Naval Who's Who 1916

[kin47]

Hello

Since biographical lookups have been offered, I am willing to do lookups in the early Who's Who which contains histories of ships in service at the beginning of the war. The histories come from their commissioning to the summer of 1914 if anyone is interested.

Example

(I picked a short history for this example)

GLASGOW, 2nd Class Cruiser

4800 tons. Tuns 2-6 in, 10-4 in., 1-12 pdr, 4-3 pdr.

Laid down by the Fairfield Co., Govan 25 March 1909. Launched 30th September 1909.

Captain M.R. Hill appointed, August 1910. Commissioned at Portsmouth 27 September 1910 for relief of JUNO in the Home Fleet. Transferred to S.E. Coast of America and W. Coast of Africa (affiliated to Atlantic Fleet), May 1911 relieving AMETHYST. Recommissioned at Portsmouth by Captain John Luce 17 September 1912.

The average history is two to three times longer.

All best

don

[Bruce Dennis]

Hello

Since biographical lookups have been offered, I am willing to do lookups in the early Who's Who which contains histories of ships in service at the beginning of the war. The histories come from their commissioning to the summer of 1914 if anyone is interested...

Thanks for the offer. Does the book cover smaller craft, such as minesweepers and trawlers?

Regards,

Bruce

[kin47]

Hello

Sorry, I should have said: Cruisers and above only.

All best

don

[jamesbow]

don,

if you get chance,could you look up my fathers ships;hms topaze,and if possible hms st george,many many thanks james

[kin47]

Hello James

Further addend. 3RD class ships are not included; TOPAZE is not in the list; sorry.

Here is the history for ST GEORGE.

ST GEORGE 1st Class Cruiser

7700 tons. Guns 4-6 inch, 8-12 pdr.

Launched, Hull, 23 June 1892. Original trials 10, 585 IHP = 20-23 knots.

Commissioned at Portsmouth 25 October 1894, by Captain W.C.C. Forsyth for service as Flagship of Rear Admiral Sir F.C.D. Bedford, Commander in Chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station. Captain E.H. Gamble appointed 10 December 1894. Captain G. Le C. Egerton appointed 11 May 1895. Landed brigade for the capture of M’well 17 August 1895; took part in bombardment of Zanzibar 27 August 1896 and landed brigade for the Benin expedition of February 1897. Brought home and paid off at Portsmouth January 1898 by Captain H.F.L. Royle.

Commissioned at Portsmouth 31 Oct 1899 by Captain E.S. Poe with officers and crew of RALEIGH for service as Commodore’s ship in the Training Squadron. Captain A.L. Winsloe appointed 5 October 1900 as Commodore in command of the Cruiser Squadron on its institution. Employed 1901 as escort to OPHIR on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to the Colonies. Captain P.W. Bush appointed 26 February 1901. Paid off at Portsmouth 16 November 1902.

Commissioned at Portsmouth 15 March 1904 by Captain E.G. Shortland for service on the South Atlantic Station. Served as Commodore’s ship (Captain F. Finnis) on that station and took part August to September 1904 in search of Russian ships SMOLENSK and PETERSBURG.

Replaced CALLIOPE and CLEOPATRA as sea going training ship for boys, December 1904 and attached to Fourth Cruiser Squadron from its formation. Captain A.Y. Moggridge appointed 8 December 1904. Paid off at Devonport 14 May 1906.

Recommissioned in Reserve by Captain C.H.H. Moore on 15 May 1906. Captain H.A.S. Fyler appointed 9 August 1906. Transferred nucleus crew to AMPHITRITE 20 February 1907 and recommissioned with reduced nucleus crew for special reserve, Devonport. Captain C.H. Morgan appointed 14 November 1907. Captain E.F. Bruen appointed 25 June 1908. Paid off at Chatham 23 march 1909 to be converted into a depot ship for t.b.d.’s.

Commissioned at Chatham 15 March 1910 by Captain G.L. Sclater as depot ship for the 3rd t.b.d. flotilla, Home Fleet. Captain E.G. Lowther-Crofton appointed 29 May 1911 for same service. Captain V.B. Molteno appointed 1 May 1912 when the flotilla was renumbered the Fifth instead of the Third. Continued as depot ship on Flotilla being renumbered the Ninth January 1913. Captain C.D.S. Raikes appointed 27 January 1914.

No information in War Supplement.

All best

don

[jamesbow]

hi don,

fantastic, thats pretty comprehensive.my father served on 10 ships,

so when you get your breath back i will ask a favour again.if there's any thing i can do in return let me know,thanks again james

[RNCVR]

HMS TOPAZE was a 3rd Class (GEM class) Cruiser of 3,000 tons , 360x40 ft, built by Lairds & launched 23 July '03. Her armament was 12 - 4 inch guns, & 8 - 3 pounder deck guns.

Topaze was part of the 5th Battle Sqdn at Portland & Channel Fleet in 1914-15, then to the Med in '15-'17, then to the Red Sea in '17-'18.

She was sold to Cohen's in Sept 1921 for break up in Germany.

Bryan

[jamesbow]

many thanks bryan,

at this rate i will have to buy loads more ink and paper!

james

[RNCVR]

If you could post a decent readable scan of his SR James I could probably tell you a lot more about his service,

Bryan

[jamesbow]

bryan,

his service records are all on here under de robebeck s speech,i have been trying to find out where he sailed.also some info of the brig viganella german prize captured while my father on the bacchante,i had better not repost his records on here(clogging up forum space etc)all the best james.ps i'll owe you a few pints?.

[RNCVR]

bryan,

his service records are all on here under de robebeck s speech,i have been trying to find out where he sailed.also some info of the brig viganella german prize captured while my father on the bacchante,i had better not repost his records on here(clogging up forum space etc)all the best james.ps i'll owe you a few pints?.

Yes I agree James - sorry I did not connect them up. I responded to that one also & reread it a while ago.

Cannot help on Vignella tho. My specialty is Naval Service records.

Bryan