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

• H.M.S. King Edward VII, Flagship, Vice-Admiral

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

• H.M.S. Hibernia, Flagship, Rear-Admiral
• H.M.S. Zealandia

Joined on 11 May, 1912.

• H.M.S. Hindustan

Joined on 11 May, 1912.

• H.M.S. Dominion

Joined on 15 June, 1912.

• H.M.S. Britannia

Joined on 14 May, 1912.

• H.M.S. Commonwealth
• H.M.S. Africa

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

January, 1916

• H.M.S. King Edward VII
• H.M.S. Hindustan
• H.M.S. Dominion
• H.M.S. Britannia
• H.M.S. Commonwealth
• H.M.S. Africa
• H.M.S. Albemarle

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

Vice-Admiral, Third 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, Third Battle Squadron

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

Bibliography

• Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.