Stockton Class Destroyers
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The Stockton class took all the best bits of the previous two classes and
improved on them. Slightly bigger than the River class, the main change that
required the extra size was the step up from the 18" torpedoes to the two triple
mountings of 21" fitted to the Stockton's. The class was informally called the
'ton class as all of the names ended with 'ton'. The two sets of superfiring 4"
guns were better than the previous classes.
Three flotillas of 24 ships had been ordered, 8 in 1912, 8 in 1913, a further 8
in late 1913. With war approaching a further flotilla of 8 was ordered in August
1914 and two more flotillas were ordered in December 1914 and March 1915 for a
total of 48 units. The last set of 8 ordered in 1915 were completed in 1917-18.
Being built alongside these flotillas were the slightly larger Mountain Class
Flotilla leaders.
Of the 48 units built 6 were lost during the war and two more became
constructive losses when they grounded on an unmarked bar and literally ripped
their bottoms out. The 40 survivors that made it into WW2 were of incalculable
value as convoy escorts. The ships served all over the world. Some were almost
as built while others were tremendously modified into long range escorts.
Wherever they served it was the AA armament that was continually added to. To
keep stability levels within reason, most lost a set of torpedoes, some both
sets. These being replaced with more AA guns and/or more depth charge launchers
and storage. Some eventually lost A gun which was replaced with a Hedgehog ahead
firing depth charge mortar. The different versions were almost ship-to-ship, and
by the end of the war almost no two ships of the class were alike.
Displacement: 1,250 tons standard, 1,650 tons full load.
Dimensions: 307 x 32 x 11 feet
Machinery: 2 shaft, steam turbines, 30,000shp
Speed: 34 knots
Endurance: 4,000 miles @ 14 knots.
Armour: nil
Armament:
4 x 4" (4x1)
2 x 2pd (1x2)
6 x 21" torpedoes (2x3)
Crew: 77
Stockton (1914) Service/Fate
Monckton (1914) Service/Fate
Collarton (1914) Service/Fate
Sexton (1914) Service/Fate
Carterton (1914) Service/Fate
Borderton (1915) Service/Fate
Necton (1915) Service/Fate
Porterton (1915) Service/Fate