Difference between revisions of "Home Fleet (Royal Navy)"

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==A Post-War Home Fleet, 1919==
 
==A Post-War Home Fleet, 1919==
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With the dispersal of the [[Grand Fleet]] on 7 April, 1919, the fleet in home waters was divided between a new [[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Atlantic Fleet]] consisting of the most powerful naval units, and a Home Fleet consisting of ships with nucleus crews and other vessels at the Home Ports.  On 8 April Admiral [[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Sir Charles E. Madden]] became Commander-in-Chief, Home and Atlantic Fleets, and Vice-Admiral [[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]] was appointed in command of the Home Fleet.  Rear-Admiral [[Douglas Romilly Lothian Nicholson|Sir Douglas R. L. Nicholson]] was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding, [[Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Third Battle Squadron]] in the Home Fleet.<ref>"New Plans for the Fleet" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 22 March, 1919.  Issue '''42055''', col E, pg. 12.</ref><ref>"End of Grand Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 3 April, 1919.  Issue '''42065''', col D, pg. 13.</ref>  The Home Fleet then consisted of the Third Battle Squadron of six ships, and the Fourth and Fifth Destroyer Flotillas totalling thirty-five destroyers and leaders.  This arrangement lasted until 1 October, when the Fleet was reduced to a reserve basis, and the "Home Fleet" was dropped from the Commander-in-Chief's title.<ref>"Navy Reductions" (News in Brief).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 10 September, 1919.  Issue '''42201''', col C, pg. 10.</ref><ref>"Admiral Madden's New Title" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 27 September, 1919.  Issue '''42216''', col C, pg. 8.</ref>  On 1 November Vice-Admiral Oliver's title was changed to Vice-Admiral Commanding, Reserve Fleet (V.A.R.F.).<ref>Oliver Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/42.  p. 187.</ref>
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With the dispersal of the [[Grand Fleet]] on 7 April, 1919, the fleet in home waters was divided between a new [[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Atlantic Fleet]] consisting of the most powerful naval units, and a Home Fleet consisting of ships with nucleus crews and other vessels at the Home Ports.  On 8 April Admiral [[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Sir Charles E. Madden]] became Commander-in-Chief, Home and Atlantic Fleets, and Vice-Admiral [[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]] was appointed in command of the Home Fleet.  Rear-Admiral [[Douglas Romilly Lothian Nicholson|Sir Douglas R. L. Nicholson]] was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding, [[Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Third Battle Squadron]] in the Home Fleet.<ref>"New Plans for the Fleet" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 22 March, 1919.  Issue '''42055''', col E, pg. 12.</ref><ref>"End of Grand Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 3 April, 1919.  Issue '''42065''', col D, pg. 13.</ref>  The Home Fleet then consisted of the Third Battle Squadron of six ships, and the Fourth and Fifth Destroyer Flotillas totalling thirty-five destroyers and leaders.  This arrangement lasted until 1 October, when the Fleet was reduced to a reserve basis, and "Home Fleet" was dropped from the Commander-in-Chief's title.<ref>"Navy Reductions" (News in Brief).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 10 September, 1919.  Issue '''42201''', col C, pg. 10.</ref><ref>"Admiral Madden's New Title" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 27 September, 1919.  Issue '''42216''', col C, pg. 8.</ref>  On 1 November Vice-Admiral Oliver's title was changed to Vice-Admiral Commanding, Reserve Fleet (V.A.R.F.).<ref>Oliver Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/42.  p. 187.</ref>
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==

Revision as of 13:21, 30 September 2010

A Seagoing Home Fleet, 1903-1905

In 1903 the Fleet in Home waters was reorganised, and the command of the Home Fleet was divorced from that of the Naval Reserves. Accordingly, Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur K. Wilson was appointed in command.[1] He hoisted his flag in the Revenge on 21 May.[2] Rear-Admiral Edmund S. Poë had been appointed Second-in-Command on 8 May, 1903.[3] Rear-Admiral Charles J. Barlow succeeded Rear-Admiral Poë as Second-in-Command of the Home Fleet on 9 May, 1904.[4] He remained as Second-in-Command until 9 May, 1905.[5]

Under the terms of the Admiralty Memorandum of 6 December, 1904, the Home Fleet was renamed the Channel Fleet[6] on 1 January, 1905.[7]

A Reconstituted Home Fleet, 1907-1912

The reconstitution of the Home Fleet, based on Sheerness, was announced by the Admiralty on 24 October, 1906. Under the command of a flag officer with the status of a Commander-in-Chief, the fleet was to be formed out of the ships in commission in reserve.[8] On 30 October it was announced that the King had approved the appointment of Rear-Admiral Francis C. B. Bridgeman.[9] On 17 December it was announced that Admiralty House, Sheerness, would become the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, after the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore vacated it on 1 January, 1907.[10] Vice-Admiral Bridgeman hoisted his flag in the battleship Majestic at Sheerness at 09:00 on 5 March, 1907.[11] On 10 January, 1908 Captain the Hon. Alexander E. Bethell was appointed Chief of Staff to Bridgeman.[12]

In the Statement Explanatory of the Navy Estimates, 1909—1910 issued on 12 March, 1909, a redistribution of the Royal Navy in home waters was announced. The Channel Fleet was absorbed into the Home Fleet, making for a total of sixteen fully-manned battleships divided into two divisions, each division being associated with a cruiser squadron of five armoured cruisers. Also attached to the two fully manned divisions were ten cruisers and scouts and forty-eight destroyers. The remainder of nucleus-crew vessels were organised into the Third and Fourth Divisions, under a Vice-Admiral. The Atlantic Fleet continued to be an independent command, with six battleships and a cruiser squadron.[13]

First Division

Commanders-in-Chief

On 24 March, 1909, Vice-Admiral Sir William H. May succeeded Bridgeman as Commander-in-Chief.[14] Bridgeman took command of the Home Fleet on 25 March, flying his flag in the Bellerophon.[15] George A. Callaghan assumed command of the Home Fleet with the rank of Acting Admiral on 5 December, 1911,[16] hoisting his flag in the battleship Hercules at Portland.[17]

Rear-Admirals in the First Division

With the reorganisation of the fleets in home waters in early 1909, the forces at the Nore essentially became the First Division, and Rear-Admiral Charles J. Briggs assumed the title of Rear-Admiral in the First Division. Briggs transferred his duties to Rear-Admiral F. C. Doveton Sturdee on 5 January, 1910.[18] Rear-Admiral Richard H. Peirse succeeded Rear-Admiral Sturdee on 5 January, 1911.[19] Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden succeeded Peirse on 5 January, 1912, hoisting his flag in the dreadnought St. Vincent.[20]

Second Division

Vice-Admirals Commanding

Vice-Admiral Sir Berkeley Milne became Vice-Admiral Commanding the Second Division of the Home Fleet on 24 March, 1909.[21] Milne was succeeded on 9 August, 1910 by Vice-Admiral Sir George A. Callaghan.[16]

Rear-Admirals in the Second Division

Rear-Admiral James Startin had been appointed Rear-Admiral in the Channel Fleet on 1 October, 1908, and became Rear-Admiral in the Second Division upon the absorption of that fleet into the Home Fleet.[22]Rear-Admiral Edward E. Bradford was appointed Rear-Admiral in the Second Division on 9 October, 1909.[23] He was superseded on 19 October, 1910 by Rear-Admiral George E. Patey.[24] Patey was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Herbert G. King Hall on 19 October, 1911.[25]

Third and Fourth Divisions

Vice-Admiral George Neville hoisted his flag in the Magnificent at Sheerness as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third and Fourth Divisions of the Home Fleet.[26] Vice-Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg relieved Neville in command of the Third and Fourth Divisions on 24 March, 1911 at Sheerness.[27] Acting Vice-Admiral Frederick T. Hamilton succeeded Battenberg in command of the Third and Fourth Divisions of the fleet at Sheerness on 5 December, 1911.[17]

Rear-Admirals

On 24 March Rear-Admiral T. H. Martyn Jerram was appointed Rear-Admiral on the staff the Vice-Admiral Commanding the Third and Fourth Divisions. He had previously been appointed as Chief of the Staff, responsible for ships with nucleus crews, to the Commander-in-Chief.[28] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral W. Lowther Grant on 9 August, 1910.[29] Rear-Admiral Charles H. Dundas of Dundas succeeded Rear-Admiral Grant as Rear-Admiral for special service with Prince Louis of Battenberg on 2 November, 1911.[30]

Destroyers

It had been decided in 1906 that on 5 March, 1907, the Rear-Admiral Commanding, Torpedo Craft and Submarine Flotillas would come under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet.[31] On 5 March Captain Lewis Bayly was appointed Commodore, Second Class in command of destroyers in full commission in home waters.[32] In August, 1907 the Home Fleet flotillas under Commodore Bayly ceased to be the responsibility of Rear-Admiral Montgomerie, who with the First and Second Flotillas was transferred to the Channel Fleet[33] and became Rear-Admiral (D).[34] Bayly was superseded by Captain Edward F. B. Charlton as Commodore (T) on 27 November, 1908.[35] Charlton was succeeded by Captain Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot on 6 December, 1910.[36]

Portsmouth Division

Rear-Admiral Spencer H. M. Login was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Arthur M. Farquhar on 15 November, 1907.[37] Rear-Admiral Paul W. Bush succeeded Farquhar on 16 November, 1908.[38] He was relieved by Rear-Admiral Frederic E. E. Brock on 17 November, 1909.[39] Rear-Admiral Arthur H. Limpus succeeded Brock on 10 November, 1910.[40] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Arthur Y. Moggridge on 17 November, 1911.[41]

Devonport Division

On 3 January, 1907 Rear-Admiral Harry S. F. Niblett succeeded Rear-Admiral Gamble in command of the Devonport Division of the Home Fleet.[42] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral John Denison on 3 January, 1908.[43] Rear-Admiral Cecil Burney relieved Denison on 4 January, 1909.[44] Rear-Admiral Arthur A. C. Galloway succeeded Rear-Admiral Burney on 5 January, 1910.[45] Rear-Admiral Richard B. Farquhar took command on 5 January, 1911.[46] On 5 January, 1912 Rear-Admiral Henry Loftus Tottenham succeeded Rear-Admiral Farquhar, hoisting his flag in the King Alfred on 6 January.[47]

Nore Division

Rear-Admiral Frank Finnis succeeded Adair as Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleet at Sheerness-Chatham on 3 January, 1907.[42] Rear-Admiral the Hon. Stanley C. J. Colville succeeded Finnis on 3 January, 1908, hoisting his flag at Chatham.[48] Colville was superseded on 4 January, 1909[49] by Rear-Admiral Charles J. Briggs, who in turn was relieved on 5 January, 1910.[50] With the reorganisation of the Home Fleet in March, 1909, Briggs became Rear-Admiral in the First Division of the Home Fleet.[51]

A Post-War Home Fleet, 1919

With the dispersal of the Grand Fleet on 7 April, 1919, the fleet in home waters was divided between a new Atlantic Fleet consisting of the most powerful naval units, and a Home Fleet consisting of ships with nucleus crews and other vessels at the Home Ports. On 8 April Admiral Sir Charles E. Madden became Commander-in-Chief, Home and Atlantic Fleets, and Vice-Admiral Sir Henry F. Oliver was appointed in command of the Home Fleet. Rear-Admiral Sir Douglas R. L. Nicholson was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding, Third Battle Squadron in the Home Fleet.[52][53] The Home Fleet then consisted of the Third Battle Squadron of six ships, and the Fourth and Fifth Destroyer Flotillas totalling thirty-five destroyers and leaders. This arrangement lasted until 1 October, when the Fleet was reduced to a reserve basis, and "Home Fleet" was dropped from the Commander-in-Chief's title.[54][55] On 1 November Vice-Admiral Oliver's title was changed to Vice-Admiral Commanding, Reserve Fleet (V.A.R.F.).[56]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Important Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 20 February, 1903. Issue 37073, col E, pg. 12.
  2. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 22 May, 1903. Issue 37087, col A, pg. 9.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 6 May, 1903. Issue 37073, col E, pg. 12.
  4. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 10 May, 1904. Issue 37390, col C, pg. 11.
  5. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 26 April, 1905. Issue 37691, col B, pg. 8.
  6. ↑ Bradford. The Life of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson. p. 197.
  7. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 24 October, 1908. Issue 38786, col E, pg. 11.
  8. ↑ "Redistribution of Naval Strength" (News). The Times. Wednesday, 24 October, 1906. Issue 38159, col A, pg. 11.
  9. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 30 October, 1906. Issue 38164, col A, pg. 12.
  10. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 17 December, 1906. Issue 38205, col D, pg. 10.
  11. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 6 March, 1907. Issue 38273, col B, pg. 11.
  12. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 21 December, 1907. Issue 38522, col B, pg. 10.
  13. ↑ "The Navy Estimates" (News). The Times. Saturday, 13 March, 1909. Issue 38906, col A, pg. 7.
  14. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 24 March, 1909. Issue 38915, col B, pg. 9.
  15. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 27 March, 1911. Issue 39543, col E, pg. 4.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 202.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 6 December, 1911. Issue 39761, col F, pg. 14.
  18. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 6 January, 1911. Issue 39162, col D, pg. 4.
  19. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 6 January, 1911. Issue 39475, col F, pg. 3.
  20. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 6 January, 1912. Issue 39787, col C, pg. 4.
  21. ↑ Milne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. p. 893.
  22. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 14 September, 1908. Issue 38751, col E, pg. 6.
  23. ↑ Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 168.
  24. ↑ "Naval Commands Afloat" (News). The Times. Tuesday, 3 January, 1911. Issue 39472, col A, pg. 5.
  25. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 28 September, 1911. Issue 39702, col G, pg. 10.
  26. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 25 March, 1909. Issue 38916, col B, pg. 9.
  27. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 25 March, 1911. Issue 39542, col B, pg. 7.
  28. ↑ Jerram Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 692.
  29. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 9 August, 1910. Issue 39346, col D, pg. 7.
  30. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 2 November, 1911. Issue 39732, col C, pg. 4.
  31. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 11 December, 1906. Issue 38200, col F, pg. 5.
  32. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 5 March, 1907. Issue 38272, col A, pg. 12.
  33. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 13 August, 1907. Issue 38410, col B, pg. 10.
  34. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 25 November, 1907. Issue 38499, col C, pg. 4.
  35. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 27 November, 1908. Issue 38815, col F, pg. 6.
  36. ↑ Arbuthnot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 202.
  37. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 14 November, 1907. Issue 38490, col D, pg. 11.
  38. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 14 November, 1908. Issue 38804, col B, pg. 6.
  39. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 17 November, 1909. Issue 39119, col C, pg. 14.
  40. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 10 November, 1910. Issue 39426, col B, pg. 7.
  41. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 31 October, 1911. Issue 39730, col B, pg. 14.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 3 January, 1907. Issue 38220, col C, pg. 4.
  43. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 4 January, 1908. Issue 38534, col A, pg. 9.
  44. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 5 January, 1909. Issue 38848, col D, pg. 7.
  45. ↑ Hazell's Annual, 1911. p. 191.
  46. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 6 January, 1911. Issue 39475, col F, pg. 3.
  47. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 6 January, 1912. Issue 39788, col F, pg. 11.
  48. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 3 January, 1908. Issue 38533, col A, pg. 4.
  49. ↑ Colville Service Record. ADM 196/42. p. 292.
  50. ↑ Briggs Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 168.
  51. ↑ "The Home and Atlantic Fleets" (News). The Times. Monday, 15 March, 1909. Issue 38907, col C, pg. 9.
  52. ↑ "New Plans for the Fleet" (News). The Times. Saturday, 22 March, 1919. Issue 42055, col E, pg. 12.
  53. ↑ "End of Grand Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 3 April, 1919. Issue 42065, col D, pg. 13.
  54. ↑ "Navy Reductions" (News in Brief). The Times. Wednesday, 10 September, 1919. Issue 42201, col C, pg. 10.
  55. ↑ "Admiral Madden's New Title" (News). The Times. Saturday, 27 September, 1919. Issue 42216, col C, pg. 8.
  56. ↑ Oliver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 187.

Bibliography

  • Seligmann, Matthew S.. (August 2010). "A Prelude to the Reforms of Admiral Sir John Fisher: The Creation of the Home Fleet, 1902-1903". Historical Research 83 (221): pp. 506–519.

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