First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy): Difference between revisions
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<div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron" nat="UK">{{TenureListBegin|Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron}} | <div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron" nat="UK">{{TenureListBegin|Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron}} | ||
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|nick=Charles E. Madden|appt=5 January, 1912{{UKCeased|Unnumbered page}}}} | {{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|nick=Charles E. Madden|appt=5 January, 1912{{UKCeased|Unnumbered page}}}} | ||
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe|nick=The Hon. Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe|appt=10 December, 1912<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''. Wednesday, 11 December, 1912. Issue '''40079''', col C, p. 14.</ref>}} | {{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe|nick=The Hon. Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe|appt=10 December, 1912<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''. Wednesday, 11 December, 1912. Issue '''40079''', col C, p. 14.</ref><ref>Gough-Calthorpe Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 130/264.</ref>|end=10 December, 1913<ref>Gough-Calthorpe Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 130/264.</ref>}} | ||
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Hugh Evan-Thomas|nick=Hugh Evan-Thomas|appt=10 December, 1913{{UKCeased|p. 2}}}} | {{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Hugh Evan-Thomas|nick=Hugh Evan-Thomas|appt=10 December, 1913{{UKCeased|p. 2}}}} | ||
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt|nick=Ernest Gaunt|appt=25 August, 1915{{UKCeased|p. 2}}<ref>Gaunt Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 276.</ref>|end=12 June, 1916<ref>Gaunt Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 276.</ref>}} | {{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt|nick=Ernest Gaunt|appt=25 August, 1915{{UKCeased|p. 2}}<ref>Gaunt Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 276.</ref>|end=12 June, 1916<ref>Gaunt Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 276.</ref>}} |
Revision as of 15:50, 13 February 2015
The First Battle Squadron was a formation of battleships of the Royal Navy. The squadron changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred. For tactical reasons the squadron was divided into two divisions.
Composition
May, 1912
On 22 June, 1912 Vice-Admiral Sir Stanley C. J. Colville hoisted his flag in Collingwood as Vice-Admiral Commanding the First Squadron (as it was then known).
December, 1912
The squadron was comprised of:[1]
December, 1913
Hercules from the Second Battle Squadron has replaced Dreadnought, which has been bumped over to become the flagship of the Fourth Battle Squadron.[2]
- Collingwood
- St. Vincent
- Colossus
- Hercules (newly joined)
- Vanguard
- Bellerophon
- Superb
- Temeraire
By this time, this squadron had been equipped with Battleship Auxiliary W/T sets.[3]
April, 1914
Serving in First Fleet, Home Fleets | |
Battleships | |
Collingwood | |
Colossus | |
Hercules | |
Neptune | |
St. Vincent | |
Vanguard | |
Superb | |
Temeraire | |
Light Cruiser | |
Bellona | |
Repair Ship | |
Cyclops |
July, 1914
The squadron was comprised of:[5]
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona, repair ship Cyclops.
5 August, 1914
The squadron and its commanders on this date were:[6][7]
- Marlborough, Flag Captain E.P.F.G. Grant
- St. Vincent, Flag Captain W.W. Fisher, M.V.O.
- Colossus, Captain The Hon. E.S. Fitzherbert
- Hercules, Captain H.H. Bruce, M.V.O.
- Neptune, Captain A.T. Hunt, C.S.I.
- Vanguard, Captain C.S. Hickley, M.V.O.
- Collingwood, Captain J.C. Ley
- Superb, Captain P. Vaughan Lewes, C.B., D.S.O.
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona, Captain Percy Royds
These same ships would continue to comprise the squadron through October, 1915 — an uncommonly stable configuration.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
November, 1915
Superb was transferred out to the Fourth Battle Squadron and been been replaced by Agincourt, coming in from that same squadron.[16][17]
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona
December, 1915 into May 1916
Membership during this period was largely unchanged, though Colossus replaced St. Vincent as second flagship.[18][19][20][21][22]
- Marlborough
- Colossus
- Hercules
- Neptune
- Collingwood
- Vanguard
- St. Vincent
- Agincourt
- Revenge, joined in May, 1916.
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona
Vanguard was transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron prior to the Battle of Jutland, but the strength of the squadron is shown including her and Revenge in May, 1916.
Battle of Jutland
- Main article: First B.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
During the battle, the squadron's composition was:
- First Division
- Marlborough, Captain Ross, Vice-Admiral Burney
- Revenge, Captain Kiddle
- Hercules, Captain Clinton-Baker
- Agincourt, Captain Doughty
- Second Division
- Colossus, Flag Captain Pound
- Collingwood, Captain Ley
- Neptune, Captain Bernard
- St. Vincent, Captain Fisher
June, 1916
The Battle's effects required some immediate changes. Marlborough had torpedo damage to repair, and so was removed from her role as flagship while she was made whole.[23]
The opportunity was taken to recast 1BS as one enriched in the more powerful dreadnought types. Its 12-in ships Colossus, Neptune, Collingwood, Hercules and St. Vincent were transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron in exchange for Emperor of India, Benbow and Canada, and 15-in "R" class heavyweights Royal Oak and Royal Sovereign joined the squadron as soon as they'd become ready for service, with Royal Oak becoming the temporary flagship.[24][25]
- Royal Oak , temporary flagship, newly placed in service
- Emperor of India , coming from Fourth Battle Squadron
- Agincourt
- Benbow, coming from Fourth Battle Squadron
- Canada, coming from Fourth Battle Squadron
- Marlborough
- Revenge
- Royal Sovereign, newly placed in service
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona
The squadron was to retain this composition in July and August, as Marlborough was repaired.[26][27]
September, 1916
Marlborough was returned to service and able to relieve Royal Oak as flagship. The squadron was otherwise unaltered.[28]
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona
The squadron was to retain this configuration through January or perhaps February, 1917.[29][30][31][32][33][34]
March, 1917
Some of the changes noted here may have occurred in February, 1917, as no Supplement to the Monthly Navy List for that month has been located. By March, however, changes since January were as follows. Upon being relieved by Queen Elizabeth as flagship of the Grand Fleet, Iron Duke joined the First Battle Squadron. At the same time, the flagships shuffled, another "R" class ship joined, and Agincourt left to join the Second Battle Squadron.[35]
Attached: scout cruiser Bellona
April, 1917
Marlborough has again been removed from a flag role, handing it back to Emperor of India, which may mean the latter ship has just returned from another refit. The attending light cruiser has also been changed, with the relieved H.M.S. Bellona next cropping up in "Home Waters or on detached service" in May, though she was to return to this squadron within the year.[36][37][38]
Attached: scout cruiser Blonde, coming in from the Fourth Battle Squadron in April. The steadfast scout cruiser Bellona was detached in April, coming back to join Blonde in August before leaving a final time in October.
Otherwise, things remained stable until November.[39][40][41][42][43][44][45]
November, 1917
Ramillies has joined, bringing the strength up to ten dreadnoughts, none with guns smaller than 13.5-in.[46]
- Revenge
- Emperor of India
- Marlborough
- Benbow
- Canada
- Royal Sovereign
- Royal Oak
- Resolution
- Iron Duke
- Ramillies
Attached: scout cruiser Blonde
Second Battle of Heligoland Bight
The squadron was represented in the battle on 17 November, 1917 as:[47]
- Screened by:
December, 1917
Revenge has been relieved as flagship by Resolution. In all likelihood, this means Revenge has entered refit.[48][Inference]
- Resolution
- Emperor of India
- Revenge
- Marlborough
- Benbow
- Canada
- Royal Sovereign
- Royal Oak
- Iron Duke
- Ramillies
Attached: scout cruiser Blonde
Resolution's role as flagship was to continue only through February, 1918, though the roster was to remain for some time further.[49][50][51]
March, 1918
Revenge has been restored as flagship. In all likelihood, this means she has completed a refit which kept her away.[Inference] Nothing else has changed.[52]
- Revenge
- Emperor of India
- Benbow
- Canada
- Iron Duke
- Marlborough
- Ramillies
- Resolution
- Royal Oak
- Royal Sovereign
Attached: scout cruiser Blonde
This configuration seemingly persisted through February 1919.[53]
March, 1919
With demobilisation taking hold, the 13.5-in ships were removed from service, leaving six ships. Blonde has been let go, as well.[54]
This configuration lasted but one month.
April, 1919
Canada has been let go, leaving just five ships with a uniform 15-in armament.[55]
This configuration lasted but one month.
May, 1919
The squadron is now part of the Atlantic Fleet.[56]
This configuration lasted through at least July, 1919.[57][58]
Admirals In Command
The commander of the squadron was variously Rear, Vice and full Admirals.
Dates of appointment given:
- Vice-Admiral The Hon. Sir Stanley C. J. Colville, 22 June, 1912[59] – 22 June, 1914[60]
- Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, 22 June, 1914[61] – 19 December, 1914[62]
- Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, 19 December, 1914[63] – 28 November, 1916[64]
- Admiral Sir Charles E. Madden, 28 November, 1916[65]
- Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney R. Fremantle, 1 May, 1919[66] – 3 May, 1921[67]
- Vice-Admiral Sir William C. M. Nicholson, 3 May, 1921[68]
- Vice-Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, 3 October, 1922[69] – 14 October, 1924[70]
- Rear-Admiral William W. Fisher, 14 October, 1924[71]
- Rear-Admiral Cecil M. Staveley, 7 September, 1925[72]
- Vice-Admiral John D. Kelly,
- Vice-Admiral W. A. Howard Kelly, 26 April, 1929[73]
- Vice-Admiral William W. Fisher, 12 September, 1930[74] – 12 April, 1932[75]
Rear-Admirals, Second-in-Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden, 5 January, 1912[76]
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe, 10 December, 1912[77][78] – 10 December, 1913[79]
- Rear-Admiral Hugh Evan-Thomas, 10 December, 1913[80]
- Rear-Admiral Ernest Gaunt, 25 August, 1915[81][82] – 12 June, 1916[83]
- Rear-Admiral Alexander L. Duff, 12 June, 1916[84] – 30 November, 1916[85]
- Rear-Admiral Sir William C. M. Nicholson, 1 December, 1916[86]
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Victor A. Stanley, 1 April, 1919[87]
- Rear-Admiral Henry M. Doughty, 24 March, 1920[88]
- Rear-Admiral Sir Rudolf W. Bentinck, 3 May, 1921[89] – 3 May, 1922[90]
- Rear-Admiral Arthur A. M. Duff, 3 May, 1922[91]
- Rear-Admiral William A. H. Kelly, 3 May, 1923[92]
- Rear-Admiral William H. D. Boyle, 3 May, 1924[93]
- Rear-Admiral William W. Fisher, 14 October, 1924[94] – 7 September, 1925[95]
- Rear-Admiral Cecil M. Staveley, 15 October, 1925[96]
- Rear-Admiral David T. Norris, 1 October, 1926[97]
- Rear-Admiral Bernard St. G. Collard, 1 October, 1927[98]
- Rear-Admiral William M. Kerr, 20 March, 1928[99]
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Reginald A. R. P.-E.-E.-Drax, 12 April, 1929[100] – 26 April, 1930[101]
Footnotes
- ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1913. W/T Appendix, p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April 1914). p. 267.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.
- ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 438.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 8.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 8.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. pp. 168-169.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 10 and Supplements through February 1919, less September which was not located.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1919). p. 10. Ramillies is indicated as a flagship in this source, but on page 4 it seems that this is not so.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1919). pp. 4, 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1919). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1919). p. 10.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. Unnumbered page.
- ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
- ↑ Bayly Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 444.
- ↑ Bayly Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 444.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Burney Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 84/180.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Fremantle Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 293.
- ↑ Fremantle Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 293.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 23 March, 1921. Issue 42676, col D, p. 12.
- ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 194.
- ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 14 October, 1924. Issue 43782, col E, p. 6.
- ↑ "New Flag Commands" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 11 May, 1925. Issue 43958, col C, p. 9.
- ↑ "Flag Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 9 June, 1929. Issue 45096, col G, p. 6.
- ↑ Fisher Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 231.
- ↑ Fisher Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 231.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. Unnumbered page.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 11 December, 1912. Issue 40079, col C, p. 14.
- ↑ Gough-Calthorpe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 130/264.
- ↑ Gough-Calthorpe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 130/264.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Gaunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 276.
- ↑ Gaunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 276.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Duff Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 80.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 2.
- ↑ Stanley Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 432.
- ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 11 March, 1920. Issue 42356, col F, p. 6.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 23 March, 1921. Issue 42676, col D, p. 12.
- ↑ Bentinck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 47.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 2 March, 1922. Issue 42969, col G, p. 20.
- ↑ "Flag Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 16 March, 1923. Issue 43291, col E, p. 14.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 4 February, 1924. Issue 43556, col F, p. 20.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 14 October, 1924. Issue 43782, col E, p. 6.
- ↑ Fisher Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 231.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 4 November, 1925. Issue 44110, col E, p. 5.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 1 October, 1926. Issue 44391, col C, p. 6.
- ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 17 August, 1927. Issue 44662, col B, p. 19.
- ↑ Kerr Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/225. f. 225.
- ↑ "Flag Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 9 June, 1929. Issue 45096, col G, p. 6.
- ↑ Drax Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 214.
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..
See Also
British Battle Squadrons |
First Battle Squadron | Second Battle Squadron | Third Battle Squadron | Fourth Battle Squadron |
Fifth Battle Squadron | Sixth Battle Squadron | Seventh Battle Squadron | Eighth Battle Squadron |