| Unit Name: | 3rd and 4th Divisions |
| Dates: | March 1909–May 1912 |
| Country: |  United Kingdom |
| Type: | Division |
| Structure [1] | |
| Parent: | Home Fleet |
| Subordinate: | Devonport
Nore
Portsmouth
|
The 3rd and 4th Divisions was a naval formation of the Home Fleet, Royal Navy. It was created before the First World War from March 1909 until May 1912.[2]
In March 1909, following a Royal Navy re-organisation, the Channel Fleet was absorbed by the Home Fleet. The ships in home waters, including the former Channel Fleet, then became the Home Fleet's First and Second Divisions.[3] The former Home Fleet as it then stood became the Third and Fourth Divisions, which was actually a single formation under a vice-admiral.[4] These new divisions was made up of an 8-12 ship battle squadron that included either dreadnought battleships or pre-dreadnought battleships.[5] Within the Home Fleet there were two levels of availability - the ships of the 1st and 2nd Divisions which were fully operational, and those of the 3rd and 4th divisions that were either in reserve or partially manned.[6]
Post holders included:[7]
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice-Admirals Commanding Third and Fourth Divisions | ||||
| 1 | Vice-Admiral | 24 March 1909 - 24 March 1911 | ||
| 2 | Vice-Admiral | 24 March 1911 - 5 December 1911 | ||
| 3 | Acting-Vice-Admiral | 5 December 1911 - May, 1912 | ||
Post holders included:[8]
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Admirals in the Third and Fourth Divisions | ||||
| 1 | Rear-Admiral | 24 March 1909 - 9 August 1910 | ||
| 2 | Rear-Admiral | 9 August 1910 - 2 November 1911 | ||
| 3 | Rear-Admiral | 2 November 1911 - May 1912 | ||
Post holders included:[9]
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-Admiral Commanding, Devonport Division, Home Fleet | ||||
| 1 | Rear-Admiral | 5 January, 1910 – 5 January 1911 | ||
| 2 | Rear-Admiral | 5 January 1911 - 5 January 1912 | ||
| 3 | Rear-Admiral | 5 January 1912 - May 1912 | ||
Included: [10]
| Unit | Notes | |
| 1 | Pre-dreadnought battleships | (3-7, pre-dreadnought battleships) |
| 2 | 5th Destroyer Flotilla | (2, destroyers) |
| 3 | 7th Destroyer Flotilla | (2, destroyers) |
| 4 | Devonport Submarine Flotilla | (5 A-class submarines, in reserve but recommissioned by 1910 and 3 B-class submarines) |
| 5 | (11 B-class submarines, 1 Depot ship) | |
| 6 | (a training unit) | |
The Rear-Admiral Commanding, Nore Division, Home Fleet from 4 January, 1909 - 5 January, 1910 was Rear Admiral Charles J. Briggs.
Included: [11]
| Unit | Notes | |
| 1 | Pre-dreadnought battleships | (8, pre-dreadnought battleships) |
| 2 | 3rd Destroyer Flotilla | (4, destroyers) |
| 3 | Nore Submarine Flotilla | (4 C-class submarines split into III and VII submarine flotillas, 4.1910) |
| 4 | III Submarine Flotilla | (9 C-class submarines, 1 depot ship) |
| 5 | VII Submarine Flotilla | (12 C-class submarines, 1 depot ship) |
Post holders included:[12]
| Rank | Flag | Name | Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear-Admiral Commanding, Portsmouth Division, Home Fleet | ||||
| 1 | Rear-Admiral | Frederic E. E. Brock | 17 November, 1909 – 10 November, 1910 | |
| 2 | Rear-Admiral | 10 November, 1910 - 17 November, 1911 | ||
| 3 | Rear-Admiral | 17 November, 1911 - May 1912 | ||
Included: [13]
| Unit | Notes | |
| 1 | Pre-dreadnought battleship | (4, pre-dreadnought battleships) |
| 2 | 4th Destroyer Flotilla | (4, destroyers) |
| 3 | Portsmouth Submarine Flotilla | (9 C-class submarines, 1 depot ship - till April 1910 then flotilla is split up) |
| 4 | II Submarine Flotilla | (9 C-class submarines, 4 D-class submarines, 1 depot ship - from 4.1910) |
| 5 | IV Submarine Flotilla | (4 A-class destroyers, 5 C-class submarines, 1 depot ship - from 4.1910) |
| 6 | V Submarine Flotilla | (formed as training unit from 4.1910) |