She was built under the 1910-11 shipbuilding programme by J. Samuel White & Company of Cowes.[1] She had three Parsons turbines, and three White-Forster boilers.[2] Capable of 30 knots,[2] she carried two 4-inch guns, other smaller guns and two 21 inch (533 mm)torpedo tubes and had a complement of 72 men. She was launched on 1 June 1911.[3]
On 24 January 1915, the First Destroyer Flotilla, including Forester, were present at the Battle of Dogger Bank, led by the light cruiser Aurora.[7] Her crew shared in the Prize Money for the German armoured cruiser Blücher.[6]
Transfer to Third Battle Squadron
Forester was not present with her flotilla at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.
She was one of seven destroyers to go with the First Destroyer Flotilla when it was transferred from the Grand Fleet to screen the Third Battle Squadron in November 1916.[8]
HMAT Berrima
On 18 February 1917, 50 miles west of Portland Bill, HMAT Berrima was struck a mine in the English Channel. Four people died, but the greater part of the crew took to the lifeboats and were picked up by Forester. A tow was passed and she was taken under tow into Portland Harbour the next day. She was subsequently repaired and returned to service.[9]
Mediterranean service
Destroyer 'Forester' off Constantinople by Charles John De Lacey
From 1917 the Third Battle Squadron was deployed to the Mediterranean. Forester was present at the entry of the Allied Fleet through the Dardanelles on 12 November 1918.[10]Charles de Lacy painted Forester off Constantinople and this painting is in the Cowes Maritime Museum.[11]
Disposal
In common with most of her class, she was laid up after World War I, and on 4 November 1921 she was sold to Rees of Llanelli for breaking.[4]
References
^ abcdConway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. London: Conway's Maritime Press. 1985. p. 75. ISBN0-85177-245-5.