HMS Lennox (1914)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Lennox.
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Lennox
Builder: William Beardmore and Company
Launched: 2 March 1914
Fate: Sold and broken up October 1921
General characteristics
Class and type: Laforey-class destroyer
Displacement: 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Length: 268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a
Beam: 27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power:
Propulsion: 2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines
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)
Complement: 74
Armament:

HMS Lennox was a Laforey-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s.

Description

The Laforey class were improved and faster versions of the preceding Acasta class.[1] They displaced 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t). The ships had an overall length of 268 feet 10 inches (81.9 m), a beam of 27 feet 8 inches (8.4 m) and a draught of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m). Lennox was powered by two Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.[2] The turbines developed a total of 24,500 shaft horsepower (18,300 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 280 long tons (280 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km; 2,010 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships' complement was 74 officers and ratings.[3]

The ships were armed with three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used.[3]

Construction and service

Headstone in Cowley, Oxfordshire of H Herbert, Officer's Steward First Class, who served on Lennox and died a week before the Armistice of 11 November 1918

Lennox was laid down as Portia before being renamed. She was constructed by William Beardmore and Company and launched on 2 March 1914. Lennox was designed to operate in British coastal waters against enemy surface and submarine shipping. She was attached to the Harwich Force and served in the North Sea. Lennox saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel. On 6 May 1916, Lennox accidentally collided with HMS Ben-my-Chree, a seaplane carrier. Damage was insignificant for both ships, however.[4]

Notes

  1. Friedman, p. 129
  2. Gardiner & Gray, p. 76
  3. 1 2 Friedman, p. 296
  4. Caruna, "et al"

Bibliography

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