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THE FLEETS AT WAR
THE FLEETS AT WAR
The Daily Telegraph WAR BOOKS CLOTH 1/- NET. VOL. I. (3rd Enormous Edition.) HOW THE WAR BEGAN By W. L. COURTNEY, LL.D., and J. M. KENNEDY Is Britain’s justification before the Bar of History. VOL. II. THE FLEETS AT WAR By ARCHIBALD HURD , The key book to the understanding of the NAVAL situation VOL. III. THE CAMPAIGN OF SEDAN By GEORGE HOOPER The key book to the MILITARY situation. VOL. IV. THE CAMPAIGN ROUND LIEGE ¶ Describes in wonderful detail the heroic defence of Li
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PREFACE
PREFACE
It is hoped that this volume will prove of permanent value as presenting a conspectus of the great navies engaged in war when hostilities opened, and in particular of the events of singular significance in the naval contest between Great Britain and Germany which occurred in the years immediately preceding the war. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Mr. H. C. Bywater for valuable assistance in preparing this volume. A. H. Large map (550 kB)....
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INTRODUCTION THE OPENING PHASE Peaceful Victories of British Sea Power
INTRODUCTION THE OPENING PHASE Peaceful Victories of British Sea Power
The declaration of war against Germany, followed as it was by similar action against Austria-Hungary, was preceded by a sequence of events so remarkable in their character that if any British writer had made any such forecast in times of peace he would have been written down as a romantic optimist. Owing to a series of fortunate circumstances, the British Fleet—our main line of defence and offence—was fully mobilised for war on the morning before the day—August 4th at 11 p.m.—when war was declar
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CHAPTER I The Relative Standing of the British and German Fleets
CHAPTER I The Relative Standing of the British and German Fleets
The relative strength of the British and German navies at the moment when war was declared is of historical interest. The appended particulars have been prepared from “Fighting Ships, 1914,” and brought up-to-date by the inclusion of the two Turkish battleships and the two Chilian destroyer leaders, which were purchased on the outbreak of hostilities by the British Government. British Navy. It need hardly be added that a number of these vessels—including the two Pre-Dreadnought battleships “Swif
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BRITISH BATTLESHIPS DREADNOUGHTS
BRITISH BATTLESHIPS DREADNOUGHTS
These fine ships are the very latest additions to the British battle-fleet. The displacement is 25,000 tons, but with a full supply of coal, ammunition, and stores on board the actual figure is nearly 27,000 tons. The length over all is 645 ft., the maximum breadth is 89 1 ⁄ 2 ft., and under normal conditions the ship draws 28 ft. of water. Parsons’ turbines, designed for 29,000 h.p., give a speed of 21 knots, which was exceeded by over one knot on trial. An extremely powerful armament is carrie
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BATTLE CRUISERS
BATTLE CRUISERS
This is the largest battle cruiser in the British Navy. She was built at Clydebank, and was approaching completion at the outbreak of war. The displacement is 28,000 tons, length 660 ft., and Parsons’ turbines of 100,000 h.p. give a speed of at least 28 knots. Her armament comprises eight 13·5-in., twelve 6-in., and some smaller guns, with three torpedo tubes. The big guns are in double turrets on the centre-line, and all can be fired on either broadside. The 6-in. guns are mounted in an armoure
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PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.
PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.
The King Edward class is considered to be the finest homogeneous group of pre-Dreadnought battleships in the world. The displacement is 16,350 tons, length 425 ft., and engines of 18,000 h.p. give a speed of over 19 knots. The armament consists of four 12-in., four 9·2-in., ten 6-in., twelve 12-pounder, and twelve 3-pounder guns, with four torpedo tubes. All eight big guns are mounted in armoured turrets, the 6-in. weapons being in a box battery. Broadside fire is from four 12-in., two 9·2-in.,
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ARMOURED CRUISERS
ARMOURED CRUISERS
These vessels are armoured cruisers of 14,600 tons, 490 ft. in length, and have engines of 27,000 h.p., giving a speed of 23 knots. They carry a very powerful armament, consisting of four 9·2-in., ten 7·5-in., and sixteen 12-pounder guns. The 9·2-in. and 7·5-in. guns are in armoured turrets, the four first named being mounted in pairs, the 7·5 in. singly. Protection is afforded by a 6-in. belt amidships, with 8-in. armour on the 9·2-in. turrets, and 6-in. armour on the smaller turrets. The maxim
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PROTECTED CRUISERS (With protective decks instead of armoured belts.)
PROTECTED CRUISERS (With protective decks instead of armoured belts.)
These vessels are the oldest cruisers we possess, displacing 7,350 tons, and having a speed of 19 1 ⁄ 2 knots. They are armed with two 9·2-in., ten 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. Coal capacity, 1,250 tons. Complement, 544 officers and men. Cost over £400,000. This class displaces 7,700 tons, and has a speed of 19 1 ⁄ 2 knots. The armament is one 9·2-in., twelve 6-in., and seventeen smaller guns, with two torpedo tubes. There is a steel deck over engines and boilers. C
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DESTROYERS.
DESTROYERS.
These are among the very latest destroyers. They were launched in 1913, and have a displacement of 965 tons. The designed speed is 29 knots, which was exceeded on trial. They consume oil fuel only. The armament consists of three 4-in. guns and four torpedo tubes, and they carry 100 officers and men. These destroyers were built under the 1911 programme. The displacement is 935 tons, and they can steam at more than 30 knots. The armament is three 4-in. guns and two torpedo tubes. Oil fuel only is
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FLOTILLA LEADERS. (Completed 1914.)
FLOTILLA LEADERS. (Completed 1914.)
These two large destroyers were ordered by the Chilian Government from Messrs. White & Co., and purchased by the British Admiralty on the outbreak of war. The displacement is 1,850 tons, speed more than 31 knots, and the armament consists of six 4-in. quick-firers, two Maxims, and three torpedo tubes. The complement is about 110 officers and men....
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SUBMARINES.
SUBMARINES.
“A” CLASS.—These submarines are the oldest in commission. The displacement is 204 tons, and on the surface they can travel at 12 knots, below water at 9 knots. They are armed with two torpedo tubes. Complement: 11 officers and men. “B” CLASS.—These boats displace 314 tons, and have a surface and submerged speed of 13 and 9 knots respectively. They are armed with two torpedo tubes. Sixteen officers and men are carried. “C” CLASS.—This class has a displacement of about 320 tons. Above water their
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GERMAN BATTLESHIPS. DREADNOUGHTS.
GERMAN BATTLESHIPS. DREADNOUGHTS.
The “König” class, to which these vessels belong, are the last battleships to carry the 12-in. gun, as the battleships laid down since are to be armed with 15-in. weapons. The “Königs” are considered by German experts to be very successful ships. The displacement is 25,500 tons, the length on the water-line 574 ft., and the engines are intended to develop 28,000 s.h.p. = 20 1 ⁄ 2 knots. The normal coal supply is 1,000 tons, but, if necessary, no fewer than 3,600 tons of fuel, including oil, can
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BATTLE-CRUISERS.
BATTLE-CRUISERS.
The “Derfflinger” is Germany’s newest battle-cruiser. Laid down at the end of 1911 at Hamburg, she was intended to be launched on June 14th last year, but, owing to a mishap to the slipway, she did not go afloat until a fortnight later. She was performing her trials when war broke out, but was then no doubt hurriedly completed and placed in commission. Her displacement is 26,200 tons, and she has a length on the waterline of 689-ft., with a maximum breadth of 95-ft. High speed and great fuel end
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PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.
PRE-DREADNOUGHTS.
The main characteristics of the “Deutschland” class, to which these vessels belong, are as follow: Displacement, 13,000 tons; speed, 19 1 ⁄ 2 knots; armament, four 11-in., fourteen 6·7-in., twenty 21-pounder guns, and six submerged torpedo tubes. The armour belt is 9 3 ⁄ 4 in. at its thickest, with 11-in. armour on the turrets. The 6·7-in. guns are in a broadside battery, protected by 6 3 ⁄ 4 -in. plates. VICE-ADMIRAL INGENOHL. Commander-in-Chief, German High Seas Fleet. These are popular ships
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COAST DEFENCE SHIPS. (Completed 1890-7.)
COAST DEFENCE SHIPS. (Completed 1890-7.)
These vessels comprise the very oldest class of German armoured ships, and are used only for the local defence of harbours and coasts. The displacement is 4,000 tons. The speed originally was 15 knots, but is now considerably less. The armament consists of three old 9·4-in. and ten 21-pounder guns, with four torpedo tubes. A narrow belt of 9-in. armour protects the waterline, but elsewhere the hull has very little protection. The complement numbers 307 officers and men....
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GERMAN ARMOURED CRUISERS.
GERMAN ARMOURED CRUISERS.
The “Blücher” is the most modern of Germany’s armoured cruisers, as distinct from the battle-cruiser class. She was laid down in 1906, at Kiel, as a “reply” to the British “Invincibles,” then building. At that date the details of the new British ships were carefully guarded, with the result that the Germans, acting on incorrect information, designed a cruiser which was far behind the “Invincible” in every respect. The Blücher displaces 15,550 tons, and is 527-ft. in length. She has reciprocating
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PROTECTED CRUISERS.
PROTECTED CRUISERS.
This is the oldest German protected cruiser in service. Launched in 1892, she has a displacement of 5,900 tons, and a speed of 20 knots. She is armed with twelve 5·9-in. quick-firing guns, and eight 21-pounders, with three torpedo tubes. There is a thick steel deck, which extends from bow to stern. The complement is 439 officers and men. These are vessels of 5,600 tons displacement, and belong to the training squadron for cadets and boys. They can steam at about 19 knots, but the small coal capa
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GUNBOATS.
GUNBOATS.
Gunboats of 1,600 tons, having a speed of 15 knots. They are armed with eight 4·1-in. quick-firing guns and two torpedo tubes. Complement: 162 officers and men. Gunboats of 880 tons, with a speed of about 14 knots, and armed with small quick-firing guns. The complement numbers 126 officers and men. Gunboats of 900 tons and 14 knots speed. They carry two 4·1-in. and some smaller guns. Complement: 130 officers and men....
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TORPEDO-BOAT DESTROYERS.
TORPEDO-BOAT DESTROYERS.
Launched 1914. Displacement 650 tons, speed 32 1 ⁄ 2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73. Launched 1913. Displacement 650 tons, speed 32 1 ⁄ 2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73. Launched 1913. Displacement 620 tons, speed 32 1 ⁄ 2 knots. Armament: Five torpedo tubes, two 21-pounder quick-firers, and four machine guns. Complement, 73. Launched 1912. Displacemen
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SUBMARINES.
SUBMARINES.
—These are the earliest German submarines, and displace about 150 to 200 tons. The speed above water does not exceed 9 knots, and two torpedo-tubes are carried. There is a crew of 11. —These boats belong to the second German type. The displacement is about 250 tons, and the surface and submerged speeds are 12 and 8 knots respectively. Three torpedo-tubes are fitted. Complement, 14 officers and men. —These boats are believed to be of about 400 tons, with a surface speed of 15 knots, and to be arm
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MINE-LAYERS.
MINE-LAYERS.
—This is the oldest German mine-layer in commission. She was launched in 1890, displaces 2,300 tons, and can steam at 15 1 ⁄ 2 knots. The armament consists of four 21-pounder quick-firing guns, and, of course, a large number of mines charged with high explosives. She is used as a sea-going training ship for mine work. The complement is 195 officers and men. —This ship was specially built for mine-laying work, and was launched in 1906. Her displacement is 1,935 tons, the designed speed 20 knots.
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CHAPTER IV Admiral Sir John Jellicoe
CHAPTER IV Admiral Sir John Jellicoe
Immediately the Home Fleets had been mobilised the Admiralty issued the following announcement: With the approval of his Majesty the King, Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., has assumed supreme command of the Home Fleets, with the acting rank of Admiral, and Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden, C.V.O., has been appointed to be his Chief of the Staff. His Majesty immediately sent an inspiring message to Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, as representing the whole Navy, and it was communicated to
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CHAPTER V Officers and Men of the British Navy
CHAPTER V Officers and Men of the British Navy
From the current Navy Estimates the following particulars are taken of the number of officers and men voted in 1914-15 for the naval service. First the strength of the Reserves is given, then the number of active service ratings and lastly the aggregate mobilised for war: [6] Includes 300 South African Division. [7] 1,562 Ranks and Ratings on the Active List. Royal Fleet Reserve Men and Pensioners have been lent for service under Colonial and Foreign Governments. When war was declared there was
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CHAPTER VI The Commander-in-Chief of the German Fleet
CHAPTER VI The Commander-in-Chief of the German Fleet
There is a certain parallel between the circumstances which have brought the commanders-in-chief of the British and German battle fleets into the positions they respectively hold to-day. Just as Admiral Sir John Jellicoe was long since “ear-marked” for the supreme command of the Home Fleets, so was Admiral Friedrich von Ingenohl selected for the control of the German High Seas Fleet years before his appointment was actually gazetted. The German commander-in-chief, whose flag now flies in the Dre
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CHAPTER VII Officers and Men of the Foreign Navies
CHAPTER VII Officers and Men of the Foreign Navies
PERSONNEL OF THE NAVIES [8] Including 7,726 “Seamen Artillerists” and “Marines” who do not serve at sea. NOTES TO PERSONNEL STATISTICS GERMANY.—The Imperial German Navy is manned largely by conscription. About 25 per cent. of the non-commissioned personnel consists, however, of volunteers, or long-service men, who have made the Navy their profession. These “professionals,” as they are called, are the backbone of the fleet. They fill all the really important posts, such as that of gun-captain, gu
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KIEL
KIEL
Kiel, in spite of the growing importance of Wilhelmshaven, still retains its position as Germany’s premier “Reichskriegshafen,” or Imperial War Port. Its superb harbour, and the international regatta, known as the “Kieler Woche,” which is held each June, have made Kiel one of the best known ports of Europe. This year’s regatta, it will be remembered, was rendered memorable by the presence of the British Second Battle Squadron and some of our light cruisers. The Imperial Dockyard at Kiel is said
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HELIGOLAND.
HELIGOLAND.
Heligoland is the most remarkable of Germany’s naval strongholds. This island, it will be remembered, was ceded to Germany by us in 1890. At that date the sea had made such inroads on the soft cliffs that the complete disappearance of Heligoland at no very distant date was freely predicted. With characteristic thoroughness the Germans took measures to preserve their new acquisition. Immensely strong breakwaters and sea-walls were built all round the coast, but violent gales demolished much of th
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BORKUM.
BORKUM.
The island of Borkum came into prominence a few years ago as the result of an alleged case of espionage, in which two young British naval officers were concerned. Borkum is the first German island of the Frisian group. It commands the approach to the Ems, and would offer a convenient point d’appui for naval operations against the German coast. This, apparently, explains why it has been strongly fortified by the Germans. Its guns are said to be numerous, and are well placed among the lofty sand d
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EMDEN.
EMDEN.
Emden, the southernmost port of Germany on the North Sea, has of late years acquired considerable naval importance. There have been frequent reports of the pending establishment of a State dockyard there, in connection with the Ems-Jade canal, which was to be deepened sufficiently to allow fairly large warships to traverse it. So far, however, this project has not been carried out. Two years ago Emden became a mine station, and the headquarters of the “Arkona,” a light cruiser converted into a m
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WILHELMSHAVEN.
WILHELMSHAVEN.
Wilhelmshaven ranks officially as Germany’s second war harbour, though its strategical position makes it, in fact, the principal base of a German fleet operating in the North Sea. It began its career as a naval station as late as 1869, since when enormous sums of money and infinite labour have been expended on its development. In area the dockyard is almost four times as large as that of Kiel, and it is even more modern in equipment. It contains a bewildering number of docks and basins, together
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CUXHAVEN
CUXHAVEN
Cuxhaven has lately become an important German naval base. Situated as it is at the extreme entrance of the Elbe estuary, it commands the approach to the great commercial port of Hamburg, seventy miles up the river. Cuxhaven has no dockyard of its own, but it possesses a harbour large enough to accommodate great ships of war, and certain facilities for carrying out repairs are provided by the depot of the Hamburg-Amerika Line, of which it is the headquarters. A mile or two west of the harbour ar
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BRUNSBÜTTEL.
BRUNSBÜTTEL.
Brunsbüttel is the western terminus of the Baltic-North Sea canal. It is situated about ten miles up the River Elbe, on the Schleswig-Holstein shore. Some batteries are believed to exist at this point, armed with guns powerful enough to repel torpedo craft, but the real defences of the canal locks are the forts at Cuxhaven, at the mouth of the river. The widening of the canal, which is now practically completed, necessitated the construction of new locks on a gigantic scale at each end. Those at
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CHAPTER IX The Kiel Canal
CHAPTER IX The Kiel Canal
Although it is a generally accepted fact that the Kiel Canal forms one of Germany’s most valuable naval bases, it is just possible that its value in war will be found to be greatly overrated. There is no question that the size of the locks and the depth of the canal, viz., 36 ft., will allow battleships of the greatest draught to pass through; but, to make the point clear, it is necessary to consider the nature of the navigable channels leading to both the Baltic and the Elbe entrances to this g
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THE BRITISH NAVY.
THE BRITISH NAVY.
[9-13] Not yet completed, but due for completion 1914-15. [14] Ex-Turkish Osman Birindieh . [15] Ex-Turkish Reshadieh . Note to Armour details: am. = amidships, f. = forward, a. = aft, P.D. = protective deck, C.T. = conning-tower. [16, 17] Crescent and Royal Arthur displace 7,700 tons and have one 9·2-in. and twelve 6-in. guns. [18] Date of completion uncertain. [19] Sunk by German Mine, August 6th, 1914. [20, 21] Bellona and Boadicea carry only six 6-in. guns. “M” Class (1913-14) (Displacement,
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THE GERMAN NAVY.
THE GERMAN NAVY.
[22, 23] To be completed 1916. [24] To be completed 1915. Note to Armour. —am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = Protective decks; C.T. = conning tower. [25] To be completed 1916. [26] To be completed 1917. [27] To be completed 1915. Note to Armour. —am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = Protective decks; C.T. = conning tower. Note to Armour. —am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = protective deck; C.T. = conning tower. [28, 29] To be completed 1915. 12 Boats, S 31-3
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THE FRENCH NAVY
THE FRENCH NAVY
Note to Armour.—am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = protective deck; C.T. = conning tower. Protected Cruisers : D’Entrecasteaŭx (completed 1898), 7,990 tons, 19 1 ⁄ 2 knots, armament: 2-9·4 in., 12-5·5 in., 16 smaller, 6 torpedo tubes. Gŭichen (1902), 8,150 tons, 23 knots, 2-6·4 in., 6-5·5 in., 15 smaller, 2 torpedo tubes. Jurien de la Gravière (1901), 5,590 tons, 22 knots, 8-6·4 in., 10 smaller, 2 torpedo tubes. D’Estrées (1900) 2,421 tons, 20 1 ⁄ 2 knots, 2-5·5 in., 4-3·9 in., 3 to
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THE RUSSIAN NAVY
THE RUSSIAN NAVY
[30-34] All these ships are in the Black Sea. Note to Armour.—am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = protective deck; C.T. = conning tower. Protected Cruisers : Askold (completed 1901), 5,905 tons, 23 knots, armament: 12-6 in., 26 smaller guns, 6 torpedo tubes. Diana and Aurora (1902), 6,700 tons, 20 knots, armament: 8-6 in., 30 smaller guns, 4 torpedo tubes. Oleg, Kagul [35] , Pamyat Merkurya , [36] (1904-05), 6,645 tons, 24 knots, 12-6 in., 26 smaller guns, 2 torpedo tubes. Zemtchug (
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THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY.
THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY.
Note to Armour.—am. = amidships; f. = forward; a. = aft; P.D. = protective deck; C.T. = conning tower. Cruisers : Sankt Georg (1906), 7,180 tons, 21 knots, armour belt 6 1 ⁄ 2 -in., armament: 2-9·4 in., 5-7·6 in., 4-6 in., 17 smaller, 2 torpedo tubes. Kaiser Karl VI. (1900), 6,150 tons, 20 knots, armour belt 8 1 ⁄ 2 in., armament: 2-9·4 in., 8-6 in., 28 smaller, 2 torpedo tubes. Kaiserin Maria Theresa (1895), 5,185 tons, 19 knots, armour belt 4-in., armament: 2-7·6 in., 8-6 in., 20 smaller, 4 to
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British and German Naval Guns
British and German Naval Guns
Wyman & Sons Ltd., Printers, London and Reading....
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