HMS Hyderabad Q-Ship

[kc]

Here's a few photos we added recently of the World War One Q-ship (decoy ship) HMS Hyderabad. They show the weapons hidden and revealed in a series of images. The Q-Ships operated by disguising themselves as merchant vessels, in an attempt to lure enemy submarines to the surface for an easy attack. Then, they would reveal their weapons at the last minute and turn the tables on the attacking submarine.

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/hmshyderabad2.jpg
4in Gun Masked

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/hmshyderabad4.jpg
4in Gun Unmasked

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/hmshyderabad3.jpg
For'd Gun Masked

http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/images/hmshyderabad.jpg
For'd Gun Unmasked

[astraltrader]

An interesting post Kc which I have only just discovered despite my two years as a member!

I have long had an interest in the Q-ships of WW1 and have a few pictures to add to the excellent ones you have shown.

Essentially from what I can gather Hyderabad employed a hidden three gun system which fitted in neatly with the "three island" styling popular in many cargo ships.

One was mounted forward in the bow island and one in the stern island.

Both these two were rotated into a recess into the deck when in cargo ship mode.

The third gun was mounted amidships on the bridge deck abaft the funnel.

It was of course hidden from view by a large rectangular deck house constructed of metal sheets that folded down to perform as a gunners platform when the ship was in action.

In addition to these guns Hyderabad also had four mine throwers hidden under false deck hatches. One pair was concealed in the forward well deck and the other pair in the aft well deck.

Finally there were two torpedo tubes mounted to port in the hull side below the bridge.

All in all it can be seen that she packed a formidable firepower....

[dennis a feary]

Kc, great pictures of the guns on HYDERABAD, good and sharp.
TERRY, great explanation of the gun situations, and also Pics.
Here is an award for services on HYDERABAD - boring old stuff - not at all like pics - BUT ;

MORGAN George B N/E Lt. RNR 83P267 & 268 Hyderabad
Vice Admiral Milford Haven 07.06.18 Gazetted
Action with enemy submarines 14.01.16 - 14.04.18 DSC
In recognition of his services between 14th January, 1916 and 14th April, 1918. During the period 14.01.16 - 15.06.17. two torpedoes passed under the ship and finally on 11.06.17 the third torpedo hit. On each occasion this officer happened to be Officer of the Watch. His action in each case was correct. On 16.04.17, after the ship had undergone shelling, this officer spotted for the foremost guns coolly and well. On 26.11.17, in H.M.S. Hyderabad in Lyme Bay a torpedo was fired at close range at the ship. This torpedo was running light and either passed under the rudder or just missed astern - owing to the prompt action of this officer in putting the helm hard over at once. I am of the opinion that his action then probably saved the ship. It was at any rate correct. On 13.04.18, he had the afternoon watch and sighted the torpedo. This torpedo, however, was running at a depth of about 10 feet and it was only necessary to alter the helm to preserve appearances.
He joined the Australian Army at the outbreak of war and served through the Gallipoli Campaign. After recovering from his wound he at once joined the R.N.R., and volunteered for Special Service.

Perhaps the OZZIES of the Forum could take notice ???

Sadsac

[Captsam]

I'm looking for information on the Q-ship, the Hyderabad. Does anyone have the length and beam measurements. Also is there any model plans of the Hyderabad? Lindberg put out a model of a Q ship in the 50's. I have that kit but it is nothing like what I'm seeing on here. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dreadnought]

HMS Hyderabad was the only vessel purposely designed as a Q-Ship. She was built at Thorneycrofts, Woolston Southampton, Yard No. 966 Special Service Vessel. She was launched on the 27th August 1917, and was 251 feet long, and of 624 tons.

She was designed with the above-water appearance of a small tramp steamer but having a draught of only 3 feet 9 inches, therefore immune from torpedoes which are normally set at 7 feet below the surface.

As Terry states, she was armed with 1x4 in gun hidden abaft of her funnel, 2 x 12 pounders concealed (foc’sle and aft), and a 2.5 pounder (visible aft). She also had four Sutton-Armstrong bomb-throwers in cargo hatches, two Thorneycroft depth-charge throwers concealed on deck, four 18in torpedoes in Thorneycroft launching frames (one port, one starboard) hidden behind screens.

She was refitted as a depot ship and served in North Russia in 1919 as part of the Altham Flotilla. In May 1920, she was altered and sold as the Lemnos.

At some stages, she went under the names of Coral, Netley, Nicobar, and SSS 966.

Model of Hyderabad can be found here: http://www.johnrhaynes.com/portfolio.html (http://www.johnrhaynes.com/portfolio.html)

Hyderabad_1: Drawing of Hyderabad
Hyderabad_2: Think this must be one of the depth charge throwers on deck. Hyderabad_3: Mock wheel and compass pedestal
Hyderabad_4: Showing it collapsed to leave a clear range for the guns.
Hyderabad_5: The hidden torpedo tubes


Pictures2, 4,5 Thorneycroft & Co. Ltd. Other original image sources not determined. No copyright restrictions evident.

[Captsam]

Thanks to everyone . I appreciate all the information.

[Captsam]

For everyones information. NMM found the plans for me. It was going to cost me $204.00 USD to buy. A little more than I can afford. Maybe I'll save up and buy later.
Thank you.

Captsam

[dennis a feary]

Here then another award to crew of HYDERABAD ;

WICKHAM Frederick St B N/E Lt.Cdr. Surgeon RN
88X879 Hyderabad S.N.O. White Sea 12.12.19 N/E
Post War - Russia 1918 - 1919 OBE(M)
Captain Altham writes :-"I cannot speak too highly of the admirable work performed by Surgeon Lt.Commander F. St. B. Wickham, in H.M.S. Hyderabad, where all the worst cases (including many Military ones), had to be attended. Under their skill and care the medical and surgical arrangements in that ship have proved of inestimable value to the expedition.
I beg that some special mark of award may be made to this officer."
N.L. 32211/19.

Sadsac

[Hank]

Astraltrader (Post #2): In addition to these guns Hyderabad also had four mine throwers hidden under false deck hatches. One pair was concealed in the forward well deck and the other pair in the aft well deck.


Any details as to the mechanism used for mine dispersal as fitted to H.M.S. Hyderabad. Operational mention sources? Thank You.