HMS Lyra was one of 20 Acorn class (later H-class) destroyers built for the Royal Navy that served in the First World War.

Launched in 1910, Lyra was part of the winning side in war games that took place the following year, although the destroyer sustained damage due to fast running.

Pioneered by the Tribal class of 1905 and HMS Swift of 1907, using oil enabled a more efficient design, leading to a smaller vessel which also had increased deck space available for weaponry.

[4] The vessel carried 170 long tons (170 t) of fuel oil which gave a range of 1,540 nautical miles (2,850 km; 1,770 mi) at a cruising speed of 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[9] The destroyer was later modified to carry a single Vickers QF 3-pounder 3 in (76 mm) anti-aircraft gun and depth charges for anti-submarine warfare.

Despite being part of the winning "blue" fleet, the destroyer this time did suffer damage as the high speed manoeuvres meant that rivets were strained so much that the water entered the hull, mixing with oil in the bunkers.

[18] In August 1914, the Flotilla became part of the Grand Fleet and the destroyers were deployed to Devonport to undertake escort duties.

The submarine had recently sunk the protected cruiser Hawke and lined up to torpedo Lyra and sister ship Nymphe too.

[22] When returning from this on 22 January, the destroyer rescued the merchant ship SS Bendoran, which was being attacked by the German submarine U-57 on a voyage from Hong Kong.

[25] A similar story unfolded on 7 August, when the destroyer drove away U-44 from attacking the troopship SS Orama without loss.

[28] After the Armistice, the Royal Navy returned to a peacetime level of strength and both the number of ships and personnel needed to be reduced to save money.