Arthur Edward Silvertop

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Commander Arthur Edward Silvertop, R.N. (29 November, 1877 – 31 May, 1916) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in London on Cromwell Road, Silvertop listed his mother as his guardian when he joined the navy in July, 1891. He gained an exception twelve months' seniority upon passing out of Britannia in July 1893. He engaged in photography and spoke at least some French.[1]

Silvertop was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 11 February, 1899. He served aboard several ships as navigator, before qualifying as a torpedo officer in 1901-02.[2]

In 1903, he served in Highflyer in Somaliland, precociously taking a leading role in her use of wireless telegraphy there, including, it seems, in a landing party.[3]

In August 1908 he was a member of the Committee on W/T Code and Cyphers.[4]

Silvertop was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1910. He applied to retire in March of 1911, but this was refused.[5]

Silvertop spent a year at Vernon on experimental duties before transitioning to wireless telegraphy work for 15 months before being appointed to the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Defence on 2 September, 1913 as her executive officer. This was to be his last appointment, as he died aboard her at the Battle of Jutland.[6]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Claude L. Cumberlege
Captain of H.M. T.B. 90
May, 1904 – 17 May, 1904
Succeeded by
Samuel J. Merritt

Footnotes

  1. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.
  2. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.
  3. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.
  4. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.
  5. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.
  6. Silvertop Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/347. f. 351.