View source for HMS Acasta (1912)

{{Short description|British naval ship}}
{{other ships|HMS Acasta}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMS Acasta, Acasta-class destroyer - IWM Q 75130.jpg
|Ship image size=300px
|Ship caption= HMS ''Acasta'' (Imperial War Museum)
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Acasta''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[John Brown & Company]], [[Clydebank]]
|Ship laid down=1 December 1911
|Ship launched=10 September 1912
|Ship christened=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=June 1916
|Ship captured=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship fate=Sold for [[Ship breaking|breaking up]] 9 May 1921
|Ship homeport=
|Ship honours=[[Battle of Jutland|Jutland]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class={{sclass|Acasta|destroyer}}
|Ship displacement=984 tons
|Ship length={{convert|267|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship beam={{convert|26|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draught={{convert|9|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draft=
|Ship power={{convert|24500|hp|kW|abbr=on|0|lk=in}}
|Ship propulsion=* Yarrow-type water-tube boilers
* 2 shaft Brown-Curtis steam turbines
|Ship speed={{convert|32|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=77
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=* 3 × [[QF 4 inch naval gun Mk IV, XII, XXII|QF {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on|0}} L/40 Mark IV guns]], mounting P Mk. IX
* 1 × [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr pom-pom Mk. II]]
* 2 × single tubes for [[British 21 inch torpedo|{{convert|21|in|mm|abbr=on|0}}]] torpedoes
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Acasta''''' was an {{sclass|Acasta|destroyer}} of the [[Royal Navy]], and the [[name ship]] of that class. She was built between 1911 and 1913, and was initially designated a K-class [[torpedo boat destroyer]], having at various times the [[pennant number]]s G40, H59 (1914) or H00 (1918).<ref name=NavHist>{{cite web|title=British Warships, 1914-19|url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyBritishShips-Dittmar1.htm|accessdate=18 October 2014}}</ref> She saw extensive service during the [[World War I|First World War]], including at the [[Battle of Jutland]], where she was badly damaged. She was sold for [[Ship breaking|breaking up]] in 1921.

==Construction==
''Acasta'', originally intended to be named ''King'',<ref name=NavHist /> was [[Keel laying|laid down]] at [[John Brown & Company|John Brown's]] shipyard at [[Clydebank]] on 1 December 1911, [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 10 September 1912<ref>{{cite web|title=Clydebank database: HMS Acasta (includes photograph of launch)|url=http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=2298|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415232120/http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=2298|url-status=usurped|archive-date=15 April 2015|accessdate=8 April 2015}}</ref> and completed the following month.<ref name=BC>{{cite web|url=http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/destroyers_before_1900.htm|title=Battleships-Cruisers.co.uk website - Destroyers before 1918|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Powered by two shaft [[Brown-Curtis]] [[steam turbine]]s she had a maximum speed of {{convert|32|kn|lk=in}} and had a complement of 75-77 men. After completion she joined the [[4th Destroyer Flotilla]].<ref name=Acasta>{{cite web|title=HMS ''Acasta''|url=http://www.hmsacasta.co.uk/hms%20acasta.html|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref>

==Service during the First World War==
''Acasta'' served with the [[Grand Fleet]] from the outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]]. Her [[depot ship]] was {{HMS|Hecla|1878|6}}. On 16 December 1914 she was in the [[4th Destroyer Flotilla]] attached to a battle group sent to challenge several German ships intent on bombarding the North [[Yorkshire]] coast.<ref>{{cite web|title=British east coast raid|url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Battle1412EastCoastRaid.htm|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref>

===Battle of Jutland===
During the [[Battle of Jutland]], the 4th Flotilla was attached to Admiral [[David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty|David Beatty]]'s Battlecruiser Fleet based at [[Rosyth]], and assigned to cover the [[3rd Battlecruiser Squadron]], screening the cruiser {{HMS|Chester|1915|6}}. ''Acasta'' was commanded by Lieutenant Commander J. O. Barron. The squadron left [[Pentland Firth]] in the evening of 30 May 1916 and engaged the enemy at 5.40pm on 31 May.<ref>{{cite work|title=3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron at Jutland|publisher=Naval Review|date=1919|page=127-130}}</ref>

During the battle, destroyer {{HMS|Shark|1912|2}} was crippled by gunfire<ref>{{cite book | title = Jutland: An analysis of the fighting | author = N. J. Campbell | isbn=0-85177-379-6 | year = 1987}}</ref> and was offered assistance by the already damaged ''Acasta'' but declined. In the same action, against at that time a superior enemy force,<ref>{{cite work|last=Brookes|first=Ewart|title=Destroyer|publisher=Arrow|page=68-70|date=1977|isbn=0099068001}}</ref> ''Acasta'' was hit by two {{convert|5.9|in|mm|adj=on|0}} shells from {{SMS|Derfflinger}}, which left her with six dead<ref name=Casualties>{{cite web|title=Jutland Casualties|url=http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/jutland/hms_nestor_nomad_sparrowhawk_1916.htm|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=Devon>{{cite web|title=Devon Heritage - HMS Acasta|url=http://www.devonheritage.org/Places/DevonCounty/JutlandHMSAcasta.htm|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=Corbett /> and one wounded, and unable to stop or steer. A signal from {{HMS|Benbow|1913|6}} at 6.40pm reported ''Acasta'' in danger of sinking.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Archives: Official dispatches for the Battle of Jutland|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/battles/p_despatchesjutland.htm|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Admiral Beatty's report on the battle mentions an unknown, disabled destroyer which, from the time (about 7pm) may refer to ''Acasta''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Beatty's report on the Battle of Jutland|url=http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Beatty%27s_Report_on_The_Battle_of_Jutland|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> At 6.47 {{HMS|Iron Duke|1912|2}}, the [[Grand Fleet]]'s flagship, passed the disabled destroyer whose crew lined the sides to cheer the battleship as she passed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Front Association: Battle of Jutland - Chronology|url=http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the-great-war/great-war-at-sea-in-air/nava-actions/435-jut-prine.html#sthash.nhg04GUt.dpbs|accessdate=1 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=Acasta /> According to an eye-witness aboard {{HMS|Valiant|1914|6}}, ''Acasta'' was "badly holed, with {{HMS|Galatea|1914|6}} standing by her."<ref>{{cite web|title=Defence Viewpoints: Hot news from the Battle of Jutland|url=http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/interviews/hot-news-from-the-battle-of-jutland|accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref>
[[File:HMS Acasta IWM Q 020904.jpg|thumb|HMS ''Acasta'' c.1918]]
''Acasta'' was able to effect some emergency repairs during the next six hours, but broke down again and was eventually taken in tow by {{HMS|Nonsuch|1915|6}} and reached [[Aberdeen]] two days after the battle, so badly damaged she practically had to be rebuilt. She claimed a torpedo hit on {{SMS|Lützow}} but this was not officially confirmed.<ref name=Corbett>{{cite web|title=Naval History|url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book-RN3b.htm#H|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite work|publisher=HMSO|date=3 June 1916|title=Battle of Jutland Official Despatches|pages=307–308|url=https://archive.org/stream/battleofjutland300grearich#page/306/mode/2up|accessdate=22 August 2016}}</ref> The German Admiralty's report of the battle on 1 June included the claim that ''Acasta'' had been destroyed.<ref>{{cite work|last=Newbolt|first=Henry|title=Naval Operations, Vol. 4|date=1928|publisher=Longmans Green & Co|url=http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book-RN4a.htm|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref>

===After Jutland===
After extensive repairs, completed by 2 August,<ref name=Corbett /> ''Acasta'' went back into service, joining one of the destroyer flotillas (4th or 6th) in one of the [[English Channel]] bases of [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]], [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport]] or Dover.<ref name=NavHist /> She sustained damage, with three casualties, following a collision in the English Channel on 22 December 1917.<ref>{{cite web|title=Casualty lists|url=http://www.naval-history.net/xDKCas1917-12Dec.htm|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref>

==Post-war service==
On 6 and 8 August 1919 ''Acasta'' attended the newly commissioned heavy cruiser {{HMS|Hawkins|D86|6}} on torpedo trials in [[Freshwater, Isle of Wight|Freshwater Bay]].<ref>{{cite web|title=British warship logbooks|url=http://www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-06-HMS_Hawkins.htm|accessdate=13 November 2014}} (Note: ref describes ''Hawkins'' as a light cruiser, probably incorrectly)</ref>

==Fate==
''Acasta'' was sold on 9 May 1921 to Ward, Hayle for [[Ship breaking|breaking up]].<ref name=BC /><ref name=NavHist />

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/battles/p_mapjutland.htm Map and timelines of Battle of Jutland]
* Corbett, Sir Julian, ''History of the Great War - Naval Operations'', Vol. 3, Longmans, 1921. Full text online at [http://www.naval-history.net/WW1Book-RN3a.htm]

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|HMS Acasta (ship, 1912)}}
* [https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/community/2561 Imperial War Museum: Lives of the First World War: HMS ''Acasta'' at the Battle of Jutland]
* Battle of Jutland Crew Lists Project - [https://www.jutlandcrewlists.org/acasta HMS Acasta Crew List]

{{Acasta class destroyer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Acasta}}
[[Category:Acasta-class destroyers]]
[[Category:World War I destroyers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1912 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]