In 1902 the British navy allocated the bulk of its active and fully manned warships to a number of overseas ‘stations.’ The warships of each station ranged from a full battle fleet in the Mediterranean to a mixture of cruising vessels –cruisers and gunboats-on the other stations. Each station was commanded by a ‘flag officer’ with subordinate ‘flag officers’ on the larger stations.
The fleet in United Kingdom waters was made up of a small fully-manned element-the Channel Squadron, which was supported by partially-manned warships allocated to bases and harbours for local defence and training duties. There was a substantial reserve fleet in the three ‘home ports’ of Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth. Also to be found in those homeports, and in a number of overseas bases, were relics of the Victorian navy employed ‘on harbour service’: these are excluded from the following lists. All ships in home waters, except the Channel Squadron were allocated to one of the homeports, the commander of which exercised control over the ships within his area, no matter what their status.
To maintain the quality and numerical superiority of this fleet, Britain financed a major naval construction programme. In 1902 there were 14 battleships, 29 cruisers and 19 destroyers under construction, as well as 17 submarines.
Oversight of this very large fleet was the responsibility of the Board of Admiralty in London, whose most senior naval officer, held the title of ‘First Sea Lord. The Royal Navy more than equalled the strength of all the other naval powers combined-France, Germany, Russia, Italy, Austria, the USA and Japan.
One visible sign that this naval predominance was about the change was the abandonment of Victorian livery in favour of a drab dark grey colour scheme. Warships of the Victorian navy had been painted with black hulls, white upperworks, and yellow funnels: this was over-painted during 1902.
| THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET [Based at Malta with responsibility for the Red Sea as well] | |
| Battle Squadron | |
| Bulwark | [Admiral Sir Compton Domville] |
|
Formidable |
[Rear Admiral Custance] |
|
Implacable |
|
|
Irresistible |
|
|
London |
|
|
Venerable |
(completing at Chatham) |
|
Vengeance |
|
|
Canopus |
|
|
Caesar |
|
|
Illustrious |
|
|
Victorious |
|
|
Renown |
|
|
Ramillies |
|
|
Repulse |
|
|
Hood |
|
|
|
|
| Cruiser Squadron | |
|
Andromeda |
[Rear Admiral Walker] |
|
Aboukir |
|
|
Bacchante |
(completing at Chatham) |
|
Hogue |
(completing at Chatham) |
| Gladiator | |
|
Vindictive |
|
|
Diana |
|
|
Hermione |
|
|
Intrepid |
|
|
Naiad |
|
|
Pandora |
|
|
Pegasus |
|
|
Pioneer |
|
|
Pyramus |
|
|
Barham |
|
|
Scout |
|
|
|
|
| Torpedo-Boat Destroyer Flotilla | |
|
Albatross |
|
|
Ardent |
|
|
Ariel |
|
|
Banshee |
|
|
Bat |
(reserve at Malta) |
| Boxer | |
|
Bruizer |
|
|
Chamois |
|
|
Coquette |
|
|
Crane |
(reserve at Malta) |
| Cygnet | |
|
Cynthia |
(reserve at Gibraltar) |
| Desperate | |
|
Dragon |
|
|
Earnest |
|
|
Fawn |
|
|
Flying Fish |
|
|
Foam |
|
|
Griffon |
|
|
Kangaroo |
|
|
Locust |
|
|
Mallard |
|
|
Myrmidon |
|
|
Orwell |
|
|
Panther |
|
|
Seal |
(reserve at Malta) |
|
Stag |
(reserve at Malta) |
|
Thrasher |
(reserve at Malta) |
|
|
|
| Torpedo Gunboats | |
|
Dryad |
|
|
Harrier |
|
|
Hussar |
|
|
Speedy |
|
|
Sandfly |
(reserve at Malta) |
|
|
|
| Sloop | |
|
Cormorant |
(based at Gibraltar) |
|
|
|
| CHINA STATION [based at Hong Kong] | |
| Battle Squadron | |
|
Glory |
[Vice Admiral Bridge] |
|
Albion |
[Rear Admiral Grenfell] |
|
Goliath |
|
|
Ocean |
|
|
|
|
| Cruisers | |
| Cressy | |
|
Amphitrite |
|
|
Argonaut |
|
|
Blenheim |
|
|
Arethusa |
|
|
Eclipse |
|
|
Talbot |
|
|
Pique |
|
|
Fearless |
|
|
|
|
| Torpedo-Boat Destroyers [based at Hong Kong] | |
|
Fame |
|
|
Handy |
|
|
Hart |
|
|
Janus |
|
|
Otter |
|
|
Whiting |
|
|
Taku |
|
|
|
|
| Gunboats | |
|
Bramble |
|
|
Britomart |
|
|
Tweed |
|
|
|
|
| Sloops | |
| Algerine | |
|
Espiegle |
|
|
Mutine |
|
|
Phoenix |
|
|
Rinaldo |
|
|
Rosario |
|
| Vestal | |
|
River Gunboats [mainly Yangste river] |
|
|
Kinsha |
|
|
Moorhen |
|
|
Robin |
|
|
Sandpiper |
|
|
Snipe |
|
|
Teal |
|
|
Woodcock |
|
|
Woodlark |
|
| EAST INDIES STATION [based at Colombo] | |
|
Cruisers |
|
| Highflyer | [Rear Admiral Drury] |
|
Fox |
|
|
Perseus |
|
|
Pomone |
|
|
Fox |
|
|
|
|
| Gunboats | |
|
Lapwing |
|
|
Redbreast |
|
|
Sphinx |
|
|
Assaye |
(Indian Marine at Bombay) |
|
Plassey |
(Indian Marine at Bombay) |
|
|
|
| AUSTRALIAN STATION [based at Sydney] | |
| Cruisers | |
|
Royal Arthur |
[Vice Admiral Fanshawe] |
|
Archer |
|
|
Katoomba |
(Australian-manned) |
|
Mildura |
(Australian-manned) |
| Phoebe | |
|
Pylades |
|
|
Ringarooma |
(Australian-manned) |
|
Wallaroo |
(Australina-manned) |
|
|
|
| Sloops & gunboats | |
|
Torch |
|
|
Karakatta |
(Australian-manned) |
|
Boomarang |
(Australian-manned) |
| Lizard | |
|
Sparrow |
|
|
|
|
|
PACIFIC STATION |
[based at Esquimalt, British Colombia] |
|
|
|
| Cruisers | |
| Grafton | [Rear Admiral Bickford] |
|
Amphion |
|
|
Phaeton |
|
|
|
|
| Torpedo-boat Destroyers | |
|
Sparrowhawk |
|
|
Virago |
|
|
|
|
| Sloops & Gunboats | |
| Shearwater | |
|
Liffey |
|
|
|
|
| SOUTH EAST COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA STATION | |
|
Cruiser |
|
| Cambrian | [Commodore Finnis] |
| Sloops | |
|
Basilisk |
|
|
Nymphe |
|
|
|
|
| CAPE OF GOOD HOPE & WEST AFRICAN COAST STATION | |
|
[based at Simonstown, South Africa] |
|
|
|
|
|
Cruisers |
|
| Gibraltar | [Rear Admiral Moore] |
|
Barracouta |
|
|
Blanche |
|
|
Forte |
|
|
Pearl |
|
|
Terpsichore |
|
|
|
|
| Sloops & gunboats | |
| Beagle | |
|
Dwarf |
|
|
Partridge |
|
|
Rattler |
|
|
Thistle |
|
|
Thrush |
|
|
|
|
| River gunboat | |
|
Herald |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMERICA & WEST INDIES STATION
[based at Bermuda] |
|
|
|
|
| Cruisers | |
|
Ariadne |
[Vice Admiral Douglas] |
|
Calypso |
|
|
Charybdis |
|
|
Indefatigable |
|
|
Pallas |
|
|
Retribution |
|
|
Tribune |
|
|
|
|
| Torpedo-boat Destroyers | |
|
Quail |
|
|
Rocket |
|
|
|
|
| Sloops & gunboats | |
| Alert | |
|
Columbine |
|
|
Fantome |
|
|
|
|
| HOME STATIONS | |
|
Warships in United Kingdom waters are listed in accordance with their state of readiness, although almost all were based at one of the three home ports of Chatham, Devonport and Portsmouth. |
|
|
|
|
| CHANNEL SQUADRON | |
| Battleships | |
| Majestic | [Vice Admiral Wilson] |
|
Magnificent |
[Rear Admiral Curzon-Howe] |
|
Hannibal |
|
|
Jupiter |
|
|
Mars |
|
|
Prince George |
|
|
|
|
| Cruisers | |
|
Niobe |
|
|
Sutlej |
|
|
Furious |
|
|
Doris |
|
|
Pactolus |
|
|
Prometheus |
|
|
|
|
|
CRUISER TRAINING SQUADRON
[the sea-going training squadron for young recruits] |
|
|
St George |
[Rear Admiral Fawkes] |
|
Brilliant |
|
|
Hyacinth |
|
|
Juno |
|
|
Minerva |
|
|
Rainbow |
|
|
Medea |
|
|
Medusa |
|
|
|
|
| THE COAST GUARD SQUADRON | |
| Battleships | |
|
Revenge |
[Vice Admiral Noel] |
|
Empress of India |
[Rear Admiral Atkinson-Willes] |
|
Royal Sovereign |
|
|
Sans Pareil |
|
|
Resolution |
(Holyhead) |
|
Benbow |
(Greenock) |
|
Anson |
(Queensferry) |
|
Camperdown |
(Lough Swilly) |
|
Collingwood |
(Bantry) |
|
|
|
| Cruisers | |
|
Australia |
(Southampton) |
|
Galatea |
(Hull) |
|
Severn |
(Harwich) |
|
Melampus |
(Kingstown) |
|
|
|
| Torpedo Gunboats | |
|
Skipjack |
(Kingstown) |
|
Speedwell |
(Queensferry) |
|
Alarm |
(Hull) |
|
Circe |
(Harwich) |
|
Onyx |
(Harwich) |
|
Renard |
(Holyhead) |
|
|
|
| Irish Squadron, Queenstown | |
|
Cruisers |
|
| Aelous | [Rear Admiral Jeffreys] |
| Barrosa | |
|
Philomel |
|
|
|
|
|
Royal Naval Reserve training ships |
|
|
Cruisers |
|
| Andromache | |
|
Apollo |
|
| Torpedo Gunboats | |
|
Antelope |
|
|
Gleaner |
|
|
Hazard |
|
|
|
|
| Cruiser attached to Royal Naval College, Dartmouth | |
| Isis | |
| Cruiser on fishery protection duties | |
| Bellona | |
|
PORTSMOUTH COMMAND [Admiral
Sir C Hotham]
Ships on local defence or training duties- |
|
| Local Defence Flotilla- | |
| Flirt | |
|
Lightning |
|
|
Success |
|
|
Syren |
|
|
Zebra |
|
|
Zephyr |
|
| Attached to gunnery school- | |
|
Narcissus |
|
|
Hasty |
|
|
Hunter |
|
| Attached to torpedo school | |
|
Starfish |
|
|
Jaseur |
|
|
Holland No1 [first submarine] |
|
| Other attachments | |
| Vulture | |
| Seagull | |
|
Hebe |
|
|
|
|
|
PLYMOUTH COMMAND[Admiral Lord Montagu-Douglas-Scott] |
|
| Local defence flotilla | |
| Charger | |
|
Dasher |
|
|
Gipsy |
|
|
Lively |
|
|
Opossum |
|
|
Ostrich |
|
|
Skate |
|
|
Sprightly |
|
| Other attachments | |
| Undaunted | |
| Daring | |
|
Ferret |
|
|
Sharpshooter |
|
|
|
|
|
NORE COMMAND (CHATHAM) [Vice Admiral Markham] |
|
| Local defence flotilla | |
| Racehorse | |
|
Ranger |
|
|
Roebuck |
|
|
Snapper |
|
|
Sunfish |
|
|
Swordfish |
|
|
Spanker |
|
| Other attachments | |
|
Immortalite |
|
| Angler | |
|
Sheldrake |
|
|
Haughty |
|
|
Hornet |
|
|
Havock |
|
|
Spiteful |
|
|
|
|
| Warships refitting in commercial yards | |
| Battleships | |
| Howe | |
|
Colossus |
|
| Cruiser | |
|
Aurora |
|
| Torpedo-boat Destroyers | |
|
Arab |
|
|
Dove |
|
|
Fairy |
|
|
Leopard |
|
|
Lynx |
|
|
|
|
|
WARSHIPS LAID UP IN RESERVE
[excluding harbour hulks] |
|
| Battleships | |
|
Centurion |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Trafalgar |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Barfleur |
(Devonport) |
|
Nile |
(Devonport) |
|
Agamemnon |
(Devonport) |
|
Royal Oak |
(Chatham) |
|
Rodney |
(Chatham) |
|
Ajax |
(Chatham) |
|
Thunderer |
(Chatham) |
| Cruisers | |
|
Imperieuse |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Orlando |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Crescent |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Powerful |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Terrible |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Europa |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Spartiate |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Marathon |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Melpomene |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Latona |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Iphigenia |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Blake |
(Devonport) |
|
Edgar |
(Devonport) |
|
Thames |
(Devonport) |
|
Forth |
(Devonport) |
|
Magicienne |
(Devonport) |
|
Sirius |
(Devonport) |
|
Spartan |
(Devonport) |
|
Bonaventure |
(Devonport) |
|
Flora |
(Devonport) |
|
Arrogant |
(Devonport) |
|
Blonde |
(Devonport) |
|
Psyche |
(Devonport) |
|
Warspite |
(Chatham) |
|
Endymion |
(Chatham) |
|
Hawke |
(Chatham) |
|
Theseus |
(Chatham) |
|
Leander |
(Chatham) |
|
Mersey |
(Chatham) |
|
Thetis |
(Chatham) |
|
Sappho |
(Chatham) |
|
Scylla |
(Chatham) |
|
Astraea |
(Chatham) |
|
Venus |
(Chatham) |
|
Dido |
(Chatham) |
|
Prosperpine |
(Chatham) |
| Torpedo-boat Destroyers | |
|
Brazen |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Bullfinch |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Conflict |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Electra |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Kestrel |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Petrel |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Spiteful |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Surly |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Sylvia |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Violet |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Wizard |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Contest |
(Devonport) |
|
Express |
(Devonport) |
|
Falcon |
(Devonport) |
|
Leven |
(Devonport) |
|
Oprey |
(Devonport) |
|
Recruit |
(Devonport) |
|
Shark |
(Devonport) |
|
Thorn |
(Devonport) |
|
Tiger |
(Devonport) |
|
Vigilant |
(Devonport) |
|
Vixen |
(Devonport) |
|
Wolf |
(Devonport) |
|
Avon |
(Chatham) |
|
Bittern |
(Chatham) |
|
Cheerful |
(Chatham) |
|
Greyhound |
(Chatham) |
|
Hardy |
(Chatham) |
|
Lee |
(Chatham) |
|
Mermaid |
(Chatham) |
|
Porcupine |
(Chatham) |
|
Salmon |
(Chatham) |
|
Sturgeon |
(Chatham) |
| Torpedo Gunboats | |
|
Rattlesnake |
(Portsmouth) |
|
Salamander |
(Devonport) |
|
Jason |
(Devonport) |
|
Halcyon |
(Devonport) |
|
Gossamer |
(Chatham) |
|
Leda |
|
|
Niger |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| WARSHIPS UNDER CONSTRUCTION | |
| Battleships | |
|
Queen |
|
|
Prince of Wales |
|
|
Albemarle |
|
|
Cornwallis |
|
|
Duncan |
|
|
Exmouth |
|
|
Montagu |
|
|
Russell |
|
|
King Edward VII |
|
|
Dominion |
|
|
Commonwealth |
|
|
Hindustan |
|
|
New Zealand |
|
| Cruisers | |
|
Euryalus |
|
|
Drake |
|
|
Leviathan |
|
|
King Alfred |
|
|
Bedford |
|
|
Berwick |
|
|
Cornwall |
|
|
Cumberland |
|
|
Donegal |
|
|
Essex |
|
|
Kent |
|
|
Lancaster |
|
|
Monmouth |
|
|
Suffolk |
|
|
Antrim |
|
|
Argyll |
|
|
Carnarvon |
|
|
Devonshire |
|
|
Hampshire |
|
|
Roxburgh |
|
|
Black Prince |
|
|
Duke of Edinburgh |
|
|
Amethyst |
|
|
Diamond |
|
|
Sapphire |
|
|
Topaze |
|
|
Hermes |
|
| Torpedo-boat Destroyers | |
|
Velox |
|
|
Arun |
|
|
Blackwater |
|
|
Cherwell |
|
|
Dee |
|
|
Derwent |
|
|
Eden |
|
|
Erne |
|
|
Ettrick |
|
|
Exe |
|
|
Foyle |
|
|
Itchen |
|
|
Jed |
|
|
Kennet |
|
|
Ribble |
|
|
Teviot |
|
|
Usk |
|
|
Waveney |
|
|
Welland |
|