The Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands was an operational commander of the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

. He was charged with the administration of the Orkney and Shetland Islands and operating and defending the fleet base at

Scapa Flow Scapa Flow (; ) is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray,S. C. George, ''Jutland to Junkyard'', 1973. South Ronaldsay and Hoy. Its sheltered waters have played an impor ...

that was the main anchorage for both the

Home Fleet The Home Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy that operated from the United Kingdom's territorial waters from 1902 with intervals until 1967. In 1967, it was merged with the Mediterranean Fleet creating the new Western Fleet. Before the First ...

and

Grand Fleet The Grand Fleet was the main battlefleet of the Royal Navy during the First World War. It was established in August 1914 and disbanded in April 1919. Its main base was Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. History Formed in August 1914 from th ...

at various times.

History

An Admiral Commanding for the Orkneys and Shetlands was appointed twice, on the outbreak of war, to provide for the defence and administration of the main base for the Home Fleet. The Admiral Commanding was responsible, under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, for administration of naval defences, naval establishments, and shore duties generally in Orkney and Shetland. During the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

the Rear-Admiral, Scapa Flow served under him, with a position similar to that of an Admiral Superintendent of a dockyard port. Directly under his orders were the

Northern Patrol The Northern Patrol, also known as Cruiser Force B and the Northern Patrol Force, was a naval force of the Royal Navy during the world wars. The Northern Patrol was part of the British "distant" Blockade of Germany (1914–1919). Its main task wa ...

, Shetlands Patrols, the Officer Commanding Troops Orkney, the Officer Commanding Troops Shetlands, the Admiralty Port Officer Kirkwall, the Rear-Admiral commanding the local minefields and the officers responsible for the extended defences, the local defence flotilla and the Orkney Trawler Patrols. He was responsible for the patrolling of the area from Wick to Cape Wrath. Shore establishments included HMS Pyramus (shore establishment) at Kirkwall; HMS Proserpine (shore establishment) at Lyness; and HMS Fox (shore establishment) at

Lerwick Lerwick ( or ; ; ) is the main town and port of the Shetland archipelago, Scotland. Shetland's only burgh, Lerwick had a population of about 7,000 residents in 2010. It is the northernmost major settlement within the United Kingdom. Centred ...

. During the Second World War the Rear-Admiral, Scapa Flow continued to serve under him.

First World War

Included:

Subordinate commanders First World War

Source:

Flag Officer Scapa Flow/Rear Admiral Scapa

This officer's role was similar to that of Admiral Superintendent of a dockyard port.

Flag Officer Shetlands

Naval units, First World War

Included:

Second World War

Watson lists the 6th M/S Flotilla 7.41-12.42, which may have been under direct command of the Home Fleet, and the 15th M/S Flotilla 4.42-2.44 angorsoperated under the orders of the Admiral Commanding. The Admiral's flag was flown aboard HMS in Scapa Flow. The

was based within the Orkney and Shetlands area, but was not responsible to the Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands.Watson 2015 Its ships were dispersed by 1941. Admirals Commanding:

Flag Officer, Scapa Flow/Rear-Admiral Scapa

Admiral-superintendent Lyness

Admiral-superintendent Orkney

Notes

References

* * Harley, Simon and Lovell Tony, Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands (2015), http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org (main source for this article) * * * * {{Admiralty Department, state=collapsed O Military units and formations established in 1914 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945 Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War I Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War II