HMS Severn (1913)

HMS Severn was a Humber-class monitor of the Royal Navy. Originally built by Vickers for Brazil, she was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1914 on the outbreak of World War I along with her sister ships Humber and Mersey. She had been christened Solimoes by the Brazilians, but was renamed by the British. The three ships were the first of a new type of specialized shore-bombardment warships. She was 265 feet long and 49 feet wide. Her draft when fully loaded was only 6.5 feet, but very un-manoeuvrable and unseaworthy in open waters in anything more than a Force 5 wind.

She had a relatively successful career in World War I with at least three engagements. At the Battle of the Yser in 1914, off the coast of Belgium, she bombarded German troops as well as artillery positions. On 10 October 1914 she survived an attack by the SMU U-8 when a torpedo passed under the shallow draught vessel. In early 1915 the twin turret was removed and replaced by two shielded single 6 inch guns fore and aft. In July 1915 she was towed to the Rufiji River delta in German East Africa where she and Mersey then assisted in the destruction of the Kaiserliche Marine cruiser SMS Königsberg.

She was sold for breaking up on 9 May 1921 to Ward, of Preston, and arrived at their yards on 23 March 1923.

Battle honours

 * Battle of the Yser 1914 - 1915
 * SMS Königsberg 1915