Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

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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

[9]

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]

July, 1914

[11] A light cruiser has replaced Hermione.

5 August, 1914

[12]

Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:

September, 1914

[13]

Based in the West Atlantic, the formation was a cruiser squadron in name only, as it was comprised of:

January, 1915

Lancaster has left to join the Seventh Cruiser Squadron. The armed merchant cruiser Calgarian has joined.[14]

In Command

Dates of appointment given:

Footnotes

  1. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  2. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
  3. Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 168.
  4. Cradock Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 89.
  5. M. 11735/12. 29 March, 1912. The National Archives. ADM 1/8271. f. 2 of Admiralty letter.
  6. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.
  7. Naval Operations. Volume I. pp. 11-13.
  8. Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
  9. Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  10. Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  11. 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]
  12. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 16.
  13. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 10.
  14. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). pp. 9-10.
  15. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 10 January, 1907. Issue 38226, col D, p. 5.
  16. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  17. Inglefield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 473.
  18. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1909, 1914. Issue 38875, col B, p. 7.
  19. Farquhar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 444.
  20. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 10 January, 1911. Issue 39478, col B, p. 4.
  21. Bradford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 335.
  22. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 21 January, 1913. Issue 40114, col C, p. 10.

Bibliography


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