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Reserve Fleet (United Kingdom)

Reserve Fleet
Ships of the Royal Navy reserve fleet in Penarth Docks (1954)
Active1919–1960
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet
Garrison/HQPortsmouth

The Reserve Fleet was a Royal Navy formation of decommissioned vessels which could be brought to a state of readiness at time of war.

In the early years of the 18th century ships were "laid up in ordinary" at various British naval bases forming a repository for serviceable but decommissioned ships.[1] Sir John Fisher's reforms made these reserve ships more ready for combat, in the lead up to the First World War.[2]

Whilst warships had been laid up in ordinary routinely, the establishment of a Reserve Fleet as a separate, formally established naval formation dated to the change in title and appointment of Vice Admiral Henry Oliver in November 1919. With the breakup of the Grand Fleet in April 1919, Royal Navy forces in home waters was divided between a new Atlantic Fleet consisting of the most powerful naval units, and a Home Fleet consisting of ships with nucleus crews and other vessels.[3] On 8 April Admiral Sir Charles E. Madden became Commander-in-Chief, Home and Atlantic Fleets, and Vice-Admiral Sir Henry F. Oliver was appointed in command of the Home Fleet. The Home Fleet then consisted of the 3rd Battle Squadron of six ships, and the Fourth and Fifth Destroyer Flotillas totaling 35 destroyers and destroyer leaders. This arrangement lasted until 1 October 1919, when the Fleet was reduced to a reserve basis, and "Home Fleet" was dropped from the Commander-in-Chief's title. On 1 November Vice-Admiral Oliver's title was changed to Vice-Admiral Commanding, Reserve Fleet.[4]

It continued to exist in the inter-war years but in 1930 the Admiralty reduced it in size on the basis that war was unlikely in the next ten years, under the Government's Ten Year Rule.[5] At the start of the Second World War the Reserve Fleet, under the command of Vice Admiral Sir Max Horton,[6] was again brought to a state of readiness.[7] Some 15,000 men were called up in May 1939 to man the Reserve Fleet which became ready for service on 15 June 1939.[8] During the 1950s ships were regularly 'cocooned' for the Reserve Fleet[9] and it ceased to exist in 1960.[10]

  1. ^ Pinnock, William (2012). The Guide to Knowledge, Volume 1. Rare Books Club. p. 420. ISBN 978-1153734462.
  2. ^ "Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher of Kilverstone 1841–1920". National Archives. Archived from the original on 20 November 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  3. ^ Harley, Simon. "Home Fleet (Royal Navy)". The Dreadnought Project (Grateful Acknowledgement Given, CC BY-NC-ND 2.5, Some Rights Reserved). Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  4. ^ Heathcote 2002, p. 203
  5. ^ Moretz, p. 82
  6. ^ "Reserve Fleet". Orbat. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Britain's Reserve Fleet 1939". British Pathe. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Maritime War-The British Shore Organisation". The War at Sea. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Reserve Fleet 1950". British Pathe. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Royal Navy Maintenance and Supply Ships". Royal Navy Ships. Retrieved 23 September 2012.

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