Aphis 1915
Aphis 1939
| 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 |
|
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 |
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.
Cockchafer mid-1920s
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15