Difference between revisions of "H.M.S. Royal Oak (1914)"

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{|align="right" border="2" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 0 0 1em 0.5em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300"
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<div name=fredbot:career>{{ShipCareer|fullname=H.M.S. ''Royal Oak'' (1914)|fate2=by U-47 in Scapa Flow
|align="center" colspan="2"|'''H.M.S. ''Royal Oak'''''
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|comm=1 May, 1916{{NLJan21|p. 858}}
|-
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|fatedate=14 Oct, 1939{{DittColl|p. 34}}
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: crimson;"| Career
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|order=1913 Programme{{Conways1906|p. 35}}
!style="color: white; height: 30px; background: crimson;"| Details
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|name=Royal Oak
|-
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|launch=17 Nov, 1914{{DittColl|p. 34}}
|Pendant Number:
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|builder=[[Devonport Royal Dockyard]]{{DittColl|p. 34}}
|38 (April, 1918)<ref>Dittmar; Colledge. ''British Warships: 1914-1919''</ref>
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|laid=15 Jan, 1914{{Conways1906|p. 35}}
|-
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|fate=Torpedoed
|Built By:
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|pend=67 (Aug 1914)<br>4A (Jan 1918)<br>38 (Apr 1918){{DittColl|p. 34}}
|[[Devonport Royal Dockyard]]
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|fg=white|bg=crimson}}</div name=fredbot:career>
|-
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'''H.M.S. ''Royal Oak''''' was a [[Revenge Class Battleship (1914)|''Revenge'' class]] [[dreadnought]] [[battleship]] of the British [[Royal Navy]], torpedoed in [[Scapa Flow]] by the German submarine ''U-47'' on 14 October, 1939.  Launched in 1914 and completed in 1916, ''Royal Oak'' first saw action at the [[Battle of Jutland]] with the [[Grand Fleet]].  In peacetime, she served in the [[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Atlantic]], [[Home Fleet (Royal Navy)|Home]] and [[Mediterranean Station|Mediterranean]] fleets, coming under accidental attack on more than one occasion.  The ship became the centre of worldwide attention in 1928 when her Captain and Commander were Court Martialled for petulant grievances.
|Laid Down:
 
|15 January, 1914
 
|-
 
|Launched:
 
|17 November, 1914
 
|-
 
|Commissioned:
 
|May, 1916
 
|-
 
|Sunk:
 
|14 October, 1939
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
'''H.M.S. ''Royal Oak''''' was a [[Revenge Class (1914)|''Revenge'' class]] [[dreadnought]] [[battleship]] of the British [[Royal Navy]], torpedoed in [[Scapa Flow]] by the German submarine ''U-47'' on 14 October, 1939.  Launched in 1914 and completed in 1916, ''Royal Oak'' first saw action at the [[Battle of Jutland]].  In peacetime, she served in the [[British Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic]], [[British Home Fleet|Home]] and [[British Mediterranean Fleet|Mediterranean]] fleets, coming under accidental attack on more than one occasion.  The ship became the centre of worldwide attention in 1928 when her senior officers were controversially [[Court-Martial]]led.  During a twenty-five year career, attempts to modernise ''Royal Oak'' could not address her fundamental lack of speed, and by the start of the [[Second World War]] she was no longer suited to front-line duty.
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==Construction & Service==
==Career==
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The keel plate was laid on 15 January, 1914, in a cerrmony performed by Mrs. Hockaday, wife of Mr. W. T. Hockaday, Manager of the Constructive Department.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices)''The Times''. Friday, 16 January, 1914. Issue '''40422''', col E, p. 54.</ref>
===First World War===
 
The [[First World War]] had been under way for almost two years when ''Royal Oak'' was commissioned. She was assigned to the Third Division of the [[British 4th Battle Squadron|Fourth Battle Squadron]] of the [[British Grand Fleet]], and within the month was ordered, along with most of the fleet, to engage the German [[High Seas Fleet]] in the [[Battle of Jutland]]. Under the command of Captain Crawford Maclachlan,<ref>{{cite web | title = Battle of Jutland:Order of Battle | publisher = Bill Schlielauf | url = http://www.gwpda.org/naval/jutob.htm| accessdate = 2007-02-22}}</ref> ''Royal Oak'' left Scapa Flow on the evening of 30 May in the company of the battleships [[H.M.S. Superb (1907)|''Superb'']], [[H.M.S. Canada (1913)|''Canada'']] and [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe|Admiral Jellicoe's]] flagship [[H.M.S. Iron Duke (1912)|''Iron Duke'']].<ref>{{Citation| last = Admiralty| title = ADM53/58646: Ship's Log: HMS Royal Oak, May 1916 | publisher = HMSO }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Dreadnoughts and Jutland | publisher = Royal Navy | url = http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.1775/changeNav/3533| accessdate = 2006-12-26}}</ref> The next day's indecisive battle saw ''Royal Oak'' fire a total of thirty-eight 15-inch and eighty-four 6-inch shells,<ref>{{cite book | last = Campbell| title = Jutland | pages = pp346-358}}</ref> claiming three hits on the battlecruiser [[SMS Derfflinger|''Derfflinger'']], putting one of its turrets out of action, and a hit on the cruiser ''[[SMS Wiesbaden (1915)|Wiesbaden]]''. She avoided damage herself, despite being straddled by shellfire on one occasion.<ref>{{cite book | last = Campbell| title = Jutland | pages = pp152&ndash;157}}</ref>
 
  
Following the battle, ''Royal Oak'' was reassigned to the [[British 1st Battle Squadron|First Battle Squadron]]. On 5 November 1918&mdash;the final week of the First World War&mdash;she was anchored off [[Burntisland]] in the [[Firth of Forth]] accompanied by the [[aircraft carrier]] [[H.M.S. Campania (1914)|''Campania'']] and [[Battlecruiser|battlecruiser]] [[H.M.S. Glorious (1917)|''Glorious'']]. A sudden [[Beaufort scale|Force 10]] squall caused ''Campania'' to drag her anchor, collide with ''Royal Oak'' and then with the 22,000-ton ''Glorious''. Both ''Royal Oak'' and ''Glorious'' suffered only minor damage; ''Campania'', however, was holed by her initial collision with ''Royal Oak''. Her engine rooms flooded, and she sank five hours later, without loss of life.<ref>{{citation| last = Admiralty |title = ADM156/90: Board of Enquiry into sinking of HMS Campania | publisher = HMSO | date = 1918}}</ref>
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Though the ship was still two years from completion, in July 1914, the ship was appropriated 42-foot motor launch No. 252, though the boat was not yet delivered from the contractor.{{AWO1914|122 of 10 July, 1914}}
  
At the end of the First World War ''Royal Oak'' escorted several vessels of the surrendering German High Seas Fleet from the [[Firth of Forth]] to their internment in [[Scapa Flow]],<ref>{{Citation| last = Admiralty| title = ADM53/58676: Ship's Log: HMS Royal Oak, November 1918 | publisher = HMSO }}</ref> and was present at a ceremony in [[Pentland Firth]] to greet other ships as they followed.
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In March, 1915, [[Open Director Sight]]s were ordered for all{{INF}} her turrets.  They were likely in place by her completion.<ref>''The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships''.  p. 18.</ref>
  
==Alterations==
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===Jutland===
''Royal Oak'' received her secondary battery directors in March, 1917.<ref>''The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships'', p. 16.</ref> 
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{{Main|H.M.S. Royal Oak at the Battle of Jutland}}
  
In March, 1915, [[Open Director Sight]]s were ordered for all{{INF}} her turretsThey were likely in place by her completion.<ref>''The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in HM Ships'', p. 18.</ref>
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{{UK-Revenge}} and ''Royal Oak'' were the only two ships in the class to fight at Jutland.  ''Royal Oak'' was so newly placed into service that she fought in the {{UK-BS|4}}, a formation she was never listed under in the Navy List.
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In June, 1916, she was placed into the {{UK-BS|1}} alongside sister ''Revenge'', acting for her first three months as the squadron flagshipShe remained in the First until at least July 1919.<ref>See {{UK-BS|1}} for citations.</ref>
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''Royal Oak'' received her secondary battery directors in March, 1917.<ref>''The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships''.  p. 16.</ref>
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 +
===Post-War===
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''Royal Oak'' was re-commissioned at Portsmouth on 29 April, 1924 for service with the {{UK-BS|2}}, Atlantic Fleet.{{NLApr25|pp. 265''a'', 266}}
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She was re-commissioned at Devonport on 1 April, 1927 for service with the {{UK-BS|1}} in the Mediterranean.{{NLFeb29|pp. 265-6}}
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 +
She was re-commissioned at Portsmouth on 27 November, 1929 for service with the {{UK-BS|1}} in the Mediterranean.{{NLJul31|p. 266}}
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 +
She re-commissioned at Devonport on 22 June, 1932.{{NLJan33|p. 269}}
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Commissioned on 21 August, 1936 for service with the {{UK-BS|2}}.{{NLJul37|p. 270}}
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==Captains==
 +
Dates of appointment are provided when known.
 +
<div name=fredbot:officeCapt otitle="Captain of H.M.S. ''Royal Oak''">
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Crawford Maclachlan|nick=Crawford Maclachlan|appt=25 January, 1916{{NLDec18|p. 899}}|end=January, 1919{{NLDec18|p. 899}}{{NLAug19|p. 899}}|precBy=New Command}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Frederic Aubrey Whitehead|nick=Frederic A. Whitehead|appt=19 January, 1919<ref>Whitehead Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/453.|D7602771}} f. 504.</ref>{{NLAug19|p. 899}}|end=12 January, 1921<ref>Whitehead Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/453.|D7602771}} f. 504.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Percival Henry Hall Thompson|nick=Percival H. H. Thompson|appt=12 January, 1921|end=}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Andrew Fountaine|nick=Charles A. Fountaine|appt=29 April, 1924{{NLJul24|p. 265}}|end=8 September, 1925}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Claude Seymour|nick=Claude Seymour|appt=8 September, 1925{{NLFeb26|p. 265''a''}}<ref>Seymour Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/177.}} f. 198.</ref>|end=August, 1926<ref>Seymour Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/177.}} f. 198.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Arthur Charles Strutt|nick=Arthur C. Strutt|appt=25 July, 1926{{NLJul27|p. 265}}|end=}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Kenneth Gilbert Balmain Dewar|nick=Kenneth G. B. Dewar|appt=15 October, 1927<ref>Dewar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45}}.  f. 59.</ref>|end=1 March, 1928<ref>Dewar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45}}.  f. 59.</ref>|note=dismissed from ship pending court martial<ref>Dewar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45}}.  f. 59.  Typed sheet N.L. 1187/28 inserted.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Edward Oliver Brudenell Seymour Osborne|nick=Edward O. B. S. Osborne|appt=11 March, 1928|end=9 April, 1928|note=temporarily, by C-in-C Med}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Hugh Dundas Hamilton|nick=Hugh D. Hamilton|appt=23 March, 1928<ref>Hamilton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|D7603875}} f. 375.</ref>|end=21 October, 1929<ref>Hamilton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|D7603875}} f. 375.</ref>|note=and as Flag Captain to Kerr, then to [[Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax|Drax]], temporarily, c. 12 April, 1929}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Wilbraham Tennyson Randle Ford|nick=Wilbraham T. R. Ford|appt=8 May, 1929<ref>Ford Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45.|}} f. 180.</ref>|end=30 May, 1930<ref>Ford Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45.|}} f. 180.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Henry George Thursfield|nick=Henry G. Thursfield|appt=23 May, 1930{{NLJul31|p. 266}}<ref>Thursfield Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|}} f. 276.</ref>|end=February, 1931<ref>Thursfield Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|}} f. 276.</ref>|ass=30 May, 1930<ref>Predecessor superseded that day.  Ford Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45.|}} f. 180.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Gordon Ramsey|nick=Charles G. Ramsey|appt=4 December, 1931{{NLJan33|p. 268}}<ref>Ramsey Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.}} f. 327.</ref>|end=26 April, 1934<ref>Ramsey Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.}} f. 327.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Leonard Fosbrooke Potter|nick=Leonard F. Potter|appt=26 April, 1934|end=7 August, 1934|note=after reducing, for passage to Devonport}}
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{{Tenure|rank={{CommRN}}|name=Allan Thomas George Cumberland Peachey|nick=Allan T. G. C. Peachey|appt=28 May, 1936|end=11 June, 1936<ref>This is inferred.  Peachey's Service Record implies 18 July, 1938, but this seems unsupported by language that he was to oversee only her trials upon re-commissioning and the clarity of Drew's Service Record.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Thomas Bernard Drew|nick=Thomas B. Drew|appt=11 June, 1936|end=10 August, 1938}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Colin Cantlie|nick=Colin Cantlie|appt=10 August, 1938<ref>Cantlie Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/263.|D7605018}} f. 278.</ref>|end=7 July, 1939<ref>Cantlie Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/263.|D7605018}} f. 278.</ref>}}
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{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Gordon Benn|nick=William G. Benn|appt=7 July, 1939<ref>Benn Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/66.|D7605153}} f. 424.</ref>|end=14 October, 1939|note=vessel lost under his command|succBy=Vessel Lost}}
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</div name=fredbot:officeCapt>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
*[[List of those lost on HMS Royal Oak (1914)|List of those lost on ''Royal Oak'']]
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{{refbegin}}
 
*[http://www.argyllcommunities.org/STACHURHALL/index.asp?pageID=385 Strachur and District Community]
 
*[http://www.argyllcommunities.org/STACHURHALL/index.asp?pageID=385 Strachur and District Community]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Royal_Oak_(1914) Wikipedia]
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{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Royal_Oak_(1914)}}
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{{refend}}
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
Line 49: Line 72:
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
*{{BibUKDirectorFiringHandbook1917}}
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*{{DirectorH}}
*{{BibUKDreyerTableHandbook1918}}
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*{{DreyerH}}
*{{BibDittmarColledge}}
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*{{DittColl}}
*{{BibUKFireControlInHMShips1919}}
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*{{FCHMShips}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
[[Category:Ship]]
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{{Footer Revenge Class Battleship (1914)}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Oak}}
  
{{Revenge Class (1914)}}
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{{CatShipDreadnought|UK}}

Latest revision as of 15:11, 19 December 2019

H.M.S. Royal Oak (1914)
Pendant Number: 67 (Aug 1914)
4A (Jan 1918)
38 (Apr 1918)[1]
Builder: Devonport Royal Dockyard[2]
Ordered: 1913 Programme[3]
Laid down: 15 Jan, 1914[4]
Launched: 17 Nov, 1914[5]
Commissioned: 1 May, 1916[6]
Torpedoed: 14 Oct, 1939[7]
Fate: by U-47 in Scapa Flow

H.M.S. Royal Oak was a Revenge class dreadnought battleship of the British Royal Navy, torpedoed in Scapa Flow by the German submarine U-47 on 14 October, 1939. Launched in 1914 and completed in 1916, Royal Oak first saw action at the Battle of Jutland with the Grand Fleet. In peacetime, she served in the Atlantic, Home and Mediterranean fleets, coming under accidental attack on more than one occasion. The ship became the centre of worldwide attention in 1928 when her Captain and Commander were Court Martialled for petulant grievances.

Construction & Service

The keel plate was laid on 15 January, 1914, in a cerrmony performed by Mrs. Hockaday, wife of Mr. W. T. Hockaday, Manager of the Constructive Department.[8]

Though the ship was still two years from completion, in July 1914, the ship was appropriated 42-foot motor launch No. 252, though the boat was not yet delivered from the contractor.[9]

In March, 1915, Open Director Sights were ordered for all[Inference] her turrets. They were likely in place by her completion.[10]

Jutland

Main article: H.M.S. Royal Oak at the Battle of Jutland

Revenge and Royal Oak were the only two ships in the class to fight at Jutland. Royal Oak was so newly placed into service that she fought in the Fourth Battle Squadron, a formation she was never listed under in the Navy List.

In June, 1916, she was placed into the First Battle Squadron alongside sister Revenge, acting for her first three months as the squadron flagship. She remained in the First until at least July 1919.[11]

Royal Oak received her secondary battery directors in March, 1917.[12]

Post-War

Royal Oak was re-commissioned at Portsmouth on 29 April, 1924 for service with the Second Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet.[13]

She was re-commissioned at Devonport on 1 April, 1927 for service with the First Battle Squadron in the Mediterranean.[14]

She was re-commissioned at Portsmouth on 27 November, 1929 for service with the First Battle Squadron in the Mediterranean.[15]

She re-commissioned at Devonport on 22 June, 1932.[16]

Commissioned on 21 August, 1936 for service with the Second Battle Squadron.[17]

Captains

Dates of appointment are provided when known.

See also

Footnotes

  1. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 34.
  2. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 34.
  3. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 35.
  4. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 35.
  5. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 34.
  6. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 858.
  7. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 34.
  8. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 16 January, 1914. Issue 40422, col E, p. 54.
  9. Admiralty Weekly Order No. 122 of 10 July, 1914.
  10. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. p. 18.
  11. See First Battle Squadron for citations.
  12. The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. p. 16.
  13. The Navy List. (April, 1925). pp. 265a, 266.
  14. The Navy List. (February, 1929). pp. 265-6.
  15. The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 266.
  16. The Navy List. (January, 1933). p. 269.
  17. The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 270.
  18. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 899.
  19. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 899.
  20. The Navy List. (August, 1919). p. 899.
  21. Whitehead Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/453. f. 504.
  22. The Navy List. (August, 1919). p. 899.
  23. Whitehead Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/453. f. 504.
  24. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 265.
  25. The Navy List. (February, 1926). p. 265a.
  26. Seymour Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/177. f. 198.
  27. Seymour Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/177. f. 198.
  28. The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 265.
  29. Dewar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 59.
  30. Dewar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 59.
  31. Dewar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 59. Typed sheet N.L. 1187/28 inserted.
  32. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 375.
  33. Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 375.
  34. Ford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 180.
  35. Ford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 180.
  36. The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 266.
  37. Thursfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 276.
  38. Thursfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 276.
  39. The Navy List. (January, 1933). p. 268.
  40. Ramsey Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 327.
  41. Ramsey Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 327.
  42. This is inferred. Peachey's Service Record implies 18 July, 1938, but this seems unsupported by language that he was to oversee only her trials upon re-commissioning and the clarity of Drew's Service Record.
  43. Cantlie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/263. f. 278.
  44. Cantlie Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/263. f. 278.
  45. Benn Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/66. f. 424.

Bibliography

  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1917). The Director Firing Handbook. O.U. 6125 (late C.B. 1259). Copy No. 322 at The National Archives. ADM 186/227.
  • Admiralty, Gunnery Branch (1918). Handbook of Captain F. C. Dreyer's Fire Control Tables, 1918. C.B. 1456. Copy No. 10 at Admiralty Library, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • Admiralty, Technical History Section (1919). The Technical History and Index: Fire Control in H.M. Ships. Vol. 3, Part 23. C.B. 1515 (23) now O.U. 6171/14. At The National Archives. ADM 275/19.


Revenge Class Dreadnought
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