Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron was a Royal Navy formation during the First World War.

Wartime service with the Harwich Force

May, 1915

The formation is new, and is assigned to the newly-created Harwich Striking Force, joining the Third Destroyer Flotilla and Tenth Destroyer Flotilla. The entire Force is under the command of Commodore (T) Tyrwhitt, who resides in Arethusa. The initial strength is just two light cruisers with two others assigned to join as soon as they are completed. 5 L.C.S. would remain a part of the Harwich Force through the duration of the war.[1]

The formation would remain the same until December 1915.

December, 1915

The seaplane carrier Vindex joins, bringing the formation's strength to four light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[2] This would be the formation's structure until March 1916.

March, 1916

The flotilla leader Tipperary has joined, Arethusa was lost on 16 February, obliging Cleopatra to take over duties as flagship.[3]

April, 1916

Tipperary has left to join the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, reducing strength to three light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[4]

May, 1916

Penelope was damaged by a torpedo from the UB 29 on 25 April, but curiously remains a member of the flotilla, on paper. Carysfort has joined as flagship, along with Canterbury, while Vindex has seemingly left (perhaps a misprint – she returns the next month). Strength is now five light cruisers and possibly the seaplane carrier.[5]

June, 1916

Penelope has been removed for repairs and Vindex has returned. Strength is now four light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[6]

This arrangement would last until September.

September, 1916

Penelope has returned and brought Centaur. Strength is now six light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[7]

October, 1916

No change except that Centaur is now bearing Commodore (T) as flagship. Strength is still six light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[8]

This arrangement would last until January, 1917.

January, 1917

Concord and Aurora have joined, increasing the flotilla to eight light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[9]

This would last until February or March.

March, 1917

No change except that Concord is now bearing Commodore (T) as flagship. Strength is still eight light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[10]

This arrangement would change in April, when flagship assignments would change. Ignoring such small details, the roster would remain in force until December, 1917.

April, 1917

No change except that Centaur is once again bearing Commodore (T) as flagship. Strength is still eight light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[11]

This arrangement would change in November.

November, 1917

No change except that Concord is once again bearing Commodore (T) as flagship. Strength is still eight light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[12]

December, 1917

The new Ceres Class light cruiser Curlew has joined, increasing the flotilla's strength to nine light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[13]

This roster would apply until February, 1918.

February, 1918

The new Arethusa Class light cruiser Undaunted has joined, increasing the flotilla's strength to ten light cruisers and a seaplane carrier. Moreover, Tyrwhitt in Concord is now Rear-Admiral, Harwich Force.[14]

March, 1918

The newly completed Curacoa has joined the formation, becoming flagship to Rear-Admiral, Harwich Force Tyrwhitt. However, Undaunted, Aurora and Carysfort have to join the new Seventh Light Cruiser Squadron, reducing flotilla strength to eight light cruisers and a seaplane carrier.[15]

This arrangement would change during April.

May, 1918

The newly completed Diamond is now to join "shortly" and Vindex has left, making the flotilla now nine light cruisers.[16]

June, 1918

Diamond is here, and Danae is now to join "shortly", making the flotilla now ten light cruisers.[17]

After Danae joined, the complement remained constant until some time in July.

August, 1918

The new light cruiser Dragon has joined and Conquest has paid off, to remain so through the end of the war. The flotilla is now eleven light cruisers.[18]

No October Supplement was consulted, but things did change by November.

November, 1918

Canterbury has been sent to the Aegean and Cleopatra has left to join the Seventh Light Cruiser Squadron, while Carlisle is on her way to join. The flotilla is now ten light cruisers, one of them paid off and one soon to arrive.[19]

December, 1918

Diamond has left and been replaced by Dauntless. The flotilla is now ten light cruisers, one of them paid off and one soon to arrive.[20]

This arrangement would change some time in January.

February, 1919

The paid off Conquest has been detached, leaving nine cruisers.[21]

March, 1919

Carlisle, Centaur and Concord have been detached to a nebulous status as "miscellaneous ships in commission", and Dauntless has been detailed to the West Indies temporarily, leaving six cruisers with one absent.[22]

Dissolution

The Harwich Force ceased to exist at some point in April 1919, and the ships of 5 L.C.S. were re-designated as the new First Light Cruiser Squadron, supporting the new Atlantic Fleet without change to its complement. 5 L.C.S. would be reborn at year's end for operation on the China Station.

Service on the China Station

December, 1919

The squadron's designation was next applied to a small formation being worked up on the China Station. Carlisle had been out there for some time already, and now Cairo was assigned to come out bearing Rear-Admiral, 5 L.C.S..[23]

March, 1920

The squadron's assigned strength is three light cruisers.[24]

September, 1920

The squadron's assigned strength is now five cruisers. Hawkins flies the flag of Commander-in-Chief, China Station, Sir Alexander Ludovic Duff.[25]

This arrangement would carry through to at least the end of 1920.

January, 1921

The squadron remains as before.[26]

January, 1923

The squadron is now five cruisers.[27] This arrangement would apply through at least mid June, 1924.[28]

January, 1926

The squadron is now six cruisers, one on its way from England.[29].

July, 1927

Concord has left to join the Third Light Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean, leaving the squadron with five cruisers.[30]

January, 1928

Despatch has moved to become the flagship of the Eighth Cruiser Squadron on the America and West Indies Station, replaced by a substitute, leaving the squadron with five cruisers.[31]

February, 1929

Despatch has moved to become the flagship of the Eighth Cruiser Squadron on the America and West Indies Station, replaced by a substitute, leaving the squadron with six cruisers.[32]

July, 1931

Suffolk is now flagship, and Caradoc has joined while Kent has returned to England for a refit, making a squadron of six cruisers on paper.[33]

January, 1933

Kent has returned to resume her role as flagship, and Berwick has been temporarily relieved by Berwick.[34]

July, 1934

Suffolk is once again flagship, and Devonshire has left.[35]

October, 1935

Kent is once again flagship, Capetown and Devonshire have joined, and Caradoc has left to Devonport and Cumberland is now gone, paid off into Dockyard Control.[36]

July, 1937

Cumberland is now flagship.[37]

May, 1939

Kent is now flagship.[38]

In Command

The Commodore (later Rear-Admiral) commanding Harwich Force also commanded 5 L.C.S., as well as the other formations comprising the Force.

Second in Command

From late 1917, however, a captain was appointed as second in command.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 13.
  2. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 13.
  3. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 13.
  4. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 13.
  5. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 13.
  6. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 13.
  7. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 13.
  8. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 13.
  9. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 13.
  10. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 13.
  11. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 13.
  12. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 13.
  13. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 13.
  14. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 13.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 13.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 13.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 13.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 13.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). pp. 13, 22.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). pp. 13, 22.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 13.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). pp. 13, 21.
  23. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1919). p. 714.
  24. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1920). p. 714.
  25. ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1920). p. 714.
  26. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 714.
  27. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1923). p. 709.
  28. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1925). p. 209.
  29. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1926). p. 209.
  30. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). pp. 207, 209.
  31. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). pp. 209.
  32. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1929). p. 209.
  33. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1931). p. 209.
  34. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1933). p. 208.
  35. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1934). p. 208.
  36. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). pp. 204, 208.
  37. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 207.
  38. ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1939). p. 247.
  39. ↑ St. John Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/83. f. 90.
  40. ↑ St. John Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/83. f. 90.

Bibliography


Light Cruiser Squadrons of the Royal Navy
First Light Cruiser Squadron | Second Light Cruiser Squadron | Third Light Cruiser Squadron | Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron | Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron | Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron | Seventh Light Cruiser Squadron | Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron
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