Ian Burns Posted 2 May , 2019 Share Posted 2 May , 2019 The old, 1892, 1st Class cruiser HMS Grafton was modified as a gunfire support ship in 1915. She served at Gallipoli and around the Syrian and Palestine coasts for the rest of the war. Her hull was bulged to provide both stability and torpedo protection. She also grew a large number of boxes on the sides of her hull. What purpose did these boxes serve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 2 May , 2019 Share Posted 2 May , 2019 Additional armour-plating? To deflect small-arms fire? Mine-catcher gear? (cf log 11 Jul 1915) https://naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05-HMS_Grafton.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Currell Posted 3 May , 2019 Share Posted 3 May , 2019 (edited) The boxes appear to be covering a number of swan-neck vents leading into the bulge. The upper ends of the vents can be seen just above the top edge of the boxes. I suppose the bulge needed some means of ventilation, though this particular arrangement is one I haven't seen before. [edit] Similar vents, without the covers, can be seen on the monitor HMS Glatton in this photo: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/HMS_Glatton_in_drydock_IWM_SP_2083.jpg Regards, Ralph Edited 3 May , 2019 by Ralph Currell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Div Mule Posted 3 May , 2019 Share Posted 3 May , 2019 Is that some sort of landing brow at the bow? 58DM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAW Posted 3 May , 2019 Share Posted 3 May , 2019 (edited) An earlier photograph for comparison - without the hull bulge / boxes and bow extension. Mark Edited 3 May , 2019 by MAW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm12hl Posted 3 May , 2019 Share Posted 3 May , 2019 I believe the structure on the bow is a gallows for mine-sweeping paravanes, and the box-like structures enclose the timber stiffeners fitted to the hull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Burns Posted 3 May , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 May , 2019 Thank you all for your replies. Grafton, and her class leader Edgar, were both modified in the dockyard at Malta (I think) and have very similar boxes. I suspect that Ralph has the correct solution and that seaJane also is correct in suggesting the boxes provided light armour around the vent pipes. A somewhat Heath Robinson arrangement but probably effective. The heavy angle structure over the bows looks like overkill for paravanes. I wonder if is a support for anti-torpedo nets for when the ship was stationary during bombardments? Grafton was torpedoed in 1917 but the bulges prevented serious damage and she was back at work along the Syrian coast a few weeks later. Thanks again for your replies Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Burns Posted 3 May , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 May , 2019 My error. I was incorrect about the work being carried out at Malta. I should have checked the link to the log books and other sources first. The conversion was carried out at Glasgow or Belfast in late 1914/early 1915. She was paid off in Glasgow and re-commissioned in Belfast. The torpedo repairs were carried out at Malta in June and July 1917. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm12hl Posted 3 May , 2019 Share Posted 3 May , 2019 Ian, See Norman Friedman, British Cruisers of the Victorian Era, p.287: [EDGAR, ENDYMION, GRAFTON and THESEUS] "were given monitor-style bulges (the only cruisers thus modified), timber stiffening, and prominent bow gallows for paravanes." There are no booms for torpedo nets, the need for which would in any case have been reduced by the installation of the more effective bulges. Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Burns Posted 3 May , 2019 Author Share Posted 3 May , 2019 One has but a finite space, and bank account, for books. That one I do not have. So I am very grateful for the above. I think all my questions and wonderings are now fully answered. Cheers and Thanks Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAW Posted 4 May , 2019 Share Posted 4 May , 2019 Why would the hull bulges have needed vent pipes? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horatio2 Posted 4 May , 2019 Share Posted 4 May , 2019 Perhaps to allow the inner, water-filled part of the bulge to vent upwards under pressure from a torpedo strike against the outer bulge, thus relieving pressure against the main, unarmoured hull.? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-torpedo_bulge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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