HMS Magic (1915)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
_IWM_SP_809.jpg) Sistership HMS Marmion | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Magic |
| Ordered | September 1914 |
| Builder | J. Samuel White, East Cowes |
| Yard number | 977 |
| Laid down | 1 January 1915 |
| Launched | 10 September 1915 |
| Commissioned | 8 January 1916 |
| Out of service | 22 September 1921 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Admiralty M-class destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 265 ft (80.8 m) (p.p.) |
| Beam | 26 ft 9 in (8.2 m) |
| Draught | 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m) |
| Installed power | 3 White-Forster boilers, 25,000 shp (19,000 kW) |
| Propulsion | Parsons steam turbines, 3 shafts |
| Speed | 34 knots (39.1 mph; 63.0 km/h) |
| Range | 2,280 nmi (4,220 km) at 17 kn (31 km/h) |
| Complement | 80 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Magic was an Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the previous L class, capable of higher speed. Originally laid down as HMS Marigold by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the vessel was renamed before being launched in 1915. The ship served during the War as part of the Grand Fleet, mainly on anti-submarine and convoy escort duties from the port of Queenstown. In 1917, the destroyer took part in the Battle of Jutland and was one of a small number of British vessels that attacked the German fleet with torpedoes, although both torpedoes missed. In 1918, the ship struck a mine of the coast of Ireland and, although the damage was repaired, 25 people died. After the War, the destroyer was placed in reserve and decommissioned, being sold to be broken up in 1921.
Magic was one of sixteen Admiralty M-class destroyer destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in September 1914 as part of the First War Construction Programme.[1] The M class was an improved version of the earlier L-class destroyers, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) and, although the eventual design did not achieve this, the greater performance was appreciated by the navy. It transpired that the German ships did not exist.[2]
The destroyer had a length of 265 feet (80.8 m) between perpendiculars and 273 feet 4 inches (83 m) overall, with a beam of 26 feet 9 inches (8.2 m) and a draught of 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 m) at deep load. Displacement was 1,025 long tons (1,041 t) normal and 1,250 long tons (1,270 t) deep load.[1][3] Power was provided by three White-Forster boilers feeding Parsons steam turbines rated at 25,000 shaft horsepower (19,000 kW) and driving three shafts, to give a design speed of 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph).[3] Three funnels were fitted.[4] A total of 268 long tons (272 t) of oil could be carried, including 40 long tons (41 t) in peace tanks that were not used in wartime, giving a range of 2,280 nautical miles (4,220 km; 2,620 mi) at 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph).[5]
Armament consisted of three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mk IV guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the middle and aft funnels on a bandstand. Torpedo armament consisted of two twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes.[6][7] A single QF 2-pounder 40 mm (1.6 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun was mounted between the torpedo tubes.[4][8] After February 1916, for anti-submarine warfare, Magic was equipped with two chutes for depth charges and a paravane.[9] The number of depth charges carried increased as the war progressed.[10] The ship had a complement of 80 officers and ratings.[3]
