Third Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
In an undated letter to Jellicoe of early 1915, it was proposed that George Patey be given command of the Third Battle Cruiser Squadron, and be "enabled to serve under Adl Beatty by an order in Council wh is in contemplation."[1]
The First Cruiser Squadron was officially abolished dated 5 June, 1916.[2]
Composition
March, 1915
The Squadron first appears in the Navy List in this month, with the following ships.[3]
- Indomitable, transferred in from the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron
- Invincible, also from 2BCS
- Inflexible, marked as "will join later". In April and May, it is noted as "under repair".
No flagship was denoted at this time, as there is no commander to post in it as yet.
June, 1915
A flagship is chosen for newly-appointed Rear-Admiral The Honourable Horace L. A. Hood.[4]
- Invincible
- Indomitable
- Inflexible, still marked as "will join shortly" in June, apparently did join in July.[5]
This roster would last until October.[6][7]
October, 1915
Inflexible assumes the role of flagship, just for the month.[8]
This roster would last only the month.
November, 1915
Invincible resumes her role as flagship.[9]
This normal state of affairs would persist until May, 1916.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
May, 1916
Inflexible again steals the flagship role temporarily.[16]
Invincible's flagship status would be restored before the Battle of Jutland, a reversion which would cost Hood and his staff their lives.
June, 1916
Following Invincible's destruction at Jutland, the Squadron was abolished, with Indomitable and Inflexible going to the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron.[17]
Rear-Admirals Commanding
The Squadron only had a single commander:
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Horace L. A. Hood, 27 May, 1915[18] – 31 May, 1916 (died in command)
Footnotes
- ↑ Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add. MSS. 48990. f. 190.
- ↑ Branch Acquaint M. 04960. 5 June, 1916. The National Archives. ADM 116/1645. f. 31.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 11.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26ex.
Bibliography
| British Battle Cruiser Squadrons |
| First Battle Cruiser Squadron | Second Battle Cruiser Squadron | Third Battle Cruiser Squadron | Battle Cruiser Squadron |
