First Sloop Flotilla (Royal Navy)

The First Sloop Flotilla was a formation of sloops of the Royal Navy.

History

As its number suggests, it was the first sloop formation created, first appearing in the Navy List in July, 1915. Such inferences are seldom useful in studying British naval history, however — the next flotilla created would be the Tenth Sloop Flotilla, in February, 1916.

July, 1915

The flotilla is created some time in June, with just three sloops (Sunflower and Lily are to join shortly).

Under Vice-Admiral Commanding, Coast of Ireland
Sloops
Primrose(S.N.O.)		Sunflower*		Lily*

August, 1915

Sunflower has joined and Lily is still expected. This arrangement would apply until some time in August.

Under Vice-Admiral Commanding, Coast of Ireland
Sloops
Primrose(S.N.O.)		Sunflower*		Lily*

September, 1915

Lily joined some time in August, as have seven other sloops, making ten.

October, 1915

Begonia, Daffodil, Mimosa and Zinnia have joined some time in September, making fourteen.

December, 1915

Camellia, Jessamine and Snowdrop joined some time in November, making seventeen.

January, 1916

Lily, Magnolia Mallow Mimosa Veronica left some time in December, leaving twelve. This arrangement would apply until some time in April.

May, 1916

Genista, Hydrangea and Cornflower joined some time in April, the last two temporarily, making fifteen. This arrangement would apply until some time in June.

July, 1916

Begonia, damaged by a torpedo from U 44 on 29 March, has been replaced by Myosotis, keeping the flotilla at a strength of fifteen. This arrangement would apply until some time in August.

September, 1916

Hydrangea and Cornflower left some time in August, and the flotilla now has thirteen sloops. This arrangement would apply until some time in October.

November, 1916

Genista was torpedoed on 23 October and seven sloops have joined in that same month (including Begonia), increasing the formation's strength to nineteen sloops. This arrangement would apply until some time in January or February.

March, 1917

Iris and Sunflower have been replaced by Crocus and Delphinium, maintaining the formation's strength at nineteen sloops. This arrangement would apply until some time in May.

June, 1917

Lavender was sunk by UC 78 on 5 May and Tulip by U 62 while serving as a Q ship on 30 April, reducing the formation's strength to seventeen sloops.

July, 1917

In June, Aubrietia, Begonia, Heather, Tamarisk and Viola have been pared off to serve as convoy sloops with the Southern Division of the Coast of Ireland Station, while while Primrose, Daffodil, Delphinium and Laburnum have gone to work with the Northern Division. The First Sloop Flotilla continues its work with the Southern Division out of Queenstown, now with just seven sloops, with Myosotis being designated as carrying the Senior Naval Officer some time in July, if not in June. This arrangement would apply until some time in October 1917

November, 1917

Some time in October, Snowdrop took on the role of the ship bearing the S.N.O.. This arrangement persisted until at least some time in February 1918 if not beyond. In the March Navy List, the sloops of this flotilla are listed without a formation name alongside those sloops that had formerly been noted as convoy sloops operating out of Queenstown.

July, 1918

The Flotilla is again explicitly labelled, with Snowdrop still bearing the S.N.O. and having seven other sloops. It is hard to guess whether the formation had ceased to exist from February/March to some time in June, but it has gained Sir Bevis, Flying Fox and Heather while shedding Crocus, Myosotis and the many sloops that were part of Tenth Sloop Flotilla and assorted convoy sloops that had been co-mingled during the period of dubious appellation. This arrangement would apply until some time in November, 1918.

December, 1918

With the war now over, Hollyhock and Laburnum have joined, bringing the strength to ten sloops.

January, 1919

Seven of the sloops have been moved to form the Twenty-fourth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla, operating on the same station, reducing the strength to three sloops, with none being designated as carrying a S.N.O.. This roster would apply until some time in April.

Attached to the Southern Division, Coast of Ireland Station
Sloops
Flying Fox		Heather		Sir Bevis

May, 1919

Flying Fox has apparently left for "miscellaneous service", reducing strength to just two sloops.

Attached to the Southern Division, Coast of Ireland Station
Sloops
Heather			Sir Bevis

June, 1919

The flotilla is not named in the Navy List, but the same two sloops are at Queenstown, serving alongside Grenville and a two-destroyer "Defence Flotilla".

At Queenstown
Sloops
Heather			Sir Bevis

July, 1919

Flying Fox has returned. The flotilla is still un-named in the Navy List.

Attached to the Southern Division, Coast of Ireland Station
Sloops
Flying Fox		Heather		Sir Bevis

In Command

Dates of appointment given:

• Commander Douglas W. O'B. Forsyth, July 1915 – 26 April, 1916  (temporary)