Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The Third Battle Squadron was a battleship squadron of the Royal Navy in the period before, during, and after the First World War.

History

In the House of Commons on 18 May, 1912, the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston S. Churchill, announced that the battleships of the Atlantic Fleet, hitherto based on Gibraltar, would become the Third Battle Squadron and would be based on Home Ports. The strength of the squadron would be increased from six battleships to eight as new ships joined the Fleet.[1]

Rear-Admiral Sir Douglas R. M. Nicholson was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the Third Battle Squadron in the newly-constituted Home Fleet on 8 April, 1919.[2]

Composition

May, 1912

December, 1912

The Fleet flagship was Neptune, which was not part of any Battle Squadron.[3]

December, 1913

The Fleet flagship was noted as being Neptune, which was not part of any Battle Squadron. The ships are listed in a different order, but remain unchanged from the previous year.[4]

July, 1914

The Squadron's roster was:[5]

Attached: destroyer Blanche

August, 1914

The Squadron is unusual at this juncture for having three rather than two divisions, and a whopping twelve battleships, though this would prove a temporary period of over-strength.

And, at outbreak of war, destroyer Blanche under Captain Richard Hyde.[10]

September, 1914

With a stultifying twelve pre-dreadnought battleships, the squadron was one of four attached to the Home Fleet under fleet flagship Iron Duke.[11]

Attached: destroyer Blanche

This configuration would last until November or December.[12][13]

December, 1914

After calving Russell, Albemarle, Exmouth and Duncan to form the bulk of the new Sixth Battle Squadron, the squadron is now a more manageable eight battleships.[14]

Attached: destroyer Blanche

This configuration would last until April, 1915.[15][16][17]

April, 1915

Now part of the Grand Fleet, the squadron has been bolstered by the return of Albemarle and Russell from the newly-disbanded Sixth Battle Squadron, and also a new small cruiser.[18]

Attached: destroyer Blanche, destroyer Diamond

This line-up would last until June.[19][20]

June, 1915

Hindustan has taken over as flagship.[21]

Attached: destroyer Blanche, destroyer Diamond

This line-up would last just one month.[22]

July, 1915

King Edward VII has resumed her place as flagship.[23]

Attached: destroyer Blanche, destroyer Diamond

This line-up would prevail until December.[24][25][26][27][28]

December, 1915

Hibernia, Zealandia and Russell were detached so they could take up service in the Mediterranean Fleet.[29]

Attached: destroyer Blanche, destroyer Diamond

This line-up would prevail for just one month.[30]

January, 1916

Blanche has been re-assigned to the Fourth Battle Squadron.[31]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This line-up would remain for just a single month.

February, 1916

Flagship King Edward VII was mined and lost on 6 January, necessitating a transfer of flag to Britannia and Albemarle was detached to some unnamed purpose "in Home Waters or on detached service." To make up the slack, Hibernia and Zealandia joined from the Mediterranean Fleet.[32]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This line-up would remain until May, 1916.[33][34][35]

May, 1916

The squadron was pulled from regular Grand Fleet duty, leaving a Battle Fleet comprised solely of dreadnought types, but that it remained "attached" to the Grand Fleet.[36]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force just one month.

June, 1916

Dreadnought joined the squadron from the Fourth Battle Squadron. The addition merited promoting Hibernia to become a second flagship.[37]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until August.[38][39]

August, 1916

Dreadnought stole the flagship role in August. The affiliation with the Grand Fleet seems to have lapsed.[40]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until some time in September, when Africa and Britannia were being detached.[41][42][43]

October, 1916

Africa and Britannia have been detached to take up service with the British Adriatic Squadron.[44]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until August, 1917.[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]

August, 1917

In August, Dreadnought temporarily transfered its flag to Zealandia.[53]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force only for the month of August.

September, 1917

Dreadnought resumed her role as flagship.[54]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force for just one month.

October, 1917

Hibernia ceased acting as second flagship, leaving the squadron under a single flagship.[55]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force for just one month.

November, 1917

Hibernia left the squadron for Home Waters or detached service.[56]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until January, 1918.[57][58]

January, 1918

In January, Commonwealth and Zealandia also left the squadron to join Hibernia for miscellaneous duties "in Home Waters or on detached service", leaving the strength at just three battleships.[59]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until March, 1918.[60][61]

March, 1918

In March, Hindustan also left the squadron for "Miscellaneous Service".[62]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force for just one month.

April, 1918

Dominion departed to become an accommodation ship in Chatham-Sheerness. The squadron has become an all-dreadnought formation, the hard way![63]

Attached: destroyer Diamond

This roster would remain in force until the Squadron was abolished on 20 April, 1918.[64]

Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals Commanding

Dates of appointment given:

Squadron abolished on 20 April, 1918.[69]

Rear-Admirals, Second-in-Command

Dates of appointment given:

Position abolished on 21 September, 1917.[75]>

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Hansard. HC Deb 18 March 1912 vol 35 c1564.
  2. ↑ "End of Grand Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 3 April, 1919. Issue 42065, col D, p. 13.
  3. ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  4. ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  5. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order No. 109 of 10 July, 1914.
  6. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
  7. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
  8. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
  9. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
  10. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 439.
  11. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 8.
  12. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 8.
  13. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 8.
  14. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). pp. 8, 9.
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 8.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 10.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 10.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 10.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 10.
  24. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 10.
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 10.
  26. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 10.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 10.
  28. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 10.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). pp. 10, 20.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 10.
  31. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 10.
  32. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). pp. 10, 14, 20.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10.
  34. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 10.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 10.
  36. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). pp. 10-13.
  37. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1916). p. 13.
  38. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 13.
  39. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 13.
  40. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 13.
  41. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 13.
  42. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 13.
  43. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 13.
  44. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). pp. 13, 20.
  45. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1916). p. 13.
  46. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 13.
  47. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 13.
  48. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 13.
  49. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 13.
  50. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 13.
  51. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 13.
  52. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 13.
  53. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 13.
  54. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 13.
  55. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 13.
  56. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1917). pp. 13, 14.
  57. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 13.
  58. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 13.
  59. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). pp. 13, 14.
  60. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1918). p. 13.
  61. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). p. 13.
  62. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1918). pp. 13, 19.
  63. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1918). pp. 13, 19.
  64. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  65. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  66. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  67. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  68. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  69. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  70. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  71. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  72. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  73. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  74. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  75. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.

Bibliography

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


British Battle Squadrons
First Battle Squadron | Second Battle Squadron | Third Battle Squadron | Fourth Battle Squadron
Fifth Battle Squadron | Sixth Battle Squadron | Seventh Battle Squadron | Eighth Battle Squadron
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