HMS Onslow (1916)


HMS Onslow was an built for the Royal Navy during the First World War. She took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916 and was sold for scrap in 1921.

Description

The Admiralty M class were improved and faster versions of the preceding. They displaced. The ships had an overall length of, a beam of and a draught of. They were powered by three Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers. The turbines developed a total of and gave a maximum speed of. The ships carried a maximum of of fuel oil that gave them a range of at. The ships' complement was 76 officers and ratings.
The ships were armed with three single QF Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above water twin mounts for torpedoes.

Construction and service

Onslow was ordered under the Third War Programme in November 1914 and built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company at Govan. The ship was launched on 15 February 1916 and completed in April 1916. Her first commander was John Tovey,.
On 24 April 1916, the Easter Rising against British rule broke out in Ireland. Two infantry brigades were ordered from Liverpool to Dublin to reinforce the British forces, with Onslow escorting the transports carrying these troops. She saw action at the Battle of Jutland and was badly damaged, with her speed reduced to. Tovey pressed home the attack against first a cruiser and then a line of battlecruisers. Onslow was brought back to Aberdeen despite the damage, having been towed out of action by the destroyer, under heavy fire. The report on the battle by Admiral Beatty stated that:
Both officers were awarded DSOs.
Onslow was sold for breaking up on 26 October 1921.