First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy): Difference between revisions

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The '''First Destroyer Flotilla''' was a formation of [[Destroyer|destroyers]] of the [[Royal Navy]].  The flotilla changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred.   
The '''First Destroyer Flotilla''' was a formation of [[Destroyer|destroyers]] of the [[Royal Navy]].   


Between April and October, 1910 until 1911, it included the [[Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)|''Beagle'' class destroyers]].<ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921'', p. 73.</ref><ref>March, Edgar J.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 106.</ref>  On 1 November, 1911, the flotilla was comprised of:<ref>March, Edgar J.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 160.</ref>
==History==
* [[H.M.S. Boadicea (1908)|''Boadicea'']] (flag)
* [[H.M.S. Blanche (1909)|''Blanche'']], [[H.M.S. Patrol (1904)|''Patrol'']] (scouts)
* ''Blenheim'' (depot ship)
* [[H.M.S. Swift (1907)|''Swift'']]
* 12 ''Beagles''
* 12 "Tribals"


From 1912 through much of 1916, it was also comprised of twenty [[Acheron Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acheron'' class destroyers]] armed with 21-in Mark II torpedoes.<ref>''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916'', p. 87.</ref><ref>''Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1906-1921'', p. 75.</ref><ref>March, Edgar J.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 160.</ref>  Apparently, [[H.M.S. Blonde (1910)|''Blonde'']] was flagship and ''Tyne'' a depot ship during that time.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''. Monday, 13 January, 1913.  Issue '''40107''', col B, p. 11.</ref><ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 14 January, 1912.  Issue '''40108''', col F, p. 13.</ref>
===18 May, 1906===
The Flotilla had twelve destroyers, and was based in Portsmouth and assigned to the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]] alongside the similarly equipped [[Second Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Second]] and {{UK-DF|3}}s.{{NLJun06|pp. 269, 270''a''}}


==Outbreak of War, August, 1914==
{|width=75% class=toccolours
At outbreak of war, twenty ''Acherons'' under leader ''Fearless''.<ref>March, Edgar J.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 164.</ref>
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Boyne}}||align=center|{{UK-Crane}}||align=center|{{UK-Derwent}}||align=center|{{UK-Doon}}||align=center|{{UK-Fawn}}||align=center|{{UK-Flirt}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Garry}}||align=center|{{UK-Kangaroo}}||align=center|{{UK-Myrmidon}}||align=center|{{UK-1Peterel}}||align=center|{{UK-Ribble}}||align=center|{{UK-Waveney}}
|-
|}


==Battle of Dogger Bank, January 1915==
===18 February, 1907===
Fourteen ''Acheron'' class destroyers were attached to the Flotilla under flagship cruiser [[H.M.S. Aurora (1913)|''Aurora'']].  One of these, [[H.M.S. Attack (1911)|''Attack'']] took [[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|Beatty]] from [[H.M.S. Lion (1910)|''Lion'']] when the battlecruiser was disabled.<ref>March.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 123.</ref>
The Flotilla is not listed with the Channel Fleet, but as being based on Portsmouth.  It is still twelve destroyers in commission with full crews, and a further twenty-eight with nucleus crews (not listed here).{{NLJun06|pp. 267, 269}}


==Battle of Jutland, June 1916==
{|width=75% class=toccolours
Nine destroyers under flagship cruiser [[H.M.S. Fearless (1912)|''Fearless'']] screened the [[Fifth Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|5th Battle Squadron]] on its disengaged side during the Run to the South and then served the same duty for the [[First Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|1st Battlecruiser Squadron]].  [[H.M.S. Attack (1911)|''Attack'']] and [[H.M.S. Defender (1911)|''Defender'']] sustained hits from 11-in shells, but kept in the action.<ref>March.  ''British Destroyers'', p. 123.</ref>
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''In Home Waters, Based on Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Boyne}}||align=center|{{UK-Crane}}||align=center|{{UK-Derwent}}||align=center|{{UK-Doon}}||align=center|{{UK-Fawn}}||align=center|{{UK-Garry}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Kale}}||align=center|{{UK-Kangaroo}}||align=center|{{UK-Myrmidon}}||align=center|{{UK-1Peterel}}||align=center|{{UK-Ribble}}||align=center|{{UK-Waveney}}
|-
|}


==After Jutland, 1916==
In August, 1907, the First and {{UK-DF|2}} transferred from the Home Fleet to the [[Channel Fleet]].{{NMI|Tuesday, 13 August, 1907.  Issue '''38410''', col B, p. 10}}


==Captains (D)==
Between April and October, 1910 until 1911, it included the [[Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)|''Beagle'' class destroyers]].{{Conways1906|p. 73}}{{March|p. 106}}
 
===18 March, 1910===
 
Operating as part of the First Division, Home Fleet and comprised of {{UK-Swift}}, the [[Tribal Class Destroyer (1907)|''Tribals'']], and several [[River Class Destroyer (1903)|''Rivers'']].{{NLApr10|p. 269}}
 
{|style="margin:0" width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''18 March, 1910'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Flagship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-1Boadicea}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Scouts'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-1Adventure}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-Pathfinder}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-Blenheim}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Afridi}}||align=center|{{UK-Amazon}}||align=center|{{UK-Boyne}}||align=center|{{UK-1Cossack}}||align=center|{{UK-1Crusader}}||align=center|{{UK-Garry}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Ghurka}}||align=center|{{UK-1Maori}}||align=center|{{UK-1Mohawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Ness}}||align=center|{{UK-Nith}}||align=center|{{UK-1Nubian}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Ribble}}||align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-1Saracen}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Swift}}||align=center|{{UK-1Tartar}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}||align=center|{{UK-Usk}}||align=center|{{UK-Waveney}}||align=center|{{UK-Wear}}||align=center|{{UK-Welland}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-1Zulu}}
|}
 
===Late 1911===
On 1 November, 1911, the flotilla was comprised of:{{March|p. 160}}
 
{|style="margin:0" width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Late 1911'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Boadicea}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Leaders'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Blanche}}||align=center|{{UK-Patrol}}||align=center|{{UK-Swift}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Blenheim}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center colspan=2|Twelve [[Beagle Class Destroyer (1909)|''Beagles'']]||&nbsp;||align=center colspan=2|Twelve [[Tribal Class Destroyer (1907)|"Tribals"]]
|}
 
From 1912 through much of 1916, it was also comprised of twenty [[Acheron Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acheron'' class destroyers]] armed with {{Torp|21-in Mark II|UK}}es.{{ARTS1912|p. 36}}{{ARTS1916|p. 87}}{{Conways1906|p. 75}}{{March|p. 160}}  Apparently, {{UK-Blonde}} was flagship and {{UK-Tyne}} a depot ship during that time.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 13 January, 1913.  Issue '''40107''', col B, p. 11.</ref><ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 14 January, 1912.  Issue '''40108''', col F, p. 13.</ref>
 
===April, 1912===
The Royal Navy's flotillas 1&ndash;8 were reorganised this month, leaving the 1 D.F. with twenty ''Acherons'' and a pair of cruisers, all with full crews and based on Rosyth.  The depot ship, ''Venus'', was soon to be relieved by {{UK-Woolwich}}.<ref>"Torpedo Flotilla Organization"  ''The Times'' (London, England), Saturday, Apr 06, 1912; pg. 4; Issue 39866.</ref>
 
{|style="margin:0" width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Flotilla based at Rosyth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flagship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Blonde}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Pathfinder}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Venus}}*
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}||align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}
|}
 
===February, 1913===
Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of twenty [[Acheron Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acherons'']] under {{UK-Blonde|f=t}} with depot ship {{UK-Venus}}.{{NLMar13|p. 269''a''}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Blonde}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Venus}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===July, 1913===
{{UK-Blonde}} has been transferred to the {{UK-BS|4}}, to be replaced by {{UK-Patrol}} after the end of manoeuvres.{{NLAug13|p. 269''a''}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Patrol}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Venus}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===October, 1913===
The First, [[Second Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Second]] and {{UK-DF|3}}s arrived at [[Longhope]] on 30 September and departed on 6 October to participate in combined exercises with the First Fleet in the North Sea.<ref>"Movements of Ships."  ''The Times'' (London, England), Wednesday, Oct 01, 1913; pg. 11; Issue 40331.</ref>
 
===November, 1913===
The new destroyers {{UK-1Firedrake}} and {{UK-Lurcher}} are temporarily assigned to this flotilla, {{UK-Attentive}} has replaced ''Patrol'', and the ''Venus'' is scheduled to be relieved by the {{UK-Woolwich|f=t}}.{{NLDec13|p. 269''a''}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Attentive}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Venus}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Firedrake}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-Lurcher}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}||align=center|&nbsp;
|}
 
===January, 1914===
''Lurcher'' has transferred to the {{UK-DF|4}} while ''Firedrake'' remains attached to the flotilla.  ''Attentive'' is now part of {{UK-DF|7}}.  ''Venus'' has gone to the {{UK-CS|11}}.  {{UK-1Fearless}} is now the flotilla cruiser and {{UK-Woolwich}} the depot ship.{{NLJan14|p. 269''a''}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Fearless}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Firedrake}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===March, 1914===
''Firedrake'' has transferred to the {{UK-DF|4}}.{{NLApr14|p. 269''a''}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Fearless}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===July, 1914===
Unchanged from March. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, {{UK-Amethyst|f=t}}.{{AWO1914|109 of 10 July 1914}}
 
{|width=75% class="toccolours"
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Attached to the First Fleet'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Fearless}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
This was very likely the composition at the outbreak of war, when it was less specifically described in other sources.{{March|p. 164}}{{DittColl|p. 15}}
 
===August, 1914===
On 13 August, the First and {{UK-DF|3}}s were made part of {{RearRN}} [[Arthur Henry Christian]]'s new [[Southern Force (Royal Navy)|Southern Force]].  The two flotillas operated out of Harwich under Commodore [[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Tyrwhitt]] in operations to protect the Belgian coast.<ref>See [[Southern Force (Royal Navy)]]</ref>
 
===September, 1914===
The First Flotilla is still shown as before.  The First Fleet's flotilla flagship is now {{UK-1Arethusa|f=t}}.{{SMNLSep14|p. 11}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Fearless}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
During the month, it was decided that {{UK-1Faulknor}} should join as the half-flotilla leader and be fitted with a [[Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus Mark II|Mark II W/T set]], longer mast, No. 2 set of flags and two additional signal ratings,{{GFConferences1914|p. 104}} a change that would limit this roster to applying for just September.
 
===October, 1914===
{{UK-1Faulknor}} has joined as the second flagship.{{SMNLOct14|p. 11}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruisers'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Fearless}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Faulknor}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
On 24 November 1914, while centred in Harwich, the leader and half-flotilla leader were changed to {{UK-1Galatea}} and {{UK-Meteor}}.{{GFConferences1914|pp. 218-219}}
 
===December, 1914===
The flagships have changed according to the command of 24 November.  Also, three newly-completed [["M" Class Destroyer (1914)|"M" class destroyers]] have joined the formerly all-''Acheron'' flotilla, while they await a more permanent posting.{{SMNLDec14|p. 11}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Leaders'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Galatea}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Meteor}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''"M" class Destroyers'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Manly}}||align=center|{{UK-Mastiff}}||align=center|{{UK-Minos}}||align=center|&nbsp;
|}
 
===January, 1915===
{{UK-Minos}}, {{UK-Manly}} and {{UK-Mastiff}} have been moved to the {{UK-DF|3}}, pending a move to the still-forming {{UK-DF|10}}.  {{UK-1Galatea}} has also left for a temporary posting in the {{UK-DF|2}}, replaced by {{UK-1Fearless}} who is returning from the same.  The First Flotilla has also been placed under the command of Vice-Admiral commanding the {{UK-BS|3}}.{{SMNLJan15|p. 11}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Leaders'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Fearless}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Meteor}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===Battle of Dogger Bank===
Fourteen ''Acheron'' class destroyers were attached to the Flotilla under {{UK-1Aurora|f=t}} in the [[Battle of Dogger Bank]] on 24 January.  One of these, {{UK-Attack}} took [[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|Beatty]] from {{UK-Lion}} when the battlecruiser was disabled.{{March|p. 123}}
 
The January roster would last until February or March.
 
===February, 1915===
Early in the month, the flotilla with {{UK-Woolwich}} transferred from Harwich to South Queensferry to assist the Battle Cruiser Squadron based there.{{HardLying|p. 121}}
 
===March, 1915===
The flotilla is now under the command of Commander-in-Chief Home Fleets, the roster remaining as in January.{{SMNLMar15|p. 14}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Leaders'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Fearless}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Meteor}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===April, 1915===
The flotilla is now attached to the [[Grand Fleet]].  {{UK-Botha}} has replaced {{UK-Meteor}} as second-in-command;  ''Meteor'' has been sent to the {{UK-DF|10}}.{{SMNLApr15|pp. 11, 13}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Attached to the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Leader'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-1Fearless}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Leader''', 2nd in command
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Botha}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
This roster would apply until June, 1916.{{SMNLMay15|p. 11 and Supplements through June, 1916}}
 
===Battle of Jutland===
:{{Main|First D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland}}
Nine destroyers led by {{UK-1Fearless|f=t}} screened the {{UK-BS|5}} on its disengaged side during the Run to the South and then served the same duty for the {{UK-BCS|1}}.  {{UK-Attack}} and {{UK-1Defender}} sustained hits from 11-in shells, but kept in the action.{{March|p. 123}}
 
It was organised as follows:{{UKNavalOpsIII|pp. 429-30}}{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 46-7}}
* {{UK-1Fearless|f=t}}, flagship, {{CaptRN}} (D) [[Charles Donnison Roper|Charles D. Roper]]
**{{UK-1Acheron}}, {{CommRN}} [[Charles Gordon Ramsey|Charles G. Ramsey]]
**{{UK-Ariel}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Arthur Grendon Tippet|Arthur G. Tippet]]
**{{UK-Attack}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Charles Herbert Neill James|Charles H. N. James]]
**{{UK-Hydra}}, {{LieutRN}} [[Francis George Glossop|Francis G. Glossop]]
**{{UK-Badger}}, {{CommRN}} [[Charles Albert Fremantle|Charles A. Fremantle]]
**{{UK-Goshawk}}, {{CommRN}} [[Dashwood Fowler Moir]]
**{{UK-1Defender}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Laurence Reynolds Palmer|Laurence R. Palmer]]
**{{UK-Lizard}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Edward Brooke]]
**{{UK-Lapwing}}, {{LCommRN}} [[Alexander Hugh Gye|Alexander H. Gye]]
 
At the same time, {{UK-1Phoenix}} remained in harbour and the {{UK-Botha|f=t}} and destroyers {{UK-Jackal}}, {{UK-Archer}}, {{UK-Tigress}} and {{UK-1Phoenix}} were in dockyard hands.{{UKNavalOpsIII|pp. 429-30}}
 
===June, 1916===
{{UK-Beaver}}, {{UK-1Defender}}, {{UK-Druid}}, {{UK-Ferret}}, {{UK-1Forester}}, {{UK-Hind}}, {{UK-Hornet}} and {{UK-Sandfly}} have been detached to screen the {{UK-BS|3}}, relieving the {{UK-CS|3}} of this duty, as it is presumably now needed to make good cruiser loses of those screening the Battle Fleet at Jutland.  {{UK-1Fearless}} is noted as being a temporary member.{{SMNLJun16|pp. 12, 13}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Attached to the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruisers'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Champion}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Fearless}}*
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||&nbsp;
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||align=center|{{UK-Tigress}}
|}
 
===July, 1916===
{{UK-Tigress}} has been detached to join the {{UK-DF|2}} in Devonport, answering to Commander-in-Chief of that port. {{UK-1Fearless}} remains as a temporary member.{{SMNLJul16|pp. 12, 14}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Attached to the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruisers'''
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Champion}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-1Fearless}}*
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||&nbsp;
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||&nbsp;
|}
 
This roster would apply until September.{{SMNLAug16|p. 12, and September's Supplement}}
 
===September, 1916===
{{UK-1Fearless}}'s temporary assignment as second-in-command has lapsed, and she next appears as flagship of the {{UK-SF|12}} in early 1917.{{SMNLSep16|p. 12}}{{SMNLJan17|p. 12}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Attached to the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Flotilla Cruiser'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Champion}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|{{UK-Woolwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Acheron}}||align=center|{{UK-Archer}}||align=center|{{UK-Ariel}}||align=center|{{UK-Attack}}||align=center|{{UK-Badger}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Goshawk}}||align=center|{{UK-Hydra}}||align=center|{{UK-Jackal}}||&nbsp;
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Lapwing}}||align=center|{{UK-Lizard}}||align=center|{{UK-1Phoenix}}||&nbsp;
|}
 
This roster would apply until November.{{SMNLOct16|p. 12}}
 
===November, 1916===
The Flotilla is no longer screening the Grand Fleet, and {{UK-Champion}} has moved to the {{UK-DF|13}}, but those destroyers (now numbering seven &ndash; {{UK-1Defender}} is curiously not listed, though she'd been there in October and she'd reappear in December) operating with the {{UK-BS|3}} now are labelled as the First Destroyer Flotilla, tendered to {{UK-Dido}}.  {{UK-1Acheron}}, {{UK-Archer}}, {{UK-Ariel}}, {{UK-Attack}}, {{UK-Goshawk}}, {{UK-Hydra}} and {{UK-Lizard}} have been moved to the {{UK-DF|2}}, under orders of the Commander-in-Chief of Devonport.  {{UK-Tigress}} seems to be with an unnamed assortment of ten [[Acorn Class Destroyer (1910)|''Acorn'' class destroyers]] led by {{UK-1Eclipse|f=pt}}.{{SMNLNov16|pp. 12, 13, 14}}
 
{|width=60%  class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=7 | '''Operating with the {{UK-BS|3}}'''
|-
|align=center colspan=7|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}
|}
 
This roster would apply just for November.
 
===December, 1916===
{{UK-1Defender}} has reappeared with the Flotilla, still working with the {{UK-BS|3}} and tender to {{UK-Dido}}.{{SMNLDec16|p. 13}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Operating with the {{UK-BS|3}}'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Dido}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}
|}
 
This roster would apply until April, 1917.{{SMNLJan17|p. 13, and Supplements through April, less February}}
 
===April, 1917===
No longer working with the {{UK-BS|3}}, the Flotilla is in Portsmouth.{{SMNLApr17|pp. 13, 14}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-Ferret}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}
|}
 
===May, 1917===
The Flotilla has been augmented by {{UK-Lark}} and {{UK-Linnet}}, arriving from the {{UK-DF|6}}.{{SMNLMay17|p. 14}}{{SMNLApr17|p. 15}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Lark}}||&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Linnet}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}
|}
 
This roster would apply until July.{{SMNLJun17|p. 14}}
 
===July, 1917===
The Flotilla has received further "L" class destroyers {{UK-Landrail}} and {{UK-Lydiard}} from the neighboring escort flotilla in Portsmouth and {{UK-Llewellyn}} and {{UK-Lucifer}} from the {{UK-DF|6}}.{{SMNLJul17|p. 14}}{{SMNLJun17|pp. 14,15}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Beaver}}||align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Druid}}||align=center|{{UK-1Forester}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Landrail}}||align=center|{{UK-Lydiard}}||align=center|{{UK-Llewellyn}}||align=center|{{UK-Lark}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Linnet}}||align=center|{{UK-Lucifer}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}||&nbsp;
|}
 
===August, 1917===
{{UK-Beaver}}, {{UK-Druid}} and {{UK-1Forester}} have been sent off to the {{UK-DF|4}}.{{SMNLAug17|p. 14}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=5|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-1Defender}}||align=center|{{UK-Hind}}||align=center|{{UK-Hornet}}||align=center|{{UK-Landrail}}||align=center|{{UK-Lydiard}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Llewellyn}}||align=center|{{UK-Lark}}||align=center|{{UK-Linnet}}||align=center|{{UK-Lucifer}}||align=center|{{UK-Sandfly}}
|}
 
===September, 1917===
{{UK-1Defender}}, {{UK-Hind}}, {{UK-Hornet}} and {{UK-Sandfly}} have also been sent off to the {{UK-DF|4}}, leaving six destroyers.{{SMNLSep17|p. 14}}  While the First had long been centered on the ''Acheron'' class, it now has just six ''Laforey'' class destroyers.
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6| '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Landrail}}||align=center|{{UK-Lydiard}}||align=center|{{UK-Llewellyn}}||align=center|{{UK-Lark}}||alignt=center|{{UK-Linnet}}||align=center|{{UK-Lucifer}}
|}
 
This roster would last until February, 1918.{{SMNLOct17|p. 14, and Supplements through February}}
 
===February, 1918===
The Flotilla's six destroyers have all left, replaced by eight "River" class destroyers.{{SMNLFeb18|p. 14}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''"River" class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}
|}
 
===March, 1918===
The Flotilla is presumably still tender to {{UK-Victory}} though this is not specified.  {{UK-1Cossack}} has joined, but she is paid off.{{SMNLMar18|p. 16}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=5 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''"River" class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-1Cossack}}*||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}
|}
 
This roster would last until June.{{SMNLApr18|p. 16}}{{SMNLMay18|p. 16}}
 
===June, 1918===
The Flotilla is presumably still tender to {{UK-Victory}} though this is not specified.  {{UK-1Cossack}} has left.{{SMNLJun18|p. 16}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''"River" class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}
|}
 
===July, 1918===
The Flotilla is in Portsmouth, presumably still tender to {{UK-Victory}} though this is not specified.  The former submarine (now converted to a surface patrol craft) {{UK-1Swordfish}} has joined.{{SMNLJul18|p. 16}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''''Acheron'' class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}{{INF}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}
|-
|colspan=4 align=center|{{UK-1Swordfish}}
|}
 
This roster would last until sometime between September and November.{{SMNLAug18|p. 16.  No Supplement for September or October was found}}
 
===November, 1918===
The Flotilla is in Portsmouth, presumably still tender to {{UK-Victory}} though this is not specified.  {{UK-1Swordfish}} has been dropped and {{UK-Ettrick}} and {{UK-Ure}} are temporarily detached to Immingham.{{SMNLNov18|p. 16}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=4 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=4|'''"River" class Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}*||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}*
|}
 
===December, 1918===
The Flotilla is presumably still tender to {{UK-Victory}} though this is not specified.  {{UK-Ettrick}} and {{UK-Ure}} are still temporarily detached to Immingham, and six new "M" class destroyers have joined from the {{UK-DF|14}}: {{UK-Medina}}, {{UK-Nonpareil}}, {{UK-Observer}}, {{UK-Offa}}, {{UK-Orestes}}, and {{UK-Plucky}}.{{SMNLDec18|p. 16}}{{SMNLNov18|p. 12}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Destroyers''', tenders to {{UK-Victory}}{{INF}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Arun}}||align=center|{{UK-Cherwell}}||align=center|{{UK-Ettrick}}*||align=center|{{UK-Liffey}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Rother}}||align=center|{{UK-Swale}}||align=center|{{UK-Teviot}}||align=center|{{UK-Ure}}*
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Medina}}||align=center|{{UK-Nonpareil}}||align=center|{{UK-Observer}}||align=center|{{UK-Offa}}||align=center|{{UK-Orestes}}||align=center|{{UK-Plucky}}
|}
 
===January, 1919===
The Flotilla is no more, with most its ships "temporarily" at various home ports: {{UK-Arun}}, {{UK-Medina}}, {{UK-Nonpareil}}, {{UK-Observer}}, {{UK-Offa}}, {{UK-Orestes}} and {{UK-Plucky}} at Portsmouth, {{UK-Cherwell}}, {{UK-Liffey}}, {{UK-Rother}}, {{UK-Swale}} and {{UK-Teviot}} at the Nore, and {{UK-Ettrick}} and {{UK-Ure}} sent to the {{UK-DF|7}} at the Humber.{{SMNLJan19|pp. 15, 19, 20}}
 
===March, 1919===
The Flotilla is reborn as one of seven flotillas of the post-war Grand Fleet, equipped with sixteen modern destroyers, two leaders and a depot ship.
 
{{UK-Wallace}} has come from Devonport and bears the First's Captain (D).
{{UK-Valorous}} has come in as second-in-command from the {{UK-DF|11}}, bringing with her {{UK-Vancouver}}, {{UK-Vanessa}}, {{UK-Vanity}} (which is paid off and would remain so until May), {{UK-Versatile}}, {{UK-Viscount}} {{UK-Vivacious}}, {{UK-Vortigern}}, {{UK-Voyager}}, {{UK-Walker}}, {{UK-Watchman}} and {{UK-Wryneck}}.
 
{{UK-Waterhen}} has come from the {{UK-DF|12}} and {{UK-Velox}}, {{UK-Warwick}} and {{UK-Whirlwind}} from the {{UK-DF|14}}, bringing with them their depot ship, {{UK-Greenwich}}.{{SMNLMar19|p. 11}}{{SMNLFeb19|pp. 12, 20}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Part of the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Flagships'''
|-
|align=center colspan=3|{{UK-Wallace}}||align=center colspan=3|{{UK-Valorous}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-Greenwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''"V "& "W" Class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Vanity}}*||align=center|{{UK-Vanessa}}||align=center|{{UK-Voyager}}||align=center|{{UK-Viscount}}||align=center|{{UK-Vancouver}}||align=center|{{UK-Velox}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Versatile}}||align=center|{{UK-Vivacious}}||align=center|{{UK-Vortigern}}||align=center|{{UK-Wryneck}}||align=center|{{UK-Waterhen}}||align=center|{{UK-Walker}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Walrus}}||align=center|{{UK-Warwick}}||align=center|{{UK-Watchman}}||align=center|{{UK-Whirlwind}}
|}
 
This roster would apply until June, 1919.{{SMNLApr19|p. 11 and May's Supplement}}
 
===June, 1919===
 
{{UK-Vanity}} ceased being paid off in May, but in June, the five destroyers marked with asterisks below were temporarily made tenders to {{UK-Columbine}}, though they'd revert in July.
{{SMNLJun19|p. 11}}
 
{|width=75% class=toccolours
|-
|style="background:#CEDFF2" align=center colspan=6 | '''Part of the [[Grand Fleet]]'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Flagships'''
|-
|align=center colspan=3|{{UK-Wallace}}||align=center colspan=3|{{UK-Valorous}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''Depot Ship'''
|-
|align=center colspan=6|{{UK-Greenwich}}
|-
|align=center colspan=6|'''"V "& "W" Class Destroyers'''
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Vanity}}*||align=center|{{UK-Vanessa}}||align=center|{{UK-Voyager}}||align=center|{{UK-Viscount}}*||align=center|{{UK-Vancouver}}||align=center|{{UK-Velox}}
|-
|align=center|{{UK-Versatile}}||align=center|{{UK-Vivacious}}||align=center|{{UK-Vortigern}}*||align=center|{{UK-Wryneck}}||align=center|{{UK-Waterhen}}||align=center|{{UK-Walker}}
|-
|&nbsp;||align=center|{{UK-Walrus}}||align=center|{{UK-Warwick}}*||align=center|{{UK-Watchman}}||align=center|{{UK-Whirlwind}}*
|}
 
In July, 1919 the same roster applied.
 
{{TBC}}
 
==In Command==
Dates of appointment given:
Dates of appointment given:


*Captain [[Robert Keith Arbuthnot, Fourth Baronet|Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot]], 29 November, 1910.  ({{Com2RN}}.)<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 13 October, 1910.  Issue '''39402''', col B, p. 9.</ref>
<div name=fredbot:officecaptD otitle="Captain (D), First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">
*Captain [[Arthur Russell Hulbert|Arthur R. Hulbert]], 10 May, 1912.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 23 April, 1912.  Issue '''39880''', col G, p. 16.</ref><ref>March.  ''British Destroyers'', pp. 160-161.</ref>  Hulbert drowned at Harwich on 12 January, 1913, having fallen from ''Blonde''. <ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 13 January, 1913.  Issue '''40107''', col B, p. 11.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Commodore|name=Edward Francis Benedict Charlton|nick=Edward F. B. Charlton|appt=27 July, 1909<ref>Charlton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 282.</ref>|end=after 27 June, 1910<ref>"The Mobilization of the Fleet" ''The Times''.  Monday, 27 June, 1910.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Robert Keith Arbuthnot, Fourth Baronet|nick=Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot|appt=29 November, 1910<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 13 October, 1910.  Issue '''39402''', col B, p. 9.</ref>|note=as {{Com2RN}}|end=1 May, 1912<ref>Arbuthnot Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 202.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Arthur Russell Hulbert|nick=Arthur R. Hulbert|appt=10 May, 1912<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 23 April, 1912.  Issue '''39880''', col G, p. 16.</ref>{{March|pp. 160-161}}|end=12 January, 1913|note=Hulbert fell from ''Blonde'' and drowned at Harwich<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 13 January, 1913.  Issue '''40107''', col B, p. 11.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Thomas Lawrie Shelford|nick=Thomas L. Shelford|appt=20 January, 1913{{NLMar13|p. 286}}|end=}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=William Frederick Blunt|nick=William F. Blunt|appt=25 April, 1913{{NLJul13|p. 286}}|end=25 July, 1915<ref>Blunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 109.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Donnison Roper|nick=Charles D. Roper|appt=27 July, 1915<ref>Roper Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/151.|D7602937}} f. 169.</ref>|end=8 June, 1916<ref>Roper Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/151.|D7602937}} f. 169.</ref>|note=in command at [[Battle of Jutland]]}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Brien Michael Money|nick=Brien M. Money|appt=1 March, 1919<ref>Money Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45.}} f. 215.</ref>|end=4 April, 1919<ref>Money Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45.}} f. 215.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=George William McOran Campbell|nick=George W. McO. Campbell|appt=4 April, 1919<ref>Campbell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/341.|D7576618}} f. 341.</ref>|end=1 December, 1920<ref>Campbell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/341.|D7576618}} f. 341.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Arthur Kemmis Betty|nick=Arthur K. Betty|appt=1 December, 1920{{NLJan21|p. 897}}<ref>Betty Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 397.</ref>|end=19 December, 1922<ref>Betty Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 397.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Andrew Browne Cunningham, First Viscount Cunningham|nick=Sir Andrew B. Cunningham|appt=19 December, 1922<ref>Cunningham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|}} f. 286.</ref>|end=1 July, 1924<ref>Cunningham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/47.|}} f. 286.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Kenneth MacLeod|nick=Kenneth MacLeod|appt=1 July, 1924{{NLJul24|p. 287}}|end=1 April, 1925}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Edward Oliver Brudenell Seymour Osborne|nick=Edward O. B. S. Osborne|appt=1 April, 1925|end=October, 1925}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=James Vandeleur Creagh|nick=James V. Creagh|appt=7 July, 1925<ref>Creagh Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/95.|D7576658}} f. 220.</ref>|end=October, 1927<ref>Creagh Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/95.|D7576658}} f. 220.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=John Harry Kay Clegg|nick=John H. K. Clegg|appt=11 October, 1927{{NLJan28|p. 255}}|end=7 December, 1929}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Alan Ramsay Dewar|nick=Alan R. Dewar|appt=16 November, 1929<ref>Dewar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/241.}}  f. 297.</ref>|end=10 December, 1931<ref>Dewar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/241.}}  f. 297.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Edward Balfour Cloete|nick=Edward B. Cloete|appt=10 December, 1931<ref>Cloete Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/91.|}} f. 181.</ref>|end=December, 1932<ref>Cloete Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/91.|}} f. 181.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Frederick Harris|nick=Charles F. Harris|appt=2 January, 1933<ref>Harris Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/50/347.|}} f. 346.</ref>|end=14 February, 1934<ref>Harris Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/50/347.|}} f. 346.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Harold Tom Baillie-Grohman|nick=Harold T. Baillie-Grohman|appt=10 February, 1934{{NLJul34|p. 235}}|end=}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Charles Maurice Blackman|nick=Charles M. Blackman|appt=30 October, 1935{{NavAppts|17 Aug. 1935, p. 15}}|end=}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Charles Maurice Blackman|nick=Charles M. Blackman|appt=18 May, 1936{{NLJul37|p. 245}}|end=|note=this may be a continuation of previous appointment}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Philip Louis Vian|nick=Philip L. Vian|appt=1936|end=12 October, 1936<ref>Vian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/56/158.|}} f. 160.</ref>|note=vice Blackman}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=George Hector Creswell|nick=George H. Creswell|appt=2 May, 1938<ref>Creswell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/79.|D7605166}} f. 439.</ref>|end=1 May, 1939<ref>Creswell Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/79.|D7605166}} f. 439.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=George Elvey Creasy|nick=George E. Creasy|appt=8 February, 1940<ref>Creasy Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/118/6.|}} f. 6.</ref>|end=16 May, 1940<ref>Stevens-Guille Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/121/130.|}} f. 130.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=George Frederick Stevens-Guille|nick=George F. Stevens-Guille|appt=16 May, 1940<ref>Stevens-Guille Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/121/130.|}} f. 130.</ref>|end=}}
{{Tenure|rank={{CaptRN}}|name=Augustus Willington Shelton Agar|nick=Augustus W. S. Agar|appt=25 June, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|end=13 July, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|note=temporary}}
</div name=fredbot:officecaptD>
 
==Other Personnel==
===Gunnery Duties===
 
<div name=fredbot:officeFGO otitle="Gunnery Duties, First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFGO>
 
<!--
===Torpedo Duties===
 
<div name=fredbot:officeFTO otitle="Torpedo Duties, First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFTO>
 
===Signal Duties===
 
<div name=fredbot:officeFSO otitle="Signal Duties, First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">\
</div name=fredbot:officeFSO>
 
===Wireless Duties===
 
<div name=fredbot:officeFWO otitle="Wireless Duties, First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFWO>
 
===Navigating Duties===
 
<div name=fredbot:officeFNO otitle="Navigating Duties, First Destroyer Flotilla" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFNO>
-->


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
Line 33: Line 892:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{BibDittmarColledge}}
*{{DittColl}}
*{{March}}
*{{March}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[http://www.gwpda.org/naval/fdrn0004.htm Composition of the Grand Fleet]
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{RNDestroyerFlotillas|sort=1}}


[[Category:Captains (D), First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|*]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:1}}
{{RNDestroyerFlotillas|Destroyer Flotillas}}

Latest revision as of 21:17, 7 February 2024

The First Destroyer Flotilla was a formation of destroyers of the Royal Navy.

History

18 May, 1906

The Flotilla had twelve destroyers, and was based in Portsmouth and assigned to the Channel Fleet alongside the similarly equipped Second and Third Destroyer Flotillas.[1]

Attached to the Channel Fleet
Destroyers
Boyne Crane Derwent Doon Fawn Flirt
Garry Kangaroo Myrmidon Peterel Ribble Waveney

18 February, 1907

The Flotilla is not listed with the Channel Fleet, but as being based on Portsmouth. It is still twelve destroyers in commission with full crews, and a further twenty-eight with nucleus crews (not listed here).[2]

In Home Waters, Based on Portsmouth
Destroyers
Boyne Crane Derwent Doon Fawn Garry
Kale Kangaroo Myrmidon Peterel Ribble Waveney

In August, 1907, the First and Second Destroyer Flotilla transferred from the Home Fleet to the Channel Fleet.[3]

Between April and October, 1910 until 1911, it included the Beagle class destroyers.[4][5]

18 March, 1910

Operating as part of the First Division, Home Fleet and comprised of Swift, the Tribals, and several Rivers.[6]

18 March, 1910
Flagship
Boadicea
Scouts
Adventure
Pathfinder
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Afridi Amazon Boyne Cossack Crusader Garry
Ghurka Maori Mohawk Ness Nith Nubian
Ribble Rother Saracen Swale Swift Tartar
Teviot Ure Usk Waveney Wear Welland
Zulu

Late 1911

On 1 November, 1911, the flotilla was comprised of:[7]

Late 1911
Flotilla Cruiser
Boadicea
Flotilla Leaders
  Blanche Patrol Swift
Depot Ship
Blenheim
Destroyers
Twelve Beagles   Twelve "Tribals"

From 1912 through much of 1916, it was also comprised of twenty Acheron class destroyers armed with 21-in Mark II torpedoes.[8][9][10][11] Apparently, Blonde was flagship and Tyne a depot ship during that time.[12][13]

April, 1912

The Royal Navy's flotillas 1–8 were reorganised this month, leaving the 1 D.F. with twenty Acherons and a pair of cruisers, all with full crews and based on Rosyth. The depot ship, Venus, was soon to be relieved by Woolwich.[14]

Flotilla based at Rosyth
Flagship
Blonde
Flotilla Cruiser
Pathfinder
Depot Ship
Venus*
Destroyers
Acheron Ariel Archer Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Tigress Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly

February, 1913

Part of the First Fleet, the Flotilla was now comprised of twenty Acherons under scout cruiser Blonde with depot ship Venus.[15]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Blonde
Depot Ship
Venus
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

July, 1913

Blonde has been transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron, to be replaced by Patrol after the end of manoeuvres.[16]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Patrol
Depot Ship
Venus
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

October, 1913

The First, Second and Third Destroyer Flotillas arrived at Longhope on 30 September and departed on 6 October to participate in combined exercises with the First Fleet in the North Sea.[17]

November, 1913

The new destroyers Firedrake and Lurcher are temporarily assigned to this flotilla, Attentive has replaced Patrol, and the Venus is scheduled to be relieved by the depot ship Woolwich.[18]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Attentive
Depot Ship
Venus
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Firedrake
Forester Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra
Jackal Lapwing Lizard Lurcher Phoenix
  Sandfly   Tigress  

January, 1914

Lurcher has transferred to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla while Firedrake remains attached to the flotilla. Attentive is now part of Seventh Destroyer Flotilla. Venus has gone to the Eleventh Cruiser Squadron. Fearless is now the flotilla cruiser and Woolwich the depot ship.[19]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Fearless
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Firedrake
Forester Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra
Jackal Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly
Tigress

March, 1914

Firedrake has transferred to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.[20]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Fearless
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

July, 1914

Unchanged from March. The Commodore (T) directed First Fleet's four flotillas from the flagship, third class protected cruiser Amethyst.[21]

Attached to the First Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Fearless
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

This was very likely the composition at the outbreak of war, when it was less specifically described in other sources.[22][23]

August, 1914

On 13 August, the First and Third Destroyer Flotillas were made part of Rear-Admiral Arthur Henry Christian's new Southern Force. The two flotillas operated out of Harwich under Commodore Tyrwhitt in operations to protect the Belgian coast.[24]

September, 1914

The First Flotilla is still shown as before. The First Fleet's flotilla flagship is now light cruiser Arethusa.[25]

Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruiser
Fearless
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

During the month, it was decided that Faulknor should join as the half-flotilla leader and be fitted with a Mark II W/T set, longer mast, No. 2 set of flags and two additional signal ratings,[26] a change that would limit this roster to applying for just September.

October, 1914

Faulknor has joined as the second flagship.[27]

Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters
Flotilla Cruisers
  Fearless   Faulknor
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

On 24 November 1914, while centred in Harwich, the leader and half-flotilla leader were changed to Galatea and Meteor.[28]

December, 1914

The flagships have changed according to the command of 24 November. Also, three newly-completed "M" class destroyers have joined the formerly all-Acheron flotilla, while they await a more permanent posting.[29]

Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters
Leaders
  Galatea   Meteor
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress
"M" class Destroyers
  Manly Mastiff Minos  

January, 1915

Minos, Manly and Mastiff have been moved to the Third Destroyer Flotilla, pending a move to the still-forming Tenth Destroyer Flotilla. Galatea has also left for a temporary posting in the Second Destroyer Flotilla, replaced by Fearless who is returning from the same. The First Flotilla has also been placed under the command of Vice-Admiral commanding the Third Battle Squadron.[30]

Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters
Leaders
  Fearless   Meteor
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

Battle of Dogger Bank

Fourteen Acheron class destroyers were attached to the Flotilla under light cruiser Aurora in the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January. One of these, Attack took Beatty from Lion when the battlecruiser was disabled.[31]

The January roster would last until February or March.

February, 1915

Early in the month, the flotilla with Woolwich transferred from Harwich to South Queensferry to assist the Battle Cruiser Squadron based there.[32]

March, 1915

The flotilla is now under the command of Commander-in-Chief Home Fleets, the roster remaining as in January.[33]

Serving in Home and Atlantic Waters
Leaders
  Fearless   Meteor
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

April, 1915

The flotilla is now attached to the Grand Fleet. Botha has replaced Meteor as second-in-command; Meteor has been sent to the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla.[34]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Leader
Fearless
Flotilla Leader, 2nd in command
Botha
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
Beaver Defender Druid Ferret Forester
Goshawk Hind Hornet Hydra Jackal
Lapwing Lizard Phoenix Sandfly Tigress

This roster would apply until June, 1916.[35]

Battle of Jutland

Main article: First D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

Nine destroyers led by scout cruiser Fearless screened the Fifth Battle Squadron on its disengaged side during the Run to the South and then served the same duty for the First Battle Cruiser Squadron. Attack and Defender sustained hits from 11-in shells, but kept in the action.[36]

It was organised as follows:[37][38]

At the same time, Phoenix remained in harbour and the flotilla leader Botha and destroyers Jackal, Archer, Tigress and Phoenix were in dockyard hands.[39]

June, 1916

Beaver, Defender, Druid, Ferret, Forester, Hind, Hornet and Sandfly have been detached to screen the Third Battle Squadron, relieving the Third Cruiser Squadron of this duty, as it is presumably now needed to make good cruiser loses of those screening the Battle Fleet at Jutland. Fearless is noted as being a temporary member.[40]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruisers
  Champion   Fearless*
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
  Goshawk Hydra Jackal  
Lapwing Lizard   Phoenix Tigress

July, 1916

Tigress has been detached to join the Second Destroyer Flotilla in Devonport, answering to Commander-in-Chief of that port. Fearless remains as a temporary member.[41]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruisers
  Champion   Fearless*
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
  Goshawk Hydra Jackal  
  Lapwing Lizard Phoenix  

This roster would apply until September.[42]

September, 1916

Fearless's temporary assignment as second-in-command has lapsed, and she next appears as flagship of the Twelfth Submarine Flotilla in early 1917.[43][44]

Attached to the Grand Fleet
Flotilla Cruiser
Champion
Depot Ship
Woolwich
Acheron class Destroyers
Acheron Archer Ariel Attack Badger
  Goshawk Hydra Jackal  
  Lapwing Lizard Phoenix  

This roster would apply until November.[45]

November, 1916

The Flotilla is no longer screening the Grand Fleet, and Champion has moved to the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla, but those destroyers (now numbering seven – Defender is curiously not listed, though she'd been there in October and she'd reappear in December) operating with the Third Battle Squadron now are labelled as the First Destroyer Flotilla, tendered to Dido. Acheron, Archer, Ariel, Attack, Goshawk, Hydra and Lizard have been moved to the Second Destroyer Flotilla, under orders of the Commander-in-Chief of Devonport. Tigress seems to be with an unnamed assortment of ten Acorn class destroyers led by second class protected cruiser H.M.S. Eclipse.[46]

Operating with the Third Battle Squadron
Acheron class Destroyers
Beaver Ferret Hornet Druid Forester Sandfly Hind

This roster would apply just for November.

December, 1916

Defender has reappeared with the Flotilla, still working with the Third Battle Squadron and tender to Dido.[47]

Operating with the Third Battle Squadron
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Dido
Beaver Ferret Hornet Druid
Forester Sandfly Hind Defender

This roster would apply until April, 1917.[48]

April, 1917

No longer working with the Third Battle Squadron, the Flotilla is in Portsmouth.[49]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Beaver Ferret Hornet Druid
Forester Sandfly Hind Defender

May, 1917

The Flotilla has been augmented by Lark and Linnet, arriving from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[50][51]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Beaver Defender Druid Forester Hind
Hornet Lark   Linnet Sandfly

This roster would apply until July.[52]

July, 1917

The Flotilla has received further "L" class destroyers Landrail and Lydiard from the neighboring escort flotilla in Portsmouth and Llewellyn and Lucifer from the Sixth Destroyer Flotilla.[53][54]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Beaver Defender Druid Forester Hind
Hornet Landrail Lydiard Llewellyn Lark
  Linnet Lucifer Sandfly  

August, 1917

Beaver, Druid and Forester have been sent off to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla.[55]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Defender Hind Hornet Landrail Lydiard
Llewellyn Lark Linnet Lucifer Sandfly

September, 1917

Defender, Hind, Hornet and Sandfly have also been sent off to the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, leaving six destroyers.[56] While the First had long been centered on the Acheron class, it now has just six Laforey class destroyers.

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Landrail Lydiard Llewellyn Lark Linnet Lucifer

This roster would last until February, 1918.[57]

February, 1918

The Flotilla's six destroyers have all left, replaced by eight "River" class destroyers.[58]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
"River" class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Arun Cherwell Ettrick Liffey
Rother Swale Teviot Ure

March, 1918

The Flotilla is presumably still tender to Victory though this is not specified. Cossack has joined, but she is paid off.[59]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
"River" class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Arun Cherwell Cossack* Ettrick Liffey
Rother Swale Teviot Ure

This roster would last until June.[60][61]

June, 1918

The Flotilla is presumably still tender to Victory though this is not specified. Cossack has left.[62]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
"River" class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Arun Cherwell Ettrick Liffey
Rother Swale Teviot Ure

July, 1918

The Flotilla is in Portsmouth, presumably still tender to Victory though this is not specified. The former submarine (now converted to a surface patrol craft) Swordfish has joined.[63]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Acheron class Destroyers, tenders to Victory[Inference]
Arun Cherwell Ettrick Liffey
Rother Swale Teviot Ure
Swordfish

This roster would last until sometime between September and November.[64]

November, 1918

The Flotilla is in Portsmouth, presumably still tender to Victory though this is not specified. Swordfish has been dropped and Ettrick and Ure are temporarily detached to Immingham.[65]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
"River" class Destroyers, tenders to Victory
Arun Cherwell Ettrick* Liffey
Rother Swale Teviot Ure*

December, 1918

The Flotilla is presumably still tender to Victory though this is not specified. Ettrick and Ure are still temporarily detached to Immingham, and six new "M" class destroyers have joined from the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla: Medina, Nonpareil, Observer, Offa, Orestes, and Plucky.[66][67]

Under Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Destroyers, tenders to Victory[Inference]
  Arun Cherwell Ettrick* Liffey
  Rother Swale Teviot Ure*
Medina Nonpareil Observer Offa Orestes Plucky

January, 1919

The Flotilla is no more, with most its ships "temporarily" at various home ports: Arun, Medina, Nonpareil, Observer, Offa, Orestes and Plucky at Portsmouth, Cherwell, Liffey, Rother, Swale and Teviot at the Nore, and Ettrick and Ure sent to the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla at the Humber.[68]

March, 1919

The Flotilla is reborn as one of seven flotillas of the post-war Grand Fleet, equipped with sixteen modern destroyers, two leaders and a depot ship.

Wallace has come from Devonport and bears the First's Captain (D). Valorous has come in as second-in-command from the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla, bringing with her Vancouver, Vanessa, Vanity (which is paid off and would remain so until May), Versatile, Viscount Vivacious, Vortigern, Voyager, Walker, Watchman and Wryneck.

Waterhen has come from the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla and Velox, Warwick and Whirlwind from the Fourteenth Destroyer Flotilla, bringing with them their depot ship, Greenwich.[69][70]

Part of the Grand Fleet
Flagships
Wallace Valorous
Depot Ship
Greenwich
"V "& "W" Class Destroyers
Vanity* Vanessa Voyager Viscount Vancouver Velox
Versatile Vivacious Vortigern Wryneck Waterhen Walker
  Walrus Warwick Watchman Whirlwind

This roster would apply until June, 1919.[71]

June, 1919

Vanity ceased being paid off in May, but in June, the five destroyers marked with asterisks below were temporarily made tenders to Columbine, though they'd revert in July. [72]

Part of the Grand Fleet
Flagships
Wallace Valorous
Depot Ship
Greenwich
"V "& "W" Class Destroyers
Vanity* Vanessa Voyager Viscount* Vancouver Velox
Versatile Vivacious Vortigern* Wryneck Waterhen Walker
  Walrus Warwick* Watchman Whirlwind*

In July, 1919 the same roster applied.

[TO BE CONTINUED - TONE]

In Command

Dates of appointment given:

Other Personnel

Gunnery Duties


Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Navy List. (June, 1906). pp. 269, 270a.
  2. ↑ The Navy List. (June, 1906). pp. 267, 269.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, 13 August, 1907. Issue 38410, col B, p. 10.
  4. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 73.
  5. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 106.
  6. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 269.
  7. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
  8. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 36.
  9. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 87.
  10. ↑ Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. p. 75.
  11. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 160.
  12. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 13 January, 1913. Issue 40107, col B, p. 11.
  13. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 14 January, 1912. Issue 40108, col F, p. 13.
  14. ↑ "Torpedo Flotilla Organization" The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 06, 1912; pg. 4; Issue 39866.
  15. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 269a.
  16. ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1913). p. 269a.
  17. ↑ "Movements of Ships." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, Oct 01, 1913; pg. 11; Issue 40331.
  18. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1913). p. 269a.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1914). p. 269a.
  20. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1914). p. 269a.
  21. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July 1914.
  22. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 164.
  23. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
  24. ↑ See Southern Force (Royal Navy)
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 11.
  26. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. p. 104.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 11.
  28. ↑ Grand Fleet Conferences, 1914. pp. 218-219.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 11.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 11.
  31. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 123.
  32. ↑ Smith. Hard Lying. p. 121.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 14.
  34. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). pp. 11, 13.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 11 and Supplements through June, 1916.
  36. ↑ March. British Destroyers. p. 123.
  37. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. pp. 429-30.
  38. ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 46-7.
  39. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume III. pp. 429-30.
  40. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). pp. 12, 13.
  41. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). pp. 12, 14.
  42. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 12, and September's Supplement.
  43. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 12.
  44. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 12.
  45. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 12.
  46. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). pp. 12, 13, 14.
  47. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 13.
  48. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 13, and Supplements through April, less February.
  49. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). pp. 13, 14.
  50. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 14.
  51. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 15.
  52. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 14.
  53. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 14.
  54. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). pp. 14,15.
  55. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 14.
  56. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 14.
  57. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 14, and Supplements through February.
  58. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 14.
  59. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 16.
  60. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). p. 16.
  61. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1918). p. 16.
  62. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 16.
  63. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1918). p. 16.
  64. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1918). p. 16. No Supplement for September or October was found.
  65. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 16.
  66. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 16.
  67. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 12.
  68. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1919). pp. 15, 19, 20.
  69. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 11.
  70. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). pp. 12, 20.
  71. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1919). p. 11 and May's Supplement.
  72. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1919). p. 11.
  73. ↑ Charlton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 282.
  74. ↑ "The Mobilization of the Fleet" The Times. Monday, 27 June, 1910.
  75. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 13 October, 1910. Issue 39402, col B, p. 9.
  76. ↑ Arbuthnot Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 202.
  77. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 23 April, 1912. Issue 39880, col G, p. 16.
  78. ↑ March. British Destroyers. pp. 160-161.
  79. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 13 January, 1913. Issue 40107, col B, p. 11.
  80. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 286.
  81. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 286.
  82. ↑ Blunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 109.
  83. ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
  84. ↑ Roper Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/151. f. 169.
  85. ↑ Money Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 215.
  86. ↑ Money Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45. f. 215.
  87. ↑ Campbell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/341. f. 341.
  88. ↑ Campbell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/341. f. 341.
  89. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 897.
  90. ↑ Betty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 397.
  91. ↑ Betty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 397.
  92. ↑ Cunningham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 286.
  93. ↑ Cunningham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47. f. 286.
  94. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 287.
  95. ↑ Creagh Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/95. f. 220.
  96. ↑ Creagh Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/95. f. 220.
  97. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1928). p. 255.
  98. ↑ Dewar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/241. f. 297.
  99. ↑ Dewar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/241. f. 297.
  100. ↑ Cloete Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/91. f. 181.
  101. ↑ Cloete Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/91. f. 181.
  102. ↑ Harris Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/50/347. f. 346.
  103. ↑ Harris Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/50/347. f. 346.
  104. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1934). p. 235.
  105. ↑ "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), 17 Aug. 1935, p. 15.
  106. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 245.
  107. ↑ Vian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/56/158. f. 160.
  108. ↑ Creswell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/79. f. 439.
  109. ↑ Creswell Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/79. f. 439.
  110. ↑ Creasy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/6. f. 6.
  111. ↑ Stevens-Guille Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/121/130. f. 130.
  112. ↑ Stevens-Guille Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/121/130. f. 130.
  113. ↑ Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  114. ↑ Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • March, Edgar J. (1966). British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892-1953. London: Seeley Service & Co. Limited. (on Bookfinder.com).

See Also



British Destroyer Flotillas
First | Second | Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth | Seventh | Eighth | Ninth | Tenth
Eleventh | Twelfth | Thirteenth | Fourteenth | Fifteenth | Sixteenth | Seventeenth | Eighteenth | Nineteenth
Twentieth | Twenty-first
Local Defence Flotillas
Clyde | Devonport | Devonport & Falmouth | Falmouth | Firth of Forth | Gibraltar
Liverpool | Mersey | Newhaven | Nore | North Channel | Milford & Pembroke | Pembroke
Portland | Portsmouth | Queenstown
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