Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
The Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron was a formation of light cruisers created in March or April, 1915 to screen the British Battle Fleet. Its composition remained fairly constant at four to six light cruisers.
History
The formation is first mentioned in the Navy List in April, 1915.
April, 1915
With four light cruisers, the squadron is the single L.C.S. attached to the Battle Fleet. This arrangement would extend to some time in November, excepting that a flagship would be designated in June 1915.[1]
June, 1915
With the same composition and still supporting the Grand Fleet, Calliope is now explicitly marked as bearing Commodore, Second Class Charles E. Le Mesurier.[2]
December, 1915
The strength and tasking is the same, but Royalist has left, having been exchanged for Caroline from the First Light Cruiser Squadron. This arrangement would last but one month.[3]
January, 1916
Royalist has been dropped, reducing strength to three light cruisers. This arrangement would last but one month.[4]
February, 1916
Constance has joined, returning the strength to four light cruisers. This arrangement would last until the Battle of Jutland.[5]
31 May, 1916 at the Battle of Jutland
- Main article: Fourth L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
The Squadron was represented by:[6]
- Calliope, Commodore 2nd class Charles E. Le Mesurier
- Constance, Captain Cyril Samuel Townsend
- Comus, Captain Alan Geoffrey Hotham
- Caroline, Captain Henry Ralph Crooke
- Royalist, Captain the Honourable Herbert Meade
June, 1916
Royalist has returned, increasing strength to five light cruisers from the pre-Jutland roster and retaining the roster seen during the battle. This arrangement would last until August.[7]
August, 1916
Cambrian has joined, increasing strength to six light cruisers from the pre-Jutland roster and retaining the roster seen during the battle. This arrangement would last until August, 1917.[8]
August, 1917
Cordelia has replaced Royalist. This arrangement would last until November, 1918.[9]
November, 1918
No changes since August 1917, but the formation is now under the command of Rear-Admiral Allan Frederic Everett. This arrangement would last until March 1919.[10]
March, 1919
Constance and Cordelia have left, reducing strength to four light cruisers. This arrangement would last just one month.[11]
April, 1919
The formation appears to have been disbanded as part of the new, post-war reorganisation.
In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Commodore, Second Class Charles E. Le Mesurier, 15 May, 1915[12] – 14 August, 1917[13]
- Commodore, Second Class Rudolf W. Bentinck, 14 August, 1917[14] – 26 October, 1918[15]
- Rear-Admiral Allan F. Everett, 26 October, 1918[16] – 9 March, 1919[17]
Second In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Cyril S. Townsend, 5 January, 1918[18] – 25 January, 1919[19]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 34, 44.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 10.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Townsend Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/79. f. 98.
- ↑ Townsend Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/79. f. 98.
Bibliography
| Light Cruiser Squadrons of the Royal Navy |
| First Light Cruiser Squadron | Second Light Cruiser Squadron | Third Light Cruiser Squadron | Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron | Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron | Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron | Seventh Light Cruiser Squadron | Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron |
