HMS Penshurst
Encyclopedia
HMS Penshurst was a Royal Navy
warship that was active during World War I
.
She was a Special Service Vessel (also known as Q-ship
s) whose function was to act as a decoy, inviting attack by a U-boat
in order to engage and (if possible) destroy it.
Penshurst fought a number of engagements against German U-boat
s during her service, and was successful on two occasions, destroying UB-19
in November 1916, and UB-37
in January 1917.
Penshurst was sunk following an action with U-110 in December 1917.
In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for conversion into a special service vessel. She was taken in hand at Longhope, part of the Scapa Flow
naval base in the Orkney Islands
.
She was armed with five guns originally; this was increased later in the campaign. These were a 12 pounder, two 6 pdr and two 3 pdr guns, hidden behind screens and dummy fixtures. Penshurst was manned with a volunteer crew and commanded by Cdr FH Grenfell. She commissioned on 6 November 1915
, operating around the coast of Ireland and in the English Channel.
For almost a year she had little success; during 1916 the German Navy had scaled down their U-boat operations
against commerce around Britain, and there were few contacts in this theatre.
On 29 November 1916 Penshurst fell in with a U-boat which was attacking the steamer Wileyside. Penshurst was able to approach to 3000 yards before the U-boat ordered her to stop. Grenfell's crew went through their "abandon ship" evolution, putting out boats manned by a "panic party", while Penshurst stopped, waiting for the U-Boat to come closer. However the U-boat declined to come closer, and with it partly hidden in the glare of the setting sun Penshurst opened fire. She got several shots off before the U-boat dived, and closed to drop depth charges on the spot, but the U boat (which was unidentified) escaped.
The following day on 30 November Penshurst, having changed her appearance and moved to a different part of the Channel, came upon a U-boat, UB-19
attacking the steamer Ibex. She again closed, but was overtaken by an approaching seaplane, which bombed the boat as it quickly submerged.
When the pilot became aware of who Penshurst was he landed, and agreed to spot for her while she dropped depth charges. However on take-off the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. As Penshurst stopped to pick up the crew, the U-boat, thinking it was safe, came to the surface again to attack. Taking the opportunity Grenfell waited until the U-boat drew nearer, then opened fire. UB-19 was fatally damaged and sank. Grenfell was awarded the DSO for this achievement.
On 14 January Penshurst was able to repeat her success. Two months later she was on patrol in the Channel when she encountered a U-boat, UB-37
. The U-boat closed in, opening fire at 3,000 yds. Grenfell sent off his panic party, and allowed Penshurst to turn as she slowed, to be broadside-on to the U-boat. However the U-boat made to cross Penshurst's bow, continuing to fire, causing damage and several casualties over a twenty minute period. At length, when no further advantage could be gained, Penshurst opened fire, and scored several hits with her first shots. UB-37 was crippled and started to sink, and Penshurst finished her attack by dropping depth charges over the site. UB-37 was destroyed, with no survivors.
On 20 February Penshurst again encountered a U-boat in the Southwest Approaches
. She was again attacked, and after the U-boat closed was able to fire on her, causing damage The U-boat submerged and was depth charged but on this occasion was able to escape, returning to base despite the damage.
Two days later on 22 February Penshurst again met with a U-boat, U-84
, which had just sunk the sailing ship Invercauld. As Penshurst drew up to pick up Invercauld’s survivors, U-84 fired a torpedo at her, which was narrowly avoided. Penshurst then feigned running, but at half speed, and, as the U-boat opened fire, sent off her boat party. U 84 submerged to examine Penshurst in safety, but was satisfied, surfacing 600 yds away. Penshurst was then able to open fire, damaging the U-boat, and dropping depth charges as she submerged. As she did this, Penshurst was joined by the sloop Alyssum which joined the attack. However U-84 was able to surface, away from the two hunters, and fled on the surface, outstripping her two pursuers.
The following month, on 30 March, Penshurst again encountered a U-boat, UB-32
, but on this occasion the U-boat was able to inflict severe damage to her before escaping. Penshurst was towed back to Portsmouth
where she was docked for repairs and a refit.
On 2 July, back in service and under a new commander, Lt C Naylor, Penshurst was again in the SW Approaches when she fell in with another U-boat. The boat submerged as Penshurst approached and fired a torpedo, which missed. Naylor sent his boat party off, and then waited for the U-boat to come into range. Penshurst was under fire for some thirty minutes until she was able to open fire herself. The U-boat was damaged, but again was able to escape, despite the arrival of a group of destroyers. For this action, and his resolution under fire, Naylor received the DSO
.
On 19 August Penshurst was following up a report from a merchantman when she fell in with UC-72
. As she approached, the U-boat fired a torpedo, which struck below the bridge. As the boat surfaced, Penshurst fired using a 3 pdr gun she carried in plain sight. By this stage of the campaign many merchant ships were defensively armed, and a Q-ship would look suspicious if she did not do the same. It was a further development in the process of bluff and double-bluff which typified the Q-ship campaign. However UC-72 was not fooled by this lack-lustre response, and Penshurt was not fully under control, so Naylor refrained from sending off his boat party, but opened fire with all guns. He had also sent a distress call, and after a short time was joined by the destroyer Leonidas
. At this UC-72 submerged and fled.
Penshurst, escorted by Leonidas then made her way back to Plymouth, where she remained in dock for repair and refit. One of the changes was to improve her armament, adding two 4 in guns and upgrading to two 12 pdr and two 6 pdr guns. These were re-positioned to give more fire-power over the bow and stern. These changes were to take account of the changes in U-boat armament and tactics.
. The boat, U-110, submerged in order to let Penshurst come into range, and just after mid-day fired a torpedo, which hit her in the engine room. Naylor sent his boat crew off, but U-110 remained under for two hours, examining the ship, until she surfaced off Penshurst's bow and commenced shelling. Penshurst replied, but was unable to bring all her guns to bear as she was down by the stern. She scored some hits, but U-110 submerged again, and, when a RN submarine chaser arrived around 4 pm, made off having suffered little damage.
Penshurst however was seriously hurt, and despite attempts to bring her home, she sank at 8.05 pm. All her crew were successfully removed though stoker 1st class Albert Brewer died later the same day. Irish medals web page, including Albert Brewer.
Naylor was awarded a second bar to his DSO for this action.
Penshurst was one of the RN’s most successful Q-ships, fighting eleven engagements over a two year period, and destroying two U-boats and damaging several others in that time.
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...
warship that was active during World War I
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 was a Special Service Vessel (also known as Q-ship
Q-ship
Q-ships, also known as Q-boats, Decoy Vessels, Special Service Ships, or Mystery Ships, were heavily armed merchant ships with concealed weaponry, designed to lure submarines into making surface attacks. This gave Q-ships the chance to open fire and sink them...
s) whose function was to act as a decoy, inviting attack by a U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
in order to engage and (if possible) destroy it.
Penshurst fought a number of engagements against German U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
s during her service, and was successful on two occasions, destroying UB-19
SM UB-19
SM UB-19 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 30 April 1915 and launched on 2 September 1915...
in November 1916, and UB-37
SM UB-37
SM UB-37 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 22 July 1915 and launched on 28 December 1915...
in January 1917.
Penshurst was sunk following an action with U-110 in December 1917.
Early career
Penshurst was built in 1906 as a cargo steamer, and had an uneventful peacetime career before the start of World War I.In 1915 she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for conversion into a special service vessel. She was taken in hand at Longhope, part of the Scapa Flow
Scapa Flow
right|thumb|Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern endScapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. It is about...
naval base in the Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands
Orkney also known as the Orkney Islands , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated north of the coast of Caithness...
.
She was armed with five guns originally; this was increased later in the campaign. These were a 12 pounder, two 6 pdr and two 3 pdr guns, hidden behind screens and dummy fixtures. Penshurst was manned with a volunteer crew and commanded by Cdr FH Grenfell. She commissioned on 6 November 1915
Service history
Penshurst commenced operations around the North coast of Scotland before being transferred in spring 1916 to QueenstownCobh
Cobh is a seaport town on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland. Cobh is on the south side of Great Island in Cork Harbour. Facing the town are Spike Island and Haulbowline Island...
, operating around the coast of Ireland and in the English Channel.
For almost a year she had little success; during 1916 the German Navy had scaled down their U-boat operations
Atlantic U-boat Campaign (World War I)
The Atlantic U-boat Campaign of World War I was the naval campaign fought by German U-boats in Atlantic waters, that is, the seas around the British Isles, the North Sea, and the coast of France. Initially directed against the British Grand Fleet, later it was extended to include action against...
against commerce around Britain, and there were few contacts in this theatre.
On 29 November 1916 Penshurst fell in with a U-boat which was attacking the steamer Wileyside. Penshurst was able to approach to 3000 yards before the U-boat ordered her to stop. Grenfell's crew went through their "abandon ship" evolution, putting out boats manned by a "panic party", while Penshurst stopped, waiting for the U-Boat to come closer. However the U-boat declined to come closer, and with it partly hidden in the glare of the setting sun Penshurst opened fire. She got several shots off before the U-boat dived, and closed to drop depth charges on the spot, but the U boat (which was unidentified) escaped.
The following day on 30 November Penshurst, having changed her appearance and moved to a different part of the Channel, came upon a U-boat, UB-19
SM UB-19
SM UB-19 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 30 April 1915 and launched on 2 September 1915...
attacking the steamer Ibex. She again closed, but was overtaken by an approaching seaplane, which bombed the boat as it quickly submerged.
When the pilot became aware of who Penshurst was he landed, and agreed to spot for her while she dropped depth charges. However on take-off the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. As Penshurst stopped to pick up the crew, the U-boat, thinking it was safe, came to the surface again to attack. Taking the opportunity Grenfell waited until the U-boat drew nearer, then opened fire. UB-19 was fatally damaged and sank. Grenfell was awarded the DSO for this achievement.
On 14 January Penshurst was able to repeat her success. Two months later she was on patrol in the Channel when she encountered a U-boat, UB-37
SM UB-37
SM UB-37 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 22 July 1915 and launched on 28 December 1915...
. The U-boat closed in, opening fire at 3,000 yds. Grenfell sent off his panic party, and allowed Penshurst to turn as she slowed, to be broadside-on to the U-boat. However the U-boat made to cross Penshurst's bow, continuing to fire, causing damage and several casualties over a twenty minute period. At length, when no further advantage could be gained, Penshurst opened fire, and scored several hits with her first shots. UB-37 was crippled and started to sink, and Penshurst finished her attack by dropping depth charges over the site. UB-37 was destroyed, with no survivors.
On 20 February Penshurst again encountered a U-boat in the Southwest Approaches
Southwest Approaches
The Southwest Approaches is the name given to the offshore waters to the southwest of Great Britain. The area includes the Celtic Sea, the Bristol Channel and sea areas off southwest Ireland...
. She was again attacked, and after the U-boat closed was able to fire on her, causing damage The U-boat submerged and was depth charged but on this occasion was able to escape, returning to base despite the damage.
Two days later on 22 February Penshurst again met with a U-boat, U-84
SM U-84
SM U-84 was one of the 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I.U-84 was engaged in the naval warfare and took part in the First Battle of the Atlantic....
, which had just sunk the sailing ship Invercauld. As Penshurst drew up to pick up Invercauld’s survivors, U-84 fired a torpedo at her, which was narrowly avoided. Penshurst then feigned running, but at half speed, and, as the U-boat opened fire, sent off her boat party. U 84 submerged to examine Penshurst in safety, but was satisfied, surfacing 600 yds away. Penshurst was then able to open fire, damaging the U-boat, and dropping depth charges as she submerged. As she did this, Penshurst was joined by the sloop Alyssum which joined the attack. However U-84 was able to surface, away from the two hunters, and fled on the surface, outstripping her two pursuers.
The following month, on 30 March, Penshurst again encountered a U-boat, UB-32
SM UB-32
SM UB-32 was a German Type UB II submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 22 July 1915 and launched on 4 December 1915...
, but on this occasion the U-boat was able to inflict severe damage to her before escaping. Penshurst was towed back to Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
where she was docked for repairs and a refit.
On 2 July, back in service and under a new commander, Lt C Naylor, Penshurst was again in the SW Approaches when she fell in with another U-boat. The boat submerged as Penshurst approached and fired a torpedo, which missed. Naylor sent his boat party off, and then waited for the U-boat to come into range. Penshurst was under fire for some thirty minutes until she was able to open fire herself. The U-boat was damaged, but again was able to escape, despite the arrival of a group of destroyers. For this action, and his resolution under fire, Naylor received the DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
.
On 19 August Penshurst was following up a report from a merchantman when she fell in with UC-72
SM UC-72
SM UC-72 was a German Type UC II minelaying submarine or U-boat in the German Imperial Navy during World War I. The U-boat was ordered on 12 January 1916 and was launched on 12 August 1916...
. As she approached, the U-boat fired a torpedo, which struck below the bridge. As the boat surfaced, Penshurst fired using a 3 pdr gun she carried in plain sight. By this stage of the campaign many merchant ships were defensively armed, and a Q-ship would look suspicious if she did not do the same. It was a further development in the process of bluff and double-bluff which typified the Q-ship campaign. However UC-72 was not fooled by this lack-lustre response, and Penshurt was not fully under control, so Naylor refrained from sending off his boat party, but opened fire with all guns. He had also sent a distress call, and after a short time was joined by the destroyer Leonidas
HMS Leonidas (1913)
HMS Leonidas was a Laforey class torpedo boat destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 30 October 1913. She served in World War I with the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla and as a convoy escort in World War I and was broken up in 1922...
. At this UC-72 submerged and fled.
Penshurst, escorted by Leonidas then made her way back to Plymouth, where she remained in dock for repair and refit. One of the changes was to improve her armament, adding two 4 in guns and upgrading to two 12 pdr and two 6 pdr guns. These were re-positioned to give more fire-power over the bow and stern. These changes were to take account of the changes in U-boat armament and tactics.
Fate
On 24 December 1917 Penshurst was again on patrol in the southern part of the Irish Sea, when she encountered a U-Boat off The SmallsSmalls Lighthouse
Smalls Lighthouse stands on a small rock approximately west of St David's Peninsula in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It was erected in 1861 by engineer James Douglass to replace a previous lighthouse which had been erected in 1776 on the same rock...
. The boat, U-110, submerged in order to let Penshurst come into range, and just after mid-day fired a torpedo, which hit her in the engine room. Naylor sent his boat crew off, but U-110 remained under for two hours, examining the ship, until she surfaced off Penshurst's bow and commenced shelling. Penshurst replied, but was unable to bring all her guns to bear as she was down by the stern. She scored some hits, but U-110 submerged again, and, when a RN submarine chaser arrived around 4 pm, made off having suffered little damage.
Penshurst however was seriously hurt, and despite attempts to bring her home, she sank at 8.05 pm. All her crew were successfully removed though stoker 1st class Albert Brewer died later the same day. Irish medals web page, including Albert Brewer.
Naylor was awarded a second bar to his DSO for this action.
Penshurst was one of the RN’s most successful Q-ships, fighting eleven engagements over a two year period, and destroying two U-boats and damaging several others in that time.