HMS Kennet

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HMS Kennet was a Royal Navy destroyer of the Thornycroft River class, named after the River Kennet in southwest England. She was ordered in 1902–03 and built by John I. Thornycroft at Chiswick. Laid down on 5 February 1902, she was launched on 4 December 1903 and commissioned on 1 January 1905.

In 1906 her armament was upgraded: the five 6-pounder guns were removed and three 12-pounder guns were added. Kennet served with the East Coast Destroyer Flotilla, based at Harwich, and in 1909/10 moved to the China Station. In 1912 destroyers were reclassified officially as the E-class, with Kennet part of that group.

In July 1914 she was on the China Station based at Hong Kong and supported operations around Tsingtao. On 22 August 1914 she was damaged in action off Tsingtao. She returned to Hong Kong on 24 November 1914 and later joined the Mediterranean for the Dardanelles campaign.

Kennet arrived at Skyros on 14 April 1915 and helped with the Gallipoli landings and surrounding operations. She patrolled the Smyrna coast and shelled Turkish positions, remaining in the Mediterranean for the rest of the war.

In 1919 she returned to home waters, was paid off and laid up in reserve awaiting disposal. On 11 December 1919 she was sold for breaking at Dover. She was awarded the Battle Honour Dardanelles 1915–16 for her service. It is not known whether she carried a pennant number.