Difference between revisions of "Sydney Stewart Hall"

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He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891.  He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 14 August, 1892.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26356/pages/7551 no. 26356.  p. 7551.]  23 December, 1892.</ref>
 
He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891.  He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 14 August, 1892.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26356/pages/7551 no. 26356.  p. 7551.]  23 December, 1892.</ref>
  
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In July 1900, he was appointed to command {{UK-TB81}} for the annual manoeuvres.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>
+
In July 1901, he was appointed to command {{UK-TB81}} and was placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla for the annual manoeuvres.<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref>  His appointment was disastrous, as he stranded ''T.B. 81'' at Alderney on a submerged breakwater on 1 August, damaging her so badly that she sank and had to be salvaged.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 3 August, 1901.  Issue '''36524''', col B-D, p. 10.</ref>  The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the sinking had been "caused by great carelessness on [Hall's] part".  Their Lordships expressed their "extreme displease" at his actions, and he was cautioned to be more careful in future.<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref><ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>
  
 
He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} dated 1 January, 1903.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27512/pages/4 no. 27512.  p. 4.]  2 January, 1903.</ref>
 
He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} dated 1 January, 1903.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27512/pages/4 no. 27512.  p. 4.]  2 January, 1903.</ref>
  
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On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Mercury|f=t}}.<ref>''The Navy List'' (January, 1907), p. 345.</ref>
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On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Mercury|f=t}} and, simultaneously, became [[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Commander of Submarines]].{{NLJan07|p. 345}}
  
 
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1907.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28096/pages/34 no. 28096.  p. 34.]  3 January, 1908.</ref>
 
Hall was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1907.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28096/pages/34 no. 28096.  p. 34.]  3 January, 1908.</ref>
  
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In February 1911, he assumed command of the {{UK-Diana|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}  It appears this posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Fisher wrote to Churchill, "&hellip; you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the {{UK-Diana}} as soon as you can!  Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d&mdash;d sight too pertinacious!"<ref>''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II Part 2.  p. 1365.</ref>
+
In February 1911, he assumed command of the {{UK-Diana|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}  This posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Fisher wrote to Churchill, "&hellip; you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the {{UK-Diana}} as soon as you can!  Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d&mdash;d sight too pertinacious!"<ref>''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II Part 2.  p. 1365.</ref>  In fact, the reasons were apparently more prosaic.  Hall had requested permission to retire in August 1910, which was refused, the First Sea Lord writing that "I do not think that an officer who had held such an important position as inspecting captain of submarines such be allowed to retire and thus take his knowledge out of the Service."  The assessment written of Hall by his superior, Admiral [[George Neville]], was positive as well: "Has carried out his duties as I.C.S. in a thoroughly efficient manner."<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/89/26}}</ref>  
  
 
Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.<ref>''Edinburgh Gazette'': [http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/12630/pages/7 no. 12630.  p. 7.]  2 January, 1914.</ref>
 
Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.<ref>''Edinburgh Gazette'': [http://www.edinburgh-gazette.co.uk/issues/12630/pages/7 no. 12630.  p. 7.]  2 January, 1914.</ref>
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1884)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>Jul, 1900<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref> &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Charles Davies|Joseph C. Davies]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Ulick Vernon Wentworth|Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1884)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>Jul, 1901<ref>Hall Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1901<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Charles Davies|Joseph C. Davies]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles John Balfour|Charles J. Balfour]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mercury (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mercury'']]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906{{NLJan07|p. 345}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Henry F. Oliver]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles John Balfour|Charles J. Balfour]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mercury (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mercury'']]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906{{NLJan07|p. 345}} &ndash; 14 Nov, 1910<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Captain of Submarines]]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}} f. 258.</ref> &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edgar Lees|Edgar Lees]]'''|'''[[Inspecting Captain of Submarines|Inspecting Captain of Submarines]]'''<br>12 Nov, 1906<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref> &ndash; 14 Nov, 1910<ref>Hall Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger J. B. Keyes]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Webster Kemp|Thomas W. Kemp]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Diana (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Diana'']]'''<br>Feb, 1911{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Woollcombe|Maurice Woollcombe]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Webster Kemp|Thomas W. Kemp]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Diana (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Diana'']]'''<br>Feb, 1911{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Woollcombe|Maurice Woollcombe]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Wylie Dumas|Philip W. Dumas]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>Jul, 1914{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bertram Mordaunt Chambers|Bertram M. Chambers]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Wylie Dumas|Philip W. Dumas]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Roxburgh (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Roxburgh'']]'''<br>Jul, 1914{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bertram Mordaunt Chambers|Bertram M. Chambers]]'''}}

Revision as of 04:18, 23 July 2014

Admiral Sydney S. Hall as a Commodore, Second Class, 1917.
Portrait: Francis Dodd. © IWM (Art.IWM ART 1742).

Admiral Sydney Stewart Hall, C.B., Royal Navy, Retired (16 June, 1872 – 10 January, 1955) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 August, 1891. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 14 August, 1892.[1]

In July 1901, he was appointed to command T.B. 81 and was placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla for the annual manoeuvres.[2] His appointment was disastrous, as he stranded T.B. 81 at Alderney on a submerged breakwater on 1 August, damaging her so badly that she sank and had to be salvaged.[3] The subsequent Court of Inquiry found that the sinking had been "caused by great carelessness on [Hall's] part". Their Lordships expressed their "extreme displease" at his actions, and he was cautioned to be more careful in future.[4][5]

He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 1 January, 1903.[6]

On 12 November, 1906, he was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Mercury and, simultaneously, became Inspecting Commander of Submarines.[7]

Hall was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1907.[8]

In February 1911, he assumed command of the destroyer Diana.[9] This posting brought some form of grief, as on 30 December, 1911, Fisher wrote to Churchill, "… you must get home Captain S. S. Hall of the Diana as soon as you can! Dear old A. K. Wilson got rid of him as he was a d—d sight too pertinacious!"[10] In fact, the reasons were apparently more prosaic. Hall had requested permission to retire in August 1910, which was refused, the First Sea Lord writing that "I do not think that an officer who had held such an important position as inspecting captain of submarines such be allowed to retire and thus take his knowledge out of the Service." The assessment written of Hall by his superior, Admiral George Neville, was positive as well: "Has carried out his duties as I.C.S. in a thoroughly efficient manner."[11]

Hall was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1914.[12]

He was appointed to command the armoured cruiser Roxburgh in July, serving in her until October, 1914.[13]

Great War

Hall became the Royal Navy's top submarine officer as Commodore (S) on 8 February, 1915,[14] participating in the first meeting of the Submarine Development Committee on 8 September, where the design and purpose of six broad types of submarine were considered: Coastal, Patrol, Fleet, Cruiser, Minelayer and Monitor.[15] Though he was at the Admiralty, he was nominally also captain of the Dolphin from 8 February, 1915.[16]

Hall was appointed Commodore, First Class on 1 January, 1918.[17]

Post-War

Hall was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 18 July, 1919, vice Cayley.[18] He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 16 September.[19]

He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 1 January, 1925,[20] and to Admiral on 27 February, 1929.[21]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral S. S. Hall" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 January, 1955. Issue 53136, col D, p. 10.

Service Records


Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Frederick C. U. V. Wentworth 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 81
Jul, 1901[22] – Aug, 1901[23] 		Succeeded by
Joseph C. Davies
Preceded by
Charles J. Balfour 		Captain of H.M.S. Mercury
12 Nov, 1906[24] – 14 Nov, 1910[25] 		Succeeded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Preceded by
Edgar Lees 		Inspecting Captain of Submarines
12 Nov, 1906[26] – 14 Nov, 1910[27] 		Succeeded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Preceded by
Thomas W. Kemp 		Captain of H.M.S. Diana
Feb, 1911[28] – ? 		Succeeded by
Maurice Woollcombe
Preceded by
Philip W. Dumas 		Captain of H.M.S. Roxburgh
Jul, 1914[29] – ? 		Succeeded by
Bertram M. Chambers
Preceded by
Roger J. B. Keyes 		Captain of H.M.S. Dolphin
8 Feb, 1915[30] – ? 		Succeeded by
Max K. Horton
Preceded by
Stanley L. Willis
as Commander (S), Sixth Submarine Flotilla 		Captain (S), Sixth Submarine Flotilla
8 Feb, 1915 – ? 		Succeeded by
?

 

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26356. p. 7551. 23 December, 1892.
  2. ↑ "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Thursday, 11 July, 1901. Issue 36504, col C, p. 8.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. Saturday, 3 August, 1901. Issue 36524, col B-D, p. 10.
  4. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  5. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/89/26
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27512. p. 4. 2 January, 1903.
  7. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1907). p. 345.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28096. p. 34. 3 January, 1908.
  9. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  10. ↑ Winston S. Churchill. Companion Volume II Part 2. p. 1365.
  11. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/89/26
  12. ↑ Edinburgh Gazette: no. 12630. p. 7. 2 January, 1914.
  13. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  14. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 3.
  15. ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 21. p. 10.
  16. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 777.
  17. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30451. p. 86. 1 January, 1918.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31486. p. 9863. 1 August, 1919.
  19. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31581. p. 12141. 3 October, 1919.
  20. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33010. p. 219. 9 January, 1925.
  21. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33474. p. 1575. 5 March, 1929.
  22. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  23. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  24. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1907). p. 345.
  25. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  26. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  27. ↑ Hall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236
  28. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  29. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  30. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 777.

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