| Commander-in-Chief, English Channel | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1709-1746 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Cruising, and patrolling |
| Part of | Royal Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Spithead,Hampshire,England |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | AdmiralSir John Norris |
TheCommander-in-Chief, English Channel or formallyCommander-in-Chief, of His Majesty's Ships in the Channel was a senior commander of theRoyal Navy. TheSpithead Station[1] was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post from 1709 to 1746. Following AdmiralLord Anson new appointment asCommander-in-Chief, English Channel this office was amalgamated with the office ofCommander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Initially the English Navy had organized its fleet into sub-commands namelysquadrons from at least 1205[2] and certainly during the 16th century. Achannel squadron was operating out ofPortsmouth from around 1512. By 1560 The Navy Royal had three functioning squadrons one in theChannel, and theIrish Sea and another in theNorth Sea.[3] From 1509 until 1649 Vice-Admirals commanding particular fleets were styled so as to denote he was junior to theLord Admiral of England these flag officers were formally appointed by the crown.[4] From 1709 the Channel Squadron was coordinated out ofSpithead,Hampshire,England under the command ofSir John Norris.[5] In 1715 Norris was reassigned to command theBritish Baltic Fleet and sent to theBaltic Sea to support a coalition of naval forces fromRussia,Denmark andHanover taking in theGreat Northern War.[6] In 1729 Admiral Norris returned to the Spithead Station for a second tenure asCINC. In March 1744 he resigned his post over theAdmiralty's attempts to override his authority in setting strategy in response to renewed hostilities against France.[7] Following Admiral Norris's resignation the station was then commanded bySir John Balchen until 1746 when the Admiralty issued orders to centralize all existing naval commands in the English Channel including Spithead and those at theDowns,Narrow Seas,Portsmouth, andPlymouth, to be under the control of AdmiralLord Anson then theCommander-in-Chief, Western Squadron.[8] He then assumed the post ofCommander-in-Chief, English Channel,[9] The Spithead Station was then merged withPortsmouth Station.
Sir John Norris the Spithead Station.