HMS Sable (1916)

Ordered in July 1915, Sable was laid down by J. Samuel White at East Cowes on the Isle of Wight with the yard number 1477, and launched on 28 June the following year.^[6] The vessel was the first of the name, recalling the species of Marten.^[7] The destroyer was completed on 30 November 1916 and was deployed as part of the Grand Fleet, joining the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla, remaining until the end of the war.^[8][9][10]

The destroyer was soon on active service and, on 29 January 1917, joined a flotilla led by leader Grenville that sought to engage German destroyers in a sweep of the English Channel.^[11] On 12 February, four German large torpedo boats attacked the regular convoy between Britain and Norway, overwhelming the escort of two destroyers (Partridge and Pellew) and four naval trawlers. All the escort except Pellew were sunk, as were all six merchant ships.^[12][13] Sable picked up survivors from one of the trawlers, Commander Fullerton, later that day.^[14] On 14 April, the destroyer formed part of the escort for RMS Olympic, which transported Arthur Balfour on a mission to the US to procure additional destroyers for the fleet. The mission encountered heavy seas that caused substantial damage, but was a success.^[15] The ship later undertook anti-submarine patrols.^[16] Also during the year, the ship collided with sister ship Salmon, sustaining damage to the bridge.^[17] Both ships made it successfully back to port.^[18]

After the Armistice, Sable helped to escort the surrendered German fleet to its internment and subsequent scuttling at Scapa Flow.^[4] The vessel was then allocated to the torpedo school at Portsmouth attached to Vernon.^[19] During 1919, the ship was moved to Plymouth and reduced to reserve.^[20] On 28 July 1921, the destroyer was moved to Portland.^[21] However, in 1923, the Navy decided to scrap many of the older destroyers in preparation for the introduction of newer and larger vessels.^[22] Sable was one of the destroyers chosen for retirement.^[23] During August 1927, Sable was sold to Hughes Bolckow of Blyth, Northumberland and subsequently broken up.^[24] The name was subsequently taken in 1933 by the very Salmon that had collided with the destroyer earlier in her career.^[7]

• Bush, Steve; Warlow, Ben (2021). Pendant Numbers of the Royal Navy: A Complete History of the Allocation of Pendant Numbers to Royal Navy Warships & Auxiliaries. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-526793-78-2.
• Colledge, J.J.; Warlow, Ben (2010). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy. Haverhill: Casemate. ISBN 978-1-93514-907-1.
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• Dawson, Lionel (1935). Flotillas: A Hard-Lying Story. London: Rich & Cowan Ltd. OCLC 38668304.
• Hurd, Archibald (1929). The Merchant Navy Vol. III. History of the Great War. London: John Murray.
• Kemp, Paul K. (1956). Destroyer. London: Herbert Jenkins. OCLC 464448265.
• Manning, Thomas Davys; Walker, Charles Frederick (1959). British Warship Names. London: Putnam. OCLC 780274698.
• Monograph No. 34: Home Waters Part XIX: December 1916 to April1917. Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). Vol. XIX. Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1933.
• Monograph No. 35: Home Waters Part IX: 1st May 1917 to 31st July 1917. Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). Vol. IX. Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division. 1939.
• Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations Vol. V. History of the Great War. London: Longmans, Green and Co.
• Parkes, Oscar; Prendergast, Maurice (1969). Jane's Fighting Ships 1919. Newton Abbott: David & Charles. OCLC 907574860.
• Preston, Antony (1985). "Great Britain and Empire Forces". In Gardiner, Robert; Gray, Randal (eds.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 1–104. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.
• Williams, David L.; Sprake, Raymond F. (1993). White's of Cowes : "White's-built, well-built!". Peterborough: Silver Link. ISBN 978-1-85794-011-4.