Menace was one of the sixteen Admiralty M-class destroyers ordered by the British Admiralty in September 1914 as part of the First War Programme at the start of the First World War.[1] The M class was an improved version of the earlier L-class, required to reach a higher speed in order to counter rumoured new German fast destroyers. The remit was to have a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph) although ultimately the destroyers fell short of that ambition in service. It transpired that the German warships did not exist, but the extra performance that Menace achieved was valued by the navy.[2]
The destroyer had a length of 265 ft (80.8 m) between perpendiculars and 273 ft 4 in (83.3 m) overall, with a beam of 26 ft 8 in (8.1 m) and draught of 8 ft 11 in (2.7 m). Displacement was 971 long tons (987 t) normal.[3] Power was provided by three Yarrow boilers feeding steam to Brown-Curtiss geared steam turbines rated at 23,000 shaft horsepower (17,000 kW), driving three shafts and exhausting through three funnels. Design speed was 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph).[4] A total of 228 long tons (232 t) of oil was carried. Design range was 2,530 nautical miles (4,690 km; 2,910 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph), but actual endurance in service was less; sister shipMurray had a range of 2,240 nautical miles (4,150 km; 2,580 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[3]
On 30 May, the destroyer sailed with the Grand Fleet to confront the German High Seas Fleet in what would be the Battle of Jutland, forming part of the Second Division of the Flotilla that included sister shipNonsuch.[12] The vessel was deployed in action against the German light cruisers.[13] However, as the destroyers approached, the first division, already being attacked by enemy gunfire, turned into their path and so Menace had to manoeuvre out of the way.[14] The cruisers then pounced on Menace and Nonsuch, which were at the rear of the flotilla. The attack was so close that Menace narrowly avoided being rammed but escaped unharmed.[15] The flotilla then redeployed and, observing the battleships of the High Seas Fleet ahead, sped into action. In the ensuing fight, Menace made a series of unsuccessful attacks, although the pre-dreadnoughtPommern was sunk by Onslaught.[16] It proved to be the final engagement of the battle.[17]
The flotilla returned to Scapa Flow on 2 June.[18] A few days later, Menace joined the unsuccessful search for the armoured cruiserHampshire, sunk by a German mine off the coast of Mainland, Orkney.[19]Hampshire had been sailing to Russia without escort with the Secretary of State for War, Field MarshalLord Kitchener, but had sunk after hitting a mine and only 13 individuals, which did not include the Secretary of State, survived.[20] The destroyer remained part of the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla on 19 August.[21] The flotilla subsequently took part in a large exercise with other flotillas and fleets of the Grand Fleet, led by the dreadnought battleshipIron Duke, between 22 and 24 November.[22]
On 15 October 1917, Menace formed part of a large-scale operation, involving 30 cruisers and 54 destroyers deployed in eight groups across the North Sea in an attempt to stop a suspected sortie by German naval forces. The vessel, along with fellow destroyer Noble, was despatched from the flotilla to operate with the Third Light Cruiser Squadron.[23] Despite these measures, the German light cruisers Bremse and Brummer managed to attack the regular convoy between Norway and Britain two days later, sinking nine merchant ships and two destroyers, Mary Rose and Strongbow, before returning safely to Germany.[24] At the end of the war, Menace was part of the Third Destroyer Flotilla.[25]
After the Armistice that ended the war, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel needed to be reduced to save money.[26] The destroyer was transferred to reserve at Nore[27] However, the harsh conditions of wartime operations, exacerbated by the fact that the hull was not galvanised, meant that the ship was worn out.[28]Menace was retired, and, on 9 April 1921, was sold to Ward of Grays, and broken up from 8 February 1924.[29]
Brooks, John (2016). The Battle of Jutland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN978-1-107-15014-0.
Bush, Steve; Warlow, Ben (2021). Pendant Numbers of the Royal Navy: A Complete History of the Allocation of Pendant Numbers to Royal Navy Warships & Auxiliaries. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN978-1-526793-78-2.
Colledge, James Joseph; Warlow, Ben (2006). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of All Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy. London: Chatham Press. ISBN978-1-93514-907-1.
March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953; Drawn by Admiralty Permission From Official Records & Returns, Ships' Covers & Building Plans. London: Seeley Service. OCLC164893555.
McBride, Keith (1991). "British 'M' Class Destroyers of 1913–14". In Gardiner, Robert (ed.). Warship 1991. London: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 34–49. ISBN978-0-85177-582-1.