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For our purposes, '''H.M.S. ''Vernon''''' was a shore facility located in Portsmouth and housed in a hulked sailing ship.  It was the [[Royal Navy]]'s home for the research of [[Torpedo]]es and, soon thereafter, electricity and [[British Adoption of Radio Communication|wireless telegraphy]].  It was situated very near the modern day "Spinnaker Tower".
 +
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
In 1871 it was decided that {{CommRN}} [[John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|John Fisher]] would become Chief Torpedo Instructor at [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|H.M.S. ''Excellent'']] and educate officers in electricity and torpedoes.<ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  p. 106.</ref>  In 1872 H.M.S. ''Vernon'' was selected to become the [[Royal Navy]]'s torpedo training school as a tender to ''Excellent''.  ''Vernon'' was a fifty gun frigate designed by William Symonds which had been laid down in October, 1831 at Woolwich Royal Dockyard and launched on 1 May, 1832.  She was described by Sir Charles Napier as the "most magnificent frigate ever built by any nation".  She was hulked in March, 1863 and moved to Portsmouth for fitting out under the supervision of Fisher and was ready by the Spring of 1873.<ref>Sharp.  ''Memoirs of the Life and Services of Rear-Admiral Sir William Symonds, Kt.''.  p. 135.</ref><ref>Lyon; Winfield.  ''The Sail & Steam Navy List''.  p. 104.</ref><ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  pp. 109-110.</ref>  In 1876 the Admiralty decided to separate ''Vernon'' from ''Excellent'', and the former was commissioned in her own right on 26 April, 1876 under Captain [[William Arthur]], with [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|Arthur K. Wilson]] as Commander (Second-in-Command).<ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  p. 125.</ref>
 
In 1871 it was decided that {{CommRN}} [[John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|John Fisher]] would become Chief Torpedo Instructor at [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|H.M.S. ''Excellent'']] and educate officers in electricity and torpedoes.<ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  p. 106.</ref>  In 1872 H.M.S. ''Vernon'' was selected to become the [[Royal Navy]]'s torpedo training school as a tender to ''Excellent''.  ''Vernon'' was a fifty gun frigate designed by William Symonds which had been laid down in October, 1831 at Woolwich Royal Dockyard and launched on 1 May, 1832.  She was described by Sir Charles Napier as the "most magnificent frigate ever built by any nation".  She was hulked in March, 1863 and moved to Portsmouth for fitting out under the supervision of Fisher and was ready by the Spring of 1873.<ref>Sharp.  ''Memoirs of the Life and Services of Rear-Admiral Sir William Symonds, Kt.''.  p. 135.</ref><ref>Lyon; Winfield.  ''The Sail & Steam Navy List''.  p. 104.</ref><ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  pp. 109-110.</ref>  In 1876 the Admiralty decided to separate ''Vernon'' from ''Excellent'', and the former was commissioned in her own right on 26 April, 1876 under Captain [[William Arthur]], with [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|Arthur K. Wilson]] as Commander (Second-in-Command).<ref>Mackay.  ''Fisher of Kilverstone''.  p. 125.</ref>
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Dates of appointment given:
 
Dates of appointment given:
 
   
 
   
−
*{{CaptRN}} [[William Arthur]], 26 April, 1876.<ref>''Navy List'' (March, 1879).  p. 249.</ref>
+
<div name=fredbot:officeCapt otitle="Captain of H.M.S. ''Vernon''" nat="UK">
−
*Captain [[William Elrington Gordon|William E. Gordon]], 1 June, 1879.<ref>''Navy List'' (December, 1881).  p. 249.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=William Arthur|nick=William Arthur|appt=26 April, 1876{{NLMar79|p. 249}}|end=30 June, 1879|precBy=New Command}}
−
*Captain [[Albert Hastings Markham|Albert H. Markham]], 15 February, 1883.<ref>''Navy List'' (September, 1885).  p. 256.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Elrington Gordon|nick=William E. Gordon|appt=1 June, 1879{{NLDec81|p. 249}}|end=15 February, 1883}}
−
*Captain [[Samuel Long]], 28 May, 1886.<ref>''Navy List'' (March, 1887).  p. 253.</ref>  
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Albert Hastings Markham|nick=Albert H. Markham|appt=15 February, 1883{{NLSep85|p. 256}}|end=27 May, 1886<ref>Markham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/15.}} f. 12.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|Arthur K. Wilson]], 1 January, 1889.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 14 December, 1888.  Issue '''32569''', col B, p. 10.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Samuel Long|nick=Samuel Long|appt=28 May, 1886{{NLFeb88|p. 253}}|end=1 January, 1889<ref>Long Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/36/2058.|}} f. 816.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[William Henry Hall|William H. Hall]], 9 February, 1892.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 5 February, 1892.  Issue '''33553''', col E, p. 4.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|nick=Arthur K. Wilson|appt=1 January, 1889<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 14 December, 1888.  Issue '''32569''', col B, p. 10.</ref><ref>Wilson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/14.}}  f. 942.</ref>|end=9 February, 1892<ref>Wilson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/37.}}  f. 1410.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Baldwin Wake Walker, Second Baronet|Baldwin W. Walker]], 1 November, 1893.<ref name=Blond167>Blond.  ''Technology and Tradition''.  p. 167.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Henry Hall|nick=William H. Hall|appt=9 February, 1892<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 5 February, 1892.  Issue '''33553''', col E, p. 4.</ref>|end=1 November, 1893<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/36.}}  f. 246/566.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[John Durnford]], 12 November, 1895.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank={{CommRN}}|name=Charles Langdale Ottley|nick=Charles L. Ottley|appt=11 July, 1893<ref>Ottley Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39.}} f. 988.</ref>|end=22 August, 1893<ref>Ottley Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39.}}  f. 988.</ref>|note=temporary, during [[William Henry Hall|Hall's]] absence}}
−
*Captain [[Charles Grey Robinson|Charles G. Robinson]], 2 October, 1899.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Baldwin Wake Walker, Second Baronet|nick=Baldwin W. Walker|appt=1 November, 1893{{BlondTechTrad|p. 167}}|end=}}
−
*Captain [[George Le Clerc Egerton|George Le C. Egerton]], 10 February, 1902.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=John Durnford|nick=John Durnford|appt=12 November, 1895{{BlondTechTrad|p. 167}}|end=2 October, 1899}}
−
*Captain [[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]], 15 February, 1904.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Grey Robinson|nick=Charles G. Robinson|appt=2 October, 1899{{BlondTechTrad|p. 167}}|end=10 February, 1902}}
−
*Captain [[Charles John Briggs|Charles J. Briggs]], 24 December, 1904.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=George Le Clerc Egerton|nick=George Le C. Egerton|appt=10 February, 1902<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|end=15 September, 1904<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|note=lent in July 1903 for Chief Command of Red Side in torpedo craft in manoeuvres}}
−
*Captain [[Douglas Austin Gamble|Douglas A. Gamble]], 10 May, 1907.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Henry Bradwardine Jackson|nick=Henry B. Jackson|appt=15 September, 1904<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>|ass=16 September, 1904<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>|end=24 December, 1904<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}} f. 685.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|Robert S. P. Hornby]], 16 October, 1908.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles John Briggs|nick=Charles J. Briggs|appt=24 December, 1904<ref>Briggs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20}}.  p. 654.</ref>|end=9 May, 1907<ref>Briggs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20}}.  p. 654.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[William Coldingham Masters Nicholson|William C. M. Nicholson]], 1 November, 1911.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Douglas Austin Gamble|nick=Douglas A. Gamble|appt=10 May, 1907{{BlondTechTrad|p. 167}}|end=15 October, 1908}}
−
*Captain [[Frederick Laurence Field|Frederick L. Field]], 10 September, 1914.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|nick=Robert S. P. Hornby|appt=18 October, 1908<ref>Hornby Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 338.</ref>|end=1 November, 1911<ref>Hornby Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 338.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Henry Louis d'Estoteville Skipwith|Henry L. d'E. Skipwith]], 16 September, 1915.<ref name=Blond167/>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Coldingham Masters Nicholson|nick=William C. M. Nicholson|appt=1 November, 1911<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 214.</ref>|end=15 September, 1914<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 214.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon-Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]], (''Retired''), 10 July, 1918.<ref>''Navy List'' (December, 1918).  p. 926.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Frederick Laurence Field|nick=Frederick L. Field|appt=15 September, 1914<ref>Field Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 178.</ref>|end=17 September, 1915<ref>Field Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 178.</ref>}}
−
*Captain [[Arthur Kipling Waistell|Arthur K. Waistell]], 23 March, 1919.<ref>Waistell Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/43.  f. 344.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Harry Louis d'Estoteville Skipwith|nick=Harry L. d'E. Skipwith|appt=16 September, 1915{{BlondTechTrad|p. 167}}<ref>Skipwith Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 255.</ref>|end=25 July, 1918<ref>Skipwith Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 255.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain (retired)|name=Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|nick=Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth|appt=10 July, 1918{{NLDec18|p. 926}}}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Arthur Kipling Waistell|nick=Arthur K. Waistell|appt=13 March, 1919<ref>Waistell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 344.</ref>|end=6 April, 1920<ref>Waistell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 344.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Christopher Russell Payne|nick=Christopher R. Payne|appt=6 April, 1920|end=6 April, 1922}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=John Derwent Allen|nick=John D. Allen|appt=6 April, 1922<ref>Allen Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 44.</ref>|end=15 July, 1924<ref>Allen Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 44.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Rawdon Napier|nick=William R. Napier|appt=15 July, 1924<ref>Napier Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 296.</ref>|end=1 November, 1924<ref>Napier Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 296.</ref>|note=temporary}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Henry Karslake Kitson|nick=Henry K. Kitson|appt=1 November, 1924{{NLApr25|p. 279''a''}}<ref>Kitson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 186.</ref>|end=1 November, 1926<ref>Kitson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 186.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Nicholas Edward Archdale|nick=Nicholas E. Archdale|appt=1 November, 1926<ref>Archdale Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|}} f. 187.</ref>|end=31 October, 1928<ref>Archdale Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|}} f. 187.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Henry Dalrymple Bridges|nick=Henry D. Bridges|appt=1 November, 1928<ref>Bridges Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/34.}} f. 34.</ref>|end=1 November, 1930<ref>Bridges Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/34.}} f. 34.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Stephen Dowell Tillard|nick=Stephen D. Tillard|appt=1 November, 1930|end=8 August, 1932}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Alfred Hugh Taylor|nick=Alfred H. Taylor|appt=8 August, 1933<ref>Taylor Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/173.|D8116092}} f. 173.</ref>|end=8 August, 1934<ref>Taylor Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/173.|D8116092}} f. 173.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Roderick Bruce Tremayne Miles|nick=Roderick B. T. Miles|appt=8 August, 1934<ref>Miles Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50.|}} f. 327.</ref>|end=6 September, 1935<ref>Miles Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50.|}} f. 327.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Algernon Usborne Willis|nick=Algernon U. Willis|appt=6 September, 1935{{NLJul37|p. 283}}<ref>Willis Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52.|D7576714}} f. 460.</ref>|end=22 April, 1938<ref>Willis Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52.|D7576714}} f. 460.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Denis William Boyd|nick=Denis W. Boyd|appt=21 April, 1938<ref>Boyd Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/96/8.|}} f. 8.</ref>|ass=22 April, 1938<ref>Willis Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52.|D7576714}} f. 460.</ref>|end=20 November, 1939<ref>Boyd Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/96/8.|}} f. 8.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}} (retired)|name=Brian Egerton|nick=Brian Egerton|appt=November, 1939<ref>National Archives. [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=062-csac29675 Papers of Rear Admiral Brian Egerton (1886 - 1973)]</ref>|end=4 June, 1943}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Harold Edward Morse|nick=Harold E. Morse|appt=4 June, 1943|end=21 September, 1944}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Norman Vere Grace|nick=Norman V. Grace|appt=21 September, 1944<ref>Grace Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/56/134.|}} f. 136.</ref>|end=early 1946<ref>Grace Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/56/134.|}} f. 136.</ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=John Hughes-Hallett|nick=John Hughes-Hallett|appt=January, 1946|end=May, 1948}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Wilfred James Cameron Robertson|nick=Wilfred J. C. Robertson|appt=May, 1948|end=August, 1950}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Clarence Dinsmore Howard-Johnston|nick=Clarence D. Howard-Johnston|appt=August, 1950|end=October, 1952}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Nicholas Alfred Copeman|nick=Nicholas A. Copeman|appt=October, 1952|end=December, 1954}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=John Grant|nick=John Grant|appt=December, 1954|end=December, 1956|succBy=[[Edward Alan Blundell|Edward A. Blundell]]}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:officeCapt>
  
 
==Numbers Trained==
 
==Numbers Trained==
 +
This data is generally contained in Section I of each edition of the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School''.
  
−
This data is generally contained in Section I of each edition of the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School'.
+
There were also a considerable number of men trained in seagoing ships.
−
The editor who photographed copies only occasionally caught some numbers in the introductory remarks section.
+
  
 
{| border=1
 
{| border=1
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan=2| Number trained by ''Vernon''<br>in total
+
! colspan=2| Number trained in Seagoing Ships<br>in total
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 1910 || 2,368<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1911'', p. iv</ref>
+
| 30 June, 1908 to 30 June, 1909 || 1,966{{ARTS1910|p. iv}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 1911 || 2,322<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1911'', p. iv</ref>
+
| 30 June, 1909 to 30 June, 1910 || 2,368{{ARTS1911|p. iv}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 1912 || 2,801<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912'', p. iv</ref>
+
| 30 June, 1910 to 30 June, 1911 || 2,322{{ARTS1911|p. iv, 7}}
 +
|-
 +
| 30 June, 1911 to 30 June, 1912 || 2,801{{ARTS1912|p. iv, 8}}
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
At some time prior to 1918, a course in [[Torpedo Control]] was instituted.   
+
At some time prior to 1918, a short course in [[Torpedo Control]] was instituted.  This is often referenced in the Service Records of men during the war as an appoinment to ''Vernon'' for a "T.C.C.".  It was generally a week in duration.
  
 
{| border=1  
 
{| border=1  
Line 50: Line 76:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|
 
|
−
|align=center|'''1918'''<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918'', p. 227.</ref>
+
|align=center|'''1918'''{{ARTS1918|p. 227}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Cdrs & Lt-Cdrs, RN
+
| Cdrs & Lt-Cdrs, R.N.
 
|align=right|4
 
|align=right|4
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Lts, RN
+
| Lts, R.N.
 
|align=right|62
 
|align=right|62
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Sub-Lts, RN, RAN & RCN
+
| Sub-Lts, R.N., R.A.N. & R.C.N.
 
|align=right|287
 
|align=right|287
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Mates, RN
+
| Mates, R.N.
 
|align=right|111
 
|align=right|111
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Midshipmen, RN & RCN
+
| Midshipmen, R.N. & R.C.N.
 
|align=right|13
 
|align=right|13
 
|-
 
|-
−
| officers, RNR & RANR
+
| officers, R.N.R. & R.A.N.R.
 
|align=right|94
 
|align=right|94
 
|-
 
|-
−
| officers, RNVR
+
| officers, R.N.V.R.
 
|align=right|20
 
|align=right|20
 
|-
 
|-
−
| officers, RAF
+
| officers, R.A.F.
 
|align=right|29
 
|align=right|29
 
|-
 
|-
−
| officers, RM
+
| officers, R.M.
 
|align=right|25
 
|align=right|25
 
|-
 
|-
Line 90: Line 116:
  
 
==Radio==
 
==Radio==
−
In 1901, the school was noted as having or being slated to receive one Jackson, two Marconi and one [[Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus Mark II|"1 to 52" W/T set]].<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1901'', p. 112</ref>
+
In 1901, the school was noted as having or being slated to receive one Jackson, two Marconi and one [[Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus Mark II|"1 to 52" W/T set]].{{ARTS1901|p. 112}}
 +
 
 +
At the end of 1909, she was to receive one of eleven [[British_Wireless_Systems#Short_Distance_Set|Short Distance Radio Sets]], to be installed at her next refit behind armour near the fore bridge, intended to supplant flag signaling.{{ARTS1909|Wireless Appendix, p. 25}}  In mid-1913, this gear was redesignated as '''Type 3'''.{{AWO1913|306 of 20 June, 1913}}
 +
 
 +
==See Also==
 +
{{refbegin}}
 +
* [[:Category:Torpedo Officers (UK)|List of Royal Navy Torpedo Officers]]
 +
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Vernon_(shore_establishment)}}
 +
{{refend}}
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
Line 100: Line 134:
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
[[Category:Captains of H.M.S. Vernon (Torpedo Training School)|*]]
+
{{CatTorpedoSchool|UK}}

Latest revision as of 12:14, 16 August 2021

For our purposes, H.M.S. Vernon was a shore facility located in Portsmouth and housed in a hulked sailing ship. It was the Royal Navy's home for the research of Torpedoes and, soon thereafter, electricity and wireless telegraphy. It was situated very near the modern day "Spinnaker Tower".

History

In 1871 it was decided that Commander John Fisher would become Chief Torpedo Instructor at H.M.S. Excellent and educate officers in electricity and torpedoes.[1] In 1872 H.M.S. Vernon was selected to become the Royal Navy's torpedo training school as a tender to Excellent. Vernon was a fifty gun frigate designed by William Symonds which had been laid down in October, 1831 at Woolwich Royal Dockyard and launched on 1 May, 1832. She was described by Sir Charles Napier as the "most magnificent frigate ever built by any nation". She was hulked in March, 1863 and moved to Portsmouth for fitting out under the supervision of Fisher and was ready by the Spring of 1873.[2][3][4] In 1876 the Admiralty decided to separate Vernon from Excellent, and the former was commissioned in her own right on 26 April, 1876 under Captain William Arthur, with Arthur K. Wilson as Commander (Second-in-Command).[5]

In addition to instruction, research and testing of experimental devices were core activities which were published in a series of annual reports.

Captains

Dates of appointment given:

Numbers Trained

This data is generally contained in Section I of each edition of the Annual Report of the Torpedo School.

There were also a considerable number of men trained in seagoing ships.

Number trained in Seagoing Ships
in total
30 June, 1908 to 30 June, 1909 1,966[64]
30 June, 1909 to 30 June, 1910 2,368[65]
30 June, 1910 to 30 June, 1911 2,322[66]
30 June, 1911 to 30 June, 1912 2,801[67]

At some time prior to 1918, a short course in Torpedo Control was instituted. This is often referenced in the Service Records of men during the war as an appoinment to Vernon for a "T.C.C.". It was generally a week in duration.

Men trained in Vernon in Torpedo Control
1918[68]
Cdrs & Lt-Cdrs, R.N. 4
Lts, R.N. 62
Sub-Lts, R.N., R.A.N. & R.C.N. 287
Mates, R.N. 111
Midshipmen, R.N. & R.C.N. 13
officers, R.N.R. & R.A.N.R. 94
officers, R.N.V.R. 20
officers, R.A.F. 29
officers, R.M. 25
Instructor Lts. 13
Warrant Schoolmasters 50
Total: 708

Radio

In 1901, the school was noted as having or being slated to receive one Jackson, two Marconi and one "1 to 52" W/T set.[69]

At the end of 1909, she was to receive one of eleven Short Distance Radio Sets, to be installed at her next refit behind armour near the fore bridge, intended to supplant flag signaling.[70] In mid-1913, this gear was redesignated as Type 3.[71]

See Also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Mackay. Fisher of Kilverstone. p. 106.
  2. ↑ Sharp. Memoirs of the Life and Services of Rear-Admiral Sir William Symonds, Kt.. p. 135.
  3. ↑ Lyon; Winfield. The Sail & Steam Navy List. p. 104.
  4. ↑ Mackay. Fisher of Kilverstone. pp. 109-110.
  5. ↑ Mackay. Fisher of Kilverstone. p. 125.
  6. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1879). p. 249.
  7. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1881). p. 249.
  8. ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1885). p. 256.
  9. ↑ Markham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/15. f. 12.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1888). p. 253.
  11. ↑ Long Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/2058. f. 816.
  12. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 14 December, 1888. Issue 32569, col B, p. 10.
  13. ↑ Wilson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/14. f. 942.
  14. ↑ Wilson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/37. f. 1410.
  15. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 5 February, 1892. Issue 33553, col E, p. 4.
  16. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 246/566.
  17. ↑ Ottley Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 988.
  18. ↑ Ottley Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 988.
  19. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  20. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  21. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  22. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  23. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  24. ↑ Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 685.
  25. ↑ Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 685.
  26. ↑ Briggs Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. p. 654.
  27. ↑ Briggs Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. p. 654.
  28. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  29. ↑ Hornby Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 338.
  30. ↑ Hornby Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 338.
  31. ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 214.
  32. ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 214.
  33. ↑ Field Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 178.
  34. ↑ Field Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 178.
  35. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  36. ↑ Skipwith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 255.
  37. ↑ Skipwith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 255.
  38. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 926.
  39. ↑ Waistell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 344.
  40. ↑ Waistell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 344.
  41. ↑ Allen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 44.
  42. ↑ Allen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 44.
  43. ↑ Napier Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 296.
  44. ↑ Napier Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 296.
  45. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1925). p. 279a.
  46. ↑ Kitson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 186.
  47. ↑ Kitson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 186.
  48. ↑ Archdale Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 187.
  49. ↑ Archdale Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 187.
  50. ↑ Bridges Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/34. f. 34.
  51. ↑ Bridges Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/34. f. 34.
  52. ↑ Taylor Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/173. f. 173.
  53. ↑ Taylor Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/173. f. 173.
  54. ↑ Miles Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. 327.
  55. ↑ Miles Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. 327.
  56. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 283.
  57. ↑ Willis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52. f. 460.
  58. ↑ Willis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52. f. 460.
  59. ↑ Boyd Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/8. f. 8.
  60. ↑ Boyd Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/8. f. 8.
  61. ↑ National Archives. Papers of Rear Admiral Brian Egerton (1886 - 1973)
  62. ↑ Grace Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/134. f. 136.
  63. ↑ Grace Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/134. f. 136.
  64. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1910. p. iv.
  65. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1911. p. iv.
  66. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1911. p. iv, 7.
  67. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. iv, 8.
  68. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1918. p. 227.
  69. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1901. p. 112.
  70. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Wireless Appendix, p. 25.
  71. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 306 of 20 June, 1913.

Bibliography

  • Blond, A. J. L. (1993). Technology and Tradition: Wireless Telegraphy and the Royal Navy 1895-1920. Unpublished PhD Thesis. Lancaster: University of Lancaster.

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