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#MondayMonitors is here once more and I'm revisiting a class of WW1 monitors! Today is the turn of the Abercrombie-class monitors.
The Abercrombie-class of monitors came about after guns built by Bethlehem Steel in the USA were offered to the UK. This was due to the outbreak of war in Europe and the US did not want to break it's neutrality.
The 14-inch guns and turret mounts were to be delivered to Germany.
The 14-inch guns and turret mounts were to be delivered to Germany.
The guns and turret mounts were due to be installed on the Greek battleship Salamis, under construction in Hamburg, Germany.
The Hellenic Navy were building a modern force to counter the similar aims by the Ottoman's.
(Salamis is far right of the photo)
The Hellenic Navy were building a modern force to counter the similar aims by the Ottoman's.
(Salamis is far right of the photo)
First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill accepted the 14 inch guns on 4th November 1914. Design work immediately began.
HMS Raglan was the first to be laid down on 1st December 1914 at Harland & Wolff, Govan. All ships were launched within 5 months by late April 1915.
HMS Raglan was the first to be laid down on 1st December 1914 at Harland & Wolff, Govan. All ships were launched within 5 months by late April 1915.
HMS Abercrombie and Havelock were built at Harland & Wolff, Belfast. While HMS Roberts was built at Swan Hunter at Wallsend.
Initially the ships were to be named HMS M1-4 then an idea was to name after US Military leaders; Admiral Farragut, General Grant, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
However these were quickly ditched and the ships were re-named Abercrombie, Ragland, Havelock and Roberts.
However these were quickly ditched and the ships were re-named Abercrombie, Ragland, Havelock and Roberts.
The monitors design a simple clean hull design with torpedo bulges under the water. The upper deck is clear of structures except the funnel, single tripod mast and the large 14 inch turret.
Secondary armament kept behind hinged bulwarks below the upper deck.
Secondary armament kept behind hinged bulwarks below the upper deck.
The class was 334ft (102m) in length and had a 10ft draught, coming in at 6,150 tons, with a crew of 198.
The ships were designed to have a top speed of 10 kn however only reached 6.5 kn.
The ship had armour of 2-4 inches, with the barbette having 8 inches of armour.
The ships were designed to have a top speed of 10 kn however only reached 6.5 kn.
The ship had armour of 2-4 inches, with the barbette having 8 inches of armour.
Once the ships were completed they all were sent to the Dardanelles Campaign to help shell positions and support the landings. Other monitors such as HMS Humber and HMS M.33 joined the action too.
The firepower of the monitors helped cover when HMS Queen Elizabeth was withdrawn.
The firepower of the monitors helped cover when HMS Queen Elizabeth was withdrawn.
They served throughout the campaign, helping fire on Ottoman artillery positions, troop landings and the withdrawal in January 1916.
After the end of the campaign the monitors were sent apart to different operations.
After the end of the campaign the monitors were sent apart to different operations.
The four monitors were capable of operating with seaplanes during WW1. They could embark a single Short 166 or Sopwith Schneider or a Short 184.
HMS Abercrombie continued in the Aegean Sea until end of the war, taking part in the Macedonian front.
She was part of the fleet that passed through the Dardanelles after the end of the war.
Decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1927 after being in reserve for many years.
She was part of the fleet that passed through the Dardanelles after the end of the war.
Decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1927 after being in reserve for many years.
Both Havelock and Roberts returned to the UK to act as guard ships at Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. With Roberts later moving to the Thames.
Havelock was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1927 after years in reserve.
Roberts was scrapped in 1936 after use as a trials ship.
Havelock was decommissioned in 1919 and scrapped in 1927 after years in reserve.
Roberts was scrapped in 1936 after use as a trials ship.
HMS Raglan served in the Aegan Sea before moving to Port Said. In January 1918 she was attacked by the Ottoman battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim (ex-Goeben), and the light cruiser Midilli (ex-Breslau) along with four destroyers. This was the Battle of Imbros.
HMS Raglan was with M.28 and destroyers Lizard and Tigress. However they were outgunned and Raglan was put out of action quickly and sank with the loss of 127 men. M.28 was also sunk with loss of 11 men.
The Midilli was struck by a mine and sank, the Yavuz was also damaged.
The Midilli was struck by a mine and sank, the Yavuz was also damaged.
The success of the Abercombie-class monitors can be seen with the similar hull shape and design on the Lord Clive and Marshal Ney class of monitors.
Alterations to the design were made to fit the larger armaments and propulsion changes.
Alterations to the design were made to fit the larger armaments and propulsion changes.
I hope you have enjoyed this weeks #MondayMonitors! This class of monitors are quite fascinating, I'm glad that I revisited it and expanded on it.
Any feedback welcome or questions I will try to answer!
Any feedback welcome or questions I will try to answer!
