with the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla. Occasionally, the vessel operated alone. On 17 May 1917, the ship rescued the survivors from the British armed merchantman Middlesex, which had been sunk by the German submarine the previous day. In the process, Rapid was involved in a friendly fire incident when it mistook the British submarine , which was simultaneously approaching the lifeboats, for an enemy and subjected it to gunfire and a depth charge attack, albeit without sinking it. The flotilla was also employed collectively in larger operations, although these sorties were also not always as successful. For example, during an anti-submarine patrol in the North Sea as part of a convoy run from Lerwick between 15 and 24 June 1917, Rapid launched twelve attacks, none of which led to the destruction of any submarines. The destroyer was also employed on escort duties and it was during one these operations in the North Sea during August 1917 that Rapid, along with the destroyer , unsuccessfully attacked a fleeing German submarine. Rapid continued to serve with the Fifteenth Destroyer Flotilla until the end of the war. When the Grand Fleet was disbanded, Rapid was kept on "miscellaneous service." In 1921, the ship was seconded to the Compass Department of the Admiralty, which had responsibility for many of the scientific instruments used on board ships of the Navy. The ship was then transferred to the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth. During September 1924, the vessel was again seconded for compass trials, before again returning to reserve. In the interim, however, the Navy decided to scrap many of the older destroyers, up to and including some of the M-class, in preparation for the introduction of newer and larger vessels. Despite having little over a decade in service, Rapid was retired and sold to G Cohen for breaking up on 20 April 1927. Pennant numbers Notes References Citations Bibliography 1916 ships Ships built in Southampton Thornycroft M-class destroyers World War I destroyers of the United Kingdom