Vernon Archibald Tisdall

Vice-Admiral (retired) Vernon Archibald Tisdall (2 September, 1850 – ) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Life & Career

Tisdall entered the navy on 1 October, 1864 and promoted to Lieutenant on 3 September, 1872.

Passed out of the Royal Naval College in May 1872.

He was made Acting Commander of Template:UK-2Swift on 9 August, 1883 until 27 October 1883 by order of the Commander-in-Chief.

On 10 December, 1883, he was made acting Commander of Midge.

On 19 February, 1884, he was made acting Commander of Kestrel, taking over command on 7 March. He paid her off on 30 July, 1884 and took 44 days of leave on full pay.

Tisdall was promoted to the rank of Commander on 4 February, 1886.

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1893.

In January 1899, he assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Theseus. In late October of that year, Admiral Hopkins inspected the ship and noted a "general slackness" which he attributed to a poor executive officer who had recently been disposed of, and also to Tisdall's ill health. A follow-up report indicated the ship had improved markedly. Worse, however, Tisdall was charged with stranding the vessel and the charge was proved, resulting in a severe reprimand from the Admiralty. In July 1900 he received the thanks of the President and Council of the Royal Society for valuable assistance rendered to a party of astronomers Theseus had conveyed to Santo Pola to observe the total eclipse of the sun. Tisdall's appointment ended when, in late January 1902, he was injured in the capsizing of a small boat.

Tisdall was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 26 January, 1904. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 20 February, 1905 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 2 December, 1908.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Robert L. Groome	Captain of H.M.S. Cockchafer 2 Aug, 1883 – 9 Aug, 1883	Succeeded by Everard E. Maxwell
Preceded by William Marrack	Captain of H.M.S. Linnet 1 Mar, 1890 – 15 Feb, 1892	Succeeded by John E. Bearcroft
Preceded by Alvin Coote Corry	Captain of H.M.S. Hydra 21 Jul, 1892 – 15 Aug, 1892	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Bellona 15 Aug, 1892 – 1 Jan, 1893	Succeeded by Henry M. T. Tudor
Preceded by Eustace Rooke	Captain of H.M.S. Medea 18 Jul, 1894	Succeeded by Howard F. Hay
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Flora 24 Jul, 1895	Succeeded by Arthur W. E. Prothero
Preceded by Frank Finnis	Captain of H.M.S. Sappho 24 Sep, 1895 – 17 Jul, 1896	Succeeded by Charles H. Cochran
Preceded by Herbert A. W. Onslow	Captain of H.M.S. Theseus 17 Jan, 1899 – 26 Mar, 1903	Succeeded by Frederick O. Pike
Preceded by Henry H. Dyke	Captain of H.M.S. Melampus 28 Mar, 1903 – c. 30 Jun, 1903	Succeeded by Edgar G. H. Gamble