Description
The ''Laforey'' class were improved and faster versions of the preceding . They Displacement (ship), displaced . The ships had an length overall, overall length of , a beam (nautical), beam of and a draft (hull), draught of . ''Legion'' was powered by two Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company, Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.Gardiner & Gray, p. 76 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 naval rating, ratings.Friedman, p. 296 The ships were armed with three single QF 4 inch naval gun Mk IV, XII, XXII, QF Mark IV guns and two QF 2-pounder naval gun#QF 1.C2.BD pounder, QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2 pounder naval gun, QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for British 21-inch torpedo, torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia mine, Vickers Elia Mk IV naval mine, mines, although these rails were never used.Construction and service
''Legion'' was constructed by William Denny and Brothers. She was Keel laying, laid down on 19 September 1912, Ceremonial ship launching, launched on 3 February 1914 and was completed in July 1914,Friedman, p. 307. joining the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based at The Nore following commissioning on 15 July.Manning, p. 15. She was attached to the Harwich Force and served in the North Sea. The ship saw action in several engagements, including the Battle off Texel. ''Legion'' was severely damaged by a German naval mine, mine on 10 November 1916. It was decided to convert ''Legion'' to allow use for minelaying while under repair. Rails were fitted to allow the carrying of up to 40 mines.Smith, p. 22.Notes
Bibliography
* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Legion (1914) Laforey-class destroyers (1913) 1914 ships World War I destroyers of the United Kingdom Ships built on the River Clyde