Yarrow Later M-class destroyer

A painting of the sinking of by Charles Pears

The Yarrow Later M class were a class of seven destroyers built for the Royal Navy that saw service during World War I. They were sometimes described as the Yarrow R class of destroyers, although they lacked the geared steam turbines of their sisters. The design was based on the preceding and successful Yarrow M class with minor alterations; notably reduced beam to compensate for increased displacement and a sloping stern. They were armed with three single QF guns and four torpedo tubes for torpedoes. Three of the class were sunk during the war in enemy action, two by German U-boats and one by the German light cruisers Template:SMS and Template:SMS. Of the four that survived, two were sold to be broken up on the same day in 1926, one the following year and the last in 1939.

Design and development

As the First World War progressed, the Royal Navy required more, and more modern, warships. In July 1915 and March 1916, the British Admiralty ordered seven vessels from Yarrow Shipbuilders as part of a wider order of s.Template:Sfn The R class was generally similar to the preceding M class, but differed in, primarily, in having geared steam turbines.Template:Sfn The Yarrow-built ships differed in retaining the direct drive turbines of the M class and are therefore often called the Yarrow Later M class as well as the Yarrow R class.Template:Sfn They were similar to the preceding but distinguished by their greater tonnage, narrower beam and sloping sterns.Template:Sfn

The destroyers had a length of overall, with a beam of and draught of . Displacement was light and normal. Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding Parsons direct-drive steam turbines rated at . The turbines drove two shafts and exhausted through two funnels. Design speed was .Template:Sfn The destroyers carried between of fuel oil that gave a design range of at .Template:Sfn They had a complement of 82 officers and ratings.Template:Sfn

The ships had a main armament consisting of three single QF Mk IV guns on the centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft and one between the middle and aft funnels. Torpedo armament consisted of two twin torpedo tubes for torpedoes located aft of the funnels. A 2-pounder "pom-pom" anti-aircraft gun was carried.Template:Sfn The destroyers were also fitted with racks and storage for depth charges.Template:Sfn Initially, only two depth charges were carried but the number increased in service and by 1918, the vessels still in service were carrying between 30 and 50 depth charges.Template:Sfn

Ships

Four vessels were ordered in July 1915:Template:Sfn

• – Laid down August 1915, launched 24 July 1916, completed September 1916.Template:Sfn Sold for breaking up 5 November 1926.Template:Sfn
• – Launched 30 September 1916 and completed late 1916.Template:Sfn Sunk by gunfire from German light cruisers Template:SMS and Template:SMS off Norway, 17 October 1917.Template:Sfn
• – Launched 25 November 1916 and completed 1916, torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat off Maas light ship on night of 22 December/23 December 1917.Template:Sfn
• – Laid down August 1915, launched 5 February 1917, completed February 1917.Template:Sfn Sold for breaking up 5 November 1926.Template:Sfn

Three vessels were ordered in March 1916:Template:Sfn

• – Laid down March 1916, launched 24 March 1917, completed May 1917.Template:Sfn Sold for breaking up 29 April 1927.Template:Sfn
• – Laid down March 1916, launched 19 May 1917, completed July 1917.Template:Sfn Sold for breaking up 15 January 1939.Template:Sfn
• – Launched 4 August 1917 and completed 1917, torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat UC-17 off Dutch coast 15 August 1918.Template:Sfn