HMS M26

File:HMS M21 WWI IWM SP 2030.jpg Photograph of monitor HMS M21 from the same class
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS M26
Builder	Sir Raylton Dixon & Co.
Laid down	1 March 1915
Launched	24 August 1915
Fate	Sold 29 January 1920
General characteristics
Class & type	M15 class monitor
Displacement	540 tons
Length	177 ft 3 in (54.03 m)
Beam	31 ft (9.4 m)
Draught	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Propulsion	4 shaft Bolinder 2 cylinder semi-diesel 480 hp
Speed	11 knots
Complement	69
Armament	As built 1 × BL 9.2-inch Mk VI gun 1 × 12-pdr (76 mm) QF Mk 1 gun 1 × 6-pdr (57 mm) QF MK 1 AA gun 1918 1 × BL 7.5-inch (190.5 mm) Mk III 50-caliber gun 1 × QF 3-inch (76.20 mm) AA gun 1 × 12-pdr (76 mm) QF Mk 1 gun 2 × QF 2-pounder Mark II

HMS M26 was a First World War Royal Navy M15-class monitor.

Design

Intended as a shore bombardment vessel, M26's primary armament was a single 9.2 inch Mk VI gun removed from the Edgar-class cruiser HMS Edgar. In addition to her 9.2 inch gun she also possessed one 12 pounder and one six pound anti-aircraft gun. She was equipped with a four shaft Bolinder two cylinder semi-diesel engine with 480 horse power that allowed a top speed of eleven knots. The monitor's crew consisted of sixty nine officers and men.

Construction

HMS M26 ordered in March, 1915, as part of the War Emergency Programme of ship construction. She was laid down at the Sir Raylton Dixon & Co. Ltd shipyard at Govan in March 1915, launched on 24 August 1915, and completed in October 1915.

World War 1

M26 served with the Dover Patrol from November 1915 to December 1918. In early 1916, M26 had her main 9.2 in gun removed, as it was required for artillery use on the Western Front, and a BL 7.5-inch (190.5 mm) Mk III 50-caliber gun was fitted in lieu.

Disposal

M26 was sold on 29 January 1920 for conversion to a mercantile oil tanker and renamed 'Doewa'.

References

• Dittmar, F. J. & Colledge, J. J., "British Warships 1914-1919", (Ian Allan, London, 1972),