Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
The Fifth Cruiser Squadron, also known as Cruiser Force D from 1914 to 1915, was a cruiser formation of the Royal Navy.
History
Rear-Admiral George A. Callaghan was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding on 5 April, 1907.[1] On 27 November, 1908 Rear-Admiral Robert S. Lowry succeeded him and hoisted his flag in H.M.S. Shannon.[2] 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,[3] under the command of Rear-Admiral Frederick T. Hamilton,[4] who was appointed on 16 February.[5] Rear-Admiral Cecil Burney assumed command of the squadron on 16 February, 1911.[6] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Doveton Sturdee on 19 December. During 1912 his command was renamed the Third Cruiser Squadron.[7] 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[8] under the Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at Devonport. From 5 January, 1912[9] to 5 January, 1913 this was Rear-Admiral Henry L. Tottenham. From 5 January, 1913[10] to 9 May, 1914, Rear-Admiral Arthur H. Christian was in command. He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart.[11]
On 28 July, 1914, the Fifth Cruiser Squadron was ordered to assemble at Portland.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14]
Rear-Admirals Commanding
Dates of appointment:
- Vice-Admiral Percy Scott ?? - 16 February, 1909[15][16]
- Frederick Tower Hamilton, 16 February, 1909[17] - 16 February 1911.
- Cecil Burney, 16 February 1911 - ??
- Rear-Admiral Archibald P. Stoddart, 9 May, 1914 - 8 May, 1915.[18]
Composition
- Shannon.
- Achilles.
- Cochrane.
- Minotaur.
- Natal.
- Warrior.
Footnotes
- ↑ Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 202.
- ↑ Lowry Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. p. 800.
- ↑ "The Navy Estimates" (News). The Times. Saturday, 13 March, 1909. Issue 38906, col A, p. 7.
- ↑ "The Home and Atlantic Fleets" (News). The Times. Monday, 15 March, 1909. Issue 38907, col C, p. 9.
- ↑ "Naval Commands Afloat" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 3 January, 1911. Issue 39472, col A, p. 5.
- ↑ Burney Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 180.
- ↑ Sturdee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. p. 1256.
- ↑ Corbett. Naval Operations. I. p. 12.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 6 January, 1912. Issue 39788, col F, p. 11.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Corbett. Naval Operations. I. pp. 25-26.
- ↑ Corbett. Naval Operations. I. p. 13.
- ↑ Corbett. Naval Operations. I. p. 41.
- ↑ Hazell's Annual, 1910. p. 199.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 16 February, 1909. Issue 38884, col A, p. 8.
- ↑ Hazell's Annual, 1910. p. 199.
- ↑ "Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist." The National Archives. ADM 6/461. ["Squadrons.'] p. 16.
- ↑ Navy List (October, 1908). p. 270.
- ↑ Navy List (October, 1908). p. 267.
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 |
