She was built under the 1910-11 shipbuilding programme by Swan Hunter of Wallsend.[1] She had three Parsons turbines, and three Yarrows boilers.[2] Capable of 28 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 9 July 1911.[3]
She was present on 28 August 1914 at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, detached from the First Destroyer Flotilla along with Badger, Beaver and Jackal.[5] She shared in the prize money for the engagement.[6]
The Battle of Dogger Bank
On 24 January 1915, the First Destroyer Flotilla, including Sandfly, were present at the Battle of Dogger Bank, led by the light cruiser HMS Aurora.[7] Her crew shared in the prize money for the German armoured cruiser SMS Blücher.[6]
Transfer to Third Battle Squadron
Sandfly 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]
Conversion to minelayer
HMS Sandfly
In 1917 the Acheron-class destroyers Ferret, Sandfly and Ariel were converted to minelaying destroyers,[9] capable of carrying 40 mines. Sandfly served with the 20th Flotilla, and operated out of Immingham.[10]
SS Miniota
On 31 August 1917 Sandfly went to the aid of SS Miniota of the Canadian Pacific Line when she was torpedoed by SM U-19[11] 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Start Point. Miniota was badly holed and sinking by the bow, which made her difficult to tow, and when efforts to tow her into Portland Harbour failed, she sank in 68 metres (37 fathoms) of water.[12]
Disposal
In common with the survivors of her class, she was laid up after World War I, and on 9 May 1921 she was sold to Thos. W. Ward for scrap.[4]
References
^ abcdConway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906-1921. London: Conway's Maritime Press. 1985. p. 75. ISBN0-85177-245-5.