Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Explained

Unit Name:Persian Gulf Station
Dates:1818-1972
Country:United Kingdom
Branch: Royal Navy
Type:Naval station
Command Structure:
Garrison:Basidu
Qishm Island
Persia
(c.1823-1850-1911)
Henjam Island
Persia
(1911-1935)

Ras Al-Jufair
Bahrain
(1935-1972)

The Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, was a Royal Navy command appointment who was responsible for administering the Persian Gulf Station military formation including its establishments and naval forces known as the Persian Gulf Squadron later called the Persian Gulf Division. Initially located at Basidu, Qishm Island, in Persia (c. 1823–1850–1935), then Henjam Island in Persia (1911–1935), and finally Ras Al-Jufair, Bahrain (1935–1972). The Persian Gulf Station encompassed the Persian Gulf and Straits of Hormuz.

History

British naval presence in the Persian Gulf began in the early nineteenth century with temporary naval forces assembled for specific operations until the establishment of a more constant naval force presence called the Persian Gulf Squadron [1] later the Persian Gulf Division.[2] The Senior Naval Office Persian Gulf gradually became an important position throughout the twentieth century by supporting Britain's strategic interests in the region, he reported to the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station.[3] The Persian Gulf was one of the areas of naval operations during First World War in which it assumed a level of importance during the Mesopotamian campaign, its operations consisted of patrolling, keeping the peace and ensuring the continued supply of oil from the region. In May 1942 it then became part of the Eastern Fleet command until May 1944 when it became part of the East Indies Fleet command until July 1945 when it was abolished. The station was re-established in April 1949 reporting to the C-in-C, East Indies Station until 1958. In 1959 the station was merged with the Red Sea Station under the new appointment of Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf. In 1962 the station was re-established under the Flag Officer, Middle East, until it was abolished in 1972.

In 2003 the Royal Navy reestablished a post in the Persian Gulf, with a new title, the UK Maritime Component Command. On 1 November 2015, it was announced that HMS Jufair would be re-established as a permanent Royal Navy base. On 5 April 2018, the UK Naval Support Facility was officially opened.[4]

Headquarters

The British established a Persian Gulf Squadron in the mid-nineteenth century to support the Political Resident Persian Gulf (PRPG), who was responsible for all of Britains relationships in the region. The SNOPG was originally headquartered at Basidu on-board his ship from 1823 onward.[5] A permanent depot and headquarters was first established at Basidu, Qishm Island, in Persia, around 1850. In 1911 his headquarters moved to Henjam Island in the Straits of Hormuz until 12 April 1935.[6] On 13 April 1935 a naval base and shore establishment called was established at Ras Al-Jufair, Bahrain, which served as headquarters for the SNO Persian Gulf until 1972.[7]

SNOPG, Ships

From 1885 to 1946 the SNO Persian Gulf was usually aboard an operational ship beginning with, (1885–1890).[8] Followed by HMS Triad from 1909 to 21 April 1933 [9] It was replaced by 21 April 1933 to 1946.[10] [11]

Four Loch-class frigates were stationed in the Persian Gulf circa 1957: HMS Loch Fada, HMS Loch Fyne, HMS Loch Killisport and HMS Loch Ruthven.[12]

Senior Naval Officers, Persian Gulf

Incomplete list of post holders included:[13] [14]

Rank Insig/Flag Name Term Notes/Ref
Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf
1 Captain 16 October 1818 - September 1837 SNO Persian Gulf [15] [16]
2 Commodore George PepperOctober -1837 - 1 April 1838(SNO Persian Gulf) [17]
3 Commander C. Hawkins 1 April - 12 June 1838 SNO Persian Gulf [18]
4 Commodore Captain Brucks12 June 1838-?Acting-SO Persian Gulf [19]
5 Commodore George RobinsonJune 1852(as Commander, Persian Gulf Squadron) [20]
6 Commander C. M. Cruttenden 1855 - 12 January 1861 SNO Persian Gulf [21]
7 Commander H.W. Dowding October, 1885 SNO Persian Gulf Division [22]
8 Captain J. H. Pelly14 August 1895 - May 1896 SNO Persian Gulf [23]
9 Captain Thomas W. Kemp1901 – 25 November 1904 Commander and SNO Persian Gulf [24]
10 Commodore Drury St. A. Wake18 October 1915 – November, 1918(as Commodore, Persian Gulf) [25]
11 Commodore December 1918-February 1920 (as Commodore, Persian Gulf)
12 Captain George Parker BevanNovember, 1919 – 14 January 1920
13 CaptainJohn L. Pearson 6 February 1920 – February, 1922 later V.Adm
14 Captain Alexander R. PalmerFebruary 1922-March 1924 later V.Adm
15 Captain Ernest W. LeirMarch 1924-February 1926 later R.Adm
16 Captain Reginald St. P. Parry February 1926-January 1928
17 Captain January 1928-May 1930
18 Captain Lewis G. E. CrabbeMay 1930-March 1933 later V.Adm [26]
19 Captain James V. Creagh March 1933-March 1935[27] later R.Adm
20 Captain Vernon S. ButlerMarch 1935-March 1937[28] later R.Adm.
21 Captain George H. Faulkner20 February 1937 – 17 April 1938
22 Commodore Allan Poland March 1937-April 1939 as Captain then later Cmdre.
23 Commodore April 1939-February 1942
From May 1942 the station is reporting to the C-in-C, Eastern, Fleet until May 1944
24 Rear-Admiral Charles Hamill 2 February 1942-January 1944
From May 1944 the station is reporting to the C-in-C, East Indies, Fleet until July 1945 when its abolished
25 Commodore John M. Howson January–September 1944
26 Commodore Ivan W. WhitehornSeptember 1944 - July, 1945 [29]
The station is re-established in April 1949 reporting to the C-in-C, East Indies Station until 1959
27 Captain Peter Skelton April 1949-August 1950
28 Captain Arthur H. Wallis August 1950-April 1952
29 Captain Hugh G. Waters April 1952-October 1953
30 Captain Alan S. Webb October 1953-October 1954
31 Captain Vere A. Wight-BoycottOctober 1954-April 1956
32 Captain 17 April 1956-April 1958 [30]
33 Captain George F.M. BestApril 1958 – 1959 Promoted to Cmdre. as Flag Officer, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf [31]
In 1959 this appointment was merged with that of the Red Sea to form the Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Station. In 1962 the station re-established under the Flag Officer, Middle East until it was abolished in 1972.
34 Rear-Admiral Fitzroy TalbotAugust 1960 - August 1962 [32] Title changed to Flag Officer Middle East by May 1, 1962,[33] the date his HQ moved from Bahrain to Aden.
35 Commodore April 1962-April 1964 [34] reporting to the Flag Officer, Middle East.
36Commodore April 1964-October 1966 reporting to the FOME.[35]
37 Commodore Thomas E. Fanshawe October 1966-December 1968 reporting to the FOME.[36]
38 Commodore Kenneth Lee-White, MBEDecember 1968-September 1970 reporting to the FOME
39 Commodore September 1970 – 1972 Commander Naval Forces Gulf[37]

Naval formations and units that served in this command

Included:

Naval Units Based at Date Notes
Persian Gulf Division 1914 - 1958 2 cruisers, 1 minelayer cruiser, 1 scout cruiser 10 destroyers
Persian Gulf Division 1936 - 1939 Escort sloops –, (17 Nov 1936) [38]
1939- 1942
19423 ships [39]
Shatt al-Arab, Basra 119423 ships [40]
1950-197118 ships
Basra/ 1922 - 1939 13 ships

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Palmer . Michael A. . Guardians of the Gulf: A History of America's Expanding Role in the Persion Gulf, 1883–1992 . 1999 . Simon and Schuster . New York, NY, USA . 9781439105801 . https://books.google.com/books?id=_OHvJ984NosC&q=Persian+Gulf+Squadron+Royal+Navy&pg=PT63 . en . 3: Middle East Oil and the Destiny of Europe (1946–1950).
  2. Book: Bankoff . Greg . Christensen . Joseph . Natural Hazards and Peoples in the Indian Ocean World: Bordering on Danger . 2016 . Springer . Berlin, Germany . 9781349948574 . 281 . en.
  3. Book: Macris . Jeffrey R. . The Politics and Security of the Gulf: Anglo-American Hegemony and the Shaping of a Region . 2010 . Routledge . Cambridge, England . 9781135189440 . 31 . en.
  4. News: UK opens permanent military base in Bahrain. 5 April 2018. Reuters. 30 September 2018.
  5. Web site: Onley . James . Britain and the Gulf Shaikhdoms, 1820–1971: The Politics of Protection . socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk . Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in Qatar . 23 July 2018 . 5 . 2009.
  6. Web site: Onley . James . Britain and the Gulf Shaikhdoms, 1820–1971: The Politics of Protection . socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk . Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service in Qatar . 23 July 2018 . 5 . 2009.
  7. Book: Onley . James . The Arabian Frontier of the British Raj: Merchants, Rulers, and the British in the Nineteenth-Century Gulf . 2007 . OUP Oxford . Oxford, England . 9780191607769 . https://books.google.com/books?id=1vUckJbC8JIC&q=senior+naval+officer+persian+gulf+1860&pg=PP52 . en . PART II AGENTS OF EMPIRE.
  8. Book: Bankoff . Greg . Christensen . Joseph . Natural Hazards and Peoples in the Indian Ocean World: Bordering on Danger . 2016 . Springer . Berlin, Germany . 9781349948574 . 281 . en.
  9. Web site: Harley . Simon . Lovell . Tony . H.M.S. Triad (1909) – The Dreadnought Project . www.dreadnoughtproject.org . Harley and Lovell, 8 March 2018 . 14 July 2018 . en.
  10. Book: Macris . Jeffrey R. . The Politics and Security of the Gulf: Anglo-American Hegemony and the Shaping of a Region . 2010 . Routledge . Cambridge, England . 9781135189440 . 269 . en.
  11. Web site: Harley . Simon . Lovell . Tony . H.M.S. Shoreham (1930) – The Dreadnought Project . www.dreadnoughtproject.org . Harley and Lovell, 12 July 2018 . 14 July 2018 . en.
  12. Roberts, Safeguarding the Nation, 2009.
  13. Web site: Harley . Simon . Lovell . Tony . Persian Gulf – The Dreadnought Project . www.dreadnoughtproject.org . Harley and Lovell, 30 September 2017 . 14 July 2018 . en.
  14. Web site: Mackie . Colin . Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865: Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, 1918 to 1960 and from 1962) . Colin Mackie, July 2018 . 14 July 2018 . 175.
  15. Web site: Onley . James . Britain's Native Agents in Arabia and Persia in the Nineteenth Century1 . socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk . University of Exeter, England . 16 July 2018 . 134.
  16. Loch, Francis Erskine . 667–668.
  17. Book: The Asiatic Journal . September 1838 . Black, Parbury, & Allen . London, England . 237 . en.
  18. Book: The Asiatic Journal . September 1838 . Black, Parbury, & Allen . London, England . 237 . en.
  19. Book: The Asiatic Journal . September 1838 . Black, Parbury, & Allen . London, England . 237 . en.
  20. Web site: Letter No. 111: Commodore George Robinson, Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, Writing from the Honourable Company's Sloop Clive, Near Bassadore [Bāsa'īdū], to Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [21r] (1/4) ]. Qatar Digital Library . Qatar National Library . 28 September 2018 . 22 October 2014.
  21. Pollock . Arthur William Alsager . List of the Indian Navy in Commission . The United Service Magazine . 12 January 1861 . 96 . 287 . H. Colburn . en.
  22. Book: Bankoff . Greg . Christensen . Joseph . Natural Hazards and Peoples in the Indian Ocean World: Bordering on Danger . 2016 . Springer . Berlin, Germany . 9781349948574 . 281 . en.
  23. Book: Rahman . Mizan . The Emergence Of Qatar . 2012 . Routledge . Cambridge, England . 9781136753695 . 253 . en.
  24. Book: Ahmadi . Kourosh . Islands and International Politics in the Persian Gulf: The Abu Musa and Tunbs in Strategic Context . 2008 . Routledge . Cambridge, England . 9781134046591 . 64 . en.
  25. Book: The Navy List . October 1915 . HM Stationery Office . London England . 8 . Flag Officers in Commission.
  26. Book: Residency . Persian Gulf Political . Agency . Muscat Political . (Kuwait) . British Political Agency . Agency . Qatar Political . Agency . Trucial States Political . Agency . Bahrain Political . Residency . Bushire Political . Political Diaries of the Persian Gulf: 1935–35 . 1990 . Archive Editions . London, England . 9781852072506 . 321–679 . en.
  27. Book: Residency . Persian Gulf Political . Agency . Muscat Political . (Kuwait) . British Political Agency . Agency . Qatar Political . Agency . Trucial States Political . Agency . Bahrain Political . Residency . Bushire Political . Political Diaries of the Persian Gulf: 1935–35 . 1990 . Archive Editions . London, England . 9781852072506 . 321–679 . en.
  28. Book: Residency . Persian Gulf Political . Agency . Muscat Political . (Kuwait) . British Political Agency . Agency . Qatar Political . Agency . Trucial States Political . Agency . Bahrain Political . Residency . Bushire Political . Political Diaries of the Persian Gulf: 1935–35 . 1990 . Archive Editions . London, England . 9781852072506 . 321–679 . en.
  29. Book: The Navy List . October 1944 . H. M. Stationery Office . London, England . 2263.
  30. Web site: Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 -- B.
  31. OP SHIPS . Naval Review . 1959 . 47 . 105 . en.
  32. Web site: Mackie . Colin . Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865: Commander-in-Chief, Levant: Flag Officer, Middle East . gulabin,com . C. Mackie, p. 171, June 2018 . 3 July 2018.
  33. Book: Mideast Mirror. 1962. en.
  34. News: Vat . Dan van der . Obituary: Rear Admiral Michael Kyrle Pope . 14 July 2018 . The Guardian . 20 October 2008 . en.
  35. News: Captain Edmund 'Splash' Carver . 14 July 2018 . Daily Telegraph London . 10 September 2001.
  36. News: Captain Thomas Fanshawe . 14 July 2018 . Daily Telegraph London . 26 June 2000.
  37. Web site: Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 - A.
  38. Web site: Kindell . Don . Royal Navy Ships, August 1939 . www.naval-history.net . Gordon Smith, 7 April 2012 . 14 July 2018.
  39. Web site: Kindell . Don . North Atlantic Command, Force H, South Atlantic Command, America & West Indies Command, Eastern Fleet, January 1942 . www.naval-history.net . Gordon Smith, 8 December 2012 . 14 July 2018.
  40. Web site: Kindell . Don . North Atlantic Command, Force H, South Atlantic Command, America & West Indies Command, Eastern Fleet, January 1942 . www.naval-history.net . Gordon Smith, 8 December 2012 . 14 July 2018.

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