Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The Fourth Cruiser Squadron was called Cruiser Force H for a time at the start of the war. It often was the primary component of the North America and West Indies Station, sometimes being equivalent to that command.

History

From 8 February, 1907 to 8 February, 1909, Rear-Admiral Frederick S. Inglefield was in command of the squadron, flying his flag in Euryalus.[1] By this time the command-in-chief status and the allusion to the North America and West Indies Station seems to have been abandoned.[Inference] Inglefield was succeeded at Portsmouth by Rear-Admiral Arthur M. Farquhar on 8 February, 1909.[2] Rear-Admiral Edward E. Bradford was appointed in command on 8 February, 1911, and struck his flag on 8 February, 1913.[3] He was succeeded on the same day by Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher G. F. M. Cradock.[4] On 1 May, 1912, the Fourth Cruiser Squadron was renamed the Training Squadron.[5]

With Cradock's appointment in 1913 the Fourth Cruiser Squadron ceased to be a training squadron and became part of the First Fleet.[6] It was intended that it should be able to join the Commander-in-Chief in Home waters for manœuvres, but it was in effect permanently detached to protect British interests in Mexico.[7]

Composition

April, 1909

Leviathan was made flagship on 20 April, but actually hoisted Rear-Admiral Arthur Murray Farquhar's flag on 25 April, 1909.[8]

December, 1912

[9]

December, 1913

The West Atlantic squadron has gained a cruiser in net strength. Donegal left for an assignment I've yet to discover. New arrival Essex's point of origin is likewise a mystery.[10]

July, 1914

[11] A light cruiser has replaced Hermione.

5 August, 1914

[12]

Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:

September, 1914

[13]

Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:

January, 1915

Lancaster has left to join the Seventh Cruiser Squadron. The armed merchant cruiser Calgarian has joined.[14]

In Command

Dates of appointment given:

Footnotes

  1. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  2. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
  3. Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 168.
  4. Cradock Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 89.
  5. M. 11735/12. 29 March, 1912. The National Archives. ADM 1/8271. f. 2 of Admiralty letter.
  6. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.
  7. Naval Operations. Volume I. pp. 11-13.
  8. Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
  9. Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  10. Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  11. Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  12. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 16.
  13. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 10.
  14. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). pp. 9-10.
  15. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 10 January, 1907. Issue 38226, col D, p. 5.
  16. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  17. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  18. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
  19. Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
  20. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 10 January, 1911. Issue 39478, col B, p. 4.
  21. Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 335.
  22. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.
  23. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  24. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  25. Edelsten Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/53/104. f. 105.

Bibliography


Cruiser Squadrons of the Royal Navy
First Cruiser Squadron | Second Cruiser Squadron | Third Cruiser Squadron | Fourth Cruiser Squadron | Fifth Cruiser Squadron
Sixth Cruiser Squadron | Seventh Cruiser Squadron | Eighth Cruiser Squadron | Ninth Cruiser Squadron | Tenth Cruiser Squadron
Eleventh Cruiser Squadron | Twelfth Cruiser Squadron | Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron | Eighteenth Cruiser Squadron
Cruiser Force F