HMS Gloucester (1909)

HMS Gloucester was a Town-class light cruiser built for the Royal Navy in the early 1910s. She was part of the Bristol subclass, an improvement on the original Town-class designs.

Design and Construction:

Ordered as part of the 1909-1910 naval programme, Gloucester was built by William Beardmore and Company, Dalmuir. She was laid down on 15 April 1909, launched on 28 October 1909, and completed in September 1910. The Bristol subclass was designed with a slightly larger displacement and improved armour compared to earlier ships in the class.

Characteristics:

Gloucester displaced approximately 4,820 long tons (4,900 tonnes). She had a length of 453 feet (138.1 m), a beam of 47 feet (14.3 m), and a draught of 15 feet (4.6 m). Propulsion was provided by Parsons steam turbines driving four shafts, powered by twelve Yarrow boilers. This gave her a designed speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph).

Armament:

Gloucester's primary armament consisted of ten BL 4-inch (102 mm) Mk VII guns, mounted singly. She also carried two 12-pounder (3-inch, 76 mm) anti-aircraft guns and two 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes.

Service History:

HMS Gloucester saw extensive service during World War I. At the beginning of the war, she was part of the Mediterranean Fleet and played a crucial role in the pursuit of the German battlecruiser Goeben and light cruiser Breslau. Gloucester shadowed the German ships, relaying their movements and even engaging them briefly. This tracking proved vital in preventing the German squadron from disrupting French troop transports.

Later in the war, Gloucester served in various theatres, including the Adriatic and the North Sea. She participated in anti-submarine patrols and convoy escort duties.

Fate:

Following the end of World War I, Gloucester was deemed surplus to requirements and was sold for scrap on 9 May 1921 to Ward of Milford Haven.