A Force of destroyers, led by the light cruiser HMS Swift of the Suez Flotilla, has been dispatched southwards, escorting a small convoy. This is straight into the path of the Bülow and Hamlin.
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The chart I'm using. |
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Battle in the deep channel of the Bab el Mandeb |
Type: Light Cruiser
Displacement: 4,000 tons
Armament: 8 x 4-inch guns,
Speed: 27 knots
Armor: 4-inch belt armor
Crew: 450
Description: A nimble light cruiser, the Swift is tasked with leading the Suez Destroyer flotilla. Her relatively lighter armor makes her faster but vulnerable to heavier enemy fire. Equipped with wireless communications equipment for faster coordination,
HMS Weaver
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 1,000 tons
Length: 240 ft
Armament:
2 × 4-inch naval guns
4 × 21-inch torpedo tubes (2 on each side)
Crew: 85 officers and men
Description: The Weaver is a seasoned veteran of the Royal Navy, built in 1905. It has been stationed in the Red Sea for much of its career, patrolling the Suez Canal and maintaining a presence in the Arabian Sea. With a long history of service, it has seen a number of upgrades to its engine and armament over the years, but its hull still shows signs of wear from years of exposure to the harsh desert sun. It’s well-known for its speed and agility, allowing it to slip through the narrow waters of the Suez with ease, making it a reliable scout and raider.
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 950 tons
Length: 235 ft
Armament:
3 × 4-inch naval guns
3 × 21-inch torpedo tubes
Crew: 90 officers and men
Description: The Trent was commissioned in 1904 and has long been one of the Royal Navy's most reliable destroyers. Stationed primarily at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, the Trent is well-known for its robustness and ability to withstand enemy fire. It has served in various conflicts and is often deployed as an escort for merchant vessels transiting through the Suez Canal. The ship has a slightly modified stern to accommodate extra storage for provisions when stationed in the more remote areas of the Red Sea.
Class: River-Class
Displacement: 1,050 tons
Length: 245 ft
Armament:
2 × 4.7-inch naval guns
4 × 21-inch torpedo tubes
Crew: 85 officers and men
Description: The Tees is known for its superior durability and its reputation for being “unsinkable” during its service in the Suez and Red Sea region. It’s often used for reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, and as a protective screen for larger naval assets. While it may not be as fast as some newer ships, its heavily reinforced hull and improved engine make it perfect for long-range patrols and quick response to emergencies. Over the years, Tees has earned a fierce reputation as the guardian of British interests in the area.
Scharnhorst-class armored cruiser
Displacement. 12,985 t (12,780 long tons). Length. 144.6 m (474 ft 5 in). Beam. 21.6 m (70 ft 10 in). Draft. 8.37 m (27 ft 6 in)
Installed power. 18 × water-tube boilers. 26,000 metric horsepower (19,000 kW)
Propulsion. 3 × triple-expansion steam engines. 3 × screw propellers
Speed. 22.5 knots (42 km/h; 26 mph)
Range. 4,800 nmi (8,900 km; 5,500 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Crew. 52 officers. 788 enlisted men
Armament. 8 × 21 cm (8.3 in) guns
6 × 15 cm (5.9 in) gun. 18 × 8.8 cm (3.5 in) gun. 4 × 45 cm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes
Armor. Belt: 8 to 15 cm (3.1 to 5.9 in). Turrets: 17 cm (6.7 in). Deck: 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 in) Casemates: 13 cm (5.1 in)
Königsberg-class light cruiser
Displacement. Normal: 3,469 t Full load: 3,902 t
Length. 116.8 m (383 ft). Beam. 13.3 m (44 ft). Draft. 5.24 m (17.2 ft)
Installed power. 13,200 PS (9,700 kW). 11 × water-tube boilers
Propulsion. 2 × screw propellers. 2 × triple-expansion engines
Speed. 23.4 knots (43.3 km/h)
Complement. 14 Officers. 308 Enlisted men
Armament. 10 × 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SK L/40 guns. 8 × 5.2 cm (2 in) SK guns. 2 × 45 cm (17.7 in) torpedo tubes
Armor. Deck: 80 mm (3.1 in). Conning tower: 100 mm (3.9 in)
German Admiral Maximilian Von Spittle
Kapitain Ernst Von Groüser of the Bulöw
Kapitain Pieter Pied of the Hamlin
The commerce raider Sigismund, a former liner armed with 4 inch guns.
2 colliers working under false flags
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HMS Swift leads the convoy. HMS Weaver scouts out front. |
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The convoy |
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With a liner as a troopship |
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Hamlin and Bluőw appear in the straits |
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Weaver is bracketed almost immediately |
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Weaver is damaged but fires torpedoes. |
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The convoy turns, making smoke. |
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Weaver (Tees here) manages her turn making smoke. |
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Weaver's torpedoes strike and damage Bulõws bows. |
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Hamlin draws fire from Swift as she come in range. A lucky hit. |
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Swift is targeted by the Germans |
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And Swiftbis hammered with critical. She is on her way down. |
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Bulõw takes the last fire from Swift. |
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Trent and Tees come into range and fire torpedoes. |
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The spread misses. Close though. |
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The Germans line up on the smoke obscured Destroyer line. |
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And the danger of getting near destroyers is made clear. A spread launch. Its at long range and the Germans turn away. |