Home Fleets (Royal Navy)
The Home Fleets were the Royal Navy's unified home commands in British waters from 1912 to 1914.
History
On 29 March, 1912, a new organisation of the fleet was announced, to come into force on 1 May. The former Home Fleet, which had been organised in four divisions, was divided into the First, Second and Third Fleets of the new Home Fleets. Ships in the First Fleet would be in permanent commission with full crews; ships in the Second Fleet would be kept in commission with nucleus crews, and receiving full complements of active service ratings on mobilisation; ships in the Third Fleet would remain in commission with reduced nucleus crews or in "Matériel Reserve" and requiring reservists on mobilisation. The whole fleet came under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets.[1]
Initially, the three fleets of the Home Fleets comprised eight Squadrons, each squadron consisting of a Battle Squadron and a Cruiser Squadron and attached ships, numbered consecutively. The First and Second Divisions of the former Home Fleet became the First and Second Squadrons. The Atlantic Fleet became the Third Squadron. Provision was made for the formation of a Fourth Squadron at a later date. These comprised the First Fleet. The Third Division of the Home Fleet became the Fifth and Sixth Squadrons of the Second Fleet. The Fourth Division became the Seventh and Eighth Squadrons and the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Cruiser Squadrons of the Third Fleet.[1]
The Home Fleets ceased to exist when the Grand Fleet was constituted on the eve of war in August, 1914.
First Fleet
On 9 May, 1913, Captain Allan F. Everett was appointed Commodore, First Class as Captain of the Fleet.[2]
Second & Third Fleets
Acting Vice-Admiral Frederick T. Hamilton, appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Home Fleet on 5 December, 1911, became Vice-Admiral Commanding the Second and Third Fleets on formation of the Home Fleets.[3] He was succeeded by Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney on 5 December, 1913.[4]
Portsmouth Division
Rear-Admiral Reginald G. O. Tupper succeeded Rear-Admiral Moggridge on 18 November, 1912.[5] Rear-Admiral Bernard Currey succeeded Tupper on 19 November, 1913.[6]
Devonport Division
On 5 January, 1913, Rear-Admiral Arthur H. Christian succeeded Rear-Admiral Tottenham, and transferred his flag to the King Alfred the following day.[7] On 9 May, 1914, Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart succeeded Christian.[8]
Nore Division
Rear-Admiral Stuart Nicholson succeeded Rear-Admiral Dundas of Dundas[9] on 5 November, 1913.[10]
In late 1913, the Rear-Admiral's flag was shifted from Admiralty House to H.M.S. Russell.[11]
Destroyers
On 31 July, 1912, Captain Cecil F. Lambert was appointed Commodore (T), flying his broad pendant in the Blenheim. Lambert was responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets for the First, Second, Third and Fourth Destroyer Flotillas of the First Fleet.[12]
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 M. 11735/12. Copy in The National Archives. ADM 1/8271.
- ↑ Everett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 23.
- ↑ Hamilton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 581.
- ↑ Burney Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 180.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 19 November, 1912. Issue 40060, col A, p. 15.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 17 November, 1913. Issue 40371, col F, p. 4.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 6 January, 1913. Issue 40101, col F, p. 4.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 11 May, 1914. Issue 40520, col B, p. 4.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 17 November, 1913. Issue 40371, col A, p. 4.
- ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 291.
- ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 722 of 12 Dec, 1913.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 29 July, 1912. Issue 39963, col D, p. 3.
Bibliography
- Corbett, Sir Julian S. (1920). Naval Operations. Volume I. London: Longmans, Green and Co..
- Jellicoe of Scapa, Admiral Viscount, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O. (1919). The Grand Fleet 1914-1916: Its Creation, Development and Work. New York: George H. Doran Company. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
See Also
- Home Fleet, as it was known prior to 1912.
