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Royal Navy, inter-War Years

 

BETWEEN THE WARS: ROYAL NAVY ORGANISATION AND SHIP DEPLOYMENTS 1919-1939


by Dr Graham Watson, retired from HIstory Dept, Cardiff University

 

 HMS York (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

  return to inter-war, 1918-1939 

 


Introduction


This work by Graham Watson charts the changes in the structure of the Royal Navy between 1919 and 1939.  The bulk of the information was derived from successive issues of the Navy List. On this occasion he is particularly grateful to Mike Cox for providing detailed information on destroyer flotilla movements during the Abyssinian crisis 1935-1936.

As with the previous work, the distribution of destroyers was the most complex. He has kept the file down to manageable proportions by leaving out all those vessels which were discarded rapidly after the war, and by condensing ships in reserve into a series of snapshots.

As before, my grateful thanks to Graham for this valuable contribution to an often neglected part of British naval history.

Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net



Contents






Abbreviations

2L - flotilla second in command
AF - Atlantic Fleet
BRNC - Britannia Royal Naval College
F - squadron flagship
FF - fleet flagship
HF - Home Fleet
L - flotilla leader
p/o - paid off

[r] - reduced complements
RF - Reserve Fleet
SMF - submarine flotilla
tdr - tender
tg - training
VARF - Vice-Admiral Reserve Fleet
WAIR - conversion to anti-aircraft escort. Meaning not known but W-class, Anti-AIR suggested







1. ROYAL NAVY FLEETS, SQUADRONS & FLOTILLAS 1919-1939


HMS Lion, battlecruiser (Photo Ships)

When the peacetime organisation of the Royal Navy became effective in the spring of 1919, the main pre-war commands, fleets and stations become the framework for the deployment of naval forces for the following twenty years. The Grand Fleet [pre-war First Fleet] became the Atlantic Fleet; the pre-war Second Fleet was revived as the Home Fleet, but this fleet was dissolved after six months. The major home commands and the pre-war stations continued in being throughout the period.

The principal changes were ones of balance and size. The period between 1904 and 1914 had witnessed the gradual concentration of the principal fighting units in home waters. After the Washington Treaty of 1922 and the ending of the alliance with Japan the balance of power moved back to the Mediterranean and extra emphasis was placed on modern naval forces in the Far East.

This was seen in the movement of battleships, cruisers, destroyers and submarines in 1923-25 to Malta. The reduction in the number of battleships combined with fears about Italy and Japan meant that there were insufficient ships to cover both the Mediterranean and the Far East. As a result, the task of the Mediterranean Fleet was not only to protect British interests in that area but also to provide a force capable of movement to the Far East in an emergency. British naval power in the Far East would be asserted in the meantime by the establishment of a substantial force of the most modern submarines in the Far East.

The Royal Navy's ships and submarines were organised into squadrons and flotillas as pre-war but with one major difference - a reduction in size. The pre-1914 battle squadron was comprised of eight battleships: this was reduced to four or five from 1919. Often this strength was notional because of impact of the modernisation programme which kept ships out of action for long periods. Cruiser squadrons remained largely unchanged in terms of size, but destroyer flotillas were reduced from the pre-war and wartime norm of twenty ships to one leader and eight ships from 1921. As before submarine flotillas did not have a fixed composition. The previous use of reduced crews was less frequent and more used was made of a more formally organised Reserve Fleet-as witnessed by the establishment of the Maintenance Reserve at Rosyth from 1927.

The main operations of this period which caused disruption to the normal pattern of distribution were:

naval intervention in the Baltic 1919-1920 in support of anti-Bolshevik forces;
Chanak crisis of 1923;
problems in China from 1926;
Abyssinia crisis of 1935-1936; and
patrols undertaken off the Spanish coast during the civil war in that country 1936-1939.

In the background but not directly impacting on the deployment of the Royal Navy were the main issues which influenced politicians, naval leaders, and historians - the various naval treaties and their impact on ship numbers and design; the economic and industrial constraints on building programmes; and dispute with the Royal Air Force over the command of aircraft in maritime operations.

The following notes will list the main command elements - fleets, squadrons and flotillas; and then deal with the changing deployment of each type of ship and submarine.


NOTES ON SOURCES

Information on the command structure of the Royal Navy and on the distribution of warships between each command can be found in the Navy List for each year of this period. Some of the distribution lists are reprinted in the relevant annual issues of Jane's Fighting Ships.

More detailed information of particular types of warships and their service careers can be found in works by the following authors-

Battleships - R A Burt and M J Whitley
Aircraft carriers - D Hobbs
Cruisers - R Morris and M J Whitley
Destroyers - T D Manning, D Kinghorn and J English
Sloops -A Hague

There are no comparable sources for submarines or minesweepers.






2. SUMMARY LISTING OF PRINCIPAL FLEETS, SQUADRONS AND FLOTILLAS


HMS Centaur, light cruiser (Photo Ships)

FLEETS
Atlantic Fleet 3.32-Home Fleet
Home Fleet 4-10.19 [formation abandoned]
Mediterranean Fleet

BATTLE SQUADRONS
1st Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet
1st Battle Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet 11.24-

2nd Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet-5.21
2nd Battle Squadron, Atlantic/Home Fleet 11.24-

3rd Battle Squadron, Home Fleet 4-10.19
3rd Battle Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet 11.24- Atlantic Fleet 3.26-5.30

4th Battle Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet-11.24

BATTLECRUISER SQUADRON
Atlantic Fleet/Home Fleet 9.36-Mediterranean Fleet 4.39-Home Fleet

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
No squadrons - ships deployed individually until establishment of post of FO Aircraft Carriers in the Atlantic/Home Fleet 9.31

LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRONS 1924-CRUISER SQUADRONS
1st Light Cruiser Squadron, Atlantic Fleet-11.24
1st Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet 11.24-

2nd Light Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet 4-10.19
2nd Light Cruiser Squadron/2nd Cruiser Squadron, Atlantic Fleet/Home 10.19-

3rd Light Cruiser Squadron/3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean
4th Light Cruiser Squadron/4th Cruiser Squadron, East Indies
5th Light Cruiser Squadron/5th Cruiser Squadron, China
6th Light Cruiser Squadron/6th Cruiser Squadron, Africa
7th Light Cruiser Squadron, South America 1921-South American Division
8th Light Cruiser Squadron/8th Cruiser Squadron, North America & West Indies
the New Zealand Division 1920-

DESTROYER FLOTILLAS
1st Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet -4.25 [renumbered 5DF]
1st Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 4.25- [ex 5DF]

2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet -11.24
2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 11.24- 6.32
2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 6 .32-8.36
2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 8.36-

3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet -8.23
3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet 8.23- [temp. China 1926-7]

4th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 4-11.19
4th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 11.19-8.23
4th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 8.23-8.36
2nd Tribal Flotilla/4th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 9.38-

5th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 4-10.19
5th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 1921-4.25 [to 1DF/Med]
5th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 4.25-8.39 [ex 1DF]
5th Destroyer Flotilla, for Mediterranean 8.39-

6th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean -1921
6th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic/Home Fleet 1921-5.39
1st Tribal Flotilla/6th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 5.39-

7th Destroyer Flotilla, Rosyth 1919-1920
7th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 1921-1924
7th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet Reserve 1925-1928
7th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 1939-

8th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean 1921-1924
8th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet Reserve 1925-1927
8th Destroyer Flotilla, China .27-5.39 [renumbered 21DF]
8th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 5.39- [ex 6DF]

9th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet Reserve 1922-1925 [to 7DF]
20th Destroyer Flotilla - temporary designation for 1st DF whilst reforming 1935/36
21st Destroyer Flotilla - temporary designation for 2nd DF whilst reforming 1936
21st Destroyer Flotilla, China 5.39- [ex 8th]

 SUBMARINE FLOTILLAS
1st Submarine Flotilla, Rosyth -1926
1st Submarine Flotilla, Chatham 1926-1927
1st Submarine Flotilla, Malta 1927- [ex 2SMF]

2nd Submarine Flotilla, Devonport -1924
2nd Submarine Flotilla, Malta 1924-1927 [to 1SMF]
2nd Submarine Flotilla, Devonport 1927-
2nd Submarine Flotilla, Rosyth 1939-

3rd Submarine Flotilla, Portsmouth -1922
3rd Submarine Flotilla, Devonport 1922-1927 [to 2SMF]

4th Submarine Flotilla, Hong Kong
5th Submarine Flotilla, Gosport [training & reserve flotilla]
6th Submarine Flotilla, Portland [ASW training & reserve flotilla]

SLOOPS
Not organised into flotillas. Sloops allocated to the various stations on a long-term basis.

MINESWEEPERS
Fishery Protection Flotilla which was retitled 1st Minesweeper Flotilla in 1927
Reserve Flotilla at Malta, and then at Singapore from 1935 titled 2nd Minesweeper Flotilla






3. DISTRIBUTION OF SQUADRONS & FLOTILLAS BY FLEETS AND STATIONS



HMS Acheron, destroyer (Navy Photos)


ATLANTIC FLEET/HOME FLEET

1st Battle Squadron -11.24 retitled 2nd Battle Squadron
2nd Battle Squadron -5.21 [absorbed into 1BS]
3rd Battle Squadron 3.26-5.30 [ex Mediterranean]

Battlecruiser Squadron - 9.36 [to Med] 4.39-returned to Home Fleet

Aircraft Carriers/9.31-Aircraft Carrier Squadron

1st Light Cruiser Squadron -11.24 [to Med]
2nd Light Cruiser Squadron/2nd Cruiser Squadron 1920-

1st Destroyer Flotilla 4.25-5th Destroyer Flotilla-8.39
2nd Destroyer Flotilla-11.24 [to Med]
3rd Destroyer Flotilla -8.23 [to Med]
4th Destroyer Flotilla -8.23 [to Med]
5th Destroyer Flotilla -4.25 [to Med as 1DF]
6th Destroyer Flotilla .21- 5.39-8th Destroyer Flotilla
9th Destroyer Flotilla 1922- 1925 7th Destroyer Flotilla -1928
8th Destroyer Flotilla 1925-1927 [to China]
2nd Destroyer Flotilla 6.32- 8.35-replaced by 4th Destroyer Flotilla-9.38
1st Tribal Flotilla/6th Destroyer Flotilla 5.39-

1st Submarine Flotilla, Rosyth 1926-Chatham-1927
2nd Submarine Flotilla, Devonport-1924 [to Malta]
3rd Submarine Flotilla, Portsmouth 1922-Devonport -1927 to 2nd Submarine Flotilla
5th Submarine Flotilla, Gosport
6th Submarine Flotilla, Portland
 
HOME FLEET 4-10.1919

3rd Battle Squadron
2nd Light Cruiser Squadron
4th Destroyer Flotilla
5th Destroyer Flotilla

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

4th Battle Squadron 11.24-retitled 3rd Battle Squadron-3.26 [to AF]
1st Battle Squadron 11.24-
Battlecruiser Squadron 9.36-3.39

Aircraft Carrier

3rd Light Cruiser Squadron/3rd Cruiser Squadron
1st Cruiser Squadron 11.24-

6th Destroyer Flotilla -1921
1921-7th Destroyer Flotilla -1924
1921-8th Destroyer Flotilla -1924
8.23-3rd Destroyer Flotilla [temp det China 1926-1927]
8.23-4th Destroyer Flotilla 8.36-replaced by 2nd Destroyer Flotilla
11.24-2nd Destroyer Flotilla - 6.32 [to HF]
4.25-1st Destroyer Flotilla
8.38-2nd Tribal Flotilla/4th Destroyer Flotilla
1924-2nd Submarine Flotilla 1927-retitled 1st Submarine Flotilla
 
AMERICA & WEST INDIES STATION

7th Light Cruiser Squadron 1921-South American Division
8th Light Cruiser Squadron/8th Cruiser Squadron
Sloops

AFRICA STATION

6th Light Cruiser Squadron/6th Cruiser Squadron
Sloops 

EAST INDIES STATION

4th Light Cruiser Squadron/4th Cruiser Squadron
Red Sea & Persian Gulf Division-sloops

CHINA STATION

Aircraft Carrier
5th Light Cruiser Squadron/5th Cruiser Squadron
8th Destroyer Flotilla .27- 5.39-retitled 21st Destroyer Flotilla
4th Submarine Flotilla 1920-

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION

Cruisers
Sloops






4. BATTLESHIP AND BATTLE-CRUISER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939


(1) April 1919-October 1919


King George V, battleship (Photo Ships)

Initial post-war deployment with a short-term effort to keep some older battleships in reduced commission in the 3rd BS, Home Fleet. This abandoned in October 1919.

Atlantic Fleet Home Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
Queen Elizabeth [FF]

1st Battle Squadron-
Revenge [F]
Ramillies
Resolution [2nd F]
Royal Oak
Royal Sovereign

2nd Battle Squadron-
Barham [F]
Malaya
Valiant
Warspite

Battle-cruiser Squadron-
Lion [F]
Princess Royal [p/o 10.19]
Renown [detached]
Repulse [refit, Portsmouth]
Tiger

3rd Battle Squadron-

King George V [F]
Conqueror
Monarch
Orion [2F]
Thunderer
Erin

4th Battle Squadron-

Iron Duke [FF]
Benbow
Emperor of India [Black Sea]
Marlborough
Ajax
Centurion

Imperial Tour
New Zealand


 
(2) October 1919-May 1921


HMS Iron Duke, battleship (Maritime Quest)

The Atlantic Fleet continued to command two battle squadrons of the Queen Elizabeth and Royal Sovereign classes, together with a few battle-cruisers

Atlantic Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
Queen Elizabeth [FF]

1st Battle Squadron
Revenge [F]
Ramillies
Resolution [2F]
Royal Oak
Royal Sovereign -1.21 [to refit, Portsmouth]

2nd Battle Squadron
Barham [F]
Malaya
Valiant
Warspite

Battlecruiser Squadron
Lion [F] -3.20
Renown [RF Portsmouth 11.20-9.21
Repulse[refit at Portsmouth -1.21]
Tiger
3.20-Hood [F]

4th Battle Squadron
Iron Duke [FF]
Benbow
Emperor of India [2F]
Marlborough [10.20-refit Devonport]
Ajax
Centurion [3.20-RF, Malta]
10.20-King George V



(3) May 1921-November 1924

The battle squadrons of the Queen Elizabeths and Royal Sovereigns were reduced to divisions of a single squadron. Four battleships were detached to the Mediterreanean September 1922 until March 1923 in response to the crisis over Turkey. Between November 1923 and September 1924 the battle-cruisers were detached on a world tour.


HMS Repulse, battlecruiser (Photo Ships)

Atlantic Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
Queen Elizabeth [FF]

1st Division/1st Battle Squadron
Barham [F]
Malaya *
Valiant
Warspite

* detached to Mediterranean 9.22-3.23

2nd Division/1st Battle Squadron
Revenge [F] *
Ramillies *
Resolution [2F]
Royal Oak [10.22-refit at Portsmouth-10.24
Royal Sovereign * [refit to 10.22]

* detached to Mediterranean 9.22-3.23

Battle-cruiser Squadron
Hood [F] ***
Renown **
Repulse ***
Tiger -4.22 to RF

** ex RF 9.21, Royal tour 9.21-7.22 then RF and refit at Portsmouth 5.23-
*** Special Service Squadron/World Tour 11.23-9.24

4th Battle Squadron
Iron Duke [F]
Benbow
Emperor of India [2F] [refit Devonport 2.22-2.23]
Marlborough [refit to 1.22]
Ajax -4.24 p/o
Centurion RF Malta-8.22 [-p/o 4.24]
King George V -1.23



(4) November 1924-March 1926


HMS Queen Elizabeth, battleship (Photo Ships)

The Queen Elizabeth's move to the Mediterranean as part of a major redistribution of ships from home waters to the Mediterranean. They replaced the remaining King George V class which were to be discarded. The Iron Dukes remained in the Mediterranean for the time being - squadron renumbered.

From 1924 until 1939 the process of modernisation reduced further the number of battleships which were fully operational at any given time.

Atlantic Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
2nd Battle Squadron
Revenge [FF]
Ramillies
Resolution [F]
Royal Oak
Royal Sovereign

Battle-cruiser Squadron
Hood [F]
Renown [refit to 9.26]
Repulse
6.26-Tiger
1st Battle Squadron
Queen Elizabeth [FF]
Barham [F]
Malaya
Valiant
Warspite [refit Portsmouth 11.24-4.26]

3rd Battle Squadron
Iron Duke [F]
Benbow
Emperor of India
Marlborough
 

(5) March 1926-1931


HMS Revenge, battleship (Maritime Quest)

The Iron Dukes returned to home waters for their last period of service. They operated with reduced complements as boys training ships. The two Nelsons joined the Atlantic Fleet. The Queen Elizabeths and Royal Sovereigns swopped stations - the former to the Atlantic Fleet and the latter to the Mediterranean. The impact of the modernisation programme is appaarent.

Atlantic Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
2nd Battle Squadron
Revenge [1.28 refit Devonport] -1.29 to Med
Ramillies -8.27
Resolution -3.26
Royal Oak -3.26
Royal Sovereign-12.26
10.27-Nelson [FF]
3.28- Rodney
11.29-Malaya
5.30- Warspite
1.31- Valiant

3rd Battle Squadron [reduced complements]
Iron Duke -11.31 [refit 5.28-5.29]
Benbow -9.30
Emperor of India-1.31
Marlborough -6.31

Battle-cruiser Squadron
Hood [refit Portsmouth 5.29-5.31]
Renown, ex refit 9.26-
Repulse
Tiger -5.31 p/o
Queen Elizabeth [refit Portsmouth 6.26-1.28]
Barham [refit Portsmouth 1.31-]
Malaya [refit Portsmouth 9.27-3.29], 11.29-to AF
Valiant [refit Portsmouth 3.29-1.31]
Warspite 5.30-to AF
3.26-Resolution [refits Portsmouth 12.26-1.28 and 7.29-2.31]
3.26-Royal Oak
12.36-Royal Sovereign [refit 10.27-6.28]
8.27-Ramillies
1.29-Revenge
 

(6) 1931-1935


HMS Hood, battlecruiser (Maritime Quest)

The Nelsons and Queen Elizabeth's - with the exception of the name ship of the latter class - constitute the Atlantic/Home Fleet, and the Royal Sovereigns remain in the Mediterranean.

Atlantic Fleet/Home Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
2nd Battle Squadron
Nelson [FF]
Rodney
Barham [refit at Portsmouth 1.31-1.34]
Malaya [refit at Devonport 10.34-]
Valiant -7.35
Warspite [refit at Portsmouth 12.33-3.37]

Battle-cruiser Squadron
Hood [F]
Renown
Repulse [6.32 RF/refit at Portsmouth -1.36]
1st Battle Squadron
Queen Elizabeth [FF]
Ramiilies -7.35
Resolution -12.35
Revenge -2.36
Royal Oak [refit at Devonport 6.34-8.36]
Royal Sovereign [refit Portsmouth 1-11.32] -4.35


(7) 1935-1939


HMS Nelson, battleship (Maritime Quest)

The Queen Elizabeth's move to the Mediterranean, and the Royal Sovereign's return home to be used as training ships until the outbreak of war.

Home Fleet Mediterranean Fleet
2nd Battle Squadron
Nelson
Rodney
Ramillies [Boys TS 1.36-7.38 to refit]
Resolution [RF -9.36, Boys TS 10.37-7.38]
Revenge [refit Devonport 2.36-6.37, Boys TS 6.37-8.39]
Royal Oak [refit to 8.36]
Royal Sovereign [Boys TS 1.36-6.37, refit Portsmouth 6.37-2.38]
7.39-Ramillies

Battle-cruiser Squadron
Hood [F] [det Med 9.36-2.39]
Renown [det Med 9.35-1.36]
   [refit Portsmouth 9.36-8.39]
Repulse [refit Portsmouth -4.36]
   [det Med 9.36-2.39]
1st Battle Squadron
Queen Elizabeth [FF] -2.37 [refit at Portsmouth]
Barham  8.35-
Malaya  1.37-
Valiant  3.37 [mod at Devonport]
Warspite 1.38-Warspite [FF]
2.39-Ramillies -7.39


(8) Capital Ship Modernisations


HMS Queen Elizabeth (Maritime Quest)

Portsmouth
Devonport
Queen Elizabeth-class
1.24-4.26 Warspite 
6.26-1.28 Queen Elizabeth
9.27-3.29 Malaya
3.29-1.31 Valiant
1.31-1.34 Barham
3.34-3.37 Warspite

Royal Sovereign-class
8.37-12.40 Queen Elizabeth
12.20-10.22 Royal Sovereign
10.22-10.24 Royal Oak
12.26-1.28 Resolution
7.29-2.31 Resolution
1.32-1.33 Royal Sovereign

Battlecruisers
4.19-1.21 Repulse
5.23-8.26 Renown
5.29-5.31 Hood
4.33-5.36 Repulse
9.36-8.39 Renown
Queen Elizabeth-class
11.34-12.36 Malaya
3.37-11.39 Valiant
 
Royal Sovereign-class
8.26-8.27 Ramillies
1.28-1.29 Revenge
6.34-8.36 Royal Oak
2.36-6.37 Revenge



9. Battleships employed as Training Ships

Temeraire 9.19-3.21
Thunderer 5.21-8.26
Colossus 9.21-5.22
King George V 2.23-11.23
Tiger  2.24-6.26
Iron Duke 9.34- [disarmed 11.31-9.34]
 

10. Battlecruisers held in reserve 1919- and converted to aircraft carriers from 1924


HMS Courageous (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

Courageous RF/Rosyth .19-RF/Portsmouth-6.24
Glorious RF/Rosyth 1.21-RF/Devonport-2.24






5. AIRCRAFT CARRIER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939


Few in number, they were deployed as individual ships. Those in the Home Fleet and Mediterranean would operate together during spring and autumn cruises. The Flying Squadron was part of the the Atlantic Fleet in 1919 but was reduced to a single ship in 1920. It consisted of Furious, Argus, Nairana, Pegasus and Vindictive.


HMS Argus (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)


HMS Ark Royal (Navy Photos/Ben Titheridge)
 

Atlantic Fleet/Home Fleet Mediterranean Fleet China Station
Argus  4.19-5.30 [detached to China 1927-28]
Furious 5.25-7.30
Courageous .32-6.39 [detached Med 9.35-6.36]
Furious 3.32- [refitted 12.38-5.29 to operate as training carrier]
Ark Royal 11.38-
Eagle 2.24-8.31 [refit at Devonport 8.31-4.33]
Courageous 5.28- .32
Glorious 2.30-9.39 [refit Devonport 5.34-7.35]
Eagle 12.34-5.35 [refit at Devonport]
Hermes  6.25-9.33
Eagle  4.33-12.34
Hermes 11.34-6.37
Eagle  1.37-
Major conversions/refits In reserve
Furious  11.19-9.25 [reserve at Rosyth 6.22-refit at Devonport]
Eagle  11.20-9.23 Portsmouth
Glorious 2.24-1.30 Rosyth .26-Devonport]
Courageous 6.24-5.28 Devonport
Hermes  6.37- Devonport [boys training]
Courageous 6.39- Devonport








6. CRUISER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939


The Royal Navy's cruiser force probably had the widest distribution and range of task of any type of warship during this period. They were employed in fleet duty at Home and in the Mediterranean, and on imperial policing and trade protection in the East Indies, China, New Zealand, Africa, South America and North America and West Indies Stations.

Most were allocated to cruiser squadrons in both fleets and in all the stations. The squadrons varied in size from 5-6 ships down to 2-3. In addition, individual cruisers were engaged in such tasks as flagship of the destroyer flotillas in the Atlantic/Home Fleet and Mediterranean Fleet. The squadrons retained the same number throughout the inter-war period. They were designated as Light Cruiser Squadrons until 1924/25 after which they were described as Cruiser Squadrons. With one exception - the 1st Squadron, all remained on the same station throughout this period.

As with the battleships, the numbers of cruisers available declined during this period as a result of attempts to keep within the naval treaties.

The cruisers can be allotted to one of three groups. The light cruisers of the pre-1914 and wartime period which included the first Town class, the many C classes, the D class, and the post-war completions of the E and Hawkins classes are the first. Then came the heavy cruisers built to the highest permitted size as determined by the Washington Naval Treaty. Finally, the light cruisers of the Leander, Amphion, Galatea and Town classes which entered service during the 1930's. In the following tables, for clarity, each group is listed separately.


1st Light Cruiser/Cruiser Squadron


HMS Danae (Photo Ships)

1st Light Cruiser Squadron
Atlantic Fleet - 11.24
1st Cruiser Squadron
Mediterranean Fleet 11.24-
Delhi [F] *
Danae *
Dauntless *
Dragon *
Dunedin -5.24

* detached to Special Service Squadron World Cruise 1923-1924
Older Light Cruisers
Delhi [F] -5.29*
Danae - .29*
Dauntless - 2.28*
Dragon -12.28*

9.24-Frobisher - .29
 
Heavy Cruisers
3.29-London -3.39**
3.29-Devonshire
5.29-Shropshire
5.29-Sussex
Sussex exchanged places with HMAS Australia 12.34- 7.35

** London begins refit at Chatham 3.39

HMAS Sydney attached 3-7.36


2nd Light Cruiser Squadron


HMS Galatea (1) (Photo Ships)

Home Fleet 4-10.19 Atlantic Fleet 10.19- Home Fleet 5.32-
Caledon [F]
Carysfort
Cleopatra
Galatea (1)
Phaeton
Royalist
Older Light Cruisers
Caledon [F] -8.26
Carysfort -9.25
Cleopatra -8.21
Cordelia -12.22
Castor -5.24
8.21-Curacoa [F] - .28
12.22-Cambrain -6.24
5.24-Calliope -4.26
6.24-Canterbury -1.25
1.25-Cleopatra -9.26
9.25-Comus -6.30
8.26-Cambrian -11.29
11.26-Canterbury -5.31

.28-Vindictive [F] - .29
  .29-Hawkins F] -7.30
11.29-Frobisher -6.30
Heavy Cruisers
6.30-Norfolk  -3.33
6.30-York  -2.34
7.30-Dorsetshire [F] -10.33
5.31-Exeter  -1.34
10.37-Cornwall - 5.39
5.39-Cumberland
Light Cruisers
1933-1937

3.33-Leander [F] -3.37
10.33-Achilles - 8.37
1.34- Orion -9.37
2.34- Neptune - 3.37

1937-
3.37-Southampton [F]
3.37-Newcastle
8.37-Sheffield
9.37-Glasgow

Added 1939-
7.39-Edinburgh
8.39-Belfast
 

  3rd Light Cruiser Squadron/3rd Cruiser Squadron


HMS Cardiff (Photo Ships)

Mediterranean 4.19-9.39
C Class
Cardiff [F] -9.29
Calypso  -9.28
Caradoc  -9.27
Ceres  -8.30
Concord  -7.23
7.23-Comus -11.24
10.23-Cleopatra -6.24
6.24-Concord -8.27
8.27-Caledon -11.29
[repairs 1.28-1.29]
9.28-Calliope -11.29
9.29-Curacoa [F] -2.33
11.29-Calypso -5.32
11.29-Curlew - .34
8.30-Caledon [F] -7.31
8.30-Castor -5.32
7.31-Colombo [F]-5.32
5.32-Ceres -3.34
D Class
5.32-Delhi [F] -2.38
2.33-Despatch -12.37
3.34-Durban -4.36
.34-Dauntless -2.35
Modern Light Cruisers
2.35-Arethusa [F]
12.36-Penelope

Temp attached 1935-36
HMAS Sydney


Destroyer & Submarine Flotilla Flagships


HMS Galatea (2) (Navy Photos)

Atlantic/Home Fleets Mediterranean Fleet
Destroyer flotillas
Castor
7.20-Coventry
4.25-Centaur
8.32-Cairo
11.37-Aurora

Submarine Flotillas-Atlantic Fleet
Inconstant
2.22-Conquest -1.27
Destroyer flotillas
4.25-Coventry
9.28-Cairo
8.30-Coventry
8.35-Galatea (2)

Submarine flotillas
1.27-Conquest - 4.28


4th Light Cruiser Squadron/4th Cruiser Squadron


HMS Gloucester (Navy Photos)

East Indies 4.19-9.39
Old Light Cruisers
Highflyer [F]  -9.21
Caroline  -1.22
Comus  - 6.22
9.21-Southampton [F] -7.25
1.22-Colombo -1.26
6.22-Cairo  -12.26
10.24-Chatham [F] -1.26
6.32- Colombo -2.36
E-class & Frobishers
7.25-Effingham [F] - .33
1.26-Emerald  -6.32
1.26-Enterprise - .35
.33-Hawkins [F] -3.35
.35-Emerald  -8.38
2.36- Enterprise - .39
Heavy Cruiser
3.35-Norfolk [F] -3.39

Town class Light Cruisers
8.38-Manchester [F]
11.38-Liverpool
1.39-Gloucester

 
5th Light Cruiser Squadron/5th Cruiser Squadron


HMS Suffolk (Navy Photos)

China 1919-1939
Old Cruisers
Hawkins [F]  -6.28
Cairo  -10.22
Carlisle  -8.28
Colombo  -9.21
Curlew  -6.22
9.21-Durban  -5.28
6.22-Despatch -1.27
10.22-Diomede -10.25
10.25-Vindictive -1.28
1.27- Curlew -9.28
1.28- Constance -1.30
5.28- Castor  -7.30
7.30- Caradoc -7.34
7.34- Capetown -7.38
12.36-Danae -11.37
7.38- Cardiff -4.39

click for photographic album of  HMS Durban 1926-28
Heavy Cruisers
1.28- Cumberland -2.35
5.28- Cornwall -7.36
6.28- Kent [F] -12.36
8.28- Berwick - 7.37
9.28- Suffolk  -8.35
8.35-Dorsetshire [F]
7.36- Cumberland -12.38
12.36-Suffolk -8.39
12.38-Kent
4.39- Cornwall

* Cumberland refit 2.35-7.36
* Suffolk refit 8.35-12.26
* Cornwall refit 7.36-12.37
* Kent refit 12.36-7.38
* Berwick refit 7.37-11.38
All at Chatham
Light Cruiser
11.37-Birmingham


6th Light Cruiser Squadron/6th Cruiser Squadron


HMS Lowestoft (Photo Ships)

Africa 4.19-9.39
Old Cruisers
Lowestoft [F]  -2.24
Durban  -3.25
2.24-Birmingham [F] -9.28
3.25-Lowestoft -9.28
9.28-Calcutta [F] -4.31
9.28-Carlisle  -7.37
4.31-Cardiff [F] -5.33
Heavy Cruiser
5.33-Dorsetshire [F] -8.35
Light Cruisers
10.36-Amphion -5.39*
7.37-Neptune

* 6.39-now HMAS Perth
 

 7th Light Cruiser Squadron


HMS Exeter (Navy Photos)

South America 4.19-6.21, South American Division 1934-
Southampton [F] - .20
Dartmouth  - 5.21
Weymouth  - 1.21
Yarmouth  - .20
1.34-Exeter
6.35-Ajax
 
 
8th Light Cruiser Squadron


HMS Norfolk (Navy Photos)

America & West Indies 4.1919-9.39
Old Cruisers
Calcutta [F]  -12.27
Calliope  -2.21
Cambrian  -11.22
Constance  -7.26
11.22-Curlew  -4.27
12.22-Capetown -1.30
7.26-Colombo  -12.29
4.27-Cairo  -6.28
8.28-Caradoc  -3.30

2.21-Raleigh -lost 8.8. 22

12.27-Despatch [F] -6.31
6.28-Dauntless -damaged 7.28
5.29- Durban  -8.30
1.30- Delhi [F]  -5.32
3.30- Dauntless -1.34
3.30- Dragon  -7.37
8.30- Danae  -1.36
6.31- Durban  -12.32

click for photographic album of  HMS Curlew 1922-25
Heavy Cruisers
5.32- Norfolk -6.35
12.32-York [F]
  .39- Berwick
Light Cruisers
1.36-Apollo -6.38*
7.37-Orion

* 9.38 to HMAS Hobart


New Zealand Division


HMS Leander (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

1920-1939
Old Cruisers
9.20-Chatham  -10.25
5.24-Dunedin  - 4.37
10.25-Diomede  -3.36
Light Cruisers
9.36-Achilles
4.37-Leander
 

Conversions to Anti-Aircraft Cruisers


HMS Coventry (Photo Ships)

Conversion details
10.35- .36 Coventry [Portsmouth]
9.36- .38 Curlew [Chatham]
8.38- Calcutta [Chatham]
1.39- Carlisle [Chatham]
6.39- Curacoa [Chatham]
Active service pre-9.39
None


Cruisers Employed in Secondary Roles

Signals School, Portsmouth Torpedo School, Portsmouth Gunnery TS, Portsmouth Training Ships
12.20-7.28 Yarmouth
12.28-12.32 Concord
4.19-12.33 Champion 11.19- .22 Canterbury
12.32-6.36 Curacoa
Cadets
11.32-10.37 Frobisher
10.37- Vindictive

Boys
7.38-Diomede


Cruiser-Minelayer


HMS Adventure (Navy Photos)

Adventure 10.26-Atlantic Fleet .31-refit .32-Home Fleet .35-China .39-RF, Devonport


Cruisers in Reserve

Throughout this period a number of cruisers were out of service either because they were surplus to the peacetime needs of the Royal Navy, undergoing repairs and refits, or awaiting sale for scrap.

To illustrate the numbers of cruisers in reserve, four snapshots are provided of the cruisers in reserve at four different dates. These dates are at five year intervals - 1923, 1928, 1933 and 1938

1923
1928  1933
1938
Nore Command
Calliope
Cleopatra
Birmingham
Weymouth

Portsmouth Command
Comus
Canterbury
Vindictive

Plymouth Command
Dartmouth
Nore Command
Calcutta
Calliope
Caardoc [refit]
Castor
Cleopatra
Vindictive [refit]

Portsmouth Command
Cairo
Concord*
Conquest [for sale]
Dartmouth
Weymouth [for sale]

* trooping to China

Plymouth Command
Carysfort
Nore Command
Cardiff
Calcutta
Cambrian
Canterbury
Curlew
Emerald [refit]
Vindictive

Portsmouth Command
Effingham [VARF]
Constance

Plymouth Command
Caledon
Calypso
Capetown
Castor
Comus
Nore Command
Calcutta
Caledon
Cardiff
Dragon
Emerald [refit]
Vindictive [refit

Portsmouth Command
Cairo [conv AA ship]
Coventry [misc duties]
Enterprise [ret]
Effingham [VARF]
Dauntless [refit]
Dunedin [Boys tg]
Danae
Despatch
Durban
Hawkins

Plymouth Command
Frobisher







7. MONITORS
HMS Erebus (Cyber-Heritage)

None of the eight monitors listed in the Navy List at various times 1920-1939 served operationally.

Marshal Soult, Erebus and Terror were employed on harbour duty as gunnery training ships. Terror became HQ Ship at Singapore in October 1933.






8. DISTRIBUTION OF DESTROYERS 1919-1939


Destroyers were organised into flotillas for both tactical and administrative purposes. From April 1919 until January 1921, the pre-war flotilla organisation was re-established. Each flotilla would contain 20 destroyers of the same class which would be led by 2 larger destroyer leaders. The reduction in the numbers of destroyers and the re-assessment of the tactical requirements for the use of destroyers in battle brought about a change. From January 1921 all destroyer flotillas were composed of a single destroyer leader and eight destroyers of the same class. This remained the standard flotilla organisation up to and including the Second World War.

As the prime purpose of a destroyer flotilla was participation in fleet actions, all the inter-war flotillas were allocated to the main fleets - the Atlantic/Home Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet.

An extra flotilla was created in 1927 for employment on the China Station. In addition destroyers were employed in small groups, or individually, in a range of duties in the home ports - these ships were usually older vessels.

Until the advent of new construction in 1930, all active destroyers belonged either to the S class or to the V& W classes. From 1930 the new classes of destroyers comprised one leader and eight destroyers so as to fit into the flotilla structure. An exception was made in 1938 with the sixteen Tribal class destroyer which were organised into two flotillas, without leaders.


For the sake of clarity, the material on destroyer deployment is presented in two time periods-1919-1921 and 1921-1939  


8.1 DESTROYER FLOTILLAS 4.1919-1.1921

There were numerous and frequent changes in the distribution of destroyers in the main fleets and in the home commands between 1919 and 1922. The main fleet flotilla organisation was changed in 1921, and the rest by 1922.


OPERATIONAL FLOTILLAS


1st Destroyer Flotilla
Atlantic Fleet


HMS Valorous (Navy Photos)

1919 [to Baltic 6.19- .19] 1920
Wallace [L]
Valorous [2L]
Vancouver
Vanessa
Vanity
Velox
Verity
Versatile
Viscount
Vivacious
Vortigern
Voyager
Walker
Walrus
Warwick
Waterhen
Whirlwind
Wryneck
Wallace [L]
Malcolm [2L]
Vancouver
Vanessa
Vanity
Velox
Versatile
Vivacious
Vortigern
Voyager
Walker
Walrus
Warwick
Waterhen
Whirlwind
Wrestler
Wryneck

 
2nd Destroyer Flotilla
Atlantic Fleet

HMS Vanquisher (Photo Ships)

1919 [Baltic 1919-20]
1920
Spenser [L]
Shakespeare [2L]
Valentine
Vectis
Vega
Venetia
Verulam -lost 4.9.19 in Baltic
Vesper
Vidette
Vimiera
Violent
Walpole
Wessex
Westcott
Westminster
Winchelsea
Windsor
Wolfhound
Spenser [L]
Shakespeare [2L]
Valentine
Valhalla
Vanquisher
Vectis
Vega
Venetia
Vesper
Vidette
Vimiera
Violent
Walpole
Wessex
Westcott
Westminster
Winchelsea
Windsor
Wolfhound


Two of the crew of HMS Vanquisher in 1921
click here for Baltic cruise at that time


3rd Destroyer Flotilla
Atlantic Fleet



HMS Campbell (Navy Photos)

1919 [* Baltic 1919] 1920
Campbell [L]*
Mackay [2L]
Valkyrie
Vampire*
Vendetta*
Venemous
Verdun
Viceroy
Vivien
Wakeful*
Whitley
Whitshed
Winchester
Wolsey
Woolston*
Wrestler*
Scimitar
Tactician
Trojan
Trinidad
Campbell [L]
Mackay [2L]
Valkyrie
Vampire
Vansittart
Vendetta
Venemous
Verdun
Verity
Veteran
Vivien
Volunteer
Wanderer
Whitshed
Wild Swan
Wishart
Witherington
Wivern
Wolverine
Wrestler


4th Destroyer Flotilla
Home Fleet 4.19-Atlantic Fleet 11.19-


HMS Raider (Photo Ships)

4-10.1919 11.19-? By 9.1920
Seymour [L]
Grenville [2L]
Orpheus [temp]
Radstock
Raider
Redoubt
Restless
Retriever
Rigorous
Rowena
Sorceress
Sterling
Stonehenge
Taurus
Teazer
Thanet
Trusty
Bruce [L]
Grenville [2L]
Retriever
Sardonyx
Seawolf
Serene
Sesame
Shamrock
Sterling
Stonehenge
Strenuous
Sturdy
Thanet
Torbay
Trusty
Turbulent
Turquoise
Ursa
Bruce [L]
Douglas [2L]
Seawolf
Serene
Sesame
Shamrock
Stonehenge [see 6DF]
Stormcloud
Tenedos
Thanet
Tourmaline
Turquoise
Tyrian
Valorous
Venturous
Viceroy
Whitley
Wolsey
Woolston


5th Destroyer Flotilla
Home Fleet 4-10.1919


HMS Umpire (Photo Ships)


Saumarez [L] Parker [2L]
Redgauntlet   
Rob Roy     
Salmon  
Sarpedon  
Sceptre
Tancred
Tirade
Tower
Trenchant
Tristram
Ulster 
Umpire
Undine
Urchin
Ursa
Ursula


 6th Destroyer Flotilla
Mediterranean


HMS Sepoy (Navy Photos/Paul Simpson)
 

Stuart [L] Montrose [2L]
Senator      
Seraph    
Shark     
Spear
Speedy
Sportive
Steadfast
Swallow
Tilbury
Tobago *
Tomahawk
Torch
Tribune
Tryphon **
Tumult


* Tobago damaged beyond repair 12.10.20
** Tryphon damaged beyond repair 4.5.19
Reserve division 1920-

Sepoy
Serapis
Sirdar
Somme



*** Stonehenge lost 6.11.20 [just arrived from UK?]

 
     7th Destroyer Flotilla
Rosyth 11.19-5th Destroyer Flotilla, Rosyth -1920


HMS Douglas in 1943 (Navy Photos)
  

Bruce [L]
Douglas [2L]
Sabre
Scimitar
Scotsman
Scout
Scythe
Seabear
Seafire
Searcher
Sepoy
Serapis
Simoon
Sirdar
Somme
Sparrowhawk
Trinidad
Douglas [L]
Scotsman
Scout
Scythe
Seabear
Seafire
Searcher
Serapis
Sirdar
Somme
Sparrowhawk
   
    
      20th Destroyer Flotilla
minelayer flotilla, Home waters 1919-1920
* Baltic 1919


HMS Vanoc (Photo Ships)

Abdiel [L]*
Gabriel
Tarpon
Telemachus
Vanoc *
Vanquisher *
Venturous*
Vittoria * -lost 1.9.19 Baltic
 


HOME COMMANDS

Each home command had a local defence flotilla and a variety of destroyers allocated to the training establishments in each port. The local defence flotillas had been disbanded by 1922 and were not reformed for at least ten years.
 
Nore Command

Local Defence Flotilla-1922 Training ships
Sarpedon -2.22
Starfish  - .22
Tempest to GTS
Thisbe  -2.20
Thruster  -2.23
  .20-Redoubt -2.23
Stork [gunnery]
Springbok [torpedo]- 8.20
Tintagel [torpedo]-2.22
8.20-Wakeful [torpedo]-8.20.


Portsmouth Command

Local Defence Flotilla -1922 Training ships
Rapid  -3.20
Ready  - .22
Rocket  -1.23
Rob Roy -11.21
Rosalind - .22
Sable - to torpedo tg
Sharpshooter [gunnery]
Acasta  [torpedo] - .20
Orcadia [torpedo] - .20
Skate  [torpedo]
Tara  [torpedo]
3.20-Winchester [torpedo]
Truant  [signals]
.20-Umpire [signals]
Rival  [engineering]- .23
Tyrant  [tdr to Victory]


Plymouth Command

Local Defence Flotilla -1921 Training ships
Satyr
Sceptre
Salmon - .20
Tetrarch
Tormentor
Torrid
Tenacious [gunnery]
Sylph [torpedo] -4.22
Tactician
Sturgeon [BRNC Dartmouth]


Other Commands

Queenstown 11.1919-1922 Rosyth 1919-1922 Gibraltar 1919-1922
Trenchant
Undine
Urchin
1920-Salmon
1920-Tetrarch
9.20- Sesame [based at Devonport]
7,21- Seawolf [based at Devonport]
Radstock
Raider  -8.22
Redgauntlet - .20
Skilful  - .20
Sorceress - 1.20
1920-Tancred -7.22
Restless -3.22
Rigorous
Romola
Rowena -3.22



RESERVE FLEET 1919-1922

During 1919 all the surviving pre-war destroyers and most of the war-built destroyers were paid off, placed on the disposal list, and sold for scrap by 1922. Such was the surplus of destroyers of the classes to be retained - Leaders, R Class, S Class, and V & W Classes, that many of them were placed in reserve in this period. By September 1920, there was the equivalent of a flotilla of modern destroyers in reserve at each of the home ports. This is illustrated by the following information from the September 1920 Navy List


Nore Command Portsmouth Command Plymouth Command
Abdiel [L]
Radiant
Redgauntlet
Retriever
Sabre
Sabrina
Skilful
Springbok
Steadfast
Sterling
Sybille
Tilbury-joining
Tower
Turbulent
Ulster
Seymour [L]
Nimrod [L]
Relentless
Sable
Saladin
Skate
Stronghold
Sturdy
Torbay
Toreador
Trojan
Truculent
Trusty
Tuscan
Tyrant [tdr to Victory]
Umpire
Ursa
Viscount [temporary]
Grenville [L]
Saumarez [L]
Sardonyx
Scimitar
Scotsman
Scout
Scythe
Seabear
Seafire
Searcher
Simoon
Spindrift
Strenuous [temporary]
Taurus
Teazer
Telemachus
Vanoc




8.2 DESTROYER FLOTILLAS 1921-1939

Throughout this period, destroyer flotillas were composed on a single leader and eight destroyers of the same class. From 1930 the earlier ships were succeeded by new construction, and no V& W class destroyers remained in frontline service after 1936.


ALLOCATION OF DESTROYER FLOTILLAS

1921 1923 1925 1927 1928 1932 1936 1938 1939
Atlantic Fleet/Home Fleet
[r] - reduced complements
1DF 
2 DF   
3 DF    
4 DF     
5 DF 

6 DF [r]
9 DF [r]

1 DF
2 DF
6 DF
8 DF [r]
9 DF [r]
5 DF
6 DF
8 DF [r]
9 DF [r]
5 DF
6 DF
7 DF [r]
5 DF 
6 DF
2 DF
5 DF
6 DF
4 DF
5 DF
6 DF
5 DF
6 DF
5 DF
6 DF
7 DF
8 DF
Mediterranean Fleet
7 DF
8 DF
3 DF
4 DF
1 DF   
2 DF   
3 DF   
4 DF


1 DF
3 DF
4 DF
1 DF
2 DF
3 DF
1 DF
2 DF
3 DF
4 DF

China Station



8 DF



21 DF



1st Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Defender (Photo Ships)

Atlantic Fleet 4.25-renumbered 5DF Mediterranean 4.25- [ex 5DF]

Wallace [L]
Vancouver
Velox
Versatile
Vortigern
Walker
Warwick
Watchman
Whirlwind
1925-12.1932
Montrose [L]
Vampire 1931-Worcester
Vendetta
Vivacious
1930-Wakeful
Vimiera
Voyager
Walrus
Waterhen
Wryneck
12.32-12.34*
Duncan [L]
Dainty
Daring
Decoy
Defender
Delight
Diamond
Diana
Duchess
12.34-3.36*
Keppel [L]
Verity
Veteran
Whitehall
Whitshed
Wild Swan
Wishart
Witch
Wren
3.36-**
Grenville [L]
Gallant
Garland
Gipsy
Glowworm
Grafton
Grenade
Greyhound
Griffin

* swopped between Mediterranean and China
** - see 20DF


2nd Destroyer Flotilla
Atlantic Fleet 3.25-Mediterranean 6.32-Home Fleet 12.36-Mediterraean


HMS Crusader, later HMCS Ottawa (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

1921-25 1925-1932 6.32-12.36 12.36-
Spenser [L]
Valorous
Vanquisher
Venetia
Viceroy
Violent
Viscount
Winchelsea
Wolfhound
Stuart [L]
Valentine
Vanessa
Vanquisher
Vega
Venetia
Viceroy
Viscount
Winchelsea
Kempenfelt [L]
Comet
Crescent
Crusader
Cygnet
Valorous
Vega
Venetia
Viceroy
Hardy [L]
Hasty
Havock
Hereward
Hero
Hostile
Hotspur
Hunter*
Hyperion

* damaged 5.37-replaced by Worcester until 10.38

2 DF temporarily transferred to Mediterranean 9.35 in response to Abyssinian crisis - the four V & W's were allocated to the newly formed 19DF after arrival.


3rd Destroyer Flotilla
Atlantic Fleet 8.23-Mediterranean Fleet


HMS Achates (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

1921-1923 1923-1930 1930-1937 1937-
Campbell [L]
Verity
Veteran
Wanderer
Wild Swan
Wishart
Witherington
Wivern
Wolverine
Keppel [L]
Verity
Veteran
Wanderer
Wild Swan
Wishart
Witherington
Wivern
Wolverine
Codrington [L]
Acasta
Achates
Acheron
Active
Antelope
Anthony
Ardent
Arrow
Inglefield [L]
Icarus
Ilex
Imogen
Imperial
Impulsive
Intrepid
Isis
Ivanhoe


4th Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Bulldog (Navy Photos)

4th DF, Atlantic Fleet 8.23-Mediterranean 8.36-Home Fleet -3.39 1st Tribal Flotilla, Med 5.38-4th DF 4.39-
1921-1931
Mackay [L] 12.24-Broke [L]
Vampire
Vansittart 11.29-Verity
Venomous
Volunteer
Whitshed
Wolsey
Woolston
Worcester 2.23-Wren
10.30-Amazon
1931-1939
Keith [L] 9.37-Kempenfelt [L]
Basilisk
Beagle
Blanche
Boadicea
Boreas
Brazen
Brilliant
Bulldog
Amazon - .32

Afridi [L]
Cossack
Gurkha
Maori
Mohawk
Nubian
Sikh
Zulu


5th Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Express (Navy Photos)

Atlantic Fleet-4.25 [to Med as 1DF] Atlantic Fleet/Home Fleet-7.39
Malcolm [L]
Vanessa 
Vanity 
Vendetta
Vesper 
Vivacious
Voyager
Walrus
Wryneck
10.23-Montrose [L]
1.22-Vimiera
10.23-Vampire

10.23-Waterhen
4.25-10.34
Wallace [L]
Vancouver [1.4.28 renamed Vimy]
Velox
Versatile
Vortigern
Walker
Warwick
Watchman
Whirlwind 1932-Wessex
10.1934-7.1939
Exmouth [L]
Echo
Eclipse
Electra
Encounter
Escapade
Escort
Esk
Express

5 DF temporarily transferred to Eastern Mediterranean 9.35 during Abyssinian crisis-returned 4.36. E-Class paid off summer 1939. 5DF planned to reform autumn 1939 with K class for Mediterranean

6th DF, Atlantic Fleet 5.39-renumbered 8DF 2nd Tribal Flotilla, Home Fleet 12.38-6th DF 5.39-
1921-1935 [reduced complement to 10.23] 1935-5.39
Shakespeare 
Valhalla 
Vega  
Vidette
Walpole
Wessex 
Westcott
Westminster
Windsor
9.23-Campbell [L]
.30-Valentine
9.24-Wolfhound


.32-Vanquisher
Faulknor [L]
Fame
Fearless
Firedrake
Foresight
Forester
Fortune
Foxhound
Fury
Somali [L]
Bedouin
Boreas  4.39-Ashanti
Eskimo
Mashona
Matabele
Punjabi
Tartar

6 DF temporarily transferred to Gibraltar 9.35 in response to the Abyssinian crisis-returned by 4.36
 

7th Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Javelin (Navy Photos)

Mediterranean 1.21-7.23 Atlantic Fleet 1927-1928  Home Fleet 5.39-
Stuart [L]
Senator
Sepoy
Shark
Sikh
Sparrowhawk
Spear
Tribune
Trinidad
[reduced complements]
Mackay [L]
Valorous
Valkyrie
Vanity
Vectis
Venturous
Verdun
Violent
Whitley 
Jervis [L]
Jackal
Jaguar
Janus
Javelin
Jersey
Juno
Jupiter


8th Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Faulknor (Navy Photos/Peter Crocker)

Mediterranean Atlantic Fleet China 1927-5.39, retitled 21DF Home Fleet
1.21-10.23
Montrose [L]
Seraph
Stormcloud
Serapis
Sirdar
Somme
Splendid
Sportive
Swallow
Tourmaline
1923-1927 [reduced complements]
Bruce [L]
Sepoy
Seraph
Serapis
Sirdar
Somme
Stormcloud
Sterling
Thracian
1927-1931
Bruce [L]
Sepoy
Seraph
Serapis
Sirdar
Somme
Stormcloud
Sterling
Thracian
1931-1934
Keppel [L]
Verity
Veteran
Whitehall
Whitshed
Wild Swan
Wishart
Witch
Wren
12.34-
Duncan [L]
Dainty
Daring
Decoy
Defender
Delight
Diamod
Diana
Duchess
5.39-
Faulknor [L]
Fame
Fearless
Firedrake
Foresight
Forester
Fortune
Foxhound
Fury


9th Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 1921-1927
[reduced complements]


HMS Verdun in World War 2 (Navy Photoss)

Bruce [L]
Valentine
Valkyrie
Vanessa 
Vanity
Vectis
Venturous
Verdun
Whitely
1923-Mackay [L]
1925-Valorous

1925-Violent


19th and 20th Destroyer Flotillas


HMS Greyhound (Navy Photos/Peter Crocker)

19th Destroyer Flotilla, Malta 12.35- .36 20th Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet 9.35-12.36
Formed at Malta in response to the Abyssinian crisis - partly from 2DF Formed from ships in reserve and new G class as temporary replacement for despatch of 2DF, 5DF and 6 DF which had been sent to the Mediterranean during the Abyssinian crisis. Became 1DF in 12.36
Douglas [L]
Mackay
Valorous
Venetia
Viceroy
Wessex
Wolsey
Rowena
Torrid
Thruster
Montrose [L]
Vanoc 
Versatile 
Vesper 
Viscount 
Vivien 
Wakeful 
Winchelsea
Wrestler 
4.36-Grenville
3.36-Gallant
3.36-Garland
3.36-Gipsy
4.36-Grafton
3.36-Glowworm
3.36-Greyhound
4.36-Grenade
3.36-Griffin


21st Destroyer Flotilla


HMS Decoy (Photo Ships)

Home Fleet 9.35-12.36
Formed from ships in reserve as temporary replacement for desptach of 2DF, 5DF and 6 DF which had been sent to the Mediterranean during the Abyssinian crisis.
China 5.39- [formerly 8DF]
Campbell [L]
Valentine 
Vanquisher 
Vidette 
Walpole 
Westcott 
Westminster 
Windsor 
Wolfhound 
Duncan [L]
Dainty
Daring
Decoy
Defender
Delight
Diamond
Diana
Duchess



DESTROYERS UNDER LOCAL COMMANDS

Throughout this period destroyers were attached to the major home commands where they were employed on a variety of duties such as local defence or tenders to training schools. The largest concentration of destroyers was to be found at Portsmouth but others were located at the Nore, Plymouth and Portland.

Destroyers were based at Gibraltar, and, from 1936 at Hong Kong on local defence duties. The two main fleets required destroyers to control target duties tasks, to act as plane guard attendants to the aircraft carriers, and as minelayers.

One task not listed here was as attendant destroyers to some of the submarine flotillas - these ships are listed with the relevant submarine flotilla.


Nore Command

Local Flotilla Training ships
Tempest- .26 to Gunnery tg ship
1933-Scimitar -1937
1933-Scout -1937
1935-Veteran -1937
2.36- Wishart -2.38
1937-Wanderer -7.39
3.38- Anthony
5.39- Boadicea
7.39- Blanche
Stork [gunnery] - .26
.26-Tempest [gunnery] - .36


Portsmouth Command

Local Flotilla
Training ships
1934-Wessex -1936
1936-Whitshed -1937
1936-Wild Swan -1937
10.36-Verity -12.38
1937-Worcester -3.38
1937-Windsor -12.38
1937-Scimitar
3.37-Antelope
12.38-Kempenfelt
12.38-Vanoc
3.39- Acasta
8.39-Exmouth
8.39-Exmouth
8.39-Whitley [WAIR]
Sharpshooter [gunnery]-.26
1926-Restless [gunnery]-.35
1935-no gunnery tg ship
3.38-Arrow [gunnery]
Sable [torpedo]-11.25
Skate [torpedo] -9.39
Winchester [torpedo] - 3.39
Wrestler [torpedo] - .38
1924-Vanoc [torpedo] - .32
1932-Stronghold [torpedo-air target]-1933
9.33-Amazon [torpedo] -2.39
9.33-Ambuscade[tropedo] -5.39
Truant  [signals] - .31?
1931-Sardonyx [signals] -later LDF-9.39
Rival [engineering]- .23
Tyrant [engineering ] - .37


Plymouth Command

Local Flotilla Training ships
Sesame - .30 [Irish coast]
Seawolf - .31 [Irish coast]
Scythe - .31 [Irish coast]

1934-Broke - .38
1935-Keppel - .37
1935-Witch - .38
1936-Wren - .38
1937-Wolverine - .38
10.37-Achates -3.39
3.38- Acasta - 3.39
4.38- Ardent
3.39- Basilisk
3.39- Brazen
Tenacious [gunnery] -12.25
Tactician [torpedo] -1927
Wakeful [torpedo] -12.25
11.25-Saumarez [torpedo] -1.31
Sturgeon [BRNC] -1926

1938-Codrington [engineering]


Other Commands

Portland, ASW School 1922-  Rosyth -1931
3.22-Rowena -1936
1.23- Rocket -1926
7.25- Raider -1926
7.25- Redgauntlet-1927
7.25- Retriever -1926
1926-Thurster -1936
1926-Torrid -1936
1927-Salmon - 1934
1933-Woolston -1937
1935-Vanquisher
6.36- Vidette
6.36- Walpole
6.36- Wolfhound -1938
1938-Walker
Tancred -7.22
7.24-Tenedos -1927
1925-Venturous -1926
1925-Whitley -1926
1926-Tormentor- 1928
1927- Teazer -1931


Also-
1937-Sabre [air target duties]



HMS Tenedos (Navy Photos)

Gibraltar   Hong Kong 1935-
Restless -3.22
Rigorous -1925
Romola -12.23
Rowena -3.22
11.23-Tourmaline -1931
12.23-Splendid -1930
1927- Shamrock -1934
1931- Searcher -1936
1936- Vanoc -1939
1938- Wryneck -1939
5.39- Active
1939- Wishart
1935-Tenedos
1936-Thracian
1937-Thanet [RF Singapore 1938]
1938- Scout



HMS Shikari as control ship 1929 (Navy Photos)

Atlantic-Home Fleet   Mediterranean Fleet
Minelayer
Telemachus -1926
Target duties
1924-Shikari -1939
1.26-Tetrarch -1933

Attendant on aircraft carriers
12.36-Crusader -4.38
1938-Stronghold-1939
4.39- Boreas
8.39- Beagle
Attendant on aircraft carriers
12.36-Comet -6.38
6.38- Wishart -5.39
1.39- Boadicea



DESTROYERS IN RESERVE

Throughout this period a large number of destroyers were kept in reserve either for future use or because they were too new to scrap. Large numbers were moored in the Medway, at Portsmouth and Devonport. From 1927 a significant number were transferred to Rosyth to become the Maintenance Reserve. By the end of the 1920's many of the R and S classes had been disposed of, and had been replaced by V& W classes which in turn had been succeeded by new build ships. In the Navy Lists it is difficult to assess the status of each ship - laid up in long term reserve; short-term between commissions; or awaiting sale to the scrapyards. As a result, four 'snap shots' of the status of the reserve fleet destroyers is given below.


Destroyers in Reserve 1923

Types/Classes
Nore Command Portsmouth Command
Plymouth Command
Leaders
Abdiel Nimrod
Seymour
Douglas 
Grenville 
Saumarez 
M-classes
Sabrina 
Sybille
Rapid
Ready
Relentless
Truculent
Tyrant

Talisman-class
Turbulent

R-classes Radstock   
Raider [temp 2DF]
Redgauntlet   
Retriever
Sarpedon 
Skilful 
Sorceress 
Springbok     
Starfish
Tancred
Tempest
Thisbe
Tower
Ulster 
Redoubt
Rob Roy
Rosalind
Skate 
Trenchant
Umpire
Undine
Urchin
Ursa
Ursula
Restless 
Rowena Salmon 
Satyr  
Sceptre
Simoon
Stormcloud
Sylph
S-classes
Sabre [temp 2DF]
Shamrock
Steadfast
Tenedos [temp 2DF]
Thanet
Thracian
Tintagel
Saladin
Stronghold
Sturdy
Tilbury  
Torbay 
Toreador 
Trojan
Trusty
Turquoise
Tyrian
Sardonyx 
Scimitar    
Scotsman
Scout
Seabear
Seafire
Searcher
Serene
Sterling
Strenuous
Spindrift
Tactician
Taurus  
Teazer
Tetrarch
Torrid
V-classes
Vesper
Vivien

Vanoc


Destroyers in Reserve June 1928

Types/Classes
Nore Command Portsmouth Command Plymouth Command Maintenance Reserve, Rosyth Malta
Leaders
Abdiel
Grenville
Mackay
Malcolm
Spenser
Shakespeare

Saumarez

R-classes Ursula Raider
Sharpshooter
Thisbe
Trenchant
Umpire
Undine
Urchin
Romola
Taurus


S-classes
Torch
Tumult

Shamrock
Tumult
Sabre
Saladin
Sardonyx
Scimitar
Scotsman
Scout
Seabear
Seafire
Searcher
Senator
Serene
Shamrock
Shark
Simoon
Sparrowhawk
Spindrift
Sportive
Steadfast
Strenuous
Stronghold
Sturdy
Swallow
Tactician
Tenedos
Tilbury
Tintagel
Tribune
Trinidad
Trojan
Trusty
Turbulent
Turquoise
Tuscan

V-classes
Valkyrie
Valorous
Vanity
Venturous
Vectis
Vesper
Vimy (ex-Vancouver)
Vivien


Verdun
Violent

W-classes


Whitley

V&W-classes



Wolsey
Woolston


Destroyers in reserve November 1933

Types/Classes
Nore Command Portsmouth Command Plymouth Command Maintenance Reserve, Rosyth Malta
Leaders
Abdiel
Malcolm

Broke
Montrose
Wallace
Shakespeare
Spenser

R-classes Tetrarch Thisbe


S-classes
Scimitar
Scout
Thracian
Sabre
Saladin
Sesame
Sirdar
Tenedos
Scotsman
Seraph
Steadfast
Thanet
Seafire
Senator
Serene
Spindrift
Sportive
Swallow
Trojan
Trusty
Turbulent

V-classes
Vendetta [for RAN]
Vesper
Vimiera
Vivien
Vampire [for RAN]
Vanessa
Vivacious

Valkyrie
Vanity
Vectis
Venturous
Violent

W-classes
Wakeful
Wessex
Whitley
Wryneck
Voyager [for RAN] Waterhen [for RAN] Vansittart
Venomous
Wanderer
Witherington
Wivern
Worcester
V&W-classes Viscount





Destroyers in reserve, August 1938

Types/Classes
Nore Command Portsmouth Command Plymouth Command Maintenance Reserve, Rosyth Malta
Leaders
Campbell
Keppel
Wallace
Bruce [for disposal]
Mackay
Montrose
Malcolm
M-classes
Tyrant [for sale]


S-classes
Scout Saladin Sturdy

V-classes
Valorous
Velox
Versatile
Vesper
Vidette
Vivien
Vega
Vimy
Vortigern
Valentine
Venetia
Vanessa
Vanity
Verdun
Vimiera [to refit Portsmouth]
Vivacious

W-classes
Veteran
Wakeful
Whirlwind
Whitley (WAIR conversion)
Wessex
Westminster
Whitshed
Wild Swan
Worcester
Walker
Warwick
Watchman
Whitehall
Witch
Wolverine
Vansittart
Venomous
Volunteer
Witherington
Wivern
Wryneck

V&W-classes
Viceroy

Wolsey
H-class



Hunter [under repair]


Modern Destroyers in reserve

Ambuscade 4.30-9.33 Portsmouth
Amazon .32-9.33 Devonport
Codrington 6.37- .38 Devonport
Acasta  5.37-3.38 Devonport
Achates 4.37-10.37 Devonport
Acheron 8,.35- 2.37 Portsmouth
Active  2.37- .38 Malta
Anthony 3.37-3.38 Nore
Ardent  7.37-4.38 Nore
Arrow  6.37-3.38 Nore
Keith  9.36- Portsmouth 11.37-Nore-6.38 and 3.39-
Exmouth [L] 7.39-Portsmouth
Eclipse  3.39-Devonport
Electra  1.39-Nore
Escort  5.39-Nore
  and 7.39-Echo, Encounter, Escapade, Express
 





9. SUBMARINE DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939


Submarines were grouped into a number of flotillas. Each flotilla commanded all the boats operating from a single base. There was no fixed total of boats for any of the flotillas. Each flotilla had a depot ship and one cruiser or destroyer. Two of the flotillas - 5th at Gosport and 6th at Portland - were training flotillas which also looked after the boats held in reserve.

After 1924, each major fleet and command - Atlantic/Home Fleet, Mediterranean Fleet, and China Station - had one flotilla which controlled all the boats assigned to that organisation.

Until 1924, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Flotillas operated in the Atlantic Fleet, with the 4th Flotilla at Hong Kong.

Submarine operations were restored in the Mediterranean with the 2nd Flotilla in 1924. In 1927 the 2nd Flotilla was renumbered the 1st; the 1st and 3rd were combined into the 2nd.

From 1927 until 1939 the flotilla organisation was:

1st Submarine Flotilla, Malta
2nd Submarine Flotilla, Devonport
(3rd had been combined with the 1st as the 2nd)
4th Submarine Flotilla, Hong Kong
5th Submarine Flotilla, Gosport
6th Submarine Flotilla, Portland

Until the end of the 1920's the flotillas commanded war-built boats, of which the two major classes were the H class [for training and coastal work], and the L class [for overseas/long distance patrols].

From 1929 these boats were replaced by a succession of new construction. The main focus of this stream of new boats was the 4th Submarine Flotilla in the Far East, the main purpose of which, was to provide a force capable of delaying the Japanese navy until major surface ships arrived in the area.


OPERATIONAL FLOTILLAS IN HOME WATERS


1st Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 1919-1.1927


HM S/M K.15 (Photo Ships)

Rosyth 1919-1922 Chatham 1922-1927
Royal Arthur [depot ship]
Pandora [old cruiser]
Ithuriel [destroyer] -1919
1919-Inconstant [cruiser flagship for Atlantic Fleet submarines]

K5  lost 20.1.21              In reserve
K8  -6.21                        K2
K9  - .21                         K6
K11  -8.21                      K10
K12                                K14
K14                                K16
K15  -1922
K22
1921-K2
5.21-M1
8.21-M2
1921-M3
Cyclops [depot ship]
2.22-Conquest [cruiser flagship]




K2 -1924
K12 -1924
K14 -1.23
K22 -1924
M1 lost 12.11.25
M2
M3 -1925
5.23- K26
1924-L11
1924-L16
1924-L21
1924-L23

In reserve
K16


2nd Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 1919-1924


HM S/M L.12 (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

Devonport -1922 Portsmouth 1922-1924
Lucia  [depot ship]
Adamant [depot ship]

L11
L12
L14
L16
L17
L18
L56
Lucia [depot ship]


L18
L21
L22
L56
L59
L69
L71


3rd Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet 1919-Plymouth Command- 1927


HM S/M H.34 (Navy Photos)

Portsmouth 1919-1922 Devonport 1922-1927
Maidstone [depot ship]
Alecto  [depot ship]

H21
H23
H24
H28
H30
H42  lost 23.3.22
H48
H51
Maidstone [depot ship]
Alecto [depot ship]

H22
H24
H28
H29
H30
H34
H52


2nd Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic/Home Fleets 1927-1939-based at Devonport


HM S/M Starfish (Photo Ships)

1927-1932 1932-1936 1936-1939
Lucia [depot ship]



L52
L53
L54
L56
L69
L71
Lucia  [depot ship]
3.32-Stuart [destroyer]
1933-Mackay [destroyer]

L18
L19
L21
L23
L26
L27
Lucia [depot ship]- .38
1938-Forth [depot ship]
Mackay [destroyer]

Seahorse
Starfish
Swordfish
Grampus -1937
Narwhal
Porpoise
1938-Cachalot
8.39-Seawolf
8.39-Spearfish
8.39-Sterlet
8.39-Sunfish



OPERATIONAL FLOTILLAS OVERSEAS


2nd Submarine Flotilla, Malta 1924- 1st Submarine Flotilla, Malta 1.1927-1939


HM S/M Rover (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

1924-1927 1927-1931 1931-1939
Lucia  [depot ship]
Adamant [depot ship]


L52
L53
L54
L56
L69
L71
Cyclops [depot ship]
Douglas [destroyer]


K26
L16
L18
L21
L23
L26
X1
Cyclops [depot ship]
1938-Maidstone [depot ship]
Douglas [destroyer]

1931-Oberon -1934
1931-Otway -1936
1931-Oxley -1936
1931-Regent -1935
1931-Regulus -1935
1931-Rover -1935
1934-Thames -1939
1935-Clyde
1935-Severn
1935-Salmon
1935-Sealion
1935-Shark
1935-Snapper


4th Submarine Flotilla, Hong Kong 1919-1939


HMS Perseus (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

Ambrose [depot ship] -1928                  1932-Bruce [destroyer] -1933
Titania 1920- [depot ship] -1929           1933-Westcott [destroyer]
1929-Medway [depot ship]
1919-1929

L1
L3
L4
L7
L9 -1927
L15

1920-
L2
L5
L8
L20

1922-
L19
L33

1927-
L27
1929-1939

1929-
Oswald -1938
Otus

1930-
Odin
Osiris  -9.37
Olympus
Orpheus
Perseus
Poseidon -lost 9.6.1931
Proteus

1931-
Parthian
Phoenix

1935-
Regent
Regulus
Rover

1936-
Rainbow

1937-
Grampus
Rorqual



TRAINING FLOTILLAS


5th Submarine Flotilla, Gosport 1919-1939
[includes boats held in reserve]


HM S/M R.10, anti-U-boat type (Photo Ships)

Alecto 1930-1934 [depot ship],   Ross [minesweeper] 1919-1939,       Winchester [destroyer] 1920-1939
Wartime boats by class
H27 1919-1932
H31 1919-1939
H52 1919-1922
H43 1921-1930
H23 1922-1934
H48 1922-1931
H34 1927-1931
H28 1927-1933
H30 1927-1933
H32 1931-1933
H33 1933-1938
H34 1936-1937
H49 1936-1939
H43 1939-
K14 1.23-1925
K26 1922-1923
L6 1919-1935 [never commissioned]
L24 1920- lost 10.1.24
L17 1925-1927
L22 1925-1934
L52 1932-1935
L53 1932-1935
L69 1932-1934
L54 1932-1937
L56 1933-1934
L71 1933-1934
L26 1935-
M1 1920-1921
M2 1920-8.21
M3 1925-1932
M2 1928 lost 26.1.32
R2 1919-1920
R4 1920-1922
R10 1922-1925
X1 1930-1936
New boats by class
Oberon 1927-1931
Oberon 1934-1938
Otway 1935-1939
Oxley 1936-1939
Swordfish 1932-1935
Seawolf 1936-8.39
Sunfish 1937-8.39
Sterlet 1938-8.39
Thames 1932-1934
Porpoise 1933-1936
Osiris 9.37-
Oswald 1938-
Undine 1938- 


6th Submarine Flotilla, Portland 1919-1939

[includes boats held in reserve]


HMS Ursula (Photo Ships)

Titania 1930- [depot ship]                           Fermoy [minesweeper] -1938
                                                                    1938-Viscount [destroyer]
                                                                    3.39-Achates [destroyer]
Wartime boats by class
H25 1919-1921
H26 1919-1928
H29 1919-1921
H32 1919-1931
H33 1919-1933
H41 1919-1920
H44 1920-1938
H47 1920- lost 9.7.29
H49 1920-1935
H50 1920-1938
H49 1927-1934
H24 1928-1933
H27 1931-1933
H34 1932-1939
H48 1932-1935
H32 1933-
H43 1933-1937
H34 1937-1938
H44 1938-1939
H33 1939-
L23 1936-1938
R10 1919-1922
R4 1920-1932
New boats by class
Starfish 1934-1936
Sturgeon 1934-
Seahorse 1935-
Spearfish 1937-8.39
Swordfish 1938-
Ursula 1938-
Unity  8.39-


Note on submarines in reserve in 5th and 6th Flotillas.

To illustrate the balance between active and reserve boats in both flotillas, a snapshot of each at five year intervals is provided below.


1923

5 SMF 6 SMF
active reserve active  
reserve
H23
H27
H31
H48
K26
L24
R10
H21
L6
L12
L16
L25
K14
H32
H33
H44
H47
H49
H50
R4
H25
H26
H43
L11
L14
L17
 
 
1928

5 SMF 6 SMF
active reserve active  
reserve
Training wing-
H23
H30
H31
H34
H48
L11

Experimental wing-
H43
L22
L25
M2
M3
H27
H28
L6
L12
L14
L17
H24
H32
H38
H44
H47
H49
H50
R4
None


1933

5 SMF 6 SMF
active reserve active  
reserve
H28
H30
H32
L22
L52
L53
L54
L56
L69
L71
Thames
Swordfish
H24
H27
H31
L6
L14
L20
L25
X1
H33
H34
H43
H44
H48
H49
H50
Sturgeon
None


1938

5 SMF 6 SMF
active reserve active  
reserve
H33
H49
L23
L26
Seawolf
Sterlet
Sunfish
Oberon
Otway
Oxley
Osiris
Oswald
H32
H43
H44
H50
L27
Spearfish
Sturgeon
H28
H31
H34






10. SLOOP DEVELOPMENT 1919-1939


Most of the sloops in commission were employed on colonial policing duties in the more remote commands of the Royal Navy. They can be divided into two groups - those war-built vessels retained after 1919; and the new classes which came into service from 1929.


War-built vessels
New construction

Home Waters



HMS Heather (Photo Ships)


HMS Pelican (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)
Atlantic Fleet-target duties
Snapdragon 9.1921-1934

Fishery Protection
Godetia -1935
Harebell -1937
Rosemary 1930-1936

Irish Coast
Heather -3.23

Portland
Heather 3.23- .31
Portsmouth [trials]
Fleetwood 11.36-11.37

Fishery Protection
Hastings 5.37-
Penzance 5.38-4.39
Pelican 4.39-

Enchantress [Admiralty Yacht] 4.35-
Stork [survey] 9.36-

Portland
Kingfisher 6.35-
Mallard 7.36-
Puffin 8.36-
Kittiwake 4.37-
Sheldrake 7.37-
Widgeon 6.38-
Bittern 1.39-

Overseas


HMS Chrysanthemum with target (Maritime Quest)


HMS Fleetwood (Photo Ships)
Mediterranean
Bryony [CinC Yacht] -1936
Chrysanthemum [target service]-5.37

Levant 1919-1922-
Dianthus
Gardenia
Heliotrope
Hibiscus

Red Sea
Clematis -1930
Cornflower -1927
1927-Dahlia -1931

East Indies/Persian Gulf
Clio  -1922
Espiegle -1922
Odin  -1924
1922-Crocus -1930
1922-Cyclamen -1931
7.24- Lupin -1935

China
Foxglove -1931
Hollyhock -7.28
Magnolia -1931
1927-Cornflower -hulked Hong Kong 1930

New Zealand
1922-Laburnum -1934
1922-Veronica -1935

Africa
Dwarf  -1925
Thistle  -1925
9.21-Wallflower -1930
1922-Verbena -1932
1925-Daffodil -1929
8.25- Delphinium -1933

West Indies
Verbena  -1922
9.21-Wisteria -1930
1922-Heliotrope -1932
1922-Valerian lost 22.10.26
Mediterranean
Aberdeen 9.36- [CinC Yacht]

Red Sea
Hastings 1.32-11.34
Penzance .32-8.36
Weston 8.35- 2.39
Londonderry 1.36-
Fleetwood 3.38-
Egret 1.39-

East Indies/Persian Gulf
Hastings 11.30-1.32
Penzance 1.31- .32
Fowey 9.31-
Bideford 11.31-6.39
Shoreham 11.31-
Deptford 8.35-
Rochester 6.39-

China
Bridgewater 3.29-1.35
Sandwich 3.29-
Folkestone 11.31-5.39
Falmouth 10.32- [Admiral's yacht]
Grimsby 5.34-6.39
Lowestoft 11.34-
Bideford 6.39-

New Zealand
Leith 7.34-
Wellington 1.35-

Africa
Rochester 3.32-6.39
Milford 12.32-
Weston 2.33- 8.35
Bridgewater 1.35-
Penzance 8.36-5.38
Londonderry 5.38-
Auckland 11.38-

West Indies
Scarborough 12.31- 7.38
Dundee 3.33-
Penzance 6.39-



 

11. MINESWEEPER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939


Only a small number of minesweeper were retained in active service from 1920. There was one flotilla in Home Waters, designated The Fishery Protection Flotilla from 1920 until 1927 when it was retitled 1st Minesweeping Flotilla. Until 1936 this flotilla operated the war-built 'Hunt' class ships. After 1936 the flotilla was composed of the new Halcyon class.

A reserve flotilla was established at Malta in 1920. The flotilla was transferred to Singapore in 1935 with the mobilisation designation of 2nd Minesweeping Flotilla. Its place at Malta was taken by the ships of the 1st Flotilla, under the title of 3rd Minesweeping Flotilla.

A small number of Hunt class were employed in training and support duties.


Fishery Protection Flotilla 1927 - 1st Minesweeping Flotilla


HMS Dunoon (Photo Ships)


HMS Hussar (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham)

1920-1927 1927-1935 1936-1938 1938-1939
Badminton
Burslem
Leamington
Mistley
Newark
Sherborne
Truro
Albury
Dundalk
Dunoon
Pangbourne
Selkirk
Sutton
Tiverton
Halcyon
Harrier
Hussar
Niger
Skipjack
Speedwell
Salamander
Hazard
Hebe
Hussar
Niger
Sharpshooter
Seagull
Salamander

RF Sheerness 1938-
Halcyon
Harrier
Skipjack
Speedwell


2nd and 3rd Minesweeping Flotillas


HMS Saltash (Photo Ships)

2nd MF, 1920-Malta 1935-Singapore 3rd MF, 1935-Malta
Aberdare
Abingdon
Bagshot
Derby
Fareham
Harrow
Huntley
Stoke
Widnes
Albury
Dundalk
Dunoon
Elgin
Fermoy
Lydd
Ross
Saltash
Sutton


Support Tasks


HMS Petersfield (Photo Ships)

Navigation Training, Portsmouth Tenders Admiral's Yacht, China Station
Alresford 5.19-9.39
Carstairs  .21- .24
Caterham 12.19-1.34
Saltburn  1.34-
Tedworth 1919-1939
Tring att HMS Ganges 8.21-11.25
Forres att BRNC,  Dartmouth 8.21- .35
Marazion 4 SMF, Hong Kong 11.21-8.33
Ross 5 SMF, Gosport 8.19- .39
Fermoy 6 SMF, Portland 7.19-1939
Petersfield 9.23- lost 11.11.31
 

Held in Reserve 1919-27,  but not used
  
Dorking
Faversham
Ford
Gainsborough
Gretna
Kendall
Mallaig
Malvern
Marlow
Nailsea
Northolt
Rugby
Shrewsbury
Stafford
Tonbridge
Tralee
Weybourne
Yeovil


 

revised 2/9//15