HMS Abercrombie (1915)

HMS "Abercrombie" was a First World War Royal Navy "Abercrombie"-class monitor.

On 3 November 1914, Charles M. Schwab of Bethlehem Steel offered Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty, the use of four 14in/45cal BL MK II twin gun turrets, originally destined for the Greek ship "Salamis". These turrets could not be delivered to the German builders, due to the British Naval blockade. The Royal Navy immediately designed a class of monitors, designed for shore bombardment, to use the turrets.

"HMS Abercrombie" was laid down at the Harland and Wolff Ltd shipyard at Belfast on 12 December 1914. The ship was named "Admiral Farragut" in honour of the US Admiral David Farragut, however as the United States was still neutral, the ship was hurriedly renamed HMS "M1" on 31 May 1915. She was then named HMS" General Abercrombie" on 19 June 1915 and again renamed HMS "Abercrombie" on 21 June 1915

"HMS Abercrombie" sailed for the Dardanelles on 24 June 1915 and provided fire support during the Battle of Gallipoli. She remained in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, until returning to England in February 1919. She decommissioned in May 1919, and was disarmed in June 1920. Sold for breaking up in May 1921, she was retained in reserve until resold on 25 June 1927 to the Ward shipyard at Inverkeithing for breaking up.

References

* Dittmar, F. J. & Colledge, J. J., "British Warships 1914-1919", (Ian Allen, London, 1972), ISBN 0-7110-0380-7
* Gray, Randal (ed), "Conway's All The Worlds Fighting Ships, 1906-1921", (Conway Maritime Press, London, 1985), ISBN 0-85177-245-5