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_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
'Paid off' means decommissioned and is a legacy of when ships dismissed their ships' companies at the end of a commission and paid them off to seek employment elsewhere. To this day, warships fly a 'paying off pendant' (or 'pennant' in more recent useage) when entering harbour for the last time. Traditionally, this is the length of the ship plus one foot for each year of service.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Subforum: Shore Est
Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:12 am
I have had a crack at decyphering the most significant bits of Thomas Denn's service record. I hope it helps make sense of his diary.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Thomas Denn Service Record:
11 Jan - 11 Apr 1899: Boy 2nd Class in HMS Northampton, a 7,652 ton iron armoured frigate then used as a seagoing training ship for boys at Sheerness.
12 Apr - 12 Jun 1899: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Northampton.
13 Jun - 10 Jul 1899: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Calliope, a screw corvette probably used as a training ship at Devonport .
11 Jul - 21 Nov 1899: Ordinary Seaman at HMS Vivid I, the RN Barracks at Devonport, Plymouth.
22 Nov 1899 - 15 May 1900: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Revenge, a 14,150 ton battleship.
16 May 1900 - 2 Mar 1901: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Victorious, a 14,900 ton battleship.
3 Mar - 23 Sep 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Victorious on qualifying as Torpedoman.
24 Sep - 30 Nov 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Devastation, a 9,387 ton turret ship then Port Guard Ship at Gibraltar.
1 - 6 Dec 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Hibernia, a 16,350 ton battleship. Qualified Acting Seaman Gunner Second Class on 6 Dec 1901.
7 Dec 1901 - 7 Aug 1903: Able Seaman in HMS Victorious for service with Mediterranean Fleet.
8 Aug - 10 Oct 1903: Able Seaman at HMS Vivid, probably for end of commission/foreign service leave.
11 Oct 1903 - 13 Feb 1904: Able Seaman in HMS Cambridge, an ex-First Rate (ex-HMS Victoria, ex-HMS Windsor Castle) converted to a screw ship then used as a Gunnery Training Ship at Plymouth. Qualified Seaman Gunner 26 Jan 1904.
14 Feb - 5 Mar 1904: Able Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
6 Mar - 8 Nov 1904: Able Seaman at HMS Defiance, then the Torpedo Training School at Devonport. Qualified Seaman Torpedoman 13 May 1904.
9 - 26 Nov 1904: Leading Seaman at HMS Defiance on qualifying as LTO (Leading Torpedo Operator).
27 - 29 Nov 1904: Leading Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
30 Nov 1904 - 4 Feb 1905: Leading Seaman in HMS Indus, a 6,710 ton iron armoured ship (ex-HMS Valiant) then used as a depot ship, floating workshop and Mechanical Training Establishment at Devonport.
5 Feb - 8 May 1905: Leading Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
9 May 1905 - 27 May 1907: Leading Seaman in HMS Commonwealth, a 16,350 ton battleship.
28 May 1907 - 4 May 1908: Leading Seaman at HMS Defiance, the Torpedo Training School at Devonport. Recategorised Seaman Torpedoman 1 Dec 1907 when system changed.
5 May - 17 Dec 1908: Rated Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance on qualifying as Torpedo Gunner's Mate.
18 Dec 1908 - 9 Mar 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class in HMS Leander, a 4,300 ton steel despatch vessel (2nd Class cruiser) then used as a depot ship at Devonport.
10 - 22 Mar 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance.
23 Mar - 16 Jul 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Vivid I.
17 Jul 1909 - 19 Aug 1910: Petty Officer 2nd Class in HMS Leander.
20 Aug - 30 Nov 1910: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance.
1 Dec 1910 - 17 Jan 1911: Petty Officer (Non-Substantive) at HMS Defiance.
18 Jan - 5 Sep 1911: Petty Officer (Non-Substantive) at HMS Vivid I.
6 Sep - 6 Sep 1911: Transferred to Officers' administration at HMS Defiance on promotion to Gunner.
7 Nov 1911 - 15 Sep 1913: Gunner (T) (i.e. Torpedo) in HMS Bristol, a new 4,820 ton second class cruiser. Confirmed as Gunner (T) 20 Sep 1912.
15 Sep 1913 - 28 Jul 1915: Gunner (T) in HMS Comet, a 747 ton destroyer administered by HMS Blake, depot ship at Scapa Flow.
28 Jul 1915 - Aug 1917: Gunner (T) in HMS (Illegible) administered by HMS Pembroke, the RN Barracks at Chatham, and HMS Blake. Recommended for special promotion to Lieutenant sometime in 1917.
Aug 1917 - 3 Sep 1917: Gunner (T) at HMS Defiance for one month's sick leave on relief in HMS (illegible). Assessed as "not fit at present for sea" due to health in Aug 1917.
3 Sep - 2 Nov 1917: Gunner (T) at Parkeston Quay, a Royal Navy base at Harwich, while unfit for active service.
8 Oct 1917: Admitted Shotley Medical Centre for two weeks.
14 Nov 1917: Discharged Shotley Medical Centre.
24 Nov 1917: Found fit and discharged from Parkeston Quay to Depot.
4 Feb 1918 - 30 Jul 1919: Gunner (T) at HMS Egmont, Base Ship at Malta, for staff of Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet for PV (possibly 'Positively Vetted', i.e. highly sensitive) duties.
30 Jul - 9 Sep 1919: Discharged to HMS Defiance.
9 Sep 1919 - 12 Sep 1921: Gunner (T) at HMS Defiance (supplementary) for staff duties. Recommended for promotion to Commissioned Gunner (T) on 10 Aug 1921.
7 Sep 1921: Promoted Commissioned Gunner (T).
14 - 21 Nov 1921: Admitted Plymouth Hospital for some form of cystitis.
1 Feb 1922 - 11 Jan 1923: Commissioned Gunner (T) in HMS Enterprise, a 7,600 ton light cruiser under the administration of HMS Vivid.
11 Jan 1923: Placed on Retired List at own request.
12 Apr - 12 Jun 1899: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Northampton.
13 Jun - 10 Jul 1899: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Calliope, a screw corvette probably used as a training ship at Devonport .
11 Jul - 21 Nov 1899: Ordinary Seaman at HMS Vivid I, the RN Barracks at Devonport, Plymouth.
22 Nov 1899 - 15 May 1900: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Revenge, a 14,150 ton battleship.
16 May 1900 - 2 Mar 1901: Ordinary Seaman in HMS Victorious, a 14,900 ton battleship.
3 Mar - 23 Sep 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Victorious on qualifying as Torpedoman.
24 Sep - 30 Nov 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Devastation, a 9,387 ton turret ship then Port Guard Ship at Gibraltar.
1 - 6 Dec 1901: Able Seaman in HMS Hibernia, a 16,350 ton battleship. Qualified Acting Seaman Gunner Second Class on 6 Dec 1901.
7 Dec 1901 - 7 Aug 1903: Able Seaman in HMS Victorious for service with Mediterranean Fleet.
8 Aug - 10 Oct 1903: Able Seaman at HMS Vivid, probably for end of commission/foreign service leave.
11 Oct 1903 - 13 Feb 1904: Able Seaman in HMS Cambridge, an ex-First Rate (ex-HMS Victoria, ex-HMS Windsor Castle) converted to a screw ship then used as a Gunnery Training Ship at Plymouth. Qualified Seaman Gunner 26 Jan 1904.
14 Feb - 5 Mar 1904: Able Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
6 Mar - 8 Nov 1904: Able Seaman at HMS Defiance, then the Torpedo Training School at Devonport. Qualified Seaman Torpedoman 13 May 1904.
9 - 26 Nov 1904: Leading Seaman at HMS Defiance on qualifying as LTO (Leading Torpedo Operator).
27 - 29 Nov 1904: Leading Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
30 Nov 1904 - 4 Feb 1905: Leading Seaman in HMS Indus, a 6,710 ton iron armoured ship (ex-HMS Valiant) then used as a depot ship, floating workshop and Mechanical Training Establishment at Devonport.
5 Feb - 8 May 1905: Leading Seaman at HMS Vivid I.
9 May 1905 - 27 May 1907: Leading Seaman in HMS Commonwealth, a 16,350 ton battleship.
28 May 1907 - 4 May 1908: Leading Seaman at HMS Defiance, the Torpedo Training School at Devonport. Recategorised Seaman Torpedoman 1 Dec 1907 when system changed.
5 May - 17 Dec 1908: Rated Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance on qualifying as Torpedo Gunner's Mate.
18 Dec 1908 - 9 Mar 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class in HMS Leander, a 4,300 ton steel despatch vessel (2nd Class cruiser) then used as a depot ship at Devonport.
10 - 22 Mar 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance.
23 Mar - 16 Jul 1909: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Vivid I.
17 Jul 1909 - 19 Aug 1910: Petty Officer 2nd Class in HMS Leander.
20 Aug - 30 Nov 1910: Petty Officer 2nd Class at HMS Defiance.
1 Dec 1910 - 17 Jan 1911: Petty Officer (Non-Substantive) at HMS Defiance.
18 Jan - 5 Sep 1911: Petty Officer (Non-Substantive) at HMS Vivid I.
6 Sep - 6 Sep 1911: Transferred to Officers' administration at HMS Defiance on promotion to Gunner.
7 Nov 1911 - 15 Sep 1913: Gunner (T) (i.e. Torpedo) in HMS Bristol, a new 4,820 ton second class cruiser. Confirmed as Gunner (T) 20 Sep 1912.
15 Sep 1913 - 28 Jul 1915: Gunner (T) in HMS Comet, a 747 ton destroyer administered by HMS Blake, depot ship at Scapa Flow.
28 Jul 1915 - Aug 1917: Gunner (T) in HMS (Illegible) administered by HMS Pembroke, the RN Barracks at Chatham, and HMS Blake. Recommended for special promotion to Lieutenant sometime in 1917.
Aug 1917 - 3 Sep 1917: Gunner (T) at HMS Defiance for one month's sick leave on relief in HMS (illegible). Assessed as "not fit at present for sea" due to health in Aug 1917.
3 Sep - 2 Nov 1917: Gunner (T) at Parkeston Quay, a Royal Navy base at Harwich, while unfit for active service.
8 Oct 1917: Admitted Shotley Medical Centre for two weeks.
14 Nov 1917: Discharged Shotley Medical Centre.
24 Nov 1917: Found fit and discharged from Parkeston Quay to Depot.
4 Feb 1918 - 30 Jul 1919: Gunner (T) at HMS Egmont, Base Ship at Malta, for staff of Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet for PV (possibly 'Positively Vetted', i.e. highly sensitive) duties.
30 Jul - 9 Sep 1919: Discharged to HMS Defiance.
9 Sep 1919 - 12 Sep 1921: Gunner (T) at HMS Defiance (supplementary) for staff duties. Recommended for promotion to Commissioned Gunner (T) on 10 Aug 1921.
7 Sep 1921: Promoted Commissioned Gunner (T).
14 - 21 Nov 1921: Admitted Plymouth Hospital for some form of cystitis.
1 Feb 1922 - 11 Jan 1923: Commissioned Gunner (T) in HMS Enterprise, a 7,600 ton light cruiser under the administration of HMS Vivid.
11 Jan 1923: Placed on Retired List at own request.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Naval_Gazer
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:32 am
Naval_Gazer,
I appreciate your time and effort on the Service Record. I hope to have the last two months (1st July - 10th August + misc accounts from the back of the diary) uploaded tonight.
Again, thanks to all who are helping on this research.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
I appreciate your time and effort on the Service Record. I hope to have the last two months (1st July - 10th August + misc accounts from the back of the diary) uploaded tonight.
Again, thanks to all who are helping on this research.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
sea_mine
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:24 pm
Pat,
Thomas Denn's Commission (7th Sept 1921) was published in the London Gazette - issue dated 18th October 1921.
Link: www.london-gazette.co....pages/8204
SP
_________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll.
Thomas Denn's Commission (7th Sept 1921) was published in the London Gazette - issue dated 18th October 1921.
Link: www.london-gazette.co....pages/8204
SP
_________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll.
sweetpea
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 2:19 pm
SP & List
Thanks once again - how did you do the search?...is it the Adobe Reader search box at the top?
I have now uploaded the final part of the diary here and it seems to tie in well with his service record. I'll have a closer look tonight as with the rush to get the scanning done, the one thing I have neglected to do is read the diary in full.
There are also some terms used in the record that I am not sure of, which I am certain will pose no problem to you guys.
Later,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
Thanks once again - how did you do the search?...is it the Adobe Reader search box at the top?
I have now uploaded the final part of the diary here and it seems to tie in well with his service record. I'll have a closer look tonight as with the rush to get the scanning done, the one thing I have neglected to do is read the diary in full.
There are also some terms used in the record that I am not sure of, which I am certain will pose no problem to you guys.
Later,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
sea_mine- Posts: 111
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:34 pm
sea_mine:
SP & List
Thanks once again - how did you do the search?...is it the Adobe Reader search box at the top? <snip>
Thanks once again - how did you do the search?...is it the Adobe Reader search box at the top? <snip>
Pat - Go to the London Gazette website's Home Page here and click the Advanced Search button.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Naval_Gazer- Posts: 2027
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:38 pm
Pat,
Here is the link: www.gazettes-online.co.uk/
SP.
Edited to say thanks N.G. - I wasn't aware that you had replied providing the link.
_________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll.
Here is the link: www.gazettes-online.co.uk/
SP.
Edited to say thanks N.G. - I wasn't aware that you had replied providing the link.
_________________
If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?
If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll.
sweetpea- Posts: 133
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 3:54 pm
It looks as though Denn departed Malta 30 Jul 1919 and took passage back to the UK in HMS Valhalla, a 1,339 ton V/W Destroyer Leader launched at Cammell Laird on 22 May 1917 so she would have been quite new. He arrived 11 Aug 1919 when the diary finishes.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Naval_Gazer- Posts: 2027
- Joined: Jan 19, 2007
- Location: Vernon in spirit
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:10 pm
Hi Guys,
In the article on HMS Victorious above (see link again here), what does the term 'paid off' mean in relation to a RN vessel?
It seems to infer she was taken out of service for a period of time - is this operational, financial or what?
Thanks,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
Last edited by sea_mine on Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
In the article on HMS Victorious above (see link again here), what does the term 'paid off' mean in relation to a RN vessel?
It seems to infer she was taken out of service for a period of time - is this operational, financial or what?
Thanks,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
Last edited by sea_mine on Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
sea_mine- Posts: 111
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:52 pm
I think Positive Vetting is a Cold War thing? I suspect PV may stand for paravanes which would be a logical billet for a Gunner(T).
_________________
Edmund Burke: 'Wars may be deferred .. but they cannot be wholly avoided .. to purchase present quiet, at the price of future security, is .. a cowardice of the most base and degrading nature."
_________________
Edmund Burke: 'Wars may be deferred .. but they cannot be wholly avoided .. to purchase present quiet, at the price of future security, is .. a cowardice of the most base and degrading nature."
Seaweed- Posts: 1757
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 7:55 pm
It says....................
........placed on Dangerously Ill List,(Heart Failure)His condition gives cause for anxiety.
The other bit is....................Admitted Plymouth hospital.Abo Sequela Cystitis (i think.)
Discharged Fit.
He wasnt a well man.
_________________
........placed on Dangerously Ill List,(Heart Failure)His condition gives cause for anxiety.
The other bit is....................Admitted Plymouth hospital.Abo Sequela Cystitis (i think.)
Discharged Fit.
He wasnt a well man.
_________________
andym- Posts: 4646
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 8:27 pm
List,
In relation to "Positive Vetting", I am guessing here, but I suspect Irish born personnel in the RN would have been vetted regarding their allegiance during this period (1916-1921) - did anyone notice reading the diary that there is not a word about the troubles in Ireland?
Just a guess; I could be wrong.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
In relation to "Positive Vetting", I am guessing here, but I suspect Irish born personnel in the RN would have been vetted regarding their allegiance during this period (1916-1921) - did anyone notice reading the diary that there is not a word about the troubles in Ireland?
Just a guess; I could be wrong.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
sea_mine- Posts: 111
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:28 pm
sea_mine:
Hi Guys,
In the article on HMS Victorious above (see link again here), what does the term 'paid off' mean in relation to a RN vessel?
It seems to infer she was taken out of service for a period of time - it this operational, financial or what?
Thanks,
Pat
In the article on HMS Victorious above (see link again here), what does the term 'paid off' mean in relation to a RN vessel?
It seems to infer she was taken out of service for a period of time - it this operational, financial or what?
Thanks,
Pat
'Paid off' means decommissioned and is a legacy of when ships dismissed their ships' companies at the end of a commission and paid them off to seek employment elsewhere. To this day, warships fly a 'paying off pendant' (or 'pennant' in more recent useage) when entering harbour for the last time. Traditionally, this is the length of the ship plus one foot for each year of service.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
Naval_Gazer- Posts: 2027
- Joined: Jan 19, 2007
- Location: Vernon in spirit
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 10:24 pm
Naval_Gazer & List
Thanks for the explanation of the term.
I am going to have a go at trying to track down the hotel Denn stayed in while in Malta. He refers frequently to well worn routes to and from various locations - the 'office', 'club' etc., so it should not be impossible to figure out where he stayed.
I have uploaded a Google Earth screen capture of Valletta harbour here and will refer to it in future posts. Will spend tomorrow reading the entire diary in full and noting anything that catches my eye. Feel free to add comment and/or corrections.
The diary is a rare find and I want to do it justice - thanks again John for allowing me the privilege of scanning it and posting the pdfs.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
Thanks for the explanation of the term.
I am going to have a go at trying to track down the hotel Denn stayed in while in Malta. He refers frequently to well worn routes to and from various locations - the 'office', 'club' etc., so it should not be impossible to figure out where he stayed.
I have uploaded a Google Earth screen capture of Valletta harbour here and will refer to it in future posts. Will spend tomorrow reading the entire diary in full and noting anything that catches my eye. Feel free to add comment and/or corrections.
The diary is a rare find and I want to do it justice - thanks again John for allowing me the privilege of scanning it and posting the pdfs.
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
sea_mine- Posts: 111
- Joined: Sep 03, 2009
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:44 pm
Hi List,
Found some nice photos of the period showing RN ships in Malta here.
I assume HMS Egmont, where Denn served between 4th Feb 1918 and 30th July 1919, was a shore station in the Valletta area. Can anyone confirm it's location on the harbour map here?
Also, Denn makes several references to posting letters at 'M.N.S.O.' which I am sure is a navy term for post office - can anyone tell me what the letters stand for?
Thanks,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
Found some nice photos of the period showing RN ships in Malta here.
I assume HMS Egmont, where Denn served between 4th Feb 1918 and 30th July 1919, was a shore station in the Valletta area. Can anyone confirm it's location on the harbour map here?
Also, Denn makes several references to posting letters at 'M.N.S.O.' which I am sure is a navy term for post office - can anyone tell me what the letters stand for?
Thanks,
Pat
_________________
Web: whitebeamimages.ie
Email: pat @ whitebeamimages.ie
sea_mine- Posts: 111
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Re: 1919 Diary ID
Posted: Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:40 pm
Up to 1962, every RN shore establishment (stone frigate) had to be associated with a vessel of some sort (a 'Base Ship' or what was later termed a 'Nominated Depot Ship') and took her name as a satellite or 'tender'. In practice, vessels normally had their names changed to comply with those of their associated shore bases because they tended to wear out faster. This peculiar custom was a legacy of when anchored hulks served most of the Navy's administrative and accounting needs afloat and the only shore facilities were small outposts or the Royal Dockyards where ships were built and repaired. Any outposts were referred to as 'tenders', as in ships' boats, and this term is still used in the RN today for ships or units attached to commissioned shore establishments or 'parent ships'.
In 1919, the Base Ship in Malta was HMS Egmont, actually ex-HMS Firefly, a 455 ton composite screw gunboat converted into a boom defence vessel in 1904 but renamed in April 1914 and used for Malta Base Ship purposes. Her associated establishment was located in Fort St Angelo where the Navy had only moved ashore on 3 April 1914. Ignore the erroneous reference to HMS Egremont in the link provided; this was when ex-HMS Achilles, a 9,820 ton screw ship previously renamed HMS Egmont and used as the Malta Base Ship, was later renamed Egremont for use as a Base Ship at Chatham.
On 1 July 1933, the RN shore establishment at Malta was renamed and commissioned as what many of us remember as HMS St Angelo. Even then, it had to have an associated vessel of the same name and this was ex-HMS Bullfrog, a 465 ton composite screw gunboat which had been used as the Malta Base Ship, HMS Egmont, since March 1923. This was replaced in turn by ex-HMS Fidget in December 1933 and other smaller vessels thereafter. HMS St Angelo, the shore base, eventually paid off (closed down) at midnight on 31 March 1979, an extremely sad day for the Royal Navy.
MNSO probably stood for Main Naval Signal Office because all naval signals and telegrams to and from Malta would have been routed through it and it would also have acted as a post office.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
In 1919, the Base Ship in Malta was HMS Egmont, actually ex-HMS Firefly, a 455 ton composite screw gunboat converted into a boom defence vessel in 1904 but renamed in April 1914 and used for Malta Base Ship purposes. Her associated establishment was located in Fort St Angelo where the Navy had only moved ashore on 3 April 1914. Ignore the erroneous reference to HMS Egremont in the link provided; this was when ex-HMS Achilles, a 9,820 ton screw ship previously renamed HMS Egmont and used as the Malta Base Ship, was later renamed Egremont for use as a Base Ship at Chatham.
On 1 July 1933, the RN shore establishment at Malta was renamed and commissioned as what many of us remember as HMS St Angelo. Even then, it had to have an associated vessel of the same name and this was ex-HMS Bullfrog, a 465 ton composite screw gunboat which had been used as the Malta Base Ship, HMS Egmont, since March 1923. This was replaced in turn by ex-HMS Fidget in December 1933 and other smaller vessels thereafter. HMS St Angelo, the shore base, eventually paid off (closed down) at midnight on 31 March 1979, an extremely sad day for the Royal Navy.
MNSO probably stood for Main Naval Signal Office because all naval signals and telegrams to and from Malta would have been routed through it and it would also have acted as a post office.
_________________
"The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the Navy." Sir Edward Grey, British Foreign Secretary 1905-1916.
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