HSwMS Mode (1902) facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Sweden |
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| Name | Mode |
| Builder | Yarrow, Poplar |
| Launched | 22 July 1902 |
| Stricken | 1928 |
| Fate | Sunk as target 1936 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 394 long tons (400 t) tons |
| Length | 67.08 m (220 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 2.67 m (8.8 ft) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 29 knots (33 mph; 54 km/h) |
| Complement | 62 |
| Armament |
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The HSwMS Mode was a special type of warship called a torpedo boat destroyer in the Royal Swedish Navy. It was built in Britain by a company called Yarrow and launched in 1902. This ship was very important because it was the first destroyer ever built for Sweden! During World War I, the Mode helped protect other ships. Later, in 1936, it was used for target practice and sunk.
Building the Mode
Around 1900, the Swedish Navy wanted to build its first destroyer. They talked to several British shipbuilders, like Yarrow and Thornycroft. Sweden finally decided to work with Yarrow in August 1901. They signed a contract on October 4, 1901, to build the ship, which would be named Mode.
The contract said the Mode had to be very fast. It needed to reach a speed of 31 kn (36 mph; 57 km/h) during its first tests at sea. If it went faster, Yarrow would get extra money. If it was slower, they would pay a penalty. If it couldn't even reach 30 kn (35 mph; 56 km/h), Sweden could refuse to take the ship.
Ship's Features
The Mode was about 67.08 m (220 ft 1 in) long, which is like two tennis courts end-to-end. It was 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in) wide and sat 2.67 m (8 ft 9 in) deep in the water. The ship weighed about 394 long tons (400 t).
It had a unique curved front part and four funnels. Inside, four large Yarrow boilers created steam. This steam powered two engines that made the ship move. The Mode was armed with six 57-mm guns and two 450 mm (18-inch) torpedo tubes. It needed a crew of 62 people to operate it.
Life of the Mode
The Mode was built at Yarrow's shipyard in Poplar, London. It was officially launched into the water on July 22, 1902.
Speed Tests and Performance
During its sea trials in August 1902, the Mode was incredibly fast. It reached a speed of 32.4 knots (37.3 mph; 60.0 km/h), which made it the fastest ship in the world for a short time! For these tests, Yarrow used a special team and high-quality fuel. The ship also didn't have its weapons on board, but carried extra weight to make up for it.
After the ship was delivered to Sweden, its weapons were added. When the Swedish Navy tested it again, the Mode reached 29 kn (33 mph; 54 km/h). Even though it was a bit slower, it was still much faster than any other ship in the Swedish Navy at the time.
However, the Mode's design wasn't perfect for the rough waters of the Baltic Sea. The front of the ship often got very wet. Because of this, Sweden bought another destroyer, the Magne, from a different company in 1904. The Magne handled the sea much better, and its design was used for four more destroyers built in Sweden between 1907 and 1909.
Later Years
In June 1905, the Mode was sent to Sweden's west coast with the Magne. This was during a time of tension before Sweden and Norway separated.
During World War I, the Mode played an important role. It helped protect groups of merchant ships, known as convoys. These convoys traveled from ports in northeastern Sweden to the Øresund and the Kattegat.
The Mode stayed in service until 1919. It was officially removed from the navy's list in 1928. Finally, in 1936, the old ship was used for target practice and sunk.
