HMS Aurora (1913)

HMS "Aurora" was an "Arethusa"-class light cruiser launched on 30 September, 1913 at Devonport Dockyard.

Construction started in 1912 and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy and saw service as part of the Grand Fleet from 1914 to 1915, as leader of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla. In 1915, "Aurora" was assigned as leader of the 10th Destroyer flotilla of the Harwich Force, guarding the eastern approaches to the English Channel.

Her experienced crew and durability made her a natural choice as a Flagship during many offensive operations throughout the course of the First World War. She was the first Royal Navy warship in action at Battle of Dogger Bank (1915). In August 1915 she took part in sinking of German raider "Meteor". In 1918 she was again reassigned, to the 7th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet and HMS "Aurora" was one of the ships present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet, in November 1918.

Between 1918 and 1920, HMS "Aurora" was decommissioned in order to relieve financial pressures of the Home Fleet by the Admiralty. Her manning was reduced to a custodian crew and the relieved personnel were sent to other units.

In 1920 she was re-activated in order to outfit her for transfer to the Royal Canadian Navy. The RCN took possession of her on November 1, 1920 and renamed her warship|HMCS|Aurora. She sailed shortly afterward from the United Kingdom for Halifax, arriving on December 21 with two ex-Royal Navy destroyers that had also been transferred to the RCN.

After a minimal time in port at HMC Dockyard, the three ships set out for a training cruise via the Caribbean to Esquimalt, British Columbia. HMCS "Aurora" returned to Halifax on July 30, 1921 via the same route.

In August 1921, drastic budget cuts resulted in the decommissioning of HMCS "Aurora". She was immediately Paid Off, and in 1922 she was disarmed. Her weapons were placed ashore in training facilities, and on other active ships. Her crew was reduced to non-manned, and much of her up to date equipment was salvaged for use in other RCN warships. The "Aurora's" hulk was left alongside a jetty at the RCN base in Halifax until 1927 when her deterioration resulted in city officials demanding the RCN move her. The RCN immediately sold her for scrap, and she was broken up.

Commanding officers

*Captain H.G.H. Adams, CBE, (RN): 1 November 1920 - 1 July 1922

References

*Colledge
*Jane's Fighting Ships of World War One (1919), Jane's Publishing Company
* [http://www.worldwar1.co.uk/light-cruiser/hms-Arethusa.html Ships of the Arethusa class]
* Macpherson, Keneth R. and Burgess, John. (1982)(Second Printing) The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910-1981. Collins Publishers. ISBN 0-00-216856-1