HMS Meteor (1914)
Encyclopedia
HMS Meteor was a Thornycroft M class
destroyer
that served in the Royal Navy
.
Built by Thornycroft & Company
, Southampton
, she was launched on the 24 July 1914.
HMS Meteor saw extensive service throughout the First World War
. She maintained continuous operations both as a convoy escort, and in harbour protection.
On October 17, 1914 she was sent to investigate the German hospital ship Ophelia
. As it approached for boarding and inspection it was observed that Ophelias commander, Dr. Pfeiffer, threw overboard a number of documents and secret codes. The Ophelia was seized by the English as a spy ship and renamed the SS Huntly.
Served with the Harwich Force
1914-1917. Converted to a minelayer in 1917 she served with the 20th Flotilla. Sold for scrapping in May 1921.
Thornycroft M class destroyer
The Thornycroft M or Mastiff class were a class of six destroyers completed for the Royal Navy during 1914-16 for World War I service. They were quite different from the Admiralty-designed ships of the Admiralty M class class, although based on a basic sketch layout provided by the Admiralty from...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
that served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
Built by Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company
John I. Thornycroft & Company Limited, usually known simply as Thornycroft was a British shipbuilding firm started by John Isaac Thornycroft in the 19th century.-History:...
, Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, she was launched on the 24 July 1914.
HMS Meteor saw extensive service throughout the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. She maintained continuous operations both as a convoy escort, and in harbour protection.
On October 17, 1914 she was sent to investigate the German hospital ship Ophelia
German hospital ship Ophelia
German hospital ship Ophelia was a steam ship originally built by a German shipping company, but requisitioned for use as an Imperial German Navy hospital ship during the First World War...
. As it approached for boarding and inspection it was observed that Ophelias commander, Dr. Pfeiffer, threw overboard a number of documents and secret codes. The Ophelia was seized by the English as a spy ship and renamed the SS Huntly.
Served with the Harwich Force
Harwich Force
The Harwich Force was a squadron of the Royal Navy, formed during the First World War, that went on to play a significant role in the war.-History:...
1914-1917. Converted to a minelayer in 1917 she served with the 20th Flotilla. Sold for scrapping in May 1921.