4th Cruiser Squadron explained

Unit Name:	4th Cruiser Squadron
Dates:	1907–1914, 1919-1946
Country:	United Kingdom
Branch:	Royal Navy
Garrison:	Halifax, Nova Scotia (1907-1915)
Notable Commanders:	Rear-Admiral Frederick S. Inglefield

The 4th Cruiser Squadron ^[1] and (also known as Cruiser Force H) ^[2] was a formation of cruisers of the British Royal Navy from 1907 to 1914 and then again from 1919 to 1946.

The squadron was first established in 1907, replacing the North America and West Indies Station. It became a training squadron based in Home waters but which was to make three cruises annually, including to the West Indies. In April 1907 it comprised,, and .

On 1 May 1912, the Fourth Cruiser Squadron was renamed the Training Squadron. With the appointment in 1913 of Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock the squadron ceased to be a training squadron and became part of the First Fleet. During World War I, the 4th Cruiser Squadron was commanded by Rear Admiral Christopher Cradock; the squadron was effectively annihilated at the Battle of Coronel 1 November 1914.

From April 1919 to 1939, it was in the East Indies, and comprised,,, (Flagship) until July 1925; (January 1922-January 1926; June 1932-February 1936); (June 1922-December 1926); and (October 1924-January 1926) assigned from the Navy's old light cruisers; (Flag) (July 1925 – 1933); (1935-August 1938); (January 1926 – 1935; February 1936 – 1939); and (1933-March 1935) from the E-Class cruisers and Frobishers; plus from the newer cruiser, and the Town-class cruisers,, and .^[3]

Ships on 1 November 1914

	Name		Type^[4]		Guns		Speed		Displacement		Crew
		align=center	Armored cruiser	align=center	2 × 9.2inches guns 16 × 6inches guns	align=center	23kn	align=center	14100MT	align=center	900
		align=center	Armored cruiser	align=center	14 × 6 in guns	align=center	23kn	align=center	9800MT	align=center	690
		align=center	Light cruiser	align=center	2 × 6 in guns 16 × 4inches guns	align=center	25kn	align=center	5300MT	align=center	411
		align=center	Armed merchantman	align=center	4 × 4.7inches guns	align=center	18kn	align=center	12124MT	align=center	350

References

• Friedman, Norman (2012). British Cruisers of the Victorian Era. Barnsley: Seaforth Publishing. .
• Web site: Harley. Simon. Lovell. Tony. Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project. www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell,10 November 2017. 18 February 2018. en.
• Book: McNally, Michael . 2012 . Coronel and Falklands 1914: Duel in the South Atlantic . Osprey . Oxford . Campaign . 248 . 978-1-84908-674-5.
• Sieche. Erwin F.. 1990 . Austria-Hungary's Last Visit to the USA. Warship International. XXVII . 2 . 142–164 . 0043-0374.

Notes and References

1. Book: Friedman. Norman. British Cruisers of the Victorian Era. 2012. Seaforth Publishing. Barnsley. 9781473853126. 288. en.
2. Web site: Harley. Simon. Lovell. Tony. Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project. www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell,10 November 2017. 18 February 2018. en.
3. Web site: Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939.
4. McNally, pp. 39–40