Tenth Sloop Flotilla (Royal Navy)
The Tenth Sloop Flotilla was a formation of sloops of the Royal Navy.
History
The Tenth was, seemingly, the second sloop formation created, first appearing in the Navy List in February, 1916. It would operate off Ireland, in strengths varying from six to four sloops after losing two to mines in March 1917, until an uncertain point in late 1917 or early 1918 when its sloops joined the Third Sloop Flotilla of the Northern Patrol.
February, 1916
Six sloops, with Senior Naval Officer in Buttercup.[1]
Under the Admiral of Minesweeping | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Buttercup | Alyssum | Arabis | Gladiolus | Poppy | Rosemary |
March, 1916
Arabis is no longer listed, leaving five sloops (and Mignonette to join by April), with Senior Naval Officer in Buttercup. This arrangement would apply until 1 August.[2]
Under the Admiral of Minesweeping | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Buttercup | Alyssum | Gladiolus | Poppy | Rosemary | Mignonette* |
August, 1916
Rosemary is no longer listed, leaving five sloops, with Senior Naval Officer in Buttercup. This arrangement would apply until some time in September.[3]
Under the Admiral of Minesweeping | ||||
Sloops | ||||
Buttercup | Alyssum | Gladiolus | Poppy | Mignonette |
November, 1916
Rosemary has returned, making six sloops, with Senior Naval Officer in Buttercup. This arrangement would apply until some time in January or February, 1917.[4]
Under the Admiral of Minesweeping | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Buttercup | Alyssum | Gladiolus | Poppy | Rosemary | Mignonette* |
March, 1917
Senior Naval Officer still in Buttercup, but the flotilla appears to be under the command of Vice-Admiral Commanding, Coast of Ireland.[5]
Under the Vice-Admiral Commanding, Coast of Ireland? | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Buttercup | Alyssum | Gladiolus | Poppy | Rosemary | Mignonette |
April, 1917
Senior Naval Officer still in Buttercup, but Mignonette and Alyssum has been lost to mines 17 and 18 March, leaving the flotilla with just four sloops. This arrangement would last until some time in June.[6]
Under the Vice-Admiral Commanding, Coast of Ireland? | |||
Sloops | |||
Buttercup | Gladiolus | Poppy | Rosemary |
July, 1917
The sloops of the Flotilla appear in the Navy List as four of thirteen sloops identified as "Miscellaneous" vessels attached to the Northern Division on the Coast of Ireland Station at Buncrana.[7]
August, 1917
The Flotilla is once again properly labelled in this month's Navy List, at the same station, but Rosemary now carries the senior officer. This arrangement might apply until some time in April, 1918, though the sloops of First Sloop Flotilla and this formation are listed together from October 1917 onward without any clear label.[8]
Part of the Northern Division, Coast of Ireland | |||
Sloops | |||
Rosemary | Gladiolus | Poppy | Buttercup |
October, 1917
In light of the information in the section above, I think the flotilla is now disbanded.
Flotilla Disbanded? |
June, 1918
The Flotilla has been re-established – moved to the British Adriatic Force with four sloops, Honeysuckle and Lobelia had been assigned to the station some time in April, but without appellation. This roster would apply until some time between 1 August and 1 November.[9]
Attached to the British Adriatic Force | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Berberis | Cyclamen | Honeysuckle | Lobelia |
November, 1918
Some time between 1 August and 1 November, Mimosa and Veronica have joined, making six sloops operating as part of the British Adriatic Force.[10]
Attached to the British Adriatic Force | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Berberis | Cyclamen | Lobelia | Mimosa | Honeysuckle | Veronica |
December, 1918
Berberis has been removed, leaving five sloops.[11]
Attached to the British Adriatic Force | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Cyclamen | Lobelia | Mimosa | Honeysuckle | Veronica |
January, 1919
Mimosa has been sent to joined the British Aegean Squadron, Lobelia to Devonport "temporarily", and Honeysuckle to ends unknown. This two sloop Flotilla would remain on station until some time in March.[12]
Attached to the British Adriatic Force | |||||
Sloops | |||||
Cyclamen | Veronica |
April, 1919
The flotilla is not listed in the Navy List; it appears to be no more.
Flotilla is Disbanded |
In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain William R. Napier, 9 March, 1916[13] – 9 November, 1916[14]
- Commander Ronald C. Mayne, 26 December, 1916 – 30 July, 1919
Footnotes
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 14 and Supplements through August.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 14 and September's Supplement.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 14 and Supplements through March, 1917. No Supplement for February was found.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 14 and Supplements through July.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 17.
- ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 17 and Supplements through May, 1918.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 23 and Supplements through August – we have no copy of September or October's editions.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 23.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 23.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). p. 23 and Supplements through April.
- ↑ Napier Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 296.
- ↑ Napier Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 296.
Bibliography
See Also