HMS Defender (1911)

HMS Defender was an Acheron-class destroyer which was built in 1911, served throughout World War I and was broken up in 1921. She was the fifth ship of the name to serve in the Royal Navy.

Construction
Defender was laid down at William Denny & Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland on 9 November 1910 and launched on 30 August 1911. Her total cost was £83,000. Capable of 27 kn, she carried two 4 in guns, other smaller guns and 21 in torpedo tubes and had a complement of 70 men.

Pre-World War One
Defender and her sisters formed the First Destroyer Flotilla and were attached to the Grand Fleet in 1914.

Battle of Heligoland Bight
On 28 August 1914 the Royal Navy and the Imperial German Navy met at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. When the German Destroyer V184 was hit by four British destroyers and sank with heavy loss of life, Defender stopped to pick up survivors. The reappearance of the German cruiser SMS Stettin caused two of her boats to be left behind. Their crews, and the rescued German sailors, were lucky to be rescued by the British Submarine E4. Short of space, the captain of E4 embarked a few German prisoners and supplied the boats with water, biscuits, a compass, and a course to steer, and they returned safely to base.

Battle of Dogger Bank
Defender was present at the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915 with the First Destroyer flotilla, led by the light cruiser Aurora.

Battle of Jutland
On the night of 31 May - 1 June 1916 Defender took an active part in the Battle of Jutland. During the night action she had one man killed by a shell which also reduced her speed to zero, but on restoring propulsion (about 19:15) she took the damaged Onslow in tow and made Aberdeen the next day. Her captain, Lieutenant Commander L R Palmer received the Distinguished Service Order. The event was described in detail by Rudyard Kipling, in Sea Warfare under the heading Towing Under Difficulties. The Report on the Battle by Admiral Beatty stated that:

"Defender, whose speed had been reduced to 10 knots, while on the disengaged side of the battle cruisers, was struck by a shell which damaged her foremost boiler, but closed Onslow and took her in tow. Shells were falling all round them during this operation, which, however, was successfully accomplished. During the heavy weather of the ensuing night the tow parted twice, but was resecured. The two struggled on together until 1p.m. 1st June, when Onslow was transferred to tugs. I consider the performances of these two destroyers to be gallant in the extreme, and I am recommending Lieutenant-Commander J. C. Tovey of Onslow, and Lieutenant Commander Palmer of Defender, for special recognition..."

- Admiral David Beatty

Lieutenant Commander Palmer wrote after the battle that Onslow had signalled Defender with the following message: "We all Captain, officers and ship’s company thank you very much for your kind and most efficient assistance and wish you all possible luck and a long leave"

- Onslow to Defender

Disposal
She was transferred to the 3rd Battle Squadron in 1916 and survived the war.

Defender was laid up and sold to Rees of Llanelly for breaking up in November 1921.