HIMS Archer DD-05
Important Dates
29 June 1919, The fifth Type 1 Destroyer (A Class) Archer (DD-05) is laid down at Riverfall Shipyard slipway 1.
13 February 1920, Commander Aaren Day establishes Pre-Commission Unit Archer (DD-05) at HIMS Riverfall. Commander Day is an experienced with diesel electric propulsion which is what the Archer (DD-05) is expected to be outfitted with. The crew starts coming together and working with the shipyard to start getting to know their ship and future home.
28 August 1920, The fifth of the Type 1 Destroyers (A Class) Archer (DD-05) is launched at Riverfall Shipyards Slipway 1. After a successful launch the hull of the Archer is towed to fitting out basin to finish construction. Captain (D) Luke Ingram is in attendance for the launch, as she's planned for his destroyer squadron.
28 September 1920, Commander Aaren Day places the Archer (DD-05) into commission. The Archer joins her three half-sisters of the Type 1 Destroyer (A Class) in commission. Captain (D) Luke Ingram is in attendance for the ceremony.
5-8 November 1920, With the Able (DD-01), the Ape (DD-02), the Alligator (DD-04), and the Archer (DD-05) all in commission and nearly finished with trials, Captain (D) Luke Ingram strikes his flag aboard the Ape. The four half-sister ships cruise together as Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON1) for the first time along the Great South Bay.
5-8 January 1921, Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON1) relocates from Riverfall Shipyards and HIMS Riverfall to HIMNB Blackrock, HIMS Blackrock, located at Blackrock Harbor. The five commissioned ships steam out in this order, Ape (DD-02), Able (DD-01), Archer (DD-05), Aquila (DD-06), and Alligator (DD-04). Captain (D) Luke Ingram flies his flag aboard the Ape (DD-02). Upon arriving at HIMS Blackrock Captain (D) Ingram starts planning on which ships will start working with what fleet units.
7 May 1922, Captain (D) Luke Ingram divides his squadron into three divisions of two ships each. First Division which was under Captain (D) Ingram's command with the HIMS Ape (DD-02) and Archer (DD-05). This was done to easy the logistics of fuel supply, with only Third Division having two different fuel types, Fuel Oil for HIMS Able and Coal for HIMS Aardvark.
6 September 1922, The Admiralty assigned three tasks for for the new Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON1). They needed to patrol both the Hanborg Gulf and Eckcastle Sea to relieve several Steam Frigates that need yard time. Also a ship needed to be detached for Colonial Service and had to be coal fired. Captain (D) Luke Ingram assigns Division One of Destroyer Squadron One to patrol the Hanborg Gulf. Division Two of Destroyer Squadron Two is assigned to patrol the Eckcastle Sea. HIMS Able (DD-01) is to keep up the patrol duty in the Great South Bay, while the HIMS Aardvark (DD-04), the only coal fired Type 1 Destroyer (A Class), would be detached to colonial duty. Captain (D) Luke Ingram would shift his staff shore offices.
Propulsion
Diesel Internal combustion generators, Electric motors, 2 shafts, 14,603 shp / 10,894 Kw = 28.00 kts, Range 3,000nm at 10.00 kts, Bunker at max displacement = 84 tons
Weapons & Armament
2 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1920 Model Quick firing guns in deck mounts on centreline ends, evenly spread, all raised mounts
2 - 3.00" / 76.2 mm guns in single mounts, 13.50lbs / 6.12kg shells, 1920 Model Quick firing guns in deck mounts on side, all amidships, all raised mounts - superfiring
Weight of broadside 54 lbs / 24 kg
Shells per gun, main battery: 150
8 - 21.0" / 533.4 mm in four twin mounts (4x2) above water torpedoes.
Manufacturer
Owner
Owning Organization
Price
£0.228 million / $0.912 million
Width
30ft
Length
314ft
Weight
921 t light; 946 t standard; 993 t normal; 1,031 t full load
Speed
28 knots
Complement / Crew
87 - 114
Comments