Scale: 1:48. The NMM holds a comprehensive collection of models of destroyers from the early 20th century that demonstrates the sheer beauty of these sleek vessels. The flush, uncomplicated deck of the ‘Jackal’ (1911) together with its streamlined hull is clearly demonstrated by the model. We can see, too, the torpedoes and their launch tubes mounted on turntables, powerful searchlights fore and aft, and the bridge paraphernalia: wheel, binnacle and telegraphs.

The ‘I’-, or ‘Acheron’-, class destroyers were built as part of the programme to keep pace with German destroyer production during the years of intense rivalry in the decade before 1914. Designed for a modest maximum speed of 27 knots, they were sturdy ships, and for their type had good sea-keeping qualities. HMS ‘Jackal’ and its sister ship ‘Hornet’ effected a notable rescue in October 1915, when the cruiser ‘Argyll’ was wrecked on Bell Rock. Although there was only sufficient depth of water to permit one vessel to lay half alongside the stricken cruiser, the two destroyers rescued the whole of its complement in the teeth of a gale.

As part of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, the ‘Jackal’ was in action at the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915. It was later sent to the Mediterranean and took part in an action with Austrian destroyers in the Straits of Otranto in April 1918, when it was twice hit and suffered considerable damage. A sister ship, HMS ‘Phoenix’ was torpedoed and sunk in the Adriatic in 1918. ‘Jackal’ was sold for scrap in 1920, along with the 13 other survivors of its class.