HMS Loyal (1913)
HMS "Loyal" was a built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s. Description. The "Laforey" class were improved and faster versions of the preceding . They displaced . The ships had an overall length of , a beam of and a draught of . "Loyal" was powered by two Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers. The turbines developed a total of and gave a maximum speed of . The ships carried a maximum of of fuel oil that gave them a range of at . The ships' complement was 74 officers and  ratings. The ships were armed with three single QF Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used. Construction and service. The ship was laid down as "Orlando" at William Denny and Brothers' Dumbarton shipyard on 16 September 1912. The whole class was renamed  with names beginning with the letter "L" on 30 September 1913, with "Orlando" being renamed "Loyal". "Loyal" was launched on 11 November 1913 and completed in May 1914. "Loyal" joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla after commissioning. On the outbreak of the First World War this Flotilla became part of the Harwich Force, under the overall command of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt, which operated in the southern North Sea and could reinforce the Grand Fleet or forces in the English Channel as required. The ship was attached to the Harwich Force and served in the North Sea. "Loyal" saw action in several  engagements, including the Battle off Texel.