Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

Rear-Admiral George A. Callaghan was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding on 5 April, 1907. On 27 November, 1908 Rear-Admiral Robert S. Lowry succeeded him and hoisted his flag in H.M.S. Shannon. With the reorganisation of the fleets in March, 1909, his command became the Second Cruiser Squadron of the Second Division of the Home Fleet. The Second Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet became the Fifth Cruiser Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Frederick T. Hamilton, who was appointed on 16 February. Rear-Admiral Cecil Burney assumed command of the squadron on 16 February, 1911. He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Doveton Sturdee on 19 December. During 1912 his command was renamed the Third Cruiser Squadron. Presumably^[Inference] this was at the re-organisation of the fleets in May. The Fifth Cruiser Squadron then became an administrative formation in the Second Fleet under the Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at Devonport. From 5 January, 1912 to 5 January, 1913 this was Rear-Admiral Henry L. Tottenham. From 5 January, 1913 to 9 May, 1914, Rear-Admiral Arthur H. Christian was in command. He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart.

On 28 July, 1914, the Fifth Cruiser Squadron was ordered to assemble at Portland. The squadron, which consisted of Carnarvon and three Monmouth-class cruisers, was assigned to patrol the trade routes in the Mid-Atlantic area between the West Coast of Africa and Brazil. As the Ninth Cruiser Squadron under Rear-Admiral John M. de Robeck was still mobilisng at the end of July, Rear-Admiral Stoddart was directed to guard that squadron's patrol area off Finisterre and dispatch a fast ship to join the Glasgow in South American waters. His orders were that the protection of British trade was more important than attacking that of the enemy.