Photo postcard of HMS Legion (1914)
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Legion (ex-Viola)
Builder	William Denny and Brothers
Launched	3 February 1914
Fate	Sold in 1921
General characteristics
Class and type	Laforey-class destroyer
Displacement	965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t)
Length	268 ft 10 in (81.94 m) o/a
Beam	27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
Draught	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Installed power	24,500 shp (18,300 kW) 4 × Yarrow boilers
Propulsion	2 Shafts; 2 steam turbines
Speed	29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph)
Range	1,720 nmi (3,190 km; 1,980 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	74
Armament	3 × QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns 2 × QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) or QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns 2 × twin 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes

HMS Legion was a Laforey-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy during the 1910s.

The Laforey class were improved and faster versions of the preceding Acasta class.^[1] They displaced 965–1,010 long tons (980–1,026 t). The ships had an overall length of 268 feet 10 inches (81.9 m), a beam of 27 feet 8 inches (8.4 m) and a draught of 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 m). Legion was powered by two Parsons direct-drive steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.^[2] The turbines developed a total of 24,500 shaft horsepower (18,300 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph). The ships carried a maximum of 280 long tons (280 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km; 2,010 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ships' complement was 74 officers and ratings.^[3]

The ships were armed with three single QF 4-inch (102 mm) Mark IV guns and two QF 1.5-pounder (37 mm) anti-aircraft guns. These latter guns were later replaced by a pair of QF 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom-pom" anti-aircraft guns. The ships were also fitted with two above-water twin mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. They were equipped with rails to carry four Vickers Elia Mk IV mines, although these rails were never used.^[3]

Legion was constructed by William Denny and Brothers. She was laid down on 19 September 1912, launched on 3 February 1914 and was completed in July 1914,^[4] joining the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based at The Nore following commissioning on 15 July.^[5][6]

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 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.^[7][8]

• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• Dittmar, F.J. & Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. Shepperton, UK: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0380-7.
• Friedman, Norman (2009). British Destroyers: From Earliest Days to the Second World War. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-049-9.
• Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal (1985). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
• Manning, T. D. (1961). The British Destroyer. London: Putnam.
• Smith, Peter C. (2005). Into the Minefields: British Destroyer Minelaying 1916–1960. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 1-84415-271-5.