Second Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
History
The Second Cruiser Squadron was instituted by Admiralty order in December, 1904,[1] and Rear-Admiral H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg was appointed in command on 1 February, 1905, flying his flag in H.M.S. Drake.[2] He was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Charles H. Adair on 23 February, 1907.[3]
Rear-Admiral Doveton Sturdee assumed command on 11 December, 1912,[4] and was succeeded by Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden on 19 December, 1913.[5] Madden was succeeded on 29 July, 1914, by Rear-Admiral the Honourable Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe at Chatham.[6]
On 1 February, 1919, the squadron, the last armoured cruiser squadron in the Royal Navy, ceased to exist and went into the Portsmouth Reserve.[7]
In Command
Dates of appointment given when known:
- Rear-Admiral Louis Alexander Mountbatten, 1 February, 1905[8]
- Rear-Admiral Charles H. Adair, 15 February, 1907[9] – 24 February, 1909[10]
- Rear-Admiral Robert S. Lowry, 27 November, 1908[11] – 29 November, 1910[12]
- Rear-Admiral George John Scott Warrender, 29 November, 1910[13][14] – 11 December, 1912[15]
- Rear-Admiral F. C. Doveton Sturdee, 11 December, 1912[16] – 19 December, 1913[17] (Squadron is the former Fifth Cruiser Squadron)
- Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden, 19 December, 1913[18] – 29 July, 1914[19]
- Acting Vice-Admiral The Hon. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe, 29 July, 1914[20] – 1 June, 1916[21]
- Rear-Admiral Herbert L. Heath, 30 May, 1916[22][23] – 4 December, 1916[24]
- Rear-Admiral Sydney R. Fremantle, 14 January, 1917[25] – August, 1917[26]
- Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald G. O. Tupper, 8 December, 1917[27] – 22 February, 1918[28] (was the former Tenth Cruiser Squadron)
- Rear-Admiral Edward F. Bruen, 21 February, 1918[29] – 1 February, 1919[30]
- Rear-Admiral Thomas D. Gilbert, September, 1924[31] – 15 May, 1925[32] (continued to command the former Second Light Cruiser Squadron when it was renamed 2 C.S.)
- Rear-Admiral William A. H. Kelly, 15 May, 1925[33] – 16 May, 1927[34]
- Rear-Admiral Frank Larken, 16 May, 1927 – 16 May, 1929
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Matthew R. Best, 16 May, 1929[35] – 27 April, 1931[36]
- Vice-Admiral Edward A. Astley-Rushton, 27 April, 1931[37] – 15 December, 1932[38]
- Rear-Admiral Percy L. H. Noble, 15 December, 1932 – 14 December, 1934
- Vice-Admiral Sidney J. Meyrick, 14 December, 1934 – 14 December, 1936[39]
- Rear-Admiral Thomas F. P. Calvert, 14 December, 1936[40] – 13 June, 1938[41] (intestinal obstruction forced his replacement)
- Vice-Admiral G. Frederick B. Edward-Collins, 13 June, 1938[42] – 30 May, 1940[43]
- Rear-Admiral Alban T. B. Curteis, 30 May, 1940[44] – 6 June, 1941[45]
- Rear-Admiral Wilfrid R. Patterson, 4 May, 1944[46] – 2 March, 1945[47]
- Rear-Admiral Angus E. M. B. Cunninghame Graham, 1 August, 1946[48] – 4 September, 1946[49]
- Rear-Admiral Herbert A. Packer, October, 1946[50] – 21 January, 1948[51]
- Rear-Admiral The Hon. Guy H. E. Russell, 21 January, 1948[52] – 2 May, 1949[53]
Other Personnel
Dates of appointment given when known:
- Commander (N) Maurice F. F. Wilson, 22 April, 1925[54]
- Commander (N) Charles A. Browne, 22 April, 1927[55][56] – 16 May, 1929[57]
- Commander (N) Gerald Curteis, 9 April, 1931[58] – 18 April, 1932 (commencing on transfer of flag from Vindictive)
- Commander (N) George V. B. Faulkner, 16 August, 1932[59][60] – 14 December, 1934[61]
- Commander (N) Brian B. Schofield, 13 December, 1934[62] – 15 October, 1935[Inference]
- Lieutenant-Commander (N) Jocelyn S. C. Salter, 15 October, 1935[63] – 26 July, 1937[Inference]
- Commander (N) Brian B. Schofield, 6 June, 1936[64] – 5 April, 1937[65]
Squadron Gunnery Officer
Dates of appointment given when known:
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) Patrick B. Lawder, 5 May, 1924[66]
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) Gilbert C. A. Whitelocke, 10 May, 1927[67] – 26 August, 1927[Inference]
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) John G. L. Dundas, 26 August, 1927[68]
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) Reginald G. France-Hayhurst, 5 January, 1929[69][70] – 12 July, 1929[71]
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) Lennox A. K. Boswell, 16 September, 1930[72]
- Lieutenant-Commander (G) Hector du P. Richardson, 16 January, 1934[73] – 25 November, 1936[Inference]
- Commander (G) Anthony W. Buzzard, 25 November, 1935[74] – 26 July, 1937[Inference]
- Commander (G) (I, Gr.) Stephen H. Carlill, 26 July, 1937[75]
Squadron Torpedo Officer
Dates of appointment given when known:
- Lieutenant-Commander (T) Edward P. Thomas, 5 May, 1924[76] – May, 1926[Inference]
- Lieutenant-Commander (T) William E. Parry, 4 May, 1926[77] – 9 August, 1927[Inference]
- Lieutenant-Commander (T) Frank H. P. Maurice, 9 August, 1927[78]
- Lieutenant-Commander (T) Archibald E. H. Cameron, 20 April, 1931[79][80] – 24 August, 1933[81]
- Lieutenant-Commander (T) Alfred M. Bingemann, 16 January, 1934[82] – 21 January, 1936[83] (commenced on commissioning)
- Commander (T) Cecil R. L. Parry, 20 July, 1935[84] – 15 November, 1937[Inference]
- Commander (T) Alexander P. Gibson, 15 November, 1937[85]
Squadron Signal and W/T Officer
Dates of appointment given when known:
- Lieutenant-Commander (S) John R. S. Haines, 15 May, 1925[86]
- Lieutenant (S) James P. Gornall, 16 May, 1927[87][88] – May, 1929[89]
- Lieutenant (S) Clive Loehnis, 27 April, 1931[90]
- Lieutenant (S) Patrick H. Matheson, 15 December, 1932[91]
- Lieutenant (S) Christopher D. Bonham-Carter, 14 December, 1934[92]
- Lieutenant-Commander (S) Roy S. Foster-Brown, 14 March, 1936[93]
- Lieutenant-Commander (S) John G. T. Inglis, 12 March, 1938[94]
Composition
January, 1907
April, 1910
December, 1912
December, 1913
The squadron has been reduced from seven to four, as Warrior, Black Prince and Duke of Edinburgh have been transferred into the First Cruiser Squadron for duty in the Mediterranean Fleet.[98]
April, 1914
- Shannon, Captain John Dumaresq
- Achilles, Captain Arthur Cay
- Cochrane, Captain William Ruck-Keene
- Natal, Captain John Green
This roster lasted through the outbreak of war,[100] until February, 1916.[101]
September, 1914
Part of Cruiser Force A, a precursor to the Battle Cruiser Fleet. The composition remains as it was in April, 1914.
This roster and affiliation would last until January, 1915.[102][103]
January, 1915
The roster is unchanged, but Cruiser Force A has been dissolved and the Squadron is now directly attached to the First Fleet of the Home Fleets.[104]
This roster and affiliation would last a month or two.
March, 1915
The roster is unchanged, but the Squadron is now one of five attached to the newly-formed Battle Cruiser Fleet.[105]
This roster and affiliation would last just the month.
April, 1915
The roster is unchanged, but the Squadron is one of five attached to the newly-formed Grand Fleet.[106]
This roster and affiliation would last until February, 1916.[107]
February, 1916
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Natal has been belatedly removed, as she was lost to an internal explosion at the end of December.[108]
This roster would last until June, 1916.[109][110][111]
June, 1916
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Following losses in other cruiser squadrons at the Battle of Jutland, Minotaur has arrived from the Seventh Cruiser Squadron and been given the flag. Duke of Edinburgh has come in from the First Cruiser Squadron.[112]
This task order would last until July, 1917.[113]
July, 1917
Attached to the Grand Fleet. The Squadron suddenly has no flagship.[114]
This leaderless state would last until September, 1917.[115]
September, 1917
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Still no flagship, and Achilles, Cochrane and Duke of Edinburgh have been given over to work "in Home Waters or on detached service".[116]
This roster would apply until December, 1917.[117][118]
December, 1917
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Three armed merchant cruisers have been attached, one of them being given the role of flagship. What effrontery![119]
This roster would apply until February, 1918.[120][121]
February, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Two of the armed merchant cruisers have been replaced by Achilles and Cochrane who are coming off duties "in Home Waters or on detached service" .[122][123]
This roster would apply for just the month.
March, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. The last armed merchant cruiser is sent away, and Minotaur takes over as flagship.[124]
This roster would apply until May, 1918.[125]
May, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. It appears that Cochrane has been detached while remaining under the Squadron's aegis, and that Shannon has temporarily taken the flagship role.[126]
This roster would apply until July, 1918.[127]
July, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Minotaur has resumed her role as flagship.[128]
This roster would apply until October or November, 1918.[129][130]
November, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Cochrane has returned from her detached service.[131]
This roster would apply for just November.
December, 1918
Attached to the Grand Fleet. Cochrane has now been wholly removed from the Squadron, as was lost to grounding in November.[132]
This roster would apply for just December.
January, 1919
It appears the Squadron has been abolished, with the ships being sent "temporarily" to various ports: Shannon to the Nore[133] and Achilles and Minotaur to Portsmouth.[134]
The formation would eventually be reformed in 1924 from the Second Light Cruiser Squadron.
Footnotes
- ↑ "The Distribution and Mobilization of the Fleet" (News). The Times. Monday, 12 December, 1904. Issue 37575, col D, p. 4.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 26 December, 1904. Issue 37587, col B, p. 9.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 2 February, 1907. Issue 38246, col F, p. 11.
- ↑ Sturdee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. p. 1256.
- ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 83.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 30 July, 1914. Issue 40589, col B, p. 4.
- ↑ "Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist." The National Archives. ADM 6/461. f. 21.
- ↑ Milford Haven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 15.
- ↑ Adair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 519.
- ↑ Adair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 519.
- ↑ Lowry Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 800.
- ↑ Lowry Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 800.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1911). p. 267.
- ↑ Warrender Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1385.
- ↑ Warrender Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1385.
- ↑ Sturdee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1256.
- ↑ Sturdee Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1256.
- ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 83.
- ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 83.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 13.
- ↑ Gough-Calthorpe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 130/264.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 13.
- ↑ Heath Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 200.
- ↑ Heath Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 200.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 13.
- ↑ Fremantle Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 473.
- ↑ Tupper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1337.
- ↑ Tupper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1337.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 21.
- ↑ Bruen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 418.
- ↑ Gilbert commanded the Second Light Cruiser Squadron until it was renamed 2 C.S. in this month.
- ↑ Gilbert Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 19643/164. ff. 164, 248.
- ↑ Kelly Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/2. f. 230.
- ↑ Kelly Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/2. f. 230.
- ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
- ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
- ↑ Astley-Rushton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 55.
- ↑ Astley-Rushton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 55.
- ↑ Superseded that day. Calvert Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/14. f. 7.
- ↑ Calvert Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/14. f. 7.
- ↑ Calvert Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/14. f. 7.
- ↑ Edward-Collins Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/91. f. 154.
- ↑ Edward-Collins Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/91. f. 154.
- ↑ Curteis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/13. f. 13.
- ↑ Curteis Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/13. f. 13.
- ↑ Patterson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/21. f. 21.
- ↑ Patterson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/21. f. 21.
- ↑ Cunninghame Graham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/46. f. 46.
- ↑ Cunninghame Graham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/46. f. 46.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
- ↑ Russell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/171. f. 171.
- ↑ Russell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/171. f. 171.
- ↑ Russell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/171. f. 171.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1926). p. 229.
- ↑ Browne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/134. f. 492.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). pp. 228-9.
- ↑ Browne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/134. f. 492.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1931). pp. 232-3.
- ↑ Faulkner Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/119/63. f. 63.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1934). pp. 251-2.
- ↑ Faulkner Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/119/63. f. 63.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 258.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 242.
- ↑ Schofield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/16. f. 16.
- ↑ Schofield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/16. f. 16.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1926). p. 229.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). pp. 228-9.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). pp. 228-9.
- ↑ France-Hayhurst Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/153. f. 153.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1929). p. 282a.
- ↑ France-Hayhurst Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/153. f. 153.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1933). pp. 232-3.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 258.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 242.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1939). p. 288.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1926). p. 229.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). pp. 228-9.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1929). p. 282a'.
- ↑ Cameron Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/123. f. 123.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1933). pp. 232-3.
- ↑ Cameron Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/120/123. f. 123.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 258.
- ↑ Bingemann Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/124/222. f. 221.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 242.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1939). p. 288.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1926). p. 229.
- ↑ Gornall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/148/177. f. 177.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). pp. 228-9.
- ↑ Gornall Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/148/177. f. 177.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1931). pp. 232-3.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1934). pp. 251-2.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 258.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 242.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1939). p. 288.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1907). p. 269.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 269.
- ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 269.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
- ↑ Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 9.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 11.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 10, and Supplements through January, 1916.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 10, and Supplements through June, 1917.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). pp. 5, 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). pp. 10, 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 14.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 10. No October Supplement was located.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). p. 19.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). p. 20.
Bibliography
