TCG Bodrum (DD-1915 (1938-mod))

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To escort the ex-Moltke battlecruiser on its transfer to the Ottoman Empires Navy, the Royal Navy sent two M class destroyers that were excess to their requirements. The ships were to be transferred to the Turks on their arrival on loan till 1926 when the Turks had the right of purchase at a scrap price pre-arranged. The two ships had proved extremely useful in their 5 years of free service and the Turks exercised their right of purchase. The ships were used as patrol vessels and escorts to the batllecruisers when they were available. Nothing of consequence was done to the vessels till 1937-38 when their armament was revised. The 1932 assistance package worked out between the Germanic States and the Ottoman Empire made available both technical assistance and armaments.

The three single 4" guns were removed and replaced with two 88mm dual purpose weapons, fore and aft, and a twin 37mm AA mounting amidships. The single 2pd AA gun was replaced with a twin 20mm mounting and two single 20mm were added beside the bridge superstructure. The two sets of twin 21" torpedo tubes were retained. Depth charge racks were added aft. A small range/height finder was mounted at the back of the bridge to assist with the control of the 88mm guns.

Now at 23-24 years old these ships worst aspect were their engines. While other countries converted their older coal fired ships to burn fuel oil the Turks had retained the coal fired boilers. Quite simply the Turks had access to coal but not oil within their Empire. The M class ships had had a hard war during 1915-18 when they were run very hard for extended periods of time. This took a great toll on the ships machinery and as they got older mechanical breakdowns were a common occurrence. Poor maintenance did not help.

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