Seventh Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The Seventh Battle Squadron was a Royal Navy battle squadron composed of second-rate British warships mobilised during the First World War.

History

In 1912 Vice-Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson took command of the squadron for the annual manœuvres. He hoisted his flag in Illustrious on 2 July, 1912.[1] The event was unique in that Jackson, his Flag Captain, his Flag Commander, and his navigating officer were all on the staff of the Royal Naval War College.[2] Rear-Admiral Charles Dundas of Dundas was selected as Jackson's Second-in-Command, hoisting his flag on 2 July in the Prince George.[3]

At Devonport on 13 July, 1914, Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander E. Bethell hoisted his flag in the Prince George, and Rear-Admiral Cecil F. Thursby hoisted his flag in the Hannibal.[4] Thursby struck his flag on 27 July.[5]

On 8 August the Seventh Battle Squadron was merged into the Eighth Battle Squadron.[6]

December, 1912

Handwritten on stationery from H.M.S. Princess Royal, Albert Francis Barclay Bridges recorded the order of battle for the Grand Fleet, whose contents are found on articles for the various formations. The Fleet flagship was noted as being Neptune, which was not part of any Battle Squadron.[7]

December, 1913

Part of the Third Fleet, the roster is the same as it was the previous year.[8]

5-8 August, 1914

The squadron was based at Devonport on 5 August, 1914 along with with Eighth Battle Squadron. Jupiter may have been transferred in from the other Battle Squadron between 5 and 8 August.[9][10]

Attached: third class protected cruiser Sapphire

September, 1914

The Squadron is in the Channel Fleet with the Fifth Battle Squadron. Goliath joined from the Eighth Battle Squadron and Vengeance from the Sixth Battle Squadron, the latter ship becoming the flagship. In return, Illustrious was sent off to provide "detached services". The attached cruiser also changed to Proserpine, joining from the Eighth Battle Squadron.[11][12]

Attached: third class protected cruiser Proserpine

The Squadron would seemingly be abolished after September, as it appears in no later Navy Lists.

October, 1914

The ships have been sent to other commands. Prince George, Cæsar and Majestic went to provide "detached services", Vengeance and Goliath to the East Indies,[13] and Jupiter to serve as a guardship at the Nore.[14]

Admirals in Command

Seconds-in-Command

Footnotes

  1. Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 682.
  2. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 22 June, 1912. Issue 39932, col A, p. 4.
  3. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 2 July, 1912. Issue 39940, col D, p. 6.
  4. "Naval Mobilization" (News). The Times. Tuesday, 14 July, 1914. Issue 40575, col G, p. 16.
  5. Thursby Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. p. 658.
  6. Naval Staff Monographs. Volume III. p. 10.
  7. The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  8. The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  9. Naval Staff Monographs. Volume X. p. 110.
  10. Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
  11. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). pp. 9, 11.
  12. Naval Staff Monographs. Volume III. p. 51.
  13. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 16.
  14. Wikipedia.
  15. Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 682.
  16. "Naval Mobilization" (News). The Times. Tuesday, 14 July, 1914. Issue 40575, col G, p. 16.
  17. Naval Staff Monographs. Volume III. p. 10.
  18. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 2 July, 1912. Issue 39940, col D, p. 6.
  19. "Naval Mobilization" (News). The Times. Tuesday, 14 July, 1914. Issue 40575, col G, p. 16.
  20. Thursby Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. p. 658.

Bibliography

  • Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division (1921). Naval Staff Monographs (Historical). Fleet Issue. Volume III. Monograph 6.—Passage of the British Expeditionary Force, August, 1914. Monograph 7.—The Patrol Flotillas at the Commencement of the War. Monograph 11.—The Battle of Heligoland Bight, August 28th, 1914. Monograph 8.—Naval Operations Connected with the Raid on the North-East Coast, December 16th, 1914. Monograph 12:—The Action of Dogger Bank, January 24th, 1915. O.U. 6181 (late C.B. 1585.). Copy No. 127 at The National Archives. ADM 186/610.
  • Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division (1924). Naval Staff Monographs (Historical): Fleet Issue. Volume X. Home Waters—Part I. From the Outbreak of War to 27 August, 1914. O.U. 5528 (late C.B. 917(H)). Copy at The National Archives. ADM 186/619.


British Battle Squadrons
First Battle Squadron | Second Battle Squadron | Third Battle Squadron | Fourth Battle Squadron
Fifth Battle Squadron | Sixth Battle Squadron | Seventh Battle Squadron | Eighth Battle Squadron