NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Cockchafer mid-1920s

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Mantis	P0A, P5A, T70	294	Sunderland SB	1915	14.9.1915	1915	sold 1.1940
Aphis	P96, P03, T57	294	Ailsa, Troon	1915	15.9.1915	1915	sold 1.1947
Scarab	P98, PA2, T59	201	Wood Skinner, Newcastle	1915	7.10.1915	1915	BU 5.1948
Moth	P7A, P8A, T69	295	Sunderland SB	1915	9.10.1915	1.1916	scuttled 12.12.1941
Gnat	P97, P94, T60	803	Lobnitz, Renfrew	1915	3.12.1915	12.1915	sunk 21.10.1941
Bee	P99, P07	295	Ailsa, Troon	1915	8.12.1915	1916	sold 3.1939
Cicala	P4A, P82, T71	527	Barclay Curle, Glasgow	1915	10.12.1915	1916	sunk 21.12.1941
Cockchafer	P95, P83, T72	528	Barclay Curle, Glasgow	1915	16.12.1915	1916	sold 1949
Cricket	P82, P85, T75	529	Barclay Curle, Glasgow	1915	16.12.1915	1916	sunk 29.6.1941
Tarantula	P6A, PA8, T62	202	Wood Skinner, Newcastle	1915	18.12.1915	1916	sunk as target 1.5.1946
Glowworm	P94, P93	530	Barclay Curle, Glasgow	1915	5.2.1916	1916	sold 9.1928
Ladybird	P5A, P0A, T58	804	Lobnitz, Renfrew	1915	12.4.1916	5.1916	sunk 12.5.1941

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	645
Displacement full, t	750
Length, m	72.4
Breadth, m	11.0
Draught, m	1.22
No of shafts	2 in tunnels
Machinery	2 VTE, 2 Yarrow boilers
Power, h. p.	2000
Max speed, kts	14
Fuel, t	coal 35 + oil 54 Glowworm: oil 74 Moth: oil 76
Endurance, nm(kts)
Armament	Aphis: 2 x 1 - 152/45 BL Mk VII, 2 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II, 6 x 1 - 7.7/94 Bee: 1 x 1 - 152/45 BL Mk VII, 2 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II, 6 x 1 - 7.7/94 Cicala, Cockchafer, Cricket, Glowworm: 2 x 1 - 152/40 QF Mk I/II, 2 x 1 - 76/45 20cwt QF Mk II, 6 x 1 - 7.7/94 Ladybird: 2 x 1 - 152/40 QF Mk I/II, 3 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II, 6 x 1 - 7.7/94 Gnat, Mantis, Moth, Scarab, Tarantula: 2 x 1 - 152/45 BL Mk VII, 1 x 1 - 76/40 12pdr 12cwt QF Mk I/II, 1 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk II, 6 x 1 - 7.7/94
Complement	54 - 65

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Twelve 'large China gunboats' were ordered in February 1915, for planned operations on the Danube against the Austro-Hungarian river flotilla. Designed and engined by Yarrow, with propellers in tunnels, they were in effect small monitors, being well armed for their displacement, and several survived to see distinguished service in the Second World War. In 1916-17 Cicala, Cockchafer, Cricket and Glatmvorm were rearmed temporarily with 6in QF Mk.II on CP.II anti-aircraft mountings (53.5° elevation), for use against Zeppelins. None of the class fought on the Danube as Serbian resistance collapsed. The class was therefore used in other theatres, where their shallow draught and gunpower were needed to support land operations.

Modernizations

1920s, Aphis, Bee: - 1 x 1 - 76/40

1920s, Ladybird: - 2 x 1 - 76/40

1920s, Gnat, Mantis, Moth, Scarab, Tarantula: - 1 x 1 - 40/39

1940, Aphis, Cockchafer, Gnat, Scarab, Tarantula: + 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII

1940, Cricket: + 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 2 x 1 - 20/65 M1939

1940, Ladybird: + 2 x 1 - 40/39 2pdr QF Mk VIII, 1 x 1 - 20/65 M1939

1/1946, Aphis, Scarab, Tarantula: 2 x 1 - 152/45 P Mk III, 1 x 1 - 76/40 P Mk V, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Mk VIII

1/1946, Cockchafer: 2 x 1 - 152/40 P Mk II, 2 x 1 - 76/45 Mk II, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Mk VIII

Naval service

Cicala, Cockchafer, Cricket and Glowworm served in coast defence of Home waters, remaining were sent to Mesopotamia. After Armistice first four participated in actions against the Soviet Russia in the north seas, and Glowworm 24.5.1919 was badly damaged because of explosion of the barge with an ammunition on Northern Dvina. Ships of the class served in the WWII. In Mediterranean Sea three gunboats were lost: Ladybird and Cricket were sunk at Tobruk by German aircraft 12.5.1941 and 30.6.1941 respectively; Gnat was sunk by German submarine U79 at Bardia 21.10.1941. Two more gunboats were lost in the Far East: Cicala was sunk by Japanese aircraft 21.12.1941 at Hong Kong. Moth was scuttled by own crew at Hong Kong 12.12.1941. Later Japanese have salvaged Moth, repaired her and commissioned as Suma.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.