The First Fleet was a

formation Formation may refer to: Linguistics * Back-formation, the process of creating a new lexeme by removing or affixes * Word formation, the creation of a new word by adding affixes Mathematics and science * Cave formation or speleothem, a secondar ...

of the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

that briefly existed before the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

from 1912 to 1914.

History

Formed on 31 July 1912 the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleets had direct command of the First Fleet; and a Vice Admiral commanded the Second and Third Fleets. All the numbered fleets during this period had different levels of battle readiness for example the first fleet ships were in full commission. The fleet also included, under Captain

Cecil Lambert Admiral Sir Cecil Foley Lambert KCB (28 May 1864 – 29 February 1928) was a Royal Navy admiral during World War I. Naval career Born the son of Sir Henry Edward Francis Lambert, 6th Baronet, and his wife, Eliza Catherine Hervey, Cecil Lamb ...

, four destroyer flotillas. Captain

Reginald Tyrwhitt Admiral of the Fleet Sir Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, 1st Baronet, (; 10 May 1870 – 30 May 1951) was a Royal Navy officer. During the First World War he served as commander of the Harwich Force. He led a supporting naval force of 31 destroyers a ...

took over the command of the destroyer flotillas in December 1913.

Commanders

Components

:Included

References

Sources

* Government, H.M. (October 1913). "List of officers on active list of the Royal Navy with the dates of their seniority". The Navy List. H.M Stationery Office.

External links

* {{Royal Navy fleets Fleets of the Royal Navy Military units and formations established in 1912 Military units and formations disestablished in 1914 1912 establishments in the United Kingdom Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War I