Gerald William Vivian: Difference between revisions

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Vivian was born on 11 June, 1869, the second son of Sir Arthur Pendarves Vivian and Lady Augusta Emily.  On 21 September, 1886 Vivian was appointed Midshipman in the steel corvette ''Canada''.  He was confirmed in the rank of [[Sub-Lieutenant (Royal Navy)|Sub-Lieutenant]] on 28 November, 1890.  Subsequently he was appointed to the battleship {{UK-1Dreadnought}} on 24 November.   
Vivian was born on 11 June, 1869, the second son of Sir Arthur Pendarves Vivian and Lady Augusta Emily.  On 21 September, 1886 Vivian was appointed Midshipman in the steel corvette ''Canada''.  He was confirmed in the rank of [[Sub-Lieutenant (Royal Navy)|Sub-Lieutenant]] on 28 November, 1890.  Subsequently he was appointed to the battleship {{UK-1Dreadnought}} on 24 November.   


Promoted to {{LieutRN}} he was reappointed to ''Dreadnought'' on 2 April, 1892.  On 18 April, 1893 Vivian was appointed to the {{UK-1Wanderer}}.  On 31 October he was then appointed to the battleship {{UK-Alexandra}}.  On 16 January, 1894 he was appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Minotaur (1863)|''Minotaur'']].  Vivian was on 22 February, 1895 appointed to the cruiser {{UK-Crescent}}.  He was then given command of the torpedo boat destroyer {{UK-Decoy}} in the [[Devonport Flotilla]].   
Promoted to {{LieutRN}} he was reappointed to ''Dreadnought'' on 2 April, 1892.  On 18 April, 1893 Vivian was appointed to the {{UK-1Wanderer}}.  On 31 October he was then appointed to the battleship {{UK-Alexandra}}.  On 16 January, 1894 he was appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Minotaur (1863)|''Minotaur'']].  Vivian was on 22 February, 1895 appointed to the cruiser {{UK-1Crescent}}.  He was then given command of the torpedo boat destroyer {{UK-1Decoy}} in the [[Devonport Flotilla]].   


On 21 March, 1902 he was appointed First Lieutenant of the cruiser {{UK-Amphitrite}}.  On 3 April he was transferred to the battleship {{UK-Vengeance}} as First Lieutenant.  On 30 June, 1904 Vivian was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} and subsequently reappointed to ''Vengeance''.  On 10 July, 1906 he was appointed executive officer of the {{UK-Irresistible}}.
On 21 March, 1902 he was appointed First Lieutenant of the cruiser {{UK-Amphitrite}}.  On 3 April he was transferred to the battleship {{UK-Vengeance}} as First Lieutenant.  On 30 June, 1904 Vivian was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} and subsequently reappointed to ''Vengeance''.  On 10 July, 1906 he was appointed executive officer of the {{UK-Irresistible}}.
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From 1 April, 1910 he was then given his first independent command, that of the steel screw sloop {{UK-Shearwater}} on the West Coast of America Station, where the only British presence would be marked by his ship and the sloop ''Algerine'' upon 6,000 miles of coast-line.  Based at the former British [[Esquimalt Royal Dockyard|Naval Dockyard at Esquimalt]], he was called upon to make calls at multiple ports and show the flag.  At the same time as he was appointed to command, unrest in the Central American state of Mexico began to grow in the run-up to democratic elections which would end the rule of President Porfirio Díaz.  Candidate Fransisco Madero began an open revolt against the government of Díaz.  In Baja California, the coastal area of Western Mexico where {{UK-Shearwater}} coaled when cruising, there were numerous British holdings which could be threatened by rebels and not protected by the Federal Mexican troops.  On 8 April, 1911 {{UK-Shearwater}} anchored off the small settlement of San Quintín to take aboard freshwater.  Three days later, Vivian received a written request for protection from a representative of a British company and an American storekeeper, as an attack by a large rebel force was believed to be imminent.
From 1 April, 1910 he was then given his first independent command, that of the steel screw sloop {{UK-Shearwater}} on the West Coast of America Station, where the only British presence would be marked by his ship and the sloop ''Algerine'' upon 6,000 miles of coast-line.  Based at the former British [[Esquimalt Royal Dockyard|Naval Dockyard at Esquimalt]], he was called upon to make calls at multiple ports and show the flag.  At the same time as he was appointed to command, unrest in the Central American state of Mexico began to grow in the run-up to democratic elections which would end the rule of President Porfirio Díaz.  Candidate Fransisco Madero began an open revolt against the government of Díaz.  In Baja California, the coastal area of Western Mexico where {{UK-Shearwater}} coaled when cruising, there were numerous British holdings which could be threatened by rebels and not protected by the Federal Mexican troops.  On 8 April, 1911 {{UK-Shearwater}} anchored off the small settlement of San Quintín to take aboard freshwater.  Three days later, Vivian received a written request for protection from a representative of a British company and an American storekeeper, as an attack by a large rebel force was believed to be imminent.


On 30 June, 1912, Vivian was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}},<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28623/pages/4748 no. 28623.  p. 4748.]  2 July, 1912.</ref> but he continued to cruise the American west coast in his lower rank, until relieved of command.  On 25 April, 1913, he given command of the cruiser [[H.M.S. Hermes (1898)|''Hermes'']]<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> which was serving as sea-going tender to the [[Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps]].  His executive officer was [[Francis Rowland Scarlett]].  He then decided to take up flying, and qualified as a pilot on 31 March at the [[Central Flying School]].  He commissioned the ''Hermes'' at Chatham on 8 May, which was then worked up and prepared to be the headquarters of the naval air service as well as what was in effect the world's first aircraft carrier (fitted to carry seaplanes), until it was decided that Sheerness would serve as the headquarters of the service.  Vivian was ordered to pay ''Hermes'' off on 23 December, 1913 and give the crew Christmas leave.  The following day he was appointed in command of the protected cruiser {{UK-Sirius}},{{NLApr14|p. 374}} which he commissioned at Chatham on 27 January, 1914.
On 30 June, 1912, Vivian was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}},{{Gaz|28623|4748|2 July, 1912}} but he continued to cruise the American west coast in his lower rank, until relieved of command.  On 25 April, 1913, he given command of the cruiser [[H.M.S. Hermes (1898)|''Hermes'']]<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> which was serving as sea-going tender to the [[Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps]].  His executive officer was [[Francis Rowland Scarlett]].  He then decided to take up flying, and qualified as a pilot on 31 March at the [[Central Flying School]].  He commissioned the ''Hermes'' at Chatham on 8 May, which was then worked up and prepared to be the headquarters of the naval air service as well as what was in effect the world's first aircraft carrier (fitted to carry seaplanes), until it was decided that Sheerness would serve as the headquarters of the service.  Vivian was ordered to pay ''Hermes'' off on 23 December, 1913 and give the crew Christmas leave.  The following day he was appointed in command of the protected cruiser {{UK-Sirius}},{{NLApr14|p. 374}} which he commissioned at Chatham on 27 January, 1914.


==Great War==
==Great War==
Vivian was appointed in command of the {{UK-Europa|f=t}} on 1 August, 1914,<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> which command he held until 28 October, when he was appointed to ''Victory'' for command of the ''Patia'', which he commissioned in December.
Vivian was appointed in command of the {{UK-Europa|f=t}} on 1 August, 1914,<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> which command he held until 28 October, when he was appointed to ''Victory'' for command of the ''Patia'', which he commissioned in December.


On 28 August, 1915, he was appointed to ''Victory'', and on 14 September, 1915, he assumed command of the {{UK-Liverpool|f=t}}.
On 28 August, 1915, he was appointed to ''Victory'', and on 14 September, 1915, he assumed command of the {{UK-1Liverpool|f=t}}.


He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Roxburgh|f=t}} in September 1917.  In the King's Birthday Honours he was appointed a Companion in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) on 3 June, 1918.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30723/supplements/6530 (Supplement) no. 30723.  p. 6530.]  3 June, 1918.</ref>
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Roxburgh|f=t}} in September 1917.  In the King's Birthday Honours he was appointed a Companion in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) on 3 June, 1918.{{GazSup|30723|6530|3 June, 1918}}


==Post-War==
==Post-War==
Vivian left {{UK-Roxburgh}} when he was appointed in command of {{UK-StVincent}} on 31 January, 1919.  He was appointed in command of {{UK-Collingwood}} on 18 March, 1919.  He moved on to command of {{UK-Glorious}} on 21 May, where he remained until appointed to ''Pembroke'' as [[Commodore, Second Class (Royal Navy)|Commodore]] of the [[Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham]] on 11 August, 1920.
Vivian left {{UK-Roxburgh}} when he was appointed in command of {{UK-StVincent}} on 31 January, 1919.  He was appointed in command of {{UK-Collingwood}} on 18 March, 1919.  He moved on to command of {{UK-Glorious}} on 21 May, where he remained until appointed to ''Pembroke'' as [[Commodore, Second Class (Royal Navy)|Commodore]] of the [[Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham]] on 11 August, 1920.


Interested in cricket (he was a member of the M.C.C.), shooting and fishing, Vivian died at the age of fifty-two at Bosahan, Cornwall, on 14 August, 1921.<ref>"Deaths" (Deaths).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 17 August, 1921.  Issue '''42801''', col B, p. 1.</ref>
Interested in cricket (he was a member of the M.C.C.), shooting and fishing, Vivian died suddenly, of a hemorrhage, at the age of fifty-two at Bosahan, Cornwall, on 14 August, 1921.<ref>"Deaths" (Deaths).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 17 August, 1921.  Issue '''42801''', col B, p. 1.</ref>


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
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{{TabNaval}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Horatio Shirley|Arthur H. Shirley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Decoy (1894)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Decoy'']]'''<br>2 Dec, 1897<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Friday, 3 December, 1897.  Issue '''35377''', col D, p. 5.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 9 Jan, 1899<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Vincent Wallace Carey|George V. W. Carey]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Horatio Shirley|Arthur H. Shirley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Decoy (1894)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Decoy'']]'''<br>2 Dec, 1897<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Friday, 3 December, 1897.  Issue '''35377''', col D, p. 5.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 9 Jan, 1899<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Vincent Wallace Carey|George V. W. Carey]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Adrian George Allgood|Adrian G. Allgood]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Shearwater (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Shearwater'']]'''<br>1 Apr, 1910<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 24 Apr, 1912<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Adrian St. Vincent Keyes|Adrian St. V. Keyes]]'''<br><small>as '''Captain of H.M.C.S. ''Shearwater'''''</small>}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Wispington Glover Crawford|Charles W. G. Crawford]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Shearwater (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Shearwater'']]'''<br>1 Apr, 1910<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 24 Apr, 1912<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederic Henry Walter|Frederic H. Walter]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert John Savill|Herbert J. Savill]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hermes (1898)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hermes'']]'''<br>25 Apr, 1913<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 23 Dec, 1913<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert John Savill|Herbert J. Savill]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hermes (1898)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hermes'']]'''<br>25 Apr, 1913<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 23 Dec, 1913<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Laverock Lambe|Charles L. Lambe]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Crawford Maclachlan|Crawford Maclachlan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sirius (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sirius'']]'''<br>24 Dec, 1913{{NLApr14|p. 374}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 22 May, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Henderson Boys|William H. Boys]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Crawford Maclachlan|Crawford Maclachlan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sirius (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sirius'']]'''<br>24 Dec, 1913{{NLApr14|p. 374}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 22 May, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Henderson Boys|William H. Boys]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Warren Johnson|Robert W. Johnson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Europa (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Europa'']]'''<br>1 Aug, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 28 Oct, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Gaultier-Coghill Somerville|Hugh G-C. Somerville]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Warren Johnson|Robert W. Johnson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Europa (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Europa'']]'''<br>1 Aug, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 28 Oct, 1914<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Gaultier-Coghill Somerville|Hugh G-C. Somerville]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Patia (1913)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Patia'']]'''<br>30 Nov, 1914{{NLJan15|p. 401''s''}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 27 Aug, 1915<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Gilbert Howard|William G. Howard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Patia (1913)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Patia'']]'''<br>30 Nov, 1914{{NLJan15|p. 401''s''}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 27 Aug, 1915<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Faulkner Herbert Hartland-Mahon|Richard F. H. Hartland-Mahon]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Reeves|Edward Reeves]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Liverpool (1909)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Liverpool'']]'''<br>14 Sep, 1915{{NLDec16|p. 395''w''}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 63.</ref> &ndash; Sep, 1917<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Napier Tomlin|George N. Tomlin]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Reeves|Edward Reeves]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Liverpool (1909)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Liverpool'']]'''<br>14 Sep, 1915{{NLDec16|p. 395''w''}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 63.</ref> &ndash; Sep, 1917<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Napier Tomlin|George N. Tomlin]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Percy Valentine Hickman|Henry P. V. Hickman]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>Sep, 1917{{NLNov17|p. 397''p''}} &ndash; 31 Jan, 1919<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Derwent Allen|John D. Allen]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Percy Valentine Hickman|Henry P. V. Hickman]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>1 Sep, 1917{{NLNov17|p. 397''p''}} &ndash; 31 Jan, 1919<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Leal Jermain|Robert L. Jermain]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Ernest Troyte Harper|John E. T. Harper]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. St. Vincent (1908)|Captain of H.M.S. ''St. Vincent'']]'''<br>31 Jan, 1919<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 3 February, 1919.  Issue '''42014''', col F, p. 16.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 18 Mar, 1919<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Armand Powlett|Frederick A. Powlett]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Ernest Troyte Harper|John E. T. Harper]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. St. Vincent (1908)|Captain of H.M.S. ''St. Vincent'']]'''<br>31 Jan, 1919<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 3 February, 1919.  Issue '''42014''', col F, p. 16.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 18 Mar, 1919<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Armand Powlett|Frederick A. Powlett]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Armand Powlett|Frederick A. Powlett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Collingwood'']]'''<br>18 Mar, 1919{{NLAug19|p. 760}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 21 May, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Percy Pitts|Percy Pitts]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Armand Powlett|Frederick A. Powlett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Collingwood'']]'''<br>18 Mar, 1919{{NLAug19|p. 760}}<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 21 May, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 63.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Percy Pitts|Percy Pitts]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Blois Miller|Charles B. Miller]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Glorious (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Glorious'']]'''<br>21 May, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 11 Aug, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Argentine Hugh Alington|Argentine H. Alington]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Percy Pitts|Percy Pitts]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Glorious (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Glorious'']]'''<br>21 May, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 63.</ref> &ndash; 11 Aug, 1920<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Argentine Hugh Alington|Argentine H. Alington]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Harry Louis d'Estoteville Skipwith|Harry L. d'E. Skipwith]]'''|'''[[Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham|Commodore-in-Command, Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham]]'''<br>11 Aug, 1920<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 11 August, 1920.  Issue '''42486''', col G, p. 15.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jun, 1921<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Louis Charles Stirling Woollcombe|Louis C. S. Woollcombe]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Harry Louis d'Estoteville Skipwith|Harry L. d'E. Skipwith]]'''|'''[[Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham|Commodore-in-Command, Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham]]'''<br>11 Aug, 1920<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 11 August, 1920.  Issue '''42486''', col G, p. 15.</ref><ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jun, 1921<ref>Vivian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 180.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Louis Charles Stirling Woollcombe|Louis C. S. Woollcombe]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
{{TabEnd}}
Line 65: Line 65:
{{CatPerson|UK|1869|1921}}
{{CatPerson|UK|1869|1921}}
{{CatBritannia|July, 1882}}
{{CatBritannia|July, 1882}}
{{CatCaptain|UK}}
{{CatCapt|UK}}
{{CatAviator|UK}}
{{CatAviator|UK}}
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 15:06, 24 April 2024

Captain Gerald William Vivian, C.M.G., Royal Navy (11 June, 1869 – 14 August, 1921) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Vivian was born on 11 June, 1869, the second son of Sir Arthur Pendarves Vivian and Lady Augusta Emily. On 21 September, 1886 Vivian was appointed Midshipman in the steel corvette Canada. He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant on 28 November, 1890. Subsequently he was appointed to the battleship Dreadnought on 24 November.

Promoted to Lieutenant he was reappointed to Dreadnought on 2 April, 1892. On 18 April, 1893 Vivian was appointed to the Wanderer. On 31 October he was then appointed to the battleship Alexandra. On 16 January, 1894 he was appointed to the training ship Minotaur. Vivian was on 22 February, 1895 appointed to the cruiser Crescent. He was then given command of the torpedo boat destroyer Decoy in the Devonport Flotilla.

On 21 March, 1902 he was appointed First Lieutenant of the cruiser Amphitrite. On 3 April he was transferred to the battleship Vengeance as First Lieutenant. On 30 June, 1904 Vivian was promoted to the rank of Commander and subsequently reappointed to Vengeance. On 10 July, 1906 he was appointed executive officer of the Irresistible.

North America

From 1 April, 1910 he was then given his first independent command, that of the steel screw sloop Shearwater on the West Coast of America Station, where the only British presence would be marked by his ship and the sloop Algerine upon 6,000 miles of coast-line. Based at the former British Naval Dockyard at Esquimalt, he was called upon to make calls at multiple ports and show the flag. At the same time as he was appointed to command, unrest in the Central American state of Mexico began to grow in the run-up to democratic elections which would end the rule of President Porfirio Díaz. Candidate Fransisco Madero began an open revolt against the government of Díaz. In Baja California, the coastal area of Western Mexico where Shearwater coaled when cruising, there were numerous British holdings which could be threatened by rebels and not protected by the Federal Mexican troops. On 8 April, 1911 Shearwater anchored off the small settlement of San Quintín to take aboard freshwater. Three days later, Vivian received a written request for protection from a representative of a British company and an American storekeeper, as an attack by a large rebel force was believed to be imminent.

On 30 June, 1912, Vivian was promoted to the rank of Captain,[1] but he continued to cruise the American west coast in his lower rank, until relieved of command. On 25 April, 1913, he given command of the cruiser Hermes[2] which was serving as sea-going tender to the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps. His executive officer was Francis Rowland Scarlett. He then decided to take up flying, and qualified as a pilot on 31 March at the Central Flying School. He commissioned the Hermes at Chatham on 8 May, which was then worked up and prepared to be the headquarters of the naval air service as well as what was in effect the world's first aircraft carrier (fitted to carry seaplanes), until it was decided that Sheerness would serve as the headquarters of the service. Vivian was ordered to pay Hermes off on 23 December, 1913 and give the crew Christmas leave. The following day he was appointed in command of the protected cruiser Sirius,[3] which he commissioned at Chatham on 27 January, 1914.

Great War

Vivian was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Europa on 1 August, 1914,[4] which command he held until 28 October, when he was appointed to Victory for command of the Patia, which he commissioned in December.

On 28 August, 1915, he was appointed to Victory, and on 14 September, 1915, he assumed command of the light cruiser Liverpool.

He was appointed in command of the armoured cruiser Roxburgh in September 1917. In the King's Birthday Honours he was appointed a Companion in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) on 3 June, 1918.[5]

Post-War

Vivian left Roxburgh when he was appointed in command of St. Vincent on 31 January, 1919. He was appointed in command of Collingwood on 18 March, 1919. He moved on to command of Glorious on 21 May, where he remained until appointed to Pembroke as Commodore of the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham on 11 August, 1920.

Interested in cricket (he was a member of the M.C.C.), shooting and fishing, Vivian died suddenly, of a hemorrhage, at the age of fifty-two at Bosahan, Cornwall, on 14 August, 1921.[6]

Bibliography

  • Taylor, Lawrence D. (April 1996). "Gunboat Diplomacy's Last Fling in the New World: The Seizure of San Quintín, April 1911". The Americas 52 (4): pp. 521–543.

Papers

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Arthur H. Shirley 		Captain of H.M.S. Decoy
2 Dec, 1897[7][8] – 9 Jan, 1899[9] 		Succeeded by
George V. W. Carey
Preceded by
Charles W. G. Crawford 		Captain of H.M.S. Shearwater
1 Apr, 1910[10] – 24 Apr, 1912[11] 		Succeeded by
Frederic H. Walter
Preceded by
Herbert J. Savill 		Captain of H.M.S. Hermes
25 Apr, 1913[12] – 23 Dec, 1913[13] 		Succeeded by
Charles L. Lambe
Preceded by
Crawford Maclachlan 		Captain of H.M.S. Sirius
24 Dec, 1913[14][15] – 22 May, 1914[16] 		Succeeded by
William H. Boys
Preceded by
Robert W. Johnson 		Captain of H.M.S. Europa
1 Aug, 1914[17] – 28 Oct, 1914[18] 		Succeeded by
Hugh G-C. Somerville
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Patia
30 Nov, 1914[19][20] – 27 Aug, 1915[21] 		Succeeded by
Richard F. H. Hartland-Mahon
Preceded by
Edward Reeves 		Captain of H.M.S. Liverpool
14 Sep, 1915[22][23] – Sep, 1917[24] 		Succeeded by
George N. Tomlin
Preceded by
Henry P. V. Hickman 		Captain of H.M.S. Roxburgh
1 Sep, 1917[25] – 31 Jan, 1919[26] 		Succeeded by
Robert L. Jermain
Preceded by
John E. T. Harper 		Captain of H.M.S. St. Vincent
31 Jan, 1919[27][28] – 18 Mar, 1919[29] 		Succeeded by
Frederick A. Powlett
Preceded by
Frederick A. Powlett 		Captain of H.M.S. Collingwood
18 Mar, 1919[30][31] – 21 May, 1920[32] 		Succeeded by
Percy Pitts
Preceded by
Percy Pitts 		Captain of H.M.S. Glorious
21 May, 1920[33] – 11 Aug, 1920[34] 		Succeeded by
Argentine H. Alington
Preceded by
Harry L. d'E. Skipwith 		Commodore-in-Command, Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham
11 Aug, 1920[35][36] – 7 Jun, 1921[37] 		Succeeded by
Louis C. S. Woollcombe

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28623. p. 4748. 2 July, 1912.
  2. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  3. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 374.
  4. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30723. p. 6530. 3 June, 1918.
  6. ↑ "Deaths" (Deaths). The Times. Wednesday, 17 August, 1921. Issue 42801, col B, p. 1.
  7. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. Friday, 3 December, 1897. Issue 35377, col D, p. 5.
  8. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  9. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  10. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  11. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  12. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  13. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  14. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 374.
  15. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  16. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  17. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  18. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 401s.
  20. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  21. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  22. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 395w.
  23. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  24. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  25. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 397p.
  26. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  27. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 3 February, 1919. Issue 42014, col F, p. 16.
  28. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  29. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  30. ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1919). p. 760.
  31. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  32. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  33. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 63.
  34. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 180.
  35. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 11 August, 1920. Issue 42486, col G, p. 15.
  36. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 180.
  37. ↑ Vivian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 180.

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