HMS Prince (1916)

Prince was one of 18 Repeat {{sclass2|Admiralty M|destroyer|1}}s ordered by the British Admiralty in late May 1915 as part of the Fifth War Programme during the First World War.{{sfn|McBride|1991|page=46}} The M class was an improved version of the earlier {{sclass2|L|destroyer (1913)|0}}, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of {{convert|36|kn|lk=on}} and, although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service, the extra performance that was achieved was valued by the navy. It transpired that the German warships did not exist.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=132}}

The destroyer had a length of {{convert|265|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} between perpendiculars and {{convert|273|ft|4|in|m|1|abbr=on}} overall, with a beam of {{convert|26|ft|8|in|m|1|abbr=on}} and draught of {{convert|8|ft|11|in|m|1|abbr=on}}.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=296}} Displacement was {{convert|948|LT|t|lk=on}} normal. Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding Brown-Curtiss steam turbines built by Beardmore and rated at {{convert|27800|shp|kW|lk=on}}. The turbines drove three shafts and exhausted through three funnels. Design speed was {{convert|34|kn}}.{{sfn|Parkes|Prendergast|1969|page=109}} A total of {{convert|228|LT}} of oil was carried to give a design range of {{convert|2530|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn}}. Actual endurance in service was less; sister ship {{HMS|Murray|1914|2}} had a range of {{convert|2240|nmi}} at {{convert|15|kn}}.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=296}}

Prince had a main armament consisting of three single QF 4 inch naval gun Mk IV, XII, XXII guns on the centreline, with one on the forecastle, one aft on a raised platform and one between the middle and aft funnels. Torpedo armament consisted of two twin torpedo tubes for British 21 inch torpedo located aft of the funnels.{{sfn|Preston|1985|pages=76, 80}}{{sfn|March|1966|page=174}} Two single QF 1-pounder pom-pom anti-aircraft guns were carried.{{sfn|Preston|1985|page=76}} The anti-aircraft guns were later replaced by QF 2 pounder naval gun guns and the destroyer was also fitted with racks and storage for depth charges.{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=296}}{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=150}} The ship had a complement of 80 officers and ratings.{{sfn|Preston|1985|page=76}}

Prince was laid down by Alexander Stephens on 27 July 1915 at Linthouse and launched on 26 June the following year. The vessel was completed on 21 September, the fifth to be given the name in Royal Navy service.{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|page=276}}{{sfn|Friedman|2009|page=309}}{{sfn|Manning|Walker|1959|page=350}} The ship was deployed as part of the Grand Fleet, joining the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla.{{cite journal | title=Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet | journal=Supplement to the Monthly Navy List | date=January 1917 | page=12 | url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92123258 | via=National Library of Scotland | access-date=1 December 2023}} The flotilla took part in a large exercise with other flotillas and fleets of the Grand Fleet, led by the dreadnought battleship {{HMS|Iron Duke|1912|2}}, between 22 and 24 November.{{sfn|Naval Staff Monograph No. 33|1927|page=215}} On 19 December, the destroyer joined the rest of the Grand Fleet in manoeuvres. During the exercise, the flotilla leader {{HMS|Hoste|1916|2}} suffered a mechanical failure and hit the destroyer {{HMS|Negro|1916|2}}, crippling both so that they needed to be evacuated. The sea conditions hindered the rescue of the sailors. Prince laid fuel oil on the sea in an attempt to create a calm. The entire crew was saved.{{sfn|Naval Staff Monograph No. 34|1933|page=20}}

On 15 June the following year, the flotilla was deployed in an operation to find German submarines.{{sfn|Naval Staff Monograph No. 35|1939|page=163}} On 21 June, the destroyer spotted a submarine on the surface, which may have been {{SMU|U-61||2}} or {{SMU|U-82||2}}. The submarine dived before Prince could attack and, although, the destroyer dropped two depth charges, no damage was done to the vessel.{{sfn|Naval Staff Monograph No. 35|1939|page=165}} On 16 November, the destroyer was deployed as part of the flotilla in response to the sortie of the German minesweepers, forming a screen to the First Battle Squadron.{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|pages=167, 169}} However, the destroyer took no part in the subsequent Second Battle of Heligoland Bight.{{sfn|Newbolt|1931|page=176}}

At the end of the war, Prince was a member of the Twentieth Destroyer Flotilla based on the Humber.{{cite journal | title=V East Coast Forces | journal=Supplement to the Monthly Navy List | date=October 1918 | page=15 | url= https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92315650 | via=National Library of Scotland | access-date=1 December 2023}} After the Armistice that ended the war in 1918, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel needed to be reduced to save money.{{sfn|Moretz|2002|page=79}} The destroyer was placed in reserve at Devonport.{{cite journal|title=V Vessels in Reserve at Home Bases and Other Ports|journal=Supplement to the Monthly Navy List|date=July 1919|page=17|url=https://digital.nls.uk/british-military-lists/archive/92499854|via=National Library of Scotland|access-date=1 December 2023}} However, the harsh conditions of wartime operations, exacerbated by the fact that the hull was not galvanised, meant that the ship was soon worn out.{{sfn|Preston|1985|page=80}} Prince was retired, and, on 9 May 1921, was sold to Thos. W. Ward of Hayle to be broken up.{{sfn|Colledge|Warlow|2006|page=276}}

{{reflist}}

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{{refend}}

{{M class destroyers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prince (1916)}}

Category:1916 ships

Category:Admiralty M-class destroyers

Category:Ships built on the River Tyne

Category:World War I destroyers of the United Kingdom