The Ships

Ship Name

Type and class, main characteristics, WW1 Battle Honours, Fate including links to any Battle Honours, World War 1 fates, and World War 2 service.

 Also images of various aspects of naval life at sea and ashore

Logbook periods covered and main locations including links to any contemporary accounts

Images, click for enlargements. Most images are taken, with permission, from Internet sites (for which our thanks)..

 Most of the photographs of hired vessels e.g. armed merchant cruisers, commissioned escort ships, are as they appeared in civilian service. Hence SS for Steamship. In some cases it is uncertain if the photograph is of an earlier or later ship with the same name - in this case a qualification is added.

Implacable

battleship, Formidable-class, 15,000t, 1902(c), 4-12in, 18kts, 780 crew, Dardanelles 1915. Sold 1921

RN sailors fought in Gallipoli and on the Western Front - the badge of the Royal Naval Division Machine Gun Corps (A Holmes)

Aug 1914-Aug 1917, Mediterranean, East Indies Station

HMS Implacable at Malta in 1908 (Maritime Quest)

India

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 7,940grt, 1896(b), 18kts. Sunk by U.22 off Norway 8/8/15

Apr 1915-Jun 1915, Northern Patrol

HMS India (Photo Ships)

Inflexible

battlecruiser, Invincible-class, 17,250t, 1908(c), 8-12in, 25kts, 750 crew, Falkland Islands 1914, Dardanelles 1915, Jutland 1916. Sold 1922

Oct 1914-Mar 1915, Falkland Islands

HMS Inflexible (Maritime Quest)

Intrepid

depot ship, ex-minelayer, ex-old 2nd class cruiser, Apollo-class, 3,600t, 1894(c), 20kts, 6-6pdr as minelayer, Zeebrugge 1918 Sunk as blockship at Zeebrugge 23/4/18. Intrepid escorted submarines E.39 and E.44 from Scapa Flow on 16/4/17 for Murmansk and operations in the White Sea, returning to Scapa Flow on 14/10/17

Feb 1915-Dec 1916, Apr 1917-Dec 1917, North Russia, White Sea

HMS Intrepid (Photo Ships)

Invincible

battlecruiser, Invincible-class, 17,250t, 1908(c), 8-12in, 25kts, 750 crew, Heligoland 1914, Falkland Islands 1914, Jutland 1916. Sunk by German gunfire at Battle of Jutland 31/5/16

Her end during the Battle of Jutland

Aug 1914-Feb 1915, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar

HMS Invincible (both Maritime Quest)

Iphigenia

depot ship, ex-minelayer, ex-old 2nd class cruiser, Apollo-class, 3,600t, 1892(c), 20kts, 6-6pdr as minelayer, Zeebrugge 1918, Sunk as blockship at Zeebrugge, 23/4/18

Oct 1915-Dec 1916, Mar 1917-Dec 1917, North Russia, White Sea

HMS Iphigenia (CyberHeritage)

Iroquois

survey vessel, ex-fleet minesweeping sloop, 24-class, 1,320t, 1918(l), 2-4in as sloop, 17kts, 82 crew. Sold 1937

Nov 1922-Nov 1923, China

HMS Iroquois (Photo Ships)

Isis

old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse-class, 5,600t, 1898(c), 11-6in, 19kts, 450 crew. Sold 1920

Sep 1914-Jun 1917, West Indies;

Jul 1917-Dec 1918, Atlantic convoys

HMS Isis (Photo Ships)

Jed

destroyer, E or River-class, 615t, 1905(c), 4-12pdr/2tt, 25kts, 70 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1920

Jan 1914-Dec 1917, China

HMS Jed (Photo Ships)

Juno

old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse-class, 5,600t, 1897(c), 11-6in, 19kts, 450 crew. Sold 1920

Jan 1915-Aug 1916, Oct 1916-Apr 1917, Jul 1917-Nov 1917, Jan 1918-Feb 1919, Persian Gulf, East Indies Station

HMS Juno (Photo Ships)

Jupiter

battleship, Majestic-class, 14,900t, 1897(c), 4-12in, 17kts, 757 crew. Sold 1920

Aug 1914-Dec 1916, Archangel, Red Sea

HMS Jupiter (CyberHeritage)

Kennet

destroyer, E-class, 615t, 1905(c), 4-12pdr/2tt, 25kts, 70 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1919

December 1913 to January 1915, China Station, Mediterranean

HMS Kennet (Photo Ships)

Kent

armoured cruiser, Monmouth-class, 9,800t, 1903(c), 14-6in, 23kts, 678 crew, Falkland Islands 1914. Sold 1920

Royal Navy recruiting poster in World War 1

Oct 1914-Sep 1915, Apr 1915-Sep 1917, South Atlantic Pacific, Sierra Leone (convoys);

Oct 1917-Dec 1918, Sierra Leone (convoys), Cape of Good Hope (convoys);

Jan 1919-Aug 1919, Cape of Good Hope (convoys), China

HMS Kent (CyberHeritage/Terry Phillips)

Kildonan Castle

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 9,692grt, 1899(b), 8-4.7in, later 8-6in, 17kts. Returned to civilian service 1/19

Aug 1916-Jun 1917, Northern Patrol

Jul 1917-Dec 1918, Sierra Leone (convoys), Atlantic convoys

SS Kildonan Castle (Photo Ships)

Kinfauns Castle

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 9,664grt, 1899(b), 8-4.7in, 17kts. Returned to civilian service 9/15, taken up for conversion to minelayer 7/18

Aug 1914-Aug 1915, Cape of Good Hope, East Africa

SS Kinfauns Castle (Photo Ships)

King Alfred

armoured cruiser, Drake-class, 14,150t, 1903(c), 2-9.2in, 23kts, 900 crew. Sold 1920

Sep 1915-Jun 1917, West Africa;

Aug 1917-May 1918, Sierra Leone (convoys), Atlantic convoys

HMS King Alfred (Photo Ships)

Kinsha

river gunboat, purchased river steamer, 616t, 1900(l), 2-12pdr, 14kts. Sold 1921

Aug 1917-Mar 1921, China, Yangtse River

HMS Kinsha (Photo Ships)

Knight Templar

commissioned escort ship (hired), 7,175grt, 1905(b), 3-6in, 11kts. Returned to civilian service 2/19

Sep 1917-Dec 1918, Atlantic convoys

SS Knight Templar (Photo Ships)

Laburnum

fleet minesweeping sloop, Acacia-type, 1200t, 1915(l), 2-12pdr, 16kts, 90 crew. Served in WW2, lost at Singapore, 2/42

Oct 1921-Mar 1924, Pacific

HMS Laburnum (Photo Ships)

Laconia

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 18,099grt, 1912, 8-6in, 16kts, Sunk by U.50, 160 miles northwest of Fastnet on 25/2/17

Nov 1914-May 1915, Dec 1915-Jul 1916, Cape of Good Hope

SS Laconia (Photo Ships)

Lama

owned by British India Steam Navigation Co, hired as armed boarding ship, 2,195grt, 1905(b), 3-4.7in, 16kts. Returned to civilian service 1/18

Sep 1915-Nov 1917, East Indies Station

possibly similar to SS Lunka, 2,193t, built 1905 and owned by same company (Photo Ships)

Lancaster

armoured cruiser, Monmouth-class, 9800t, 1904(c), 14-6in, 23kts, 678 crew. Sold 1920

HMS Curlew - football team v Haitians at Port au Prince, 1924 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Sep 1913-Aug 1915, Bermuda, West Indies;

Mar 1916-Aug 1917, Oct 1917-Jun 1919, Pacific

HMS Lancaster (Photo Ships)

Laurentic

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 14,892grt, 1908(b). 8-6in, 17kts, Sunk by U-boat-laid mine off northern Ireland, 25/1/17

Nov 1914-Sep 1915, Northern Patrol, Sierra Leone;

Sep 1915-Dec 1916, West Africa, East Indies Station

SS Laurentic (Photo Ships)

Lepanto

commissioned escort ship (hired), 6389grt, 1915. 2-6in, 10kts. Returned to civilian service 5/19

Aug 1918-Nov 1918, Atlantic convoys

SS Lepanto as the City of Ripon from 1934 (Photo Ships)

Leviathan

armoured cruiser, Drake-class, 14,150t, 1903(c), 2-9.2in, 23kts, 900 crew. Sold 1920

Jul 1914-Mar 1915, Ascension, St. Helena;

Mar 1915-Dec 1918, West Indies, Atlantic convoys

HMS Leviathan (CyberHeritage/Terry Phillips)

Liverpool

2nd class/light cruiser, Bristol-class, 4,800t, 1910(c), 2-6in, 25kts, 376 crew, Heligoland 1914. Sold 1921

Mar 1915-Jun 1915, West Africa;

Jan-Mar 1919, Mediterranean and Black Sea

HMS Liverpool (Photo Ships)

not to be confused with troopship RIMS Minto q.v.

Lowestoft

2nd class/light cruiser, Birmingham, 5,440t, 1914(c), 9-6in, 25kts, 480 crew, Heligoland 1914, Dogger Bank 1915. Sold 1931

Sep 1919-Feb 1924, Cape of Good Hope

HMS Lowestoft (Photo Ships)

Lunka

armed boarding ship, 2,193t, 1905(b), 3-4.7in, 16kts. Returned to civilian service 1/19

Apr 1917-Jan 1919, East Indies Station

SS Lunka (Photo Ships)

M.23

monitor, M.15-class, 540t, 1915(c), 1-9.2in, 11kts, 69 crew, Belgian Coast 1914-18. Served as RNVR drillship Claverhouse at Dundee from 1922; sold 1959

Apr 1919-Nov 1919, North Russia, White Sea

sister-ship HMS M.22 (Photo Ships)

M.24

monitor, M.15-class, 540t, 1915(c), 1-9.2in, 11kts, 69 crew, Belgian Coast 1914-18. Sold 1920; later sunk as target 1936

Sopwith Pup fighter being hoisted by a battleship (Navy Photos/Graham R Lewis)

Dec 1918-Sep 1919, White Sea

sister-ship HMS M.26 (Photo Ships)

M.25

monitor, M.15-class, 540t, 1915(c), 1-9.2in, 11kts, 69 crew, Belgian Coast 1914-18. Scuttled in River Dvina, 16/9/19

Dec 1918-Jun 1919, White Sea

sister-ship HMS M.27 in North Russia (scrapbook of Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

M.29

monitor, M.29-class, 355t, 1915(c), 2-6in, 9kts, 72 crew. Served in WW2, sold 1946

Apr 1919-Oct 1919, White Sea

HMS M.29 (Photo Ships)

M.31

monitor, M.29-class, 355t, 1915(c), 2-6in, 9kts, 72 crew. Served in WW2, sold 1948

May 1919-Sep 1919, White Sea

sister-ship HMS M.32 (Photo Ships)

M.33

monitor, M.29-class, 355t, 1915(c), 2-6in, 9kts, 72 crew. Served in WW2, hulk from 1946, now restored as M.33 at Portsmouth

May 1919-Oct 1919, White Sea

Near sister-ship HMS M.15 (Photo Ships)

Macedonia

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,512grt, 1904. 8-4.7in, 18kts, Falkland Islands 1914. Returned to civilian service 11/18

Aug 1914-Nov 1916, Jan 1917-Nov 1918, South Atlantic

SS Macedonia at Bombay (Photo Ships)

Magnolia

fleet minesweeping sloop, Acacia-type, 1200t, 1915(l), 2-12pdr, 16kts, 90 crew. Sold 1932

Jan 1920-Dec 1920, Apr 1921-Oct 1922, Jan 1923-Dec 1923, China

sister-ship HMS Mallow (Photo Ships)

Malaya

battleship, Queen Elizabeth-class, 27,500t, 1915(c), 8-15in, 25kts, 950 crew, Jutland 1916. Served in WW2, sold 1948

Nov 1920-Nov 1921, East Indies Station

HMS Malaya (Photo Ships)

Manica

owned by Ellerman & Bucknall Steamship Co, hired as kite balloon ship, 4,120grt, 1900(b), renamed Huntball 1917, later collier, Dardanelles 1915. Returned to civilian service 6/18

Feb 1916-Aug 1917, Cape of Good Hope

possibly similar to SS Orpheus, 4,230grt, built 1901, previously SS Bantu when owned by Ellerman & Bucknall (Photo Ships)

Mantis

river gunboat, Insect-class, 645t, 1915(c), 2-6in, 14kts, 53 crew, Mesopotamia 1916-17. Sold 1940

HMS Durban - Officers v CPO’s "fancy dress walking football match", Nanking, Christmas day, 1927 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Mar 1916-Oct 1919, Mar 1920-Dec 1920, Persian Gulf, China;

Jan 1921-Feb 1923, Apr 1923-Dec 1923, China

sister-ship HMS Aphis (Maritime Quest)

Mantua

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,885grt, 1908. 8-4.7in, 18kts. Returned to civilian service 12/19

Mar 1915-Oct 1916, Northern Patrol;

Apr 1917-Jan 1919, Sierra Leone (convoys), Cape of Good Hope (convoys)

SS Mantua (Photo Ships)

Marazion

minesweeper, Aberdare-class, 800t, 1919(l), 1-4in, 16kts, 74 crew. Sold 1933

Apr 1921-Oct 1922, Jan 1923-Dec 1923, China

HMS Marazion (Photo Ships)

Marmora

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,509grt, 1903, 8-4.7in, 18kts. Sunk by UB.64 south of Ireland, 23/7/18

Aug 1914-Dec 1916, Cape Verde Islands, West Africa;

Jan 1917-Oct 1917, Sierra Leone (convoys), Cape of Good Hope (convoys);

Oct 1917-Jun 1918, Cape of Good Hope

SS Marmora (Photo Ships)

Merlin (1)

sloop, ex-survey vessel, ex-sloop, Cadmus-class, 1,070t, 1902(c), 6-4in, 13kts, 150 crew as sloop; survey ship from 1906/7; paid off in 1914/15; rearmed as sloop 8/18. Sold 1923

Nov 1913-Aug 1914, Nov 1918-Dec 1920, China

HMS Merlin (Photo Ships)

Either: built 1899, 186grt, Grimsby-registered GY.190, taken into naval service May 1915 as minesweeper, armed with 1-3pdr, returned to civilian service 1920

Or: built 1906, 172grt, Hull-registered H.924, taken into naval service October 1914 as minesweeper, armed with 1-6pdr AA, renamed Merlin II August 1915, returned to civilian service 1919

not to be confused with sloop/survey vessel HMS Merlin (above)

Typical trawler of this period - Grimsby-registered Roxano, 228grt, built 1907, here in civilian use (Photo Ships)

Mersey

monitor, Humber-class, 1,260t, 1914(c), 2-6in, 9kts, 140 crew, Königsberg action 1915. Sold 1921

Mar 1915, Jun 1915-Dec 1917, Malta, East Africa

HMS Mersey (CyberHeritage)

Minerva

old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse-class, 5,600t, 1897(c), 11-6in, 19kts, 450 crew, Suez Canal 1915, Dardanelles 1915. Sold 1920

Jun 1914-Dec 1915, East Indies Station, Mediterranean;

Jan 1916-Dec 1918, China, East Indies Station

HMS Minerva pre-World War 1 (Navy Photos)

Minotaur

armoured cruiser, Minotaur-class, 14,000t, 1908(c), 4-9.2in, 23kts, 755 crew, Jutland 1916. Sold 1920

A Royal Navy division fought alongside the Army in Gallipoli and the Western Front (Mike Pocock)

Nov 1913-Nov 1914, Jan 1915, China;

Nov 1915, White Sea

HMS Minotaur (ShipsPhotos)

Moldavia

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 9,500grt, 1903(b), 8-6in, 18kts. Sunk by UB.57 in English Channel off Brighton, 23/5/18

Feb 1916-Mar 1917, Northern Patrol

SS Moldavia (Photo Ships)

Moorhen

river gunboat, 180t, 1901(l), 2-6pdr, 13kts. Sold 1933

Jun 1918-Jan 1924, China

HMS Moorhen, Teal or Widgeon (Photo Ships)

Morea

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,890grt, 1908(b), 4-6in, 18kts. Returned to civilian service 10/19

Jul 1917-Jan 1919, Sierra Leone (convoys)

SS Morea (Photo Ships)

Motagua

owned by Elders & Fyffes Steamship Co, hired as armed merchant cruiser, 5,977grt, 1912(b), 6-6in, 15kts. Returned to civilian service 12/19

Dec 1914-Aug 1917, Northern Patrol;

Aug 1917-May 1918, Sierra Leone (convoys)

possibly similar to SS Bayano, 6,788grt, built 1917, and owned by same company (Photo Ships)

Moth

river gunboat, Insect-class, 645t, 1916(c), 2-6in, 14kts, 53 crew, Mesopotamia 1916-17. Served in WW2, scuttled at Hong Kong, 21/12/41, became Japanese Suma

Apr 1919-Jun 1919, Jan 1920-Dec 1920, Persian Gulf;

Feb 1921, Aug 1921-Nov 1922, Feb 1923-Oct 1923, Persian Gulf, China

sister-ship HMS Ladybird (Photo Ships)

Mutine

survey vessel, ex-sloop, Condor-class, 1,070t, 1900(c), 6-4in, 13kts, 150 crew as sloop; survey ship from 1906/7; paid off in 1914/15; depot ship in Bermuda from 12/17; RNVR drill ship from 1925. Sold 1932

Jun 1919-Sep 1922, West Indies Station

HMS Mutine (Photo Ships)

Nairana

seaplane carrier, steamship purchased while building, 3,070t, 1917(c), 7 aircraft/2-3in, 19kts, 278 crew. Sold 1920 or 21

May 1919-Oct 1919, White Sea, Archangel

HMS Nairana (Photo Ships)

Naneric

ex-Aotea, purchased from Shaw, Savill & Albion Line by Bank Line, hired as commissioned escort ship, 5,609grt, 1895(b), 2-6in, 10kts. Returned to civilian service 3/19

Mar 1918-Mar 1919, Atlantic convoys

possibly similar to SS Gothic, 7,755grt, built 1893, owned by Shaw, Savill & Albion Line (Photo Ships)

New Zealand

battlecruiser, Indefatigable-class, 18,750t, 1912(c), 8-12in, 25kts, 800 crew, Heligoland 1914, Dogger Bank 1915, Jutland 1916. Sold 1922

HMS New Zealand (Dave Martin)

Feb 1919-Jan 1920, Circumnavigation

HMS New Zealand (Photo Ships)

Newcastle

2nd class/light cruiser, Bristol-class, 4,800t, 1910(c), 2-6in, 25kts, 376 crew. Sold 1921

Nov 1913-Oct 1917, China, Pacific;

Nov 1917-Sep 1919, South Atlantic

HMS Newcastle (Photo Ships)

Northbrook

troopship, Royal Indian Marine, 5,820t, 1907(l), 6-4.7in, 16kts. Listed to 1924

Apr 1915-Oct 1916, Jan 1917-May 1917, Jul 1917-Jul 1918, Red Sea, East Indies Station

RIMS Northbrook (Photo Ships)

Odin

old sloop, Cadmus-class, 1,070t, 1902(c), 6-4in, 13kts, 150 crew, Mesopotamia 1916-17. Sold 1920

Jan 1914-May 1917, Jul 1917-Jun 1919, Sep 1919-Sep 1920, East Indies Station, Persian Gulf

HMS Odin (Photo Ships)

Ophir

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 6,942grt, 1891(b), 8-6in, 18kts, Purchased 2/15. Sold 1921

Mar 1915-Dec 1915, Azores

Jan 1916-Mar 1917, West Africa;

Apr 1918-Dec 1918, China, Pacific station circumnavigation?

SS Ophir (Photo Ships)

Orama

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 12,927grt, 1911(b), 8-6in, 18kts. Sunk by U.62 south of Ireland, 19/10/17

Sep 1914-Aug 1915, South Atlantic;

Aug 1915-Oct 1917, South Atlantic, Pacific

SS Orama (Photo Ships)

Orbita

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 15,678grt, 1915(b), 6-6in, 15kts. Returned to civilian service 8/19

Jul 1915-Oct 1918, Pacific

SS Orbita (Photo Ships)

Orcoma

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 11,571grt, 1908(b), 6-6in, 15kts. Returned to civilian service 10/19

Apr 1915-Nov 1916, Northern Patrol;

Dec 1916-Apr 1917, South Atlantic;

May 1917-Nov 1917, Northern Patrol, White Sea;

Dec 1917-Apr 1918, Atlantic convoys

SS Orcoma (Photo Ships)

Orotava

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 5980grt, 1889(b), 5-6in, 16kts. Purchased 3/15, paid off 1/19

Dec 1914-Oct 1916, Northern Patrol;

Nov 1916-Nov 1917, West Africa, South Atlantic

SS Orotava (Photo Ships)

Orvieto

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 12,130grt, 1909(b), 8-6in, 18kts; minelayer from 1/15; armed merchant cruiser from 5/16. Returned to civilian service 10/19

Mar 1915-May 1916, Jul 1916-Dec 1917, Northern Patrol;

Jan 1918-Dec 1918, Atlantic convoys

SS Orvieto (Photo Ships)

Otranto

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 12,128grt, 1909(b), 8-4.7in, 18kts. Collision with steamship Kashmir 6/10/18, driven ashore on island of Islay

Aug 1914-Apr 1915, South Atlantic, Pacific;

May 1915-Jun 1918, Pacific station, New York;

Jul 1918-Aug 1918, New York

SS Otranto (Photo Ships)

Otter

destroyer, C-class, 405t, 1900(c), 1-12pdr/2tt, 30kts, 63 crew. Sold 1916

Nov 1914-May 1915, China

HMS Otter, French battleship in background (Photo Ships)

Otway

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 12,077grt, 1909(b). 8-6in, 18kts. Sunk by UC.49 near Rona, North Minch, 23/7/17

Nov 1914-Jun 1917, Northern Patrol

SS Otway (Photo Ships)

not to be confused with Australian destroyer HMAS Parramatta

Appearance of HM Trawler Parramatta probably similar to 

Grimsby-registered trawler Roxano, 228grt, built 1907, here in civilian use (Photo Ships)

Patia

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 6,103grt, 1913(b), 6-6in, 15kts. Sunk by U.49 in Bristol Channel, 13/6/18

Dec 1914-Nov 1917, Northern Patrol, White Sea;

Dec 1917-Apr 1918, Dakar, Halifax

believed HMS Patia, described in one source as "sank upright in shallow water", but uncertain (Photo Ships)

Patuca

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 6,103grt, 1913(b), 6-6in, 15kts. Returned to civilian service 7/19

Dec 1914-May 1917, Northern Patrol;

May 1917-May 1918, Halifax, Hampton Roads

SS Patuca (Photo Ships)

Pegasus

seaplane carrier (ex-SS Stockholm, purchased while building), 3,300t, 1917(l), 9 aircraft/2-3in, 20kts, 280 crew. Sold 1931

Seaplane carrier raid in December 1914 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Apr 1919-Oct 1919, Archangel

HMS Pegasus (Photo Ships)

Pelorus

depot ship from 1916, ex-3rd class cruiser, Pelorus-class, 2,135t, 1897(c), 8-4in, 18kts, 224 crew. Sold 1920

Aug 1916-Sep 1917, Mediterranean

HMS Pelorus (Photo Ships)

Perth

owned by Dundee & Newcastle Steam Shipping Co, hired as armed boarding ship, 2,505grt, 1915(b), 3-4.7in, 14kts. Returned to civilian service 8/19, sold to Falkland Islands Co in 1946 as SS Lafonia

Oct 1915-Nov 1918, East Indies Station

similar in appearance to an earlier SS Lafonia, 1,872grt, built 1911 (Photo Ships)

Petersfield

minesweeper, Aberdare-class, 800t, 1919(l), 1-4in, 16kts, 74 crew. Wrecked on Tung Yung Island, China, 11/11/31

HMS Petersfield, wrecked

Apr 1920-May 1921, South America;

Feb 1923-Mar 1923, China

HMS Petersfield, probably in China (both Photo Ships)

Phaeton

light cruiser, Arethusa-class, 3,525t, 1914(c), 2-6in, 30kts, 276 crew, Jutland 1916. Sold 1923

Mar 1915-Sep 1915, Dardanelles

HMS Phaeton (Photo Ships)

Philomel

old 3rd class cruiser, Pearl-class, New Zealand Government from 1914, 2, 575t, 1891(c), 8-4.7in, 16kts, 217 crew. Scuttled 1949

Oct 1913-Mar 1917, Persian Gulf, Pacific

HMS Philomel (Navy Photos)

Princess

armed merchant cruiser, ex-German SS Kronprinzessin Cecille, 8,689grt, 1905(b), 8-6in, 15kts, dummy battleship Ajax in 11/14, armed merchant cruiser from 1/16. Returned to civilian service 10/17

May 1916-Oct 1917, East Africa

SS Princess (Photo Ships)

Princess Royal

battlecruiser, Lion-class, 25,350t, 1912(c), 8-13.5in, 28kts, 1000 crew, Heligoland 1914, Dogger Bank 1915, Jutland 1916. Sold 1922

Nov 1914-Sep 1915, North American and West Indies Station

HMS Princess Royal (Photo Ships)

Proserpine

old 3rd class cruiser, Pelorus-class, 2,135t, 1899(c), 8-4in, 18kts, 224 crew, Suez Canal 1915. Sold 1919

Apr 1914-Mar 1918, Aug 1918-Mar 1919, Mediterranean, East Indies Station

HMS Proserpine (Photo Ships)

Pyramus

old 3rd class cruiser, Pelorus-class, 2,135t, 1900(c), 8-4in, 18kts, 224 crew. Sold 1920

Jan 1914-Aug 1916, Mar 1917-Jun 1918, Australia, East Indies Station

HMS Pyramus (Photo Ships)

Raleigh

light cruiser, Cavendish-class, 9750t, 1921(c), 7-7.5in, 31kts, 712 crew, Ran aground on Labrador 8/8/22, and wrecked

HMS Raleigh aground with some crew ashore (Nick Carter)

Jul 1921-Aug 1922, West Indies

HMS Raleigh entering St John's, Newfoundland (Photo Ships)

Rapidol

Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Admiralty oiler, Belgol-class, 4,900t, 1917(l), 14kts. Served in WW2, sold 1948

Dec 1919-Jun 1920, East Indies Station

sister-ship RFA Belgol (Photo Ships)

Raven II

seaplane carrier, ex- Ravenrock, ex German steamship Rabenfels, 4,678grt, 1903(l), 2 seaplanes/1-12pdr, 10kts. Sold 1923

Jul 1915-Dec 1917, Mediterranean, East Indies Station

HMS Raven II (Photo Ships)

Renown

battlecruiser, Renown-class, 26,500t,1916(c), 6-15in, 31kts, 967 crew. Served in WW2, sold 1948

Nov 1916-Dec 1916, North Atlantic;

Aug 1919-Nov 1920, Sep 1921-Jul 1922, Dec 1922-Jul 1923, Royal Tour

HMS Renown at Auckland, possibly during Royal Tour (Dave Martin)

Repulse

battlecruiser, Renown-class, 26,500t, 1916(c), 6-15in, 31kts, 967 crew. Served in WW2, sunk by Japanese bombers off Malaya 10/12/41

HMS Repulse possibly 1927 (Dave Martin)

Dec 1922-Dec 1924, Circumnavigation

HMS Repulse entering Vancouver Harbour 25 June 1924 (Photo Ships)

Ribble

destroyer, E-class, 615t, 1904(c), 4-12pdr/2tt, 25kts, 70 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1920

Dec 1913-Oct 1916, Dec 1916-Feb 1919, China

HMS Ribble (Photo Ships)

Rinaldo

old sloop, Condor-class, 980t, 1900(l), 6-4in, 13kts, 130 crew, Belgian Coast 1914. Sold 1921

Jan 1916-May 1919, East Africa

HMS Rinaldo (Photo Ships)

Rosario

 submarine depot ship, ex-sloop, Condor-class, was 980t, 1898(l), 6-4in, 13kts, 130 crew. Sold 1921

Similar but unidentified depot ship, with old submarines alongside (Maritime Quest)

Nov 1913-Sep 1918, China, Hong Kong

HMS Rosario (Photo Ships)

Roxburgh

armoured cruiser, Devonshire-class, 10,850t, 1905(c), 4-7.5in, 22kts, 655 crew. Sold 1921

Jun 1916-Jul 1916, Archangel;

Aug 1916-Dec 1918, West Indies, Atlantic convoys

HMS Roxburgh (Photo Ships)

Sandpiper

river gunboat, Heron-class, 85t, 1897(l), 2-6pdr, 9kts. Sold 1920

Apr 1919-Jun 1920, China

HMS Robin, Sandpiper or Snipe (Photo Ships)

Admiralty Trawler, Military-class,

built by Smith's Dock, purchased while building, Admiralty No 1162,  launched 1.2.15, 276grt, 130(pp)x22x12ft, armed with1-12pdr. Foundered 29.12.17 off the Owers.

Mar- Sep 1917, British Waters, Channel Convoy Escort, Minesweeping

Sapphire

old 3rd class cruiser, Gem-class, 3,000t, 1905(c), 12-4in, 22kts, 296 crew, Belgian Coast 1914, Dardanelles 1915. Sold 1921

Jul 1914-Apr 1917, Jun 1917-Dec 1918, East Indies Station

HMS Sapphire (Photo Ships)

Saxon

armed trawler (hired), 239grt, 1907(b), 1-12pdr. Returned to civilian service 1919

Sep 1917-Jan 1918, Northern Patrol

similar to HMS Ben Earn, 235grt, built 1916, here back in service in World War 2 (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

Scarab

river gunboat, Insect-class, 645t, 1916(c) 2-6in, 14kts, 53 crew, Mesopotamia 1917. Served in WW2, sold 1948

May 1918-Dec 1920, Hong Kong

sister-ship HMS Bee (Photo Ships)

Sealark

survey vessel, purchased steamship, 900t, 1878(l), 1-3pdr. 11kts. Sold 1919

Mar 1914-May 1914, Pacific

HMS Sealark (Photo Ships)

Severn

monitor, Humber-class, 1260t, 1914(c ), 2-6in, 9kts, 140 crew, Belgian Coast 1914, Königsberg action 1915. Sold 1921

Jun 1915-Dec 1916, Feb 1917-Apr 1919, East Africa

HMS Severn (Photo Ships)

Shearwater

old sloop, Condor-class, 980t, 1900(l), 6-4in, 13kts, 130 crew. Sold 1922

HMS Shearwater and crew (Dave Martin)

Oct 1913-Aug 1914, Pacific, Halifax

HMS Shearwater (PhotoShips/Paddy Kernaghan)

Sirius

old 2nd class cruiser, Apollo-class, 3,440t, 1891(c), 2-6in, 20kts, 273 crew, Belgian Coast 1914, Zeebrugge 1918, Blockship, sunk off Ostend during raid, 23/4/18

Mar 1915-Jan 1918, West Africa

HMS Sirius (Photo Ships)

Snipe

river gunboat, Heron-class, 85t, 1897(l), 2-6pdr, 9kts,. Sold 1919

Dec 1917-Apr 1918, China, Yangtse River

HMS Robin, Sandpiper or Snipe (Photo Ships)

Southampton

2nd class/light cruiser, Chatham-class, 5,400t, 1912(c), 8-6in, 25kts, 380 crew, Heligoland 1914, Dogger Bank 1915, Jutland 1916. Sold 1926

Feb 1919-Dec 1920, Pacific;

Jan 1921-Feb 1924, Pacific, East Indies Station

HMS Southampton (Photo Ships)

Suffolk

armoured cruiser, Monmouth-class, 9,800t, 1904(c), 14-6in, 23kts, 678 crew. Sold 1920

HMS Durban - crew members and US sailors enjoying sushi and Kirin beer, Japan 1928 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Feb 1914-Aug 1916, Western Atlantic;

Jun 1917-Oct 1919, East Indies Station, China

HMS Suffolk with Japanese battleship HMIJS Mikasa in middle ground (Photo Ships)

Sutlej

armoured cruiser, Cressy-class, 12,000t, 1902(c), 2-9.2in, 21kts, 700 crew. Sold 1921

Feb 1916-May 1917, West Africa

HMS Sutlej (CyberHeritage/Terry Phillips)

Suva

armed boarding steamer (hired), 2,229grt, 1906(b), 3-4.7in, 13kts. Returned to civilian service 12/19

Oct 1915-Aug 1916, Oct 1916-May 1917, Jul 1917-Dec 1918, Feb 1919-Apr 1919, East Indies Station, Red Sea

believed HMS Suva (Photo Ships)

Swiftsure

battleship, Swiftsure-class, 11,800t, 1904(c), 4-10in, 20kts, 700 crew, Suez Canal 1915, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1920

Mar 1914-Feb 1915, East Indies Station, Red Sea;

Jan 1916-May 1916, West Africa

May 1916-Apr 1917, Atlantic

HMS Swiftsure with steam picket boat in foreground (Photo Ships)

Sydney (RAN)

2nd class/light cruiser, Chatham-class, 5,600t, 1913(c), 8-6in, 65kts, 380 crew, Emden action 1914. Sold 1929

Jun 1913-Jun 1914, Australia, Pacific

HMAS Sydney (Photo Ships)

Talbot

Old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse-class, 5,600t, 1896(c), 11-6in, 19kts, 450 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1921

May 1916-Nov 1918, East Africa, Cape of Good Hope

HMS Talbot (Photo Ships)

Tarantula

river gunboat, Insect-class, 645t, 1916(c), 2-6in, 14kts, 53 crew, Mesopotamia 1916-17. Served in WW2, sunk as target 1/5/46

Apr 1919-Oct 1920, Jan 1921-Jan 1924, China

sister-ship HMS Ladybird (Photo Ships)

Teal

river gunboat, 180t, 1901(l), 2-6pdr, 13kts. Sold 1931

Aug 1914-Sep 1914, Jun 1919-Nov 1920, China, Yangtse River

Moorhen, Teal or Widgeon, all similar (ShipPhotos)

Temeraire

battleship in service as cadet training ship, Bellerophon-class, 18,800t, 1909(c), 20kts, Jutland 1916. Sold 1921

from HMS Curlew - rum-running schooner waiting to load up at Demerara, British Guiana during US prohibition 1924 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Sep 1919-Sep 1920, West Indies

HMS Temeraire (CyberHeritage/Terry Phillips)

Tenby Castle

armed trawler (hired), 256t, 1908(b), 1-12pdr. Returned to civilian service 1919

Mar 1915-May 1916, Dec 1917-Nov 1918, Northern Patrol

possibly similar to HMS Nighthawk, which served in both World Wars, shown here in WW2 (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

Teutonic

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 9,984grt, 1889(b). 8-6in, 19kts, Purchased 8/15. Sold and broken up 1922

Sep 1914-Jan 1917, Northern Patrol;

Oct 1917-Dec 1917, White Sea;

Jan 1918-Oct 1918, Atlantic convoys

HMS Teutonic (Maritime Quest)

Theseus

old 1st class cruiser, Edgar-class, 7,350t, 1896(c), 2-9.2in, 20kts, 544 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1921

Jan-Dec 1916, Mediterranean and Persian Gulf; Jan 1917-Dec 1917, White Sea; Jan 1919-Feb 1920, Aegean and Black Seas

HMS Theseus (CyberHeritage)

Thistle (1)

old 1st class gunboat, Bramble-class, 710t, 1899(l), 2-4in, 13kts. Sold 1926

Mar 1914-Aug 1914, Oct 1914-Mar 1915, Sep 1915-Jul 1916, Sep 1916-Dec 1919, China, East Africa;

Jan 1920-Nov 1920, Aug 1921-Jul 1924, West Africa

sister-ship HMS Bramble (Photo Ships)

Titania

submarine depot ship, steamship purchased while building, 5,250t, 14kts. Served in WW2, sold 1949

Older C-class submarines at Torquay (Maritime Quest)

Oct 1919-Aug 1924, China

HMS Titania with submarines alongside (Navy Photos)

Torch (1)

old sloop, Alert-class, 960t, 1895(c), 6-4in, 13kts, 106 crew. Sold Aug 1917, renamed Firebrand

Mar-Nov 1914

HMS Torch (Photo Ships)

Torch (2)

destroyer, S-class, 930t, 1918(l), 3-4in/4tt, 36kts. Sold 1929

May 1918-Aug 1922, Pacific

HMS Torch (Photo Ships)

Trent

fleet messenger (hired), 5,541grt, 1900(b), 2-12pdr, renamed Icarus 1918. Returned to civilian service 9/20

Aug 1915-Aug 1917, Jul 1918-Jan 1919, East Africa

believed to be the correct SS Trent (Photo Ships)

Una (RAN)

sloop, ex-German survey ship Komet captured 11/14, 1,438t, 1911(l), 3-4in, 13kts. Sold 1925

HMAS Una in drydock at Singapore 1915

Dec 1915-Jun 1919, Singapore, Australia

HMAS Una (both Australian War Memorial)

Usk

destroyer, E-class, 615t, 1904(c), 4-12pdr/2tt, 25kts, 70 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1920

Dec 1913-Apr 1916, Jul 1916-Oct 1917, Mar 1918-Feb 1919, China

sister-ship HMS Ribble (Photo Ships)

Valerian

fleet minesweeping sloop, Arabis-type, 1,250t, 1916(l), 2-4.7in, 16kts, 90 crew. Foundered in hurricane off Bermuda, 22/10/26

Dec 1920-Feb 1924, West Indies

HMS Valerian (Photo Ships)

Vengeance

battleship, Canopus-class, 12,950t, 1901(c), 4-12in, 18kts, 750 crew, Dardanelles 1915. Sold 1921

Feb 1914-Jul 1915, Dec 1915-Dec 1916, Cape of Good Hope, East Indies Station

HMS Vengeance (Photo Ships)

Venus

old 2nd class cruiser, Eclipse-class, 5,600t, 1897(c), 11-6in, 19kts, 450 crew. Sold 1921

Jun 1914-Apr 1917, Jun 1917-Apr 1919, Red Sea, China

HMS Venus (Photo Ships)

Verbena

fleet minesweeping sloop, Arabis-type, 1250t, 1915(l), 2-4.7in, 16kts, 90 crew. Sold 1933

HMS Durban - three sailors on a glacier in Alaska, 1928 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Feb 1922-Jan 1924, Cape of Good Hope

HMS Verbena (Photo Ships)

Veronica

fleet minesweeping sloop, Acacia-type, 1200t, 1915(l), 2-12pdr, 16kts, 90 crew. Sold 1935

Mar 1920-Feb 1924, Pacific

HMS Veronica (Photo Ships)

Victorian

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,635grt, 1904(b), 8-4.7in, 17kts. Returned to civilian service 1/20

Aug 1914-Mar 1915, Cape Verde Islands;

Mar 1915 Jun 1915-Jul 1917, Northern Patrol;

Aug 1917-Nov 1918, Atlantic convoys

SS Victorian (Photo Ships)

Vindictive (1)

old 2nd class cruiser, Arrogant-class, 5,750t, 1900(c), 4-6in, 19kts, 480 crew, Zeebrugge 1918, Ostend 1918. Sunk as blockship at Ostend 10/5/18

HMS Vindictive after the Zeebrugge Raid

Feb 1914-Apr 1915, Jun 1915-Jun 1916, South Atlantic;

Sep 1916-Dec 1916, White Sea

HMS Vindictive (both Navy Photos)

Vindictive (2)

aircraft carrier, ex-cruiser Cavendish, Cavendish-class, used for trooping at this time, 9,750t, 10/1918(c), 4-7.5in/6 aircraft, 30kts, 560 crew. Served in WW2, sold 1946

Jun 1921-Mar 1923, East Indies Station, China

HMS Vindictive as aircraft carrier, 1918-23 (Photo Ships)

Virago

destroyer, B-class, 415t, 1897(c), 1-12pdr/2tt, 30kts, 63 crew. Sold 1919

Aug 1914-May 1919, China

HMS Virago (Photo Ships)

Virginian

armed merchant cruiser (hired), 10,757grt, 1905(b), 8-4.7in, 18kts. Returned to civilian service 1/20

Dec 1914-Mar 1915, May 1915-Jun 1917, Northern Patrol;

Jul 1917-Nov 1918, Halifax, Atlantic convoys

SS Virginian (Photo Ships)

Warrego (RAN)

destroyer, I-class, 990t, 1911(l), 1-4in/3tt, 27kts, crew 70. Dismantled 1929

Feb 1919-Jul 1919, China, Australia

HMAS Warrego (Photo Ships)

Warrior (2)

armed yacht, 1,096grt, 1904(b), 2-12pdr. Returned to civilian service 12/18

HMS Curlew - one of the "fruit women" onboard at Jamaica, 1925 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith)

Jul 1917-Aug 1917, Jan 1918-Dec 1918, West Indies

Yacht Warrior. Uncertain if it is the same vessel, but typical of large private yachts of the time (Library of Congress)

Welland

destroyer, E-class, 615t, 1904(c), 4-12pdr/2tt, 25kts, 70 crew, Dardanelles 1915-16. Sold 1920

Dec 1913-Feb 1919, China

sister-ship HMS Teviot (Photo Ships)

Weymouth

2nd class/light cruiser, Weymouth-class, 5,250t, 1911(c), 8-6in, 25kts, 375 crew. Sold 1928

Oct 1913-May 1916, Mediterranean, East Africa;

Dec 1916-Jun 1917, Bermuda, Sierra Leone;

Mar 1920-Jun 1921, Pacific, South America;

Dec 1922-Dec 1923, Singapore, Hong Kong

HMS Weymouth (Photo Ships)

Whiting

destroyer, C-class, 440t, 1897(c), 1-12pdr/2tt, 30kts, 63 crew. Sold 1919

Aug 1916-Feb 1917, May 1917-Nov 1917, Jan 1918-Feb 1918, May 1918-Jul 1919, China

HMS Whiting (Photo Ships)

Widgeon

river gunboat, 195t, 1904(l), 2-6pdr, 13kts. Sold 1931

May 1913-Apr 1914, Aug 1914-Sep 1914, Oct 1917-Mar 1918, China, Yangtse River

Moorhen, Teal or Widgeon (ShipPhotos)

Wistaria

fleet minesweeping sloop, Arabis-type, 1250t, 1915(l), 2-4.7in, 16kts, 90 crew. Sold 1931

HMS Curlew - guard of honour at the funeral of Able Seaman James Faux (below), St George's, Newfoundland, 1924 (Yeoman of Signals George Smith/Rod Faux)

Dec 1920-Oct 1923, North America

HMS Wistaria (Imperial War Museum)

Wonganella

submarine decoy or Q-ship, ex-collier, 3,848grt. 1911(b), listed as Thornhill, aliases included Margit, Wellholme, Werribee and Wonganella. Returned to civilian service 8/17

Mar 1916-Jul 1917, Halifax

SS Wonganella (Photo Ships)

Woodcock

river gunboat, 150t, 1898(l), 2-6pdr, 13kts. Sold 1928

Dec 1917-Dec 1919, China, Lower Yangtse River

HMS Woodcock (CyberHeritage)

Woodlark

river gunboat, 150t, 1898(l), 2-6pdr, 13kts. Sold 1928

Aug 1917-Dec 1919, China, Lower Yangtse River

sister-ship HMS Woodcock (CyberHeritage)

Yarmouth

2nd class/light cruiser, Weymouth-class, 5,250t, 1912(c), 8-6in, 25kts, 375 crew, Jutland 1916 Sold 1929

Aug 1913-Feb 1915, Mediterranean, China;

Mar 1919-Feb 1920, Cape of Good Hope, South America, Pacific;

Mar 1920-Dec 1920, Pacific, South America;

Apr 1922-Nov 1923, Aden, Colombo

HMS Yarmouth at her launch by London & Glasgow Co, Clydeside on 12 April 1911 (Photo Ships)