HMS Romola (1916)

HMS Romola was an R-class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy during World War I. Launched on 14 May 1916, the ship operated as part of the Grand Fleet, operating as part of a destroyer flotilla. After the conflict, the destroyer was held in reserve until being retired and sold to be broken up on 13 March 1930.

HMS Romola with two other R-class destroyers
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Romola
Builder: John Brown & Company, Clydebank
Yard number: 449
Laid down: 25 August 1915
Launched: 14 May 1916
Commissioned: 17 August 1916
Decommissioned: 13 March 1930
Fate: Broken up
General characteristics
Class and type: R-class destroyer
Displacement:
  • 975 long tons (991 t) normal
  • 1,173 long tons (1,192 t) deep load
Length: 265 ft (80.8 m) p.p.
Beam: 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m)
Draught: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
Propulsion:
  • 3 Yarrow boilers
  • 2 geared Brown-Curtis steam turbines, 27,000 shp (20,000 kW)
Speed: 36 knots (41.4 mph; 66.7 km/h)
Range: 3,450 nmi (6,390 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement: 82
Armament:
  • 3 × QF 4-inch (101.6 mm) Mark IV guns, mounting P Mk. IX
  • 1 × single 2-pounder (40-mm) "pom-pom" Mk. II anti-aircraft gun
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (2×2)

Design and development
Main article: R-class destroyer

Romola was one of seventeen R-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in July 1915 as part of the Sixth War Construction Programme.[1] A development of the preceding M-class, the design differed primarily in utilising geared turbines to improve fuel consumption. Comparative trials with Norman showed a 15% saving in fuel at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) and 28% at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[2]

The destroyer was 265 feet (80.77 m) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 26 feet 9 inches (8.15 m) and a draught of 9 feet 10 inches (3.00 m).[3] Displacement was 975 long tons (991 t) normal and 1,173 long tons (1,192 t) deep load.[4] Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding two Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines rated at 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) and driving two shafts, to give a design speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).[5] Three funnels were fitted. 296 long tons (301 t) of oil were carried, giving a design range of 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km; 3,970 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[5] The ship had a complement of 82 officers and ratings.[3]

Armament consisted of three 4 in (100 mm) Mk IV QF guns on the ship's centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the second and third funnels.[3] A single 2-pounder (40 mm) pom-pom anti-aircraft gun was carried, while torpedo armament consisted of two twin mounts for 21 in (533 mm) torpedoes. [5] Fire control included a single Dumaresq and a Vickers range clock.[6]

Construction and career

Romola was laid down by John Brown & Company at Clydebank on the River Clyde in 25 August 1915 and launched in 14 May 1916, leaving the yard on 17 August that year. The destroyer was allocated the yard number 449.[7] The build took 263 days and fitting out 96 days, the latter the longest of any of the class constructed at the yard.[8] Despite that, Romola was the first of the order to enter service.[1]

On commissioning, Romola joined the 11th Destroyer Flotilla of the Grand Fleet.[9] On 24 April 1918 the Flotilla was called to intercept the High Seas Fleet on what was to prove the last major expedition by the German Navy during the War.[10]

After the War, Romola was sent to Gibraltar along with sistership Rowena, arriving on 8 May 1920.[11] The destroyer was subsequently recommissioned at Devonport and held in reserve.[12] On 13 March 1930, the vessel was sold to King of Troon and broken up.[13]

Pennant numbers
Pennant Number Date
G831916[14]
G181918[14]
G151918[14]
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References

Citations
  1. Friedman 2009, p. 310.
  2. Brown 2007, p. 16.
  3. Parkes & Prendegast 1919, p. 107.
  4. McCaid, John (2012). "Romola 1916 HMS – Destroyer". Clydemarine. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  5. Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 81.
  6. "Fire Control in H.M. Ships". The Technical History and Index: Alteration in Armaments of H.M. Ships during the War. 3 (23): 31. 1919.
  7. Johnston 2014, p. 198.
  8. Johnston 2014, p. 14.
  9. "Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet". The Navy List: 13. July 1917. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  10. Newbolt 1931, pp. 237–238.
  11. "Movements of Ships". The Times. 11 May 1920. p. 21.
  12. "Vessels under the V.A.C. Reserve Fleet: Devonport". The Navy List: 265. February 1929.
  13. Colledge & Warlow 2010, p. 344.
  14. Dittmar & Colledge 1972, p. 70.

Bibliography
  • Brown, David K. (2007). Atlantic Escorts: Ships, Weapons & Tactics in World War II. Barnsley: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-78346-901-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2010). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy. Havertown: Casemate. ISBN 978-1-93514-907-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. Shepperton: Ian Allan. ISBN 978-0-71100-380-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-049-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Friedman, Norman (2012). British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War & After. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-015-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 978-0-85177-245-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Hackmann, Willem (1984). Seek & Strike: Sonar, Anti-Submarine Warfare and the Royal Navy 1914-54. London: HMSO. ISBN 978-0-11290-423-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Johnston, Ian (2014). A Shipyard at War: Unseen Photographs of John Brown & Co. Ltd, Clydebank, 1914-18. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-216-5.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations: Vol. V. History of the Great War. London: Longmans, Green and Co.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Parkes, Oscar; Prendegast, Maurice (1919). Jane’s Fighting Ships. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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