilla taking numerous escort roles, like of HMS Princess Margaret for a raid on Zeebrugge and figting briefly V47. After the Armistice of 11 November 1918 she placed in reserve at Nore and on 4 November 1921, sold to Rees of Llanell for BU.

HMS Laverock

Ordered as HMS Hereward at Yarrow she wa slaid down on 24 July 1912, launched on 19 November 1913 and completed by October 1914 as part of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla under the overall command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt. On 2 November 1914 led by Aurora, with Lark and Lawford in ASW in the Broad Fourteens she steumbled upon a German minefields and destroyed some. Next morning Yarmouth was raided. On 1 March 1915 she escorted troopships to the Mediterranean. She escorted on 25–26 March 1916 HMS Vindex in the raid on Tondern, cancelled due to bad weather, many seaplanes were lost or could not take off. She was underway to pick up survivors when ramming Medusa. The later had to be taken in tow by Lightfoot. The weather wad foul and Cleopatra and Undaunted also collided, albeit Cleopatra rammed and sunk G194 as well. She was in reserve during the Battle of Jutland but escorted back Marlborough. On 13 August she was in a Harwich–Holland convoy when Lassoo struck a mine and this was believed to ba an U-Boat so she and others used their explosive sweeps and Laverock’s sweep detonated.
In 1917, she passed on from the 9th Destroyer Flotilla to the 10th, Dover Patrol. On 24/25 February 1917 she took part in a clash with German torpedo boats (6th Flotilla). Laverock engaged them and was fired upon, dodging at least two torpedoes, one hitting but a dud. Her pursuit ended when she broke contact. From 18 April 1917, she left the 6th for the 4th Flotilla at Devonport for escort duties until November 1918. Laid up in reserve at the Nore from March 1919, she was sold for scrap to Thos. W. Ward, 9 May 1921.

HMS Landrail

Ordered as HMS Hotspur at Yarrow she was laid down on 24 July 1912, launched on 7 February 1914 and completed in June 1914. Like the rest she as in the 3rd Flotilla, Harwich Force, southern North Sea and on 5 August 1914, she took par tin the hunt for Königin Luise. On 28 August she was part of the raid towards Heligoland in the 2nd Division and took part in torpedo attacks on Strassburg and Mainz, claiming one hit on Mainz. On 24 October she escorted the seaplane carriers Engadine and Empress for the raid at Cuxhaven but the mission was abandoned due to poor weather. On 23 January 1915 she assisted Admiral Beatty, as part of the 1st Division in the Battle of Dogger Bank, but the M class were fasted and left them behind.
On 30 January 1915 she was detached to hunt U-21 in the Irish Channel. By 15 February Landrail was sent to a refit in Glasgow. On 23 March she escorted the carrier Empress on an attempted raid on Norddeich (radio station). Thick fog marred the operation and she collided with the cruiser Undaunted, badly damaged, her bow smashed. She was towed stern-first by Mentor, then Aurora but the line kept failing albeit she reached Harwich for long repairs.
In July 1915 she was sent to the South West approaches, relieving the 10th Flotilla and by 8–9 August she was in a hunt off southwest Ireland for U-34 and U-35. For Jutland she was attached to Beatty’s battlecruisers, Second Battlecruiser Squadron, port side, and was engaged during the “Run to the South”, reporting a periscope and torpedo track passing underneath her (incorrect). She passed near the German battle line, but did not attack, believing these were British. On 4 August 1916 she was sent in ASW off Le Havre. On 28 September she was in recce to the Schillig Roads but the operation was cancelled due to poor weather. She was to refuel the Curtis America flying boat, but collided with and damaging its wing, making it unflyable. Later it collapsed and sank. On 12/13 December 1916, while in patrol at the Dover Strait she detected a submerging U-Boat, dropped two depth charges, credited with the kill of UB-29.
On 25 February 1917 the Flanders-based TBs raided by noght the Channel, one group being spotted off the North Foreland lighthouse and The Downs as diversion, others on the Dover Barrage or attacking shipping off the mouth of the River Maas. Landrail and others arrived too late.
Landrail joined the Dover Patrol on 15 March and on 22 May escorted the monitors Erebus, Terror and Marshal Soult trying to destroy the locks of the canal between Zeebrugge and Bruges.
On 31 May she was reassigned to the Portsmouth escort flotilla. On 7 July 1917 with Beaver, Forester and Ettrick, P22, P25, P32 and P54, she was escorting convoy HH4 off Beachy Head when a torpedo from UC-61, hit Ettrick, cut in two. Landrail was in the 1st Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth from July 1917 until January 1918, and in February to the Firth of Forth, Methil Convoy Flotilla until V-Day. She was sold for scrap at Stanlee of Dover on 1 December 1921.

HMS Lochinvar

Ordered as HMS Malice at William Beardmore & Company, Dalmuir she wa slaid down on 9 January 1915, launched on 9 October 1915 and completed by December 1915. She was assigned to the 9th DF, the Harwich Force. On 5 August she was in an ASW patrol on the Dover Barrage and also later escorted the monitors Erebus and Terror attacking the gates at Zeebrugge on 12 May and Ostend on 5 June. She was reassigned to Plymouth, 4th DF from July. After 11 November 1918 she was in reserve at Devonport, considered to be sold to the Finnish Navy but on 25 November 1921 she was sold to Hayes of Porthcawl and BU.

HMS Lassoo

Ordered as HMS Magic at Beardmore, she was laid down on 24 January 1915, launched on 24 August 1915 and completed on 11 October 1915. She was sunk by the German U-boat SM UB-10 on 13 August 1916 off the Maas lightship in the North Sea (career to come in 2026). Full logs in research.