- HMS Laforey (1913)
HMS "Laforey", the name ship of the Laforey class
destroyer s, was launched atGovan in 1913 following construction by theFairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company . She possessed 3 4" guns and 4 torpedo tubes, and was designed to operate in British coastal waters against enemy surface and submarine shipping.During the
First World War , "Laforey" was assigned to theDover Patrol , a tough mission involving the safe conduct of packed allied troopships from Britain to the frontline in France and then returning the ships full of wounded men. The ship's participating in this duty had to constantly remain alert for attacks by submarines, destroyer squadrons and mines in addition to the normal hazards of the sea crossing. During 1917 operations in theEnglish Channel had become ever more dangerous, as German units became more adventurous in their operations against the link between Britain and France. Just four days before the "Laforey" was lost, a raid by German destroyers had sunk the destroyer HMS "Paragon" with all but ten hands.On the 23 March, 1917, the "Laforey" and her sister ship the HMS "Laertes" were escorting several cargo ships to France, using the
Folkstone to Boulogne route. The ships were safely berthed in France and the destroyers had turned for home when at 4.30pm a large explosion detonated on the "Laforey" amidships. The ship immediately broke in half, with the stern sinking immediately with all aboard. The bow remained floating for some time, as the "Laertes" struggled to rescue the surviving crew. However, that part too rapidly disappeared, leaving just 18 survivors. The wreck remains in situ, with the 59 crew members who lost their lives in the wreck still aboard.
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