Annual Manoeuvres of 1893

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The Royal Navy's Annual Manoeuvres of 1893 involved a number of ships called into special commission on 11 July.[1] This was a considered a "partial mobilization" of the Fleet in that it not all ships in Reserve were made ready.[2]

Overall Plan

The Manoeuvres were held in the Irish Sea as the nation digested news of the loss of H.M.S. Victoria in the Mediterranean. In the Manoeuvres, one side composed of two fleets trying to take command of the sea from the opposing side also composed of two fleets. The Red side, intended to represent Britain, was larger than the Blue side, which was to represent France or a similar challenger. However, one of the two Blue fleets was larger than the smaller of the Red fleets, and the Blue side would be able to overpower either Red fleet should Blue be able to concentrate its two fleets. Blue also had a considerable force of torpedo boats – a type missing in the Red side.

The area for the manoeuvres were between 49° and 56° North and 3° to 13° West; the British coast would be Red territory and the Irish coast Blue.

Ships Involved

Sheerness Command

Portsmouth Command

Devonport Command

Order of Battle

The objectives of the Manoeuvres and the order of battle were spelled out in The Times on 11 July.[3]

Red Side

The Red Side was under the overall command of Vice-Admiral Henry Fairfax, who personally commanded the component "A" Fleet, with a second "B" Fleet under command of a subordinate.

Blue Side

The Blue Side was under the overall command of Rear-Admiral R. O'B. Fitzroy, who personally commanded the first component Fleet, with two subordinate Fleets.

Footnotes

  1. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, Jul 10, 1893; pg. 10; Issue 33999.
  2. "The Naval Manoeuvres of 1893." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Jul 11, 1893; pg. 11; Issue 34000.
  3. "The Naval Manoeuvres of 1893." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Jul 11, 1893; pg. 11; Issue 34000.


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