Guest Phil Solomon Posted 10 December , 2003 Share Posted 10 December , 2003 My Grandfather (H. G. Undey) was on HMS Phoebe at Zeebrugge in WWI. Does anybody have any information about this ship? I know that they rescued survivors from HMS North Star when it was hit at Zeebrugge. Phil Solomon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 10 December , 2003 Share Posted 10 December , 2003 Phil The Phoebe was commanded by Lieutenant - Commander H.E. Gore-Langton. When he saw the North Star struck and brought to a standstill he went to her assistance and made a smoke screen to shield her from view. Then the Phoebe moved ahead of the North Star and passed a wire across to tow her out of action. The ships drifted some distance to the north east until the North Star lay almost at right angles to the Phoebe and by that time the smoke-screen had dispersed. The two ships were then again lit up by the searchlights and were heavily shelled at close range. The Phoebe again tried to drag the North Star to safety but by then the latter's engine and boiler rooms were flooded and the strain caused the wire to snap. Gore-Langton then turned the Phoebe alongside the wreck of the North Star with the intention of drawing her further out before attempting to tow her from the front but several shells struck the North Star blowing her capstan overboard and killing and wounding many men. Realising that she was unable to carry out her intention, the Phoebe cast off, made another smoke-screen between the North Star and the shore and then sent a boat to rescue some of the survivors. The North Star also lowered her boats and ferried some men across to the Phoebe. Gore-Langton once again tried to tow the North Star clear under the cover of a smoke screen but again the NS was hit and seeing that she was sinking he gave orders that she should be abandoned. Men scrambled across from the sinking ship to the Phoebe but it is said that one was left behind. When this was realised the Phoebe reapproached the NS to rescue him but as she came alongside, the man was killed by a bursting shell. The Phoebe had stayed by the North Star for nearly an hour. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Birch Posted 10 December , 2003 Share Posted 10 December , 2003 Myrtle Do you have any info on type, class, displacement and armament for HMS Phoebe? My 1914 copy of Jane doesn't list her. Was she built subsequently? Jane does not list HMS North Star either. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooter Posted 10 December , 2003 Share Posted 10 December , 2003 Tim Phoebe and North Star were both “M” class destroyers. Phoebe was built by Fairfields, launched on 20.11.16 and sold to the breakers in May 1921. Approximate details are displacement: 1000 tons dimensions: 265’x26.5’x10.8’ complement: 79 power plant: Brown Curtis turbines, developing 25,000 h.p. speed: 34 knots fuel capacity: 300 tons of oil range (at 15 knots): 1,500 to 2,500 miles armament: 3-4in QF Mk IV, 2-1pdr pom-pom, 4-21in TT cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted 11 December , 2003 Share Posted 11 December , 2003 Tim Just returned to site to find your question and to see that Chris has supplied you with details. There is some information about the two ships on page 72 and 314 in my copy of Jane's. Myrtle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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