reforms to the navy 1790-1918 Flashcards
1
Q
Who was the Comptroller of the Navy advocating for the fleet to be coppered?
A
Rear Admiral Charles Middleton
2
Q
What was the purpose of coppering the ships’ hulls?
A
To protect it from wear and tear
3
Q
How many ships of the line were coppered in 1780?
A
46 ships
4
Q
By what year had 82 capital ships been coppered?
A
1782
5
Q
What material was initially used to attach the copper sheets to the ships?
A
Iron bolts
6
Q
What issue arose from the use of iron bolts in the coppering process?
A
Corrosion
7
Q
What was the consequence of the corroded iron bolts?
A
Two boats foundered
8
Q
What solution was implemented to address the corrosion issue?
A
Replacing iron bolts with copper/zinc bolts
9
Q
What was the reason for coppering the fleet?
A
To protect the ships and make them last longer, reducing strain on dockyards and saving money
10
Q
Coppering the fleet supports Britain’s movement towards what industrial change?
A
Using metal as GB industrialising
11
Q
Fill in the blank: The ships’ hulls were covered with a _______ to protect them.
A
copper sheet
12
Q
When did impressment into the navy end in practice?
A
1815
Impressment continued to exist in law even after it ended in practice.
13
Q
What legislation was passed in 1835 regarding impressed seaman?
A
It exempted impressed seaman that had served 5 years or more from further impressment.
14
Q
What system was introduced in 1853 to address the navy’s manpower needs?
A
A new system of fixed-term engagements or continuous service.
15
Q
Why did the navy not require impressed men as much after 1853?
A
Sailors could make a career in the navy and receive a pension.
16
Q
What was a significant outcome of the new system of fixed-term engagements?
A
It provided sufficient numbers of volunteers to meet the navy’s needs until WW1.
17
Q
What was the main goal of the Congress of Vienna in 1815?
A
To end the French Wars and reduce the size of armed forces.
18
Q
What significant change occurred in the Royal Navy’s role after 1815?
A
Protecting British trade and Empire became more important than fighting other navies.
19
Q
What was enforced in British and international waters following the abolition in 1807?
A
The abolition of the slave trade.
20
Q
What happened to the warships that fought Napoleon after the war?
A
They were decommissioned and repurposed as prison ships, guard ships, or floating supply depots.
21
Q
How many battleships were on active duty by 1817?
A
13 battleships.
22
Q
What types of ships were used globally after the war?
A
Frigates, sloops, and brigs.
23
Q
Into what regions was the navy reorganized into squadrons?
A
- North America
- South America
- The West Indies
- The Western Mediterranean
- The Eastern Mediterranean
- West Attica
- Cape Colony
- The East Indies
24
Q
What term describes Britain’s use of naval ships as a threat during diplomatic talks?
A
Gunboat diplomacy.
25
In what year did the British bombard Algiers as a display of gunboat diplomacy?
1816.
26
What significant naval event occurred in 1827 involving the Ottoman fleet?
The Battle of Navarino, where the Ottoman fleet was destroyed.
27
How were the Portuguese persuaded regarding Brazilian independence?
By the presence of the British fleet in Tagus.
28
By 1917, how many battleships were still on active duty?
13 battleships.
29
What was the main strength of the Navy by 1917?
Frigates, sloops, and brigs.
30
What was the initial attitude of sea lords towards steam power in the 1820s?
They were suspicious of steam power compared to oar and wind power.
31
Who was the first Lord of the Admiralty that dismissed a request for a steam-powered ship?
Lord Melville.
32
What was the name of the small battleship propelled by a steam-powered propeller?
HMS Medea.
33
What larger battleship was also adopted to use steam power?
HMS Gladiator.
34
During which conflict were paddle steamers particularly useful for navigating inlets and rivers?
First Opium War with China (1839-42).
35
Initially, steam powered ships were seen as suitable for what type of tasks?
Ancillary tasks such as moving supplies.
36
Why were steam powered ships thought to be vulnerable?
They were thought to be vulnerable to enemy fire.
37
What limitation did twin paddles impose on steam powered ships?
They occupied too much room to mount an effective broadside.
38
Throughout which decades did the navy mainly rely on sail?
1830s and 1840s.
39
In which decade did a program to build steam powered ships start?
1850s.
40
Who was Sir James Graham?
A Whig politician and first lord of the admiralty from 1830 to 1839
41
What was one of Graham's main reforms to improve navy administration?
He replaced the semi-independent Admiralty, Navy and Victualling Boards with five new departments
42
What are the five new departments created by Graham?
* Surveyor of the navy
* Accountant-general of the navy
* Storekeeper-general of the navy
* Controller of the victualing
* Medical director-general
43
How did Graham's reforms improve communication within the navy?
All new departments worked at the admiralty, reducing internal political bickering
44
What change did Graham make regarding control of dockyards and victualing yards?
He extended the Royal Navy's control to the dockyards and victualing yards
45
What was abolished under Graham's reforms?
The rank of civil commissioner was abolished
46
What was the impact of having serving naval officers in charge of the yards?
It resulted in greater efficiency in servicing and resupplying
47
What investment strategy did Graham reverse?
He reversed the policy of naval investment in smaller types of ships
48
What did Graham invest in to improve the navy's fleet?
A shipbuilding program for new battleships and refitting existing ones
49
What order did Graham issue regarding naval gunnery?
All crews at sea or in harbour should practice gunnery
50
What school did Graham set up for gunnery practice?
He set up a school of gunnery and commissioned HMS Excellent
51
Who introduced a systematic and standardized system for naval gunnery?
Captain Sit Thomas Hastings of the HMS Excellent
52
What issue arose from the decommissioning of ships in 1815?
There were too many officers and not enough ships for them to serve in
53
What was the naval list?
A list of captains still on active service with the navy
54
What problem did Graham's promotion regulation aim to address?
The unfairness of promotion based on rank and influence over experience
55
What was the minimum service requirement introduced by Graham for promotion to commander?
Two years’ experience at sea as a lieutenant
56
True or False: Graham's reforms completely solved the problem of the long naval list.
False
57
What was a major impact of the screw propeller's position on a ship?
It was placed at the stern and did not interfere with the broadside
## Footnote
This allowed for better maneuverability and effectiveness in naval engagements.
58
Which battleship was the first to be fitted with an engine that turned a screw propeller?
HMS Ajax in 1845
## Footnote
This marked a significant advancement in naval technology.
59
What was the world's first purpose-built steam-powered battleship ordered by the French Navy?
The specific name is not provided in the text
## Footnote
This development prompted the Royal Navy to increase its steam-powered shipbuilding.
60
What was the Royal Navy's first steam-powered battleship?
HMS Agamemnon, built in 1852
## Footnote
It was still equipped with full sail rigging.
61
What significant feature did the British HMS Duke of Wellington, launched in 1853, have?
It carried 131 guns and had a speed of 10 knots (19 km/h)
## Footnote
This made it the world's most powerful battleship at the time.
62
What issue did steam-powered ships face in the 1850s?
Carrying coal made them an auxiliary to sail
## Footnote
This limited their operational range and effectiveness.
63
When was the first fully powered battleship, HMS Devastation, built?
In 1873
## Footnote
It was notable for being built without rigging.
64
What limitation did wooden hulls have?
Wooden hulls can only carry their own weight
65
What was the initial modification made to wooden ships to enhance their capabilities?
Wooden ships were clad in iron
66
Which country built ironclads in 1858?
France
67
What was the name of the Royal Navy's first fully iron warship launched in 1860?
HMS Warrior
68
What advantage did iron warships provide over wooden ships?
Iron warships could carry larger guns
69
Fill in the blank: Wooden hulls were limited to a small _______.
steam engine
70
True or False: The Royal Navy was the first to build ironclads.
False
71
What year was HMS Warrior launched?
1860
72
What was the primary reason for cladding wooden ships in iron?
To enable them to carry powerful steam engines
73
What did the 1899 Naval Defence Act formally adopt?
The ‘two-power’ standard
## Footnote
This standard required Britain’s naval strength to be at least equal to its two largest rivals.
74
What was the primary aim of the 1899 Naval Defence Act?
To ensure Britain’s naval strength was at least equal to that of its two biggest rivals.
75
Throughout the 19th century, which powers were more focused on their armies than their navies?
France, Germany, and Russia.
76
Why was the USA not a significant threat to British naval supremacy in the 19th century?
The USA was not developed enough to pursue an aggressive foreign policy.
77
Who posed a new threat to British naval supremacy at the beginning of the 20th century?
Germany.
78
What significant event occurred in Germany in 1871?
Germany was unified.
79
What was the German Kaiser’s interest that impacted British naval supremacy?
He was a keen sailor and wanted a fleet to match Britain’s.
80
What advantages did Germany have over Britain regarding naval development?
A larger population and more industrial capacity.
81
What was a key characteristic of the ships Germany intended to build?
They would be modern ships.
82
What issue did the Royal Navy face regarding its vessels?
Many of the vessels were old and no longer fit for purpose.
83
Fill in the blank: The 1899 Naval Defence Act required Britain’s navy to be equal to that of its two biggest _______.
rivals.
84
Who was Fisher?
A career naval officer who captained HMS Inflexible
85
What position did Fisher hold at HMS Excellent?
Superintendent
86
What was Fisher's role as Third Sea Lord?
Responsible for building the first modern destroyers
87
What did Fisher believe would transform naval warfare?
New innovation in weapons, ship design, and aviation
88
What was Fisher's view on Britain's naval position?
Britain needed to be at the forefront of naval innovation
89
What was Fisher's belief about maintaining world peace?
The Royal Navy needed to be in an unchallengeable position
90
What command did Fisher hold in the late 1890s and early 1900s?
Commanding officer of the Mediterranean Fleet
91
When did Fisher retire from the Royal Navy?
1910
92
When was Fisher recalled to serve again?
1914
93
What was Fisher's major achievement as Second Sea Lord?
Reform of officer training
94
How were officer classes traditionally divided?
Engineers or commanders
95
What change did Fisher implement for officer cadets?
They studied together until 22 years old
96
What subjects did officer cadets study under Fisher's reforms?
* History
* Navigation
* Seamanship
* Mathematics
* Engineering
* Science
97
Who was John Jellicoe?
Gunnery expert made director of naval ordnance by Fisher
98
What position was created for Percy Scott?
Inspector of target practice
99
What did Percy Scott invent?
New rangefinders that increased naval gunnery effective distance
100
Fill in the blank: Fisher was recalled to serve as First Sea Lord until _______.
1915
101
True or False: Fisher believed that engineers should be educated separately from commanders.
False
102
What was Fisher's role when he became First Sea Lord?
Fisher became First Sea Lord at a time when the government wanted to see cuts to defence spending
## Footnote
He implemented significant changes to the Royal Navy's structure and resources.
103
How many old ships did Fisher sell off?
Fisher sold off 90 old ships
## Footnote
He put a further 64 ships in reserve.
104
What new reserve did Fisher create to augment the Royal Navy?
Fisher created the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve
## Footnote
This allowed Britain to have a large reserve to call on in times of war.
105
What was the task of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary?
The task was to supply the fighting ships with coal and supplies
## Footnote
This was essential for maintaining operational capacity.
106
How did Fisher reorganise the Mediterranean Fleet?
The strength of the Mediterranean Fleet was reduced from 18 battleships to 12
## Footnote
Additionally, five battleships stationed near China were recalled to Britain.
107
What happened to the South Atlantic Fleet under Fisher's reorganisation?
The South Atlantic Fleet was abolished
## Footnote
This was part of a broader strategic reorganisation.
108
What was the new name for the Channel Fleet after it was moved to Gibraltar?
The Channel Fleet was renamed the Atlantic Fleet
## Footnote
The Home Fleet became the new Channel Fleet.
109
What strategic priority did the reorganisation of the Royal Navy reveal?
The strategic priority was keeping Germany in check
## Footnote
This was a major consideration in the allocation of naval resources.
110
What was the significance of the Russo-Japanese War for naval strategy?
The naval encounters sent a message that future naval encounters would be won by long range gunnery
## Footnote
This meant having the biggest guns and more of them was paramount.
111
What type of vessels did Fisher believe were essential for naval supremacy?
Fisher believed that submarines would ensure naval supremacy
## Footnote
He thought submarines would render the battleship obsolete.
112
What was HMS Dreadnought known for?
HMS Dreadnought was the first in a new breed of modern battleship
## Footnote
It was revolutionary in terms of design and capabilities.
113
How much did HMS Dreadnought displace when fully loaded?
Over 20,000 tons
## Footnote
This made it over 2000 tons heavier than its closest rival.
114
What type of guns did HMS Dreadnought have?
HMS Dreadnought was armed with ten 12-inch guns
## Footnote
These guns could fire armour-piercing shells to a range of 18,000 yards.
115
What powered HMS Dreadnought, giving it a top speed of 21.6 knots?
HMS Dreadnought was powered by steam turbines
## Footnote
This made it far quicker than any other large ship in the world.
116
What innovation did HMS Dreadnought introduce for gunnery calculations?
It had new devices for calculating gunnery that took into account the speed and direction of the target
## Footnote
This improved accuracy for deflection shooting.
117
What was the impact of HMS Dreadnought once it was launched in 1906?
HMS Dreadnought made every other warship in the world obsolete
## Footnote
It set a new standard for naval warfare.
118
What year did the Germans begin the construction of nine dreadnoughts?
1908
119
By 1914, how many dreadnoughts did Germany have compared to Britain?
Germany had 17 dreadnoughts to Britain’s 29
120
How many dreadnoughts did the French, Russians, and Austrians complete by 1914?
French: 10, Russians: 4, Austrians: 3
121
What was the displacement of the Orion class of super-dreadnought?
22,000 tons
122
What caliber guns were the Orion class of super-dreadnought armed with?
13.5-inch guns
123
What was the displacement and armament of the Queen Elizabeth class battleship ordered in 1912?
Displacement: 27,000 tons; Armed with 15-inch guns
124
What was the role of the Navy League during the naval arms race?
A prominent pressure group that lobbied the government to maintain naval spending
125
True or False: The Liberal government was enthusiastic about the naval arms race.
False
126
The public supported naval spending due to lobbying from which group?
The Navy League
127
What was Germany's primary aim during the naval arms race?
The defeat of France on land
128
Fill in the blank: The Orion class of super-dreadnought was armed with _______.
13.5-inch guns
129
Fill in the blank: The Queen Elizabeth class battleship displaced _______ tons.
27,000
