HMS Obedient (1916)
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_RMG_N02472.jpg) Sister ship HMS Orpheus in 1918 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Obedient |
| Ordered | November 1914 |
| Builder | Scotts of Greenock |
| Yard number | 464 |
| Launched | 6 November 1915 |
| Completed | February 1916 |
| Out of service | 25 November 1921 |
| Fate | Sold to be broken up |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Admiralty M-class destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 265 ft (81 m) (p.p) |
| Beam | 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m) |
| Draught | 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m) |
| Installed power | 3 Yarrow boilers, 25,000 shp (19,000 kW) |
| Propulsion | Parsons steam turbines, 3 shafts |
| Speed | 34 knots (63.0 km/h; 39.1 mph) |
| Range | 3,450 nmi (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 76 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Obedient was a Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during the First World War. The M class were an improvement on the preceding L class, capable of higher speed. Launched in 1915, the destroyer served with the Grand Fleet during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, helping sink the torpedo boat V48 and narrowiy missing the German battleships as they withdrew. Subsequently, Obedient took part in anti-submarine patrols, attacking U-70 in 1917. The conditions of service meant that the destroyer was soon worn out and, after the armistice that ended the war in 1918, Obedient was placed in reserve. Despite a service life of only five years, the vessel was decommissioned and, in 1921, sold to be broken up.
Obedient was one of twenty-two Repeat Admiralty M-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in November 1914 as part of the Third 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 design was to achieve a speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph), although the destroyers did not achieve this in service. It transpired that the German ships did not exist but the greater performance was appreciated by the navy.[2] The Repeat M class differed from the prewar vessels in having design improvements based on wartime experience.[3]
The destroyer was 265 feet (81 m) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 26 ft 8 in (8.13 m) and a draught of 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m).[4] Displacement was 950 long tons (970 t) normal and 1,123 long tons (1,141 t) full load.[5] Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding Parsons steam turbines rated at 25,000 shaft horsepower (19,000 kW) and driving three shafts.[6] Three funnels were fitted and 296 long tons (301 t) of oil was carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[7] The ship had a complement of 80 officers and ratings.[8]
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. A single QF 2-pounder 40 mm (1.6 in) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun was carried, while torpedo armament consisted of two twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes.[9] To combat submarines, the destroyer was fitted with racks and storage for depth charges.[10] Initially, only two depth charges were carried but the number increased in service and by 1918, the vessel was carrying between 30 and 50 depth charges.[11]
