Difference between revisions of "Sydney Stewart Hall"

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==Early Life & Career==
 
==Early Life & Career==
He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891.  He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 14 August, 1892.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26356/pages/7551 no. 26356.  p. 7551.]  23 December, 1892.</ref>
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He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891.  He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 14 August, 1892.{{Gaz|26356|7551|23 December, 1892}}
  
In July 1901, he was appointed to command {{UK-TB81}} and was placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla for the annual manoeuvres.<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref>  His appointment was disastrous, as he stranded ''T.B. 81'' at Alderney on a submerged breakwater on 1 August, damaging her so badly that she sank and had to be salvaged.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 3 August, 1901.  Issue '''36524''', col B-D, p. 10.</ref>  The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the sinking had been "caused by great carelessness on [Hall's] part".  Their Lordships expressed their "extreme displease" at his actions, and he was cautioned to be more careful in future.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref><ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>
+
In July 1901, he was appointed to command {{UK-TB81}} and was placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla for the annual manoeuvres.<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref>  His appointment was disastrous, as he stranded ''T.B. 81'' at Alderney on a submerged breakwater on 1 August, damaging her so badly that she sank and had to be salvaged.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 3 August, 1901.  Issue '''36524''', col B-D, p. 10.</ref>  The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the sinking had been "caused by great carelessness on [Hall's] part".  Their Lordships expressed their "extreme displease" at his actions, and he was cautioned to be more careful in future.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.|D7602569}} f. 258.</ref><ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>
  
He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} dated 1 January, 1903.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27512/pages/4 no. 27512.  p. 4.]  2 January, 1903.</ref>
+
He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} dated 1 January, 1903.{{Gaz|27512|4|2 January, 1903}}
  
On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Mercury|f=t}} and, simultaneously, became [[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Commander of Submarines]].{{NLJan07|p. 345}}
+
On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the submarine depot ship {{UK-Mercury}} and as [[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Commander of Submarines]].{{NLJan07|p. 345}}
  
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1907.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28096/pages/34 no. 28096.  p. 34.]  3 January, 1908.</ref>
+
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1907.{{Gaz|28096|34|3 January, 1908}}
  
In February 1911, he assumed command of the {{UK-Diana|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}} This posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Lord Fisher wrote to Churchill, "&hellip; you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the {{UK-Diana}} as soon as you can!  Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d&mdash;d sight too pertinacious!"<ref>''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II Part 2.  p. 1365.</ref>  In fact, the reasons were apparently more prosaic.  Hall had requested permission to retire in August 1910, which was refused, the First Sea Lord writing that "I do not think that an officer who had held such an important position as inspecting captain of submarines such be allowed to retire and thus take his knowledge out of the Service."  The assessment written of Hall by his superior, Admiral [[George Neville]], was positive as well: "Has carried out his duties as I.C.S. in a thoroughly efficient manner."<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>  Nevertheless, he certainly did not enjoy his time in command of ''Diana'', complaining to Fisher later that:
+
On 14 November, 1910, he was superseded in {{UK-Mercury}} and as Inspecting Captain of Submarines.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.|D7602569}}  f. 258.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 4 February 1911, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Diana|f=t}}.  This posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Lord Fisher wrote to Churchill, "&hellip; you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the {{UK-1Diana}} as soon as you can!  Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d&mdash;d sight too pertinacious!"<ref>''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II Part 2.  p. 1365.</ref>  In fact, the reasons were apparently more prosaic.  Hall had requested permission to retire in August 1910, which was refused, the First Sea Lord writing that "I do not think that an officer who had held such an important position as inspecting captain of submarines such be allowed to retire and thus take his knowledge out of the Service."  The assessment written of Hall by his superior, Admiral [[George Neville]], was positive as well: "Has carried out his duties as I.C.S. in a thoroughly efficient manner."<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>  Nevertheless, he certainly did not enjoy his time in command of ''Diana'', complaining to Fisher later that:
 
<blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
 
It is surprising the hostility one meets if one dares to do anything new. it was said openly at C in C's table that 'Diana' was to be shaken up. (owing to mere rumour) After a 3 days inspection more rigid than anyone else had seen,  he admitted that rumour had been false, my inspection report could not be bettered, but it did not kill the rumour. I was still a pirate: while they cleaned brightwork my petty officers sailed boats without rudders."<ref>Hall to Fisher, 17 February 1914, FISR 1/14, Fisher MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.</ref></blockquote>
 
It is surprising the hostility one meets if one dares to do anything new. it was said openly at C in C's table that 'Diana' was to be shaken up. (owing to mere rumour) After a 3 days inspection more rigid than anyone else had seen,  he admitted that rumour had been false, my inspection report could not be bettered, but it did not kill the rumour. I was still a pirate: while they cleaned brightwork my petty officers sailed boats without rudders."<ref>Hall to Fisher, 17 February 1914, FISR 1/14, Fisher MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.</ref></blockquote>
 +
 +
On 1 December, 1913 he was appointed Joint Secretary of the Oil Fuel Commission, vice [[Philip Wylie Dumas|Dumas]].<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.|D7602569}}  f. 258.</ref>
  
 
Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.<ref>''Edinburgh Gazette'': [http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/12630/pages/7 no. 12630.  p. 7.]  2 January, 1914.</ref>
 
Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.<ref>''Edinburgh Gazette'': [http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/12630/pages/7 no. 12630.  p. 7.]  2 January, 1914.</ref>
  
He was appointed to command the {{UK-Roxburgh|f=t}} in July, serving in her until October, 1914.{{MackieRNW}}
+
He was appointed to command the {{UK-Roxburgh|f=t}} in July, 1914, serving in her until the end of October.
  
 
==Great War==
 
==Great War==
Hall became the Royal Navy's top submarine officer as Commodore (S) on 8 February, 1915,{{SMNLDec15|p. 3}} participating in the first meeting of the Submarine Development Committee on 8 September, where the design and purpose of six broad types of submarine were considered:  Coastal, Patrol, Fleet, Cruiser, Minelayer and Monitor.{{UKTHVol3Part21|p. 10}}  Though he was at the Admiralty, he was nominally also captain of the {{UK-Dolphin}} from 8 February, 1915.{{NLFeb19|p. 777}}
+
[[File:Sydney-Stewart-Hall, NPG x168071.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Admiral Sydney S. Hall as a Captain, 1917.<br><small>Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]
 +
When Lord Fisher returned to the Admiralty as First Sea Lord in October, 1914, he brought back Hall, who was appointed as an Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord for Submarine Duties on 31 October.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.|D7602569}}  f. 258.</ref> The Assistant Director of the Operations Division, [[Herbert William Richmond|Herbert W. Richmond]], referred to him in his notes at this time as "Ginger Hall".<ref>Richmond papers, National Maritime Museum, RIC/1/11.</ref> Hall became the Royal Navy's top submarine officer as Commodore (S) on 8 February, 1915,{{SMNLDec15|p. 3}} participating in the first meeting of the Submarine Development Committee on 8 September, where the design and purpose of six broad types of submarine were considered:  Coastal, Patrol, Fleet, Cruiser, Minelayer and Monitor.{{UKTHVol3Part21|p. 10}}  Though he was at the Admiralty, he was nominally also captain of the {{UK-Dolphin}} from 8 February, 1915.{{NLFeb19|p. 777}}
  
Hall was appointed {{Com1RN}} on 1 January, 1918.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30451/supplements/86 (Supplement) no. 30451.  p. 86.]  1 January, 1918.</ref>
+
Hall was appointed {{Com1RN}} on 1 January, 1918.{{GazSup|30451|86|1 January, 1918}}
 +
 
 +
By the end of the war, Hall and his staff of Commanders [[Geoffrey Layton]] (as Assistant to Commodore (S)) and [[Cecil Dacre Staveley Raikes]], an Engineer Commander and two junior officers were overseeing the operation of 135 submarines from offices in {{UK-Dolphin}} and ashore in Gosport.{{UKTHVol3Part21|p. 4}}{{NLDec18|p. 777}}
  
 
==Post-War==
 
==Post-War==
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 18 July, 1919, vice [[George Cuthbert Cayley|Cayley]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31486/pages/9863 no. 31486.  p. 9863.]  1 August, 1919.</ref> He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 16 September.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31581/pages/12141 no. 31581.  p. 12141.]  3 October, 1919.</ref>  
+
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 18 July, 1919, vice [[George Cuthbert Cayley|Cayley]].{{Gaz|31486|9863|1 August, 1919}} He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 16 September.{{Gaz|31581|12141|3 October, 1919}}  
  
He was advanced to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on the Retired List on 1 January, 1925,<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33010/pages/219 no. 33010.  p. 219.]  9 January, 1925.</ref> and to {{AdmRN}} on 27 February, 1929.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33474/pages/1575 no. 33474.  p. 1575.]  5 March, 1929.</ref>
+
He was advanced to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on the Retired List on 1 January, 1925,{{Gaz|33010|219|9 January, 1925}} and to {{AdmRN}} on 27 February, 1929.{{Gaz|33474|1575|5 March, 1929}}
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
Line 42: Line 49:
 
*{{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602569}}
 
*{{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602569}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
 
  
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>16 Jul, 1901<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1901<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Charles Davies|Joseph C. Davies]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Welland Lowis|Arthur W. Lowis]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 85 (1889)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 85]]'''<br>8 Jul, 1896{{NMI|Thursday, Jul 09, 1896; pg. 11; Issue 34938}} &ndash; 4 Nov, 1897|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Huth Walters|Richard H. Walters]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilmot Hawkesworth Fawkes|Wilmot H. Fawkes]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mercury (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mercury'']]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906{{NLJan07|p. 345}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Henry F. Oliver]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vesuvius (1874)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vesuvius'']]'''<br>27 Jun, 1901{{NLMay02|p. 309''a''}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Vernon Harry Stuart Haggard|Vernon H. S. Haggard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Captain of Submarines]]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>16 Jul, 1901<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1901<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Armand Shuter|Joseph A. Shuter]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Webster Kemp|Thomas W. Kemp]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Diana (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Diana'']]'''<br>Feb, 1911{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Woollcombe|Maurice Woollcombe]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Gipsy (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Gipsy'']]'''<br>14 May, 1903{{NLMay03|p. 260}} &ndash; 13 Jan, 1904<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.|D7602569}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Wylie Dumas|Philip W. Dumas]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>Jul, 1914{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bertram Mordaunt Chambers|Bertram M. Chambers]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hazard (1894)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hazard'']]'''<br>28 Jul, 1904<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref> &ndash; May, 1905<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Warren Johnson|Robert W. Johnson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dolphin (1882)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dolphin'']]'''<br>8 Feb, 1915{{NLFeb19|p. 777}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Max Kennedy Horton|Max K. Horton]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Warren Johnson|Robert W. Johnson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Forth (1886)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Forth'']]'''<br>May, 1905{{NLNov05|p. 317}}<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref> &ndash; 12 Nov, 1906<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Swynfen FitzMaurice|Maurice S. FitzMaurice]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Stanley Lyte Willis|Stanley L. Willis]]'''<br><small>as '''Commander (S), Sixth Submarine Flotilla'''</small>|'''[[Sixth Submarine Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (S), Sixth Submarine Flotilla]]'''<br>8 Feb, 1915|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Leonard Andrew Boyd Donaldson|Leonard A. B. Donaldson]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mercury (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mercury'']]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906{{NLJan07|p. 345}}<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref> &ndash; 14 Nov, 1910<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Captain of Submarines]]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 258.</ref> &ndash; 14 Nov, 1910<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Webster Kemp|Thomas W. Kemp]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Diana (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Diana'']]'''<br>4 Feb, 1911<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 258.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 301}} &ndash; 4 Feb, 1913<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cyril Thomas Hewlett-Cooper|Cyril T. Hewlett-Cooper]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip James Stopford|Philip J. Stopford]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Canopus (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Canopus'']]'''<br>Jul, 1914<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Heathcoat Salusbury Grant|Heathcoat S. Grant]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Wylie Dumas|Philip W. Dumas]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>25 Jul, 1914<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 258.</ref> &ndash; 31 Oct, 1914<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bertram Mordaunt Chambers|Bertram M. Chambers]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[First Sea Lord|Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord for Submarine Duties]]'''<br>31 Oct, 1914 &ndash; 8 Feb, 1915<ref>Hall service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound|A. Dudley P. R. Pound]]'''<br><small>as '''Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord'''</small>}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Algernon Henry Chester Candy|Algernon H. C. Candy]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dolphin (1882)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dolphin'']]'''<br>8 Feb, 1915{{NLFeb19|p. 777}}<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref> &ndash; 25 Aug, 1919<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 258.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alexander Hahnemann Quicke|Alexander H. Quicke]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts> 
 
</div name=fredbot:appts> 
Line 65: Line 77:
 
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
 
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
 
[[Category:Commodores (S)]]
 
[[Category:Commodores (S)]]
{{CatAdmiral|UK}}
+
{{CatAdm|UK}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 19:09, 6 April 2022

Admiral Sydney S. Hall as a Commodore, Second Class, 1917.
Portrait: Francis Dodd. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 1742).

Admiral Sydney Stewart Hall, C.B., Royal Navy, Retired (16 June, 1872 – 10 January, 1955) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 14 August, 1892.[1]

In July 1901, he was appointed to command T.B. 81 and was placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla for the annual manoeuvres.[2] His appointment was disastrous, as he stranded T.B. 81 at Alderney on a submerged breakwater on 1 August, damaging her so badly that she sank and had to be salvaged.[3] The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the sinking had been "caused by great carelessness on [Hall's] part". Their Lordships expressed their "extreme displease" at his actions, and he was cautioned to be more careful in future.[4][5]

He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 1 January, 1903.[6]

On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the submarine depot ship Mercury and as Inspecting Commander of Submarines.[7]

Hall was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1907.[8]

On 14 November, 1910, he was superseded in Mercury and as Inspecting Captain of Submarines.[9]

On 4 February 1911, he was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Diana. This posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Lord Fisher wrote to Churchill, "… you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the Diana as soon as you can! Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d—d sight too pertinacious!"[10] In fact, the reasons were apparently more prosaic. Hall had requested permission to retire in August 1910, which was refused, the First Sea Lord writing that "I do not think that an officer who had held such an important position as inspecting captain of submarines such be allowed to retire and thus take his knowledge out of the Service." The assessment written of Hall by his superior, Admiral George Neville, was positive as well: "Has carried out his duties as I.C.S. in a thoroughly efficient manner."[11] Nevertheless, he certainly did not enjoy his time in command of Diana, complaining to Fisher later that:

It is surprising the hostility one meets if one dares to do anything new. it was said openly at C in C's table that 'Diana' was to be shaken up. (owing to mere rumour) After a 3 days inspection more rigid than anyone else had seen, he admitted that rumour had been false, my inspection report could not be bettered, but it did not kill the rumour. I was still a pirate: while they cleaned brightwork my petty officers sailed boats without rudders."[12]

On 1 December, 1913 he was appointed Joint Secretary of the Oil Fuel Commission, vice Dumas.[13]

Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.[14]

He was appointed to command the armoured cruiser Roxburgh in July, 1914, serving in her until the end of October.

Great War

Admiral Sydney S. Hall as a Captain, 1917.
Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.

When Lord Fisher returned to the Admiralty as First Sea Lord in October, 1914, he brought back Hall, who was appointed as an Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord for Submarine Duties on 31 October.[15] The Assistant Director of the Operations Division, Herbert W. Richmond, referred to him in his notes at this time as "Ginger Hall".[16] Hall became the Royal Navy's top submarine officer as Commodore (S) on 8 February, 1915,[17] participating in the first meeting of the Submarine Development Committee on 8 September, where the design and purpose of six broad types of submarine were considered: Coastal, Patrol, Fleet, Cruiser, Minelayer and Monitor.[18] Though he was at the Admiralty, he was nominally also captain of the Dolphin from 8 February, 1915.[19]

Hall was appointed Commodore, First Class on 1 January, 1918.[20]

By the end of the war, Hall and his staff of Commanders Geoffrey Layton (as Assistant to Commodore (S)) and Cecil Dacre Staveley Raikes, an Engineer Commander and two junior officers were overseeing the operation of 135 submarines from offices in Dolphin and ashore in Gosport.[21][22]

Post-War

Hall was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 18 July, 1919, vice Cayley.[23] He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 16 September.[24]

He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 1 January, 1925,[25] and to Admiral on 27 February, 1929.[26]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral S. S. Hall" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 January, 1955. Issue 53136, col D, p. 10.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Arthur W. Lowis
Captain of H.M. T.B. 85
8 Jul, 1896[27] – 4 Nov, 1897
Succeeded by
Richard H. Walters
Preceded by
Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth
Captain of H.M.S. Vesuvius
27 Jun, 1901[28]
Succeeded by
Vernon H. S. Haggard
Preceded by
Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth
Captain of H.M. T.B. 81
16 Jul, 1901[29] – Aug, 1901[30]
Succeeded by
Joseph A. Shuter
Preceded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Captain of H.M.S. Gipsy
14 May, 1903[31] – 13 Jan, 1904[32]
Succeeded by
Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt
Preceded by
Edgar Lees
Captain of H.M.S. Hazard
28 Jul, 1904[33] – May, 1905[34]
Succeeded by
Robert W. Johnson
Preceded by
Robert W. Johnson
Captain of H.M.S. Forth
May, 1905[35][36] – 12 Nov, 1906[37]
Succeeded by
Maurice S. FitzMaurice
Preceded by
Edgar Lees
Captain of H.M.S. Mercury
12 Nov, 1906[38][39] – 14 Nov, 1910[40]
Succeeded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Preceded by
Edgar Lees
Inspecting Captain of Submarines
12 Nov, 1906[41] – 14 Nov, 1910[42]
Succeeded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Preceded by
Thomas W. Kemp
Captain of H.M.S. Diana
4 Feb, 1911[43][44] – 4 Feb, 1913[45]
Succeeded by
Cyril T. Hewlett-Cooper
Preceded by
Philip J. Stopford
Captain of H.M.S. Canopus
Jul, 1914[46]
Succeeded by
Heathcoat S. Grant
Preceded by
Philip W. Dumas
Captain of H.M.S. Roxburgh
25 Jul, 1914[47] – 31 Oct, 1914[48]
Succeeded by
Bertram M. Chambers
Preceded by
?
Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord for Submarine Duties
31 Oct, 1914 – 8 Feb, 1915[49]
Succeeded by
A. Dudley P. R. Pound
as Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord
Preceded by
Algernon H. C. Candy
Captain of H.M.S. Dolphin
8 Feb, 1915[50][51] – 25 Aug, 1919[52]
Succeeded by
Alexander H. Quicke
 

Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 26356. p. 7551. 23 December, 1892.
  2. "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Thursday, 11 July, 1901. Issue 36504, col C, p. 8.
  3. "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. Saturday, 3 August, 1901. Issue 36524, col B-D, p. 10.
  4. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236. f. 258.
  5. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/89/26
  6. The London Gazette: no. 27512. p. 4. 2 January, 1903.
  7. The Navy List. (January, 1907). p. 345.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 28096. p. 34. 3 January, 1908.
  9. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236. f. 258.
  10. Winston S. Churchill. Companion Volume II Part 2. p. 1365.
  11. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/89/26
  12. Hall to Fisher, 17 February 1914, FISR 1/14, Fisher MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.
  13. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236. f. 258.
  14. Edinburgh Gazette: no. 12630. p. 7. 2 January, 1914.
  15. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236. f. 258.
  16. Richmond papers, National Maritime Museum, RIC/1/11.
  17. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 3.
  18. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 21. p. 10.
  19. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 777.
  20. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30451. p. 86. 1 January, 1918.
  21. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 21. p. 4.
  22. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 777.
  23. The London Gazette: no. 31486. p. 9863. 1 August, 1919.
  24. The London Gazette: no. 31581. p. 12141. 3 October, 1919.
  25. The London Gazette: no. 33010. p. 219. 9 January, 1925.
  26. The London Gazette: no. 33474. p. 1575. 5 March, 1929.
  27. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jul 09, 1896; pg. 11; Issue 34938.
  28. The Navy List. (May, 1902). p. 309a.
  29. "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Thursday, 11 July, 1901. Issue 36504, col C, p. 8.
  30. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  31. The Navy List. (May, 1903). p. 260.
  32. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236. f. 258.
  33. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  34. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  35. The Navy List. (November, 1905). p. 317.
  36. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  37. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  38. The Navy List. (January, 1907). p. 345.
  39. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  40. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  41. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  42. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  43. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  44. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 301.
  45. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  46. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  47. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  48. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  49. Hall service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236.
  50. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 777.
  51. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.
  52. Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 258.