British Atlantic Fleet
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic Fleet was a major fleet formation of the Royal Navy
.
There have been two main formations in the Royal Navy officially called the Atlantic Fleet. The first was created in 1909 and lasted until 1914. The second lasted from 1919 until 1932.
The Atlantic Fleet was formed in 1909 from the Channel Fleet
as part of a reorganisation of the Royal Navy by the then First Sea Lord
Admiral of the Fleet
Jackie Fisher. National Archives records, however, say that on 14 December 1904 the Channel Fleet was re-styled the 'Atlantic Fleet' and the Home Fleet became the 'Channel Fleet'. From 1905 to 1910 it was under a Commander-in-Chief, and from 1910 to 1912 it was under a Vice-Admiral Commanding, before it became the 3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)
.
The Atlantic Fleet lasted until 1914 when rising tensions with Germany
forced the Royal Navy to relook at fleet formations. As a result, the majority of the fleet's ships were merged together into the Home Fleet which was renamed the Grand Fleet.
The Atlantic Fleet was again formed after the end of World War I
, when British naval forces were reorganised to reflect the changed economic and political situation in Europe. The fleet was created upon the disbandment of the Grand Fleet, absorbing many, but not all of its elements. It was placed under a Commander-in-Chief, who for part of that year held the title of Commander-in-Chief Atlantic and Home Fleets, before the Home Fleet became the Reserve Fleet and a totally separate command. HMS Queen Elizabeth
became the Fleet's flagship and served in that capacity until 1924.
The fleet never fought in a naval battle in its short history. The fleet's only point of note in history was in 1931, during the Invergordon Mutiny
. Sailors of the fleet openly refused to obey orders over a dispute on pay sparked by the government at the time. The mutiny lasted 2 days.
The fleet's short history ended in 1932, when the Admiralty
having been shaken by the events of the Invergordon Mutiny, renamed the fleet, as the Home Fleet, which had been the name prior to the Grand Fleet
.
The Admiralty felt that this act would help expunge the memory of the incident.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
There have been two main formations in the Royal Navy officially called the Atlantic Fleet. The first was created in 1909 and lasted until 1914. The second lasted from 1919 until 1932.
The Atlantic Fleet was formed in 1909 from the Channel Fleet
Channel Fleet
The Channel Fleet was the Royal Navy formation of warships that defended the waters of the English Channel from 1690 to 1909.-History:The Channel Fleet dates back at least to 1690 when its role was to defend England against the French threat under the leadership of Edward Russell, 1st Earl of...
as part of a reorganisation of the Royal Navy by the then First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
Jackie Fisher. National Archives records, however, say that on 14 December 1904 the Channel Fleet was re-styled the 'Atlantic Fleet' and the Home Fleet became the 'Channel Fleet'. From 1905 to 1910 it was under a Commander-in-Chief, and from 1910 to 1912 it was under a Vice-Admiral Commanding, before it became the 3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)
3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)
The British Royal Navy 3rd Battle Squadron was a naval squadron consisting of battleships and other vessels, active from at least 1914 to 1945. The 3rd Battle Squadron was initially part of the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. During the First World War, the Home Fleet was renamed the Grand Fleet...
.
The Atlantic Fleet lasted until 1914 when rising tensions with Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
forced the Royal Navy to relook at fleet formations. As a result, the majority of the fleet's ships were merged together into the Home Fleet which was renamed the Grand Fleet.
The Atlantic Fleet was again formed after the end of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when British naval forces were reorganised to reflect the changed economic and political situation in Europe. The fleet was created upon the disbandment of the Grand Fleet, absorbing many, but not all of its elements. It was placed under a Commander-in-Chief, who for part of that year held the title of Commander-in-Chief Atlantic and Home Fleets, before the Home Fleet became the Reserve Fleet and a totally separate command. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth (1913)
HMS Queen Elizabeth was the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of dreadnought battleships, named in honour of Elizabeth I of England. She saw service in both World Wars...
became the Fleet's flagship and served in that capacity until 1924.
The fleet never fought in a naval battle in its short history. The fleet's only point of note in history was in 1931, during the Invergordon Mutiny
Invergordon Mutiny
The Invergordon Mutiny was an industrial action by around 1,000 sailors in the British Atlantic Fleet, that took place on 15–16 September 1931...
. Sailors of the fleet openly refused to obey orders over a dispute on pay sparked by the government at the time. The mutiny lasted 2 days.
The fleet's short history ended in 1932, when the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
having been shaken by the events of the Invergordon Mutiny, renamed the fleet, as the Home Fleet, which had been the name prior to the Grand Fleet
British Grand Fleet
The Grand Fleet was the main fleet of the British Royal Navy during the First World War.-History:It was formed in 1914 by the British Atlantic Fleet combined with the Home Fleet and it included 35-40 state-of-the-art capital ships. It was initially commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe...
.
The Admiralty felt that this act would help expunge the memory of the incident.
Commander-in-Chiefs Second Formation
- Admiral Sir Charles Madden (1919-1922)
- Admiral Sir John de RobeckJohn de RobeckAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, 1st Baronet GCB, GCMG, GCVO was an admiral in the British Royal Navy who commanded the Allied naval force in the Dardanelles during World War I....
(1922-1924) - Admiral Sir Henry OliverHenry OliverAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Francis Oliver, GCB, KCMG, MVO was a British naval officer.-Naval career:...
(1924-1927) - Admiral Sir Hubert BrandHubert BrandAdmiral Sir Hubert George Brand GCB, KCMG, KCVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Background:...
(1927-1929) - Admiral Sir Ernle ChatfieldErnle Chatfield, 1st Baron ChatfieldAdmiral of the Fleet The Rt Hon. Sir Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, 1st Baron Chatfield, GCB, OM, KCMG, CVO, PC was a Royal Navy officer and held the position of First Sea Lord from 1933 to 1939...
(1929-1930) - Vice Admiral Sir Michael HodgesMichael HodgesAdmiral Sir Michael Henry Hodges KCB CMG MVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
(1930-1931) - Admiral Sir John Kelly (1931-1932)