| Name: | M 4 launched as STONEWALL JACKSON |
| Type: | Monitor |
| Keel: | 17/12/1914 |
| Launched: | 15/04/1915 |
| Completed: | 08/06/1915 |
| Builder: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd |
| Yard: | Wallsend |
| Yard Number: | 991 |
| Dimensions: | 6150disp, 320.0 x 90.0 x 9.9(draft)ft |
| Engines: | 2 x VT3cyl (13.5, 22 & 36 x 27ins), 1800ihp |
| Engines by: | Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Low Walker |
| Propulsion: | 2 x Screws, 6.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Armament: | 1 x 2 x 14.0ins, 2 x 1 x 12pdr, 1 x 3pdr, 1 x 2pdr guns; |
| (1916: 1 x 2 x 14.0ins, 1 x 6ins HA, 2 x 1 x 12pdr, 1 x 3ins, 1 x 3pdr, 2 x 2pdr guns) | |
| History: | |
| 08/06/1915 | British Royal Navy |
| 19/06/1915 | Renamed EARL ROBERTS |
| 22/06/1915 | Renamed ROBERTS |
| 19/09/1936 | Broken up |
| Comments: | A member of the 4 ship ABERCROMBIE class |
| 15/04/1915: Launched as STONEWALL JACKSON | |
| 31/05/1915: Renamed M 4 | |
| 19/09/1936: Broken up by TW Ward Ltd at Preston | |
| In November 1914 America offered the UK four existing 14in twin gun turrets, originally destined for the Greek ship SALAMIS. These turrets were constructed by Bethlehem Steel but could not be delivered to the German builders of the SALAMIS, due to the British Naval blockade. The Royal Navy immediately designed a class of monitors, designed for shore bombardment, to use the turrets. | |
| The M 4 was originally named Stonewall Jackson in honour of the US General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. However as the United States was still neutral, the ship was hurriedly renamed HMS M4. Then EARL ROBERTS and finally ROBERTS. | |
| Armstrong Whitworth's Elswick Works was used to install the turret | |
| She decommissioned in May 1919, and was sold for breaking up in May 1921, however she was then retained by the Admiralty for trials. In the 1930s, she was used for testing underwater protection for new construction warships. |
Photo of the launch of STONEWALL JACKSON courtesy of Kevin Blair
Photo of STONEWALL JACKSON nearing completion courtesy of Terry Summerson
Guns trained on target
Above as ROBERTS in July 1928. Photo copyright of Wright & Logan
Above as ROBERTS at Preston for breaking up. Photo is copyright of Digital Preston