Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

The Third Battle Squadron was a fighting unit of the Royal Navy in the period before and during the First World War.

For the composition of the Squadron before its integration into the First Fleet, see Atlantic Fleet

May, 1912

• HMS King Edward VII, Flagship, Vice-Admiral

Became Flagship, Vice-Admiral, on 17 May, 1912.

• HMS Hibernia, Flagship, Rear-Admiral
• HMS Zealandia

Joined on 11 May, 1912.

• HMS Hindustan

Joined on 11 May, 1912.

• HMS Dominion

Joined on 15 June, 1912.

• HMS Britannia

Joined on 14 May, 1912.

• HMS Commonwealth
• HMS Africa

The composition of the 3rd Battle Squadron, somewhat uniquely, remained unchanged until 1915 through the First World War, when Hibernia and Zealandia were dispatched to the Dardanelles.

January, 1916

• HMS King Edward VII
• HMS Hindustan
• HMS Dominion
• HMS Britannia
• HMS Commonwealth
• HMS Africa
• HMS Albemarle

In May, 1916, prior to the Battle of Jutland, the 3rd Battle Squadron was transferred to the Nore to protect the Thames Estuary. The famous Dreadnought was transferred from the 4th Battle Squadron to provide the squadron with added firepower.

Vice-Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron

• Vice-Admiral Cecil Burney, (19 December, 1911 - ?)
• Vice-Admiral (Acting)** Lewis Bayly, 1 July, 1913 - June, 1914)
• Vice-Admiral Edward Eden Bradford, (June, 1914 - May, 1916)

(**) From 13 December, 1913.

Rear-Admiral, 3rd Battle Squadron

• Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher George Francis Maurice Cradock, (29 August, 1911* - 29 August, 1912)
• Rear-Admiral Cecil Fiennes Thursby (29 August, 1912 - ?)