NAVYPEDIA

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Abdiel

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Nimrod	H5A, H90		Denny, Dumbarton	10/1914	12.4.1915	8/1915	BU 11.1926
Marksman	H96, G35, F85, G23, F66		Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn	7/1914	28.4.1915	11/1915	BU 11.1921
Kempenfelt	HA1, G10, F87, G12		Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	10.1914	1.5.1915	8.1915	BU 5.1921
Lightfoot	H76, H53, G22, F78		White, Cowes	6/1914	28.5.1915	5/1915	BU 5.1921
Abdiel (ex-Ithuriel)	G07, F43, F49		Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	5.1915	12.10.1915	3/1916	BU 7.1936
Gabriel (ex-Abdiel)	G21, F00, F91		Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	1.1915	23.12.1915	7/1916	BU 5.1921
Ithuriel (ex-Gabriel)	G32, G50, F83		Cammell Laird, Birkenhead	1/1915	8.3.1916	8/1916	BU 11.1921

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	1440
Displacement full, t	1700
Length, m	99.0
Breadth, m	9.68
Draught, m	3.66
No of shafts	3
Machinery	Kempenfelt, Abdiel, Gabriel, Ithuriel: 3 Parsons steam turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers Lightfoot: 3 Parsons steam turbines, 4 White-Forster boilers Marksman, Nimrod: 3 Brown-Curtis steam turbines, 4 Yarrow boilers
Power, h. p.	36000
Max speed, kts	34.5
Fuel, t	oil 515
Endurance, nm(kts)	2500(15)
Armament	4 x 1 - 102/40 QF Mk IV, 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II, 2 x 2 - 533 TT (4)
Complement	104

Graphics

Project history Experience with the Swift and the comparatively low speed of the scout cruisers confirmed the need for a new type of flotilla leader, based on the destroyer. A conferen

Experience with the Swift and the comparatively low speed of the scout cruisers confirmed the need for a new type of flotilla leader, based on the destroyer. A conference of the War Staff in October 1913 proposed that a 'Tribal' class (Crusader, Maori or Zulu, or Swift herself) should be given PouIsen long-range wireless (150nm range) and have the bridge enlarged to accommodate the additional Captain (D)'s staff. However the Controller instructed the DNC to prepare a legend for a leader not exceeding 1800t, a speed of 33-34kts, 4 102mm guns and 4 'anti-airship pom-poms' etc. Accommodation would include Captain (D), an extra Lieutenat, a WO for signal duties and 8 extra staff. The design had machinery similar to the 'M' class. Although three were proposed, only two were approved; one each for the 1st and 3rd DF, a scout cruiser for the slower Acorn class in the 2nd DF, and Swift to lead 4th DF, all forming part of 1st Fleet. The design was approved in December 1913 and it was suggested that their names should conform to the new initial letter of the flotilla which they would lead, hence the names Lightfoot and Marksman. In April 1914 tenders were put our for two more, Kempenfelt and Nimrod, to be built under the 1914-15 Estimates. In August 1914 the 12 1pdr out of the total ordered for the 13 'M' class and the first two leaders were transferred to the Army for use in France, so the design was altered to 11.2-pdr guns instead, but in February 1915 Vickers 2pdr pom-poms were substituted.     The four leaders were successful, providing sufficient extra space for the administrative and signal staff essential to the running of a large flotilla. In November 1914 three more were ordered, but this time they were given the names of angels in Milton's Paradise Lost. One of them, Gabriel, was selected in August 1915 for conversion to a minelayer but later the same month Abdiel took her place. She was given stowage for 80 mines, and when loaded sacrificed both sets of TT and Nos 3 and 4 guns. Modernizations: 9.1915, Abdiel: - 2 x 1 - 102/40, 2 x 2 - 533 TT; + rails for 80 mines

1917, Lightfoot, Nimrod: + 2 x 1 - 450 TT

1917-1918, Kempenfelt, Lightfoot, Marksman: + 1 x 1 - 76/45 20cwt QF Mk II

mid-1918, Gabriel: - 2 x 1 - 102/40, 2 x 2 - 533 TT; + rails for 60 mines

Naval service

No significant events.