Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
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
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]
- Suffolk
- Berwick
- Essex
- Lancaster (joined from Fifth Cruiser Squadron)
- Hermione (joined from Eleventh Cruiser Squadron)
July, 1914
[11] A light cruiser has replaced Hermione.
5 August, 1914
Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:
- armoured cruiser Suffolk
- armoured cruiser Berwick
- light cruiser Bristol
- armoured cruiser Essex
- armoured cruiser Lancaster
- battleship Glory
- first class protected cruiser Niobe
- An auxiliary merchant cruiser
September, 1914
Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:
- battleship Glory (flag)
- armoured cruiser Suffolk
- armoured cruiser Essex
- armoured cruiser Lancaster
- armoured cruiser Berwick
- first class protected cruiser Niobe
- armed merchant cruiser Caronia
January, 1915
Lancaster has left to join the Seventh Cruiser Squadron. The armed merchant cruiser Calgarian has joined.[14]
- battleship Glory
- armoured cruiser Suffolk (flag)
- armoured cruiser Essex
- armoured cruiser Berwick
- first class protected cruiser Niobe
- armed merchant cruiser Caronia
- armed merchant cruiser Calgarian
In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Rear-Admiral Frederick S. Inglefield, 8 February, 1907[15][16] – 8 February, 1909[17]
- Rear-Admiral Arthur M. Farquhar, 8 February, 1909[18] – 8 February, 1911[19]
- Rear-Admiral Edward E. Bradford, 8 February, 1911[20] – 8 February, 1913[21]
- Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher G. F. M. Cradock, 8 February, 1913[22] – 1 November, 1914 (killed in command)
- Rear-Admiral Arthur J. L. Murray, c. mid 1939 – 1941
- Rear-Admiral William George Tennant, 18 April, 1942 – 8 November, 1943
- Rear-Admiral Arthur D. Read, November, 1943[23] – November, 1944[24]
- Rear-Admiral Eric J. P. Brind, October, 1944 – 4 January, 1946
- Rear-Admiral John H. Edelsten, 4 January, 1946[Inference] – 14 October, 1946[25]
Footnotes
- ↑ Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
- ↑ Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 168.
- ↑ Cradock Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 89.
- ↑ M. 11735/12. 29 March, 1912. The National Archives. ADM 1/8271. f. 2 of Admiralty letter.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. pp. 11-13.
- ↑ Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
- ↑ Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ 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]
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 16.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). pp. 9-10.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 10 January, 1907. Issue 38226, col D, p. 5.
- ↑ Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
- ↑ Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
- ↑ Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 10 January, 1911. Issue 39478, col B, p. 4.
- ↑ Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 335.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
- ↑ Edelsten Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/53/104. f. 105.
Bibliography
