On 17 November 1917, the Grand Fleet launched a major sortie on German forces in the North Sea - a force of cruisers and destroyers, supported by battlecruisers, and with a squadron of battleships in distant support, was to attack German minesweepers in the Heligoland Bight. Saumarez formed part of the escort for the covering force of the battleships of the 1st Battle Squadron, sailing a few hours behind the main force. The operation resulted in the inconclusive Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. Saumarez remained leader of the 12th Flotilla until the end of the war. The Grand Fleet was broken up after the end of the war, with new destroyer flotillas formed, and in February, Saumarez was listed as being based at HMNB Devonport, but not as part of a flotilla. By March, she was leader of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla, but she was reduced to reserve at Devonport on 15 October 1919. Saumarez remained in reserve most of the rest of her career apart from brief commissionings to take part in exercises, serving as a tender to the training school at Keyham. Saumarez was sold to the shipbreakers Thos W Ward on 8 January 1931 for £5,100 and was removed to their works at Briton Ferry for scrapping on 2 February that year. Pennant numbers Notes Citations References Category:Parker-class flotilla leaders Category:World War I destroyers of the United Kingdom Category:Ships built in Merseyside Category:1916 ships