HMS Tipperary (1915)

History
United Kingdom
Name:	HMS Tipperary
Builder:	J S White, Cowes
Launched:	5 March 1915
Fate:	Sunk at Jutland, 1 June 1916
General characteristics
Class and type:	Faulknor-class flotilla leader
Displacement:	1,700 tons
Length:	331 ft (100.9 m)
Beam:	32.6 ft (9.9 m)
Draught:	11 ft (3.4 m)
Propulsion:	6 White-Forster type water-tube boilers, steam turbines, 3 shafts, 30,000 shp
Speed:	32 knots
Complement:	197
Armament:	6×4" L/40 QF Mark VI, single mounting P Mk. XI, 2×twin tubes for 21" torpedoes

HMS Tipperary, launched on 5 March 1915, was a Faulknor-class destroyer leader.

Originally ordered by Chile, Tipperary and her sisters were bought by the Royal Navy at the outbreak of World War I. Initially, Tipperary served as the second flotilla leader with the 3rd destroyer flotilla in the Harwich Force, arriving there in June 1915.^[1] Late in that same year, she took charge of a detachment of destroyers from the 2nd Flotilla,^[2] while in March 1916, Tipperary had rejoined the Harwich Force, being attached to the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron.^[3] In May 1916, Tipperary was made the leader of the 4th Flotilla, a formation which directly supported the Grand Fleet.^[4]

Tipperary led the 4th Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland under Captain C. J. Wintour. Tipperary and her squadron pressed home determined torpedo attacks on the German main battle line as it escaped across the rear of the British fleet during the night action, starting at approximately 23:20 on 31 May 1916. The 4th Flotilla sank the German light cruiser SMS Frauenlob, but Tipperary and many of the other British destroyers were sunk or badly damaged. These engagements took place at such close range that some of Tipperary's squadron were able to hit the German dreadnoughts with their small 4-inch guns, causing casualties that included command officers on the bridges.

HMS Tipperary was sunk on 1 June 1916 by 5.9-inch (150 mm) fire from the secondary battery of the German dreadnought SMS Westfalen with the loss of 185 hands^[5] from her crew of 197. The wrecksite is designated as a protected place under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

References

1. "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: II.—Harwich Force". The Navy List: 13. June 1915.
2. "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: I.—The Grand Fleet: Flotillas of the Grand Fleet". The Navy List: 12. November 1915.
3. "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: II.—Harwich Force". The Navy List: 13. March 1916.
4. "Supplement to the Monthly Navy List showing Organisation of the Fleet, Flag Officers' Commands &c.: I.—The Grand Fleet: Destroyer Flotillas of the Grand Fleet". The Navy List: 12. May 1916.
5. Campbell, p.338

• Campbell, John (1998). Jutland: An analysis of the Fighting. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-750-3.
• Massie, Robert K (2003). Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea. Random House. ISBN 0-345-40878-0.
• SI 2008/0950 Designation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986