First Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The Royal Navy's First Cruiser Squadron was created when the Cruiser Squadron was renamed in December 1904.[1]

History

Rear-Admiral Edmund S. Poë assumed command of the Cruiser Squadron on 2 November, 1904,[2] and continued in command as it took on its new name. He was succeeded in command of 1 C.S. by Rear-Admiral George Neville on 15 July, 1905.[3] Rear-Admiral Sir Percy M. Scott succeeded Neville in command of the First Cruiser Squadron on 15 July, 1907.[4] Sir Rear-Admiral Charles H. Adair succeeded Scott as Rear-Admiral Commanding in September, 1908.[5]

Adair was succeeded by Rear-Admiral the Honourable Stanley C. J. Colville on 24 February, 1909,[6] who was relieved by Rear-Admiral Lewis Bayly on 24 February, 1911. The squadron was renamed the First Battle Cruiser Squadron in early January 1913[7], and an assortment of armoured cruisers in the Mediterranean took up the name of 1 C.S. under the command of Rear-Admiral Ernest C. T. Troubridge from 6 January, 1913 to September, 1914.[8]

On 29 November, 1914, Rear-Admiral Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore hoisted his flag in Leviathan.[9] Rear-Admiral Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot, Bart. assumed command of the squadron on 17 January, 1915.[10] The squadron was all but destroyed at the Battle of Jutland, when Defence was sunk with all hands at the start of the battle fleet action, Black Prince was sunk with all hands during the night, and Warrior sank on the way home after her surviving crew had been taken off. Sir Robert Arbuthnot was killed in action. The First Cruiser Squadron was officially abolished dated 5 June.[11]

In 1917 H.M. Ships Courageous, Glorious and Furious were detached from the Third Light Cruiser Squadron and named the First Cruiser Squadron. It came under the direct command of Vice-Admiral Trevylyan D. W. Napier in his capacity as Vice-Admiral, Light Cruiser Force.[12]

In Command

Dates of appointment given when known:

Second in Command

Other Personnel

Squadron Gunnery Officer

Squadron Torpedo Officer

Squadron Signal Officer

Squadron Wireless Officer

Squadron Navigating Officer

Composition

18 October, 1905

18 May, 1906

18 February, 1907

Six armoured cruisers, with Antrim and Devonshire soon to be transferred to the Second Cruiser Squadron.[76]

Supporting the Channel Fleet
Armoured Cruisers
Antrim Argyll Devonshire Good Hope RAdm.png Hampshire Roxburgh

18 September, 1908

[77]

Supporting the Channel Fleet
Armoured Cruisers
Argyll Black Prince Drake RAdm.png Duke of Edinburgh Hampshire Roxburgh

June, 1909

[78]

December, 1912

[79]

December, 1913

[80]

Serving in the Mediterranean Fleet, the squadron has lost its powerful core of battlecruisers to the newly fashioned First and Second Battle Cruiser Squadron, and once again more closely resembles the other Cruiser Squadrons. Defence remains and assumes the role of flagship, and the Second Cruiser Squadron has graciously provided three more armoured cruisers.

August, 1914

[81][82]

December, 1914

Although it may not yet have been physically assembled, the following ships are assigned to the new instance of the formation.[83]

This roster would last just the one month.

January, 1915

Attached to the Grand Fleet. Defence has returned from escorting duties from South Africa[84] to resume the flagship duty, while Leviathan has been sent to the North America and West Indies Station.[85]

This roster would last until October, 1915.[86][87][88][89][90][91][92]

October, 1915

Black Prince assumes the flagship role from Defence, just for the month.[93]

November, 1915

Defence assumes her normal role as the flagship.[94]

This roster would last until May, 1916.[95][96][97][98][99][100]

November, 1915

Warrior takes over as flagship, briefly.[101]

This temporary flagship assignment would expire before the Battle of Jutland, which would effectively destroy the Squadron.

June, 1916

The Squadron is abolished after losing most of its ships at Jutland.[102]

It would not re-form until September, 1917.[103]

September, 1917

The Squadron re-appears, this time attached to the Battle Cruiser Force.[104]

This roster would last until March, 1918.[105][106][107][108][109]

March, 1918

Furious is detached to join the Flying Squadron.[110]

This roster would last until February, 1919.[111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118]

February, 1919

The Squadron is still listed in the Navy List, but the two ships are "temporarily" in Rosyth, noted in March and thereafter as "in reserve". By July, they've acquired the notation of being under the management of a "care and maintenance party"[119][120][121][122][123][124]

Battles

Battle of Jutland

Operating under Rear-Admiral Arbuthnot, the Squadron lost three of its four cruisers in the battle, only Duke of Edinburgh surviving.

The Squadron was abolished after this ruinous outing, but it would later re-form.

Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

[125]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "The Distribution and Mobilization of the Fleet" (News). The Times. Monday, 12 December, 1904. Issue 37575, col D, p. 4.
  2. ↑ Poë Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1052.
  3. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 10 July, 1905. Issue 37755, col A, p. 7.
  4. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 15 July, 1907. Issue 38385, col A, p. 7.
  5. ↑ "Admiral C. H. Adair" (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 11 March, 1920. Issue 42356, col E, p. 16.
  6. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.
  7. ↑ "Cruiser Squadrons Renamed." The Times (London, England), Monday, Jan 13, 1913; pg. 11; Issue 40107.
  8. ↑ Troubridge Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 78.
  9. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  10. ↑ Arbuthnot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 202.
  11. ↑ Branch Acquaint M. 04960. 5 June, 1916. The National Archives. ADM 116/1645. f. 31.
  12. ↑ Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief Grand Fleet and Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Force. 4 September, 1917. M. 09828. The National Archives. ADM 137/2134. f. 128.
  13. ↑ "The Distribution and Mobilization of the Fleet" (News). The Times. Monday, 12 December, 1904. Issue 37575, col D, p. 4.
  14. ↑ Neville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 945.
  15. ↑ Neville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 945.
  16. ↑ Scott Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 473.
  17. ↑ Scott Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 473.
  18. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  19. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  20. ↑ "Cruiser Squadrons Renamed." The Times (London, England), Monday, Jan 13, 1913; pg. 11; Issue 40107.
  21. ↑ Troubridge Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 78.
  22. ↑ Troubridge Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 78.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 4.
  24. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  25. ↑ Arbuthnot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 202.
  26. ↑ Waistell Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/43/374. f. 244.
  27. ↑ Waistell Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/43/374. f. 244.
  28. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  29. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  30. ↑ Parker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 156.
  31. ↑ Parker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 156.
  32. ↑ Henley Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 44.
  33. ↑ Henley Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 44.
  34. ↑ Chetwode Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 228.
  35. ↑ Chetwode Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 228.
  36. ↑ Im Thurn Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 188.
  37. ↑ Im Thurn Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 188.
  38. ↑ Horton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/317. f. 6.
  39. ↑ Horton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/317. f. 6.
  40. ↑ Kennedy-Purvis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. f. 31.
  41. ↑ Kennedy-Purvis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. f. 31.
  42. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  43. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  44. ↑ Superseded that day. Palliser Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/290. f. 663.
  45. ↑ Palliser Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/290. f. 663.
  46. ↑ Palliser Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/290. f. 663.
  47. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  48. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  49. ↑ Kinahan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/64. f. 64.
  50. ↑ Kinahan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/64. f. 64.
  51. ↑ Evans Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. Unnumbered folio.
  52. ↑ Evans Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. Unnumbered folio.
  53. ↑ Hickling Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/55/195. f. 27.
  54. ↑ Hickling Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/55/195. f. 27.
  55. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 240.
  56. ↑ Benson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/18. f. 18.
  57. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1926). p. 240.
  58. ↑ Gaisford-St. Lawrence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/145/240. f. 240.
  59. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 240.
  60. ↑ Cooper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/10. f. 10.
  61. ↑ Carne Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/121/13. f. 13.
  62. ↑ Carne Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/121/13. f. 13.
  63. ↑ Congreve Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/174. f. 174.
  64. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1926). p. 240.
  65. ↑ Congreve Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/174. f. 174.
  66. ↑ Dick Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/66. f. 66.
  67. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 240.
  68. ↑ Dick Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/66. f. 66.
  69. ↑ Congreve Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/174. f. 174.
  70. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1926). p. 240.
  71. ↑ Congreve Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/174. f. 174.
  72. ↑ Dick Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/66. f. 66.
  73. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 240.
  74. ↑ Dick Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/66. f. 66.
  75. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 240.
  76. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1907). pp. 268-269.
  77. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1908). pp. 268, 269.
  78. ↑ "The Naval Mobilization" (News). The Times. Thursday, 17 June, 1909. Issue 38988, col A, p. 9.
  79. ↑ The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  80. ↑ Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  81. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 16.
  82. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 440.
  83. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 9.
  84. ↑ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Defence_(1907)#Career Wikipedia
  85. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). pp. 9, 19.
  86. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 11.
  87. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10.
  88. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 10.
  89. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10.
  90. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 10.
  91. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 11.
  92. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 11.
  93. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 10.
  94. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 10.
  95. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 10.
  96. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 10.
  97. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 10.
  98. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
  99. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
  100. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 10.
  101. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 10.
  102. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 10.
  103. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 10.
  104. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 11.
  105. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 11.
  106. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 11.
  107. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 11.
  108. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 11.
  109. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 11.
  110. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). pp. 10,11.
  111. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 11.
  112. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 11.
  113. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 11.
  114. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 11.
  115. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 11.
  116. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 11.
  117. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 11.
  118. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). p. 11.
  119. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). pp. 11, 20.
  120. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 20.
  121. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1919). p. 20.
  122. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1919). p. 18.
  123. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1919). p. 18.
  124. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1919). p. 18.
  125. ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. pp. 168-169.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations. Vol. V. London: Longmans, Green and Co..


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
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