AH Challenge: Canadian Battleships
- Thread starter Ming777
- Start date
With a few modifications by yours truly (more AA guns, aircraft catapult and crane, a few bits and pieces in the superstructure), yes.
Guys
Some very good suggestions but the US was determined in the OTL Washington Conference to insist that the dominions not be counted as independent state for that very purpose. [Which was probably a mistake on their part as a stronger British/Imperial navy was far more likely to be an asset to them than a problem].
Hence I suspect you would have to scrap the treaty totally, as in TheMann's TL or find some way for Canada to order the 4 QE's in 1913. [Does anyone know would they have followed the Australia or new Zealand models. I.e. was the plan for them to be manned and operated by the Canadian navy, or by the RN after Canada purchased them or possibly a mixture of both? Suspect the former as Canada would want something material to show for a fairly hefty expenditure].
Steve
Some very good suggestions but the US was determined in the OTL Washington Conference to insist that the dominions not be counted as independent state for that very purpose. [Which was probably a mistake on their part as a stronger British/Imperial navy was far more likely to be an asset to them than a problem].
Hence I suspect you would have to scrap the treaty totally, as in TheMann's TL or find some way for Canada to order the 4 QE's in 1913. [Does anyone know would they have followed the Australia or new Zealand models. I.e. was the plan for them to be manned and operated by the Canadian navy, or by the RN after Canada purchased them or possibly a mixture of both? Suspect the former as Canada would want something material to show for a fairly hefty expenditure].
Steve
Taking this in a (slightly??) different direction.....
Admiral Jellicoe made an Empire Tour post WW1, and made the following proposals:-
Jellicoe's Empire Tour 1919-1920
Take into account the great danger of the Japanese launching attacks against Australia, New Zealand, the West Coast of Canada, Hong Kong, North Borneo, British New Guinea, the many British islands in the Pacific, Malaya, Burma, India, and Ceylon. The Netherlands East Indies would also be a great temptation to them.
Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Rangoon - visited seaward defences and dockyards.
Karachi - inspected port and its defences.
- Summary of Jellicoe's report, recommending Indian contribution to B.E.F.
1) A Royal Indian Navy (RIN) to be formed in place of the Royal Indian Marine and to be manned by men recruited from localities which produce the best seamen. Officers would at first come from the Royal Navy, and from those of the R.I.M. who had gained war experience.
2) The R.I.N. to be administered by a Board consisting of a First and Second Naval Member (R.N. or R.I.N. senior officer), a Finance and Civil Member, and a Permanent Secretary.
3) India to pay for the upkeep of the East Indies Squadron as enumerated below at 4(a).
4) The R.I.N. to carry out the following functions:
a) Provide part complements for R.N. ships in the East Indies Station,
ie: 1 Aircraft Carrier
5-7 Light Cruisers (Each with an aeroplane & catapult)
6 Submarines
b) To man fully the following vessels of their own:
3 Sloops for the Persian Gulf
2 or more River Gunboats (for the Tigris and Euphrates)
20 armed Escort Ships for merchant convoys, each with an aeroplane and mounting 6 inch and A.A. guns.
1 Steamer for the Andaman Islands )
1 Steamer for Aden and vicinity ) Political
1 Steamer for Persian Gulf ) Service
1 Steamer for relief )
1 Paddle-steamer for the Irrawaddy River
1 Stern wheel Steamer for the Chidwin River
(These two latter vessels for Police Duties)
2 Surveying Steamers
50 Minesweepers, 24 Patrol Boats, 35 Patrolling aircraft, and 5 Boom Vessels as local defence flotillas for Aden, Persian Gulf, Karachi, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, and Rangoon.
3 Indian Troopships
Jellicoe also advised the Government of India, on the conduct of war in the Indian Ocean, including the protection of trade. This was in a separate and confidential volume which also contained advice about harbour and coast defences, war equipment for arming escort vessels and merchant ships, the storage of fuel, a coastguard and coast-watching service, intelligence, and communications.
With the idea of providing minesweeping vessels and crews, Jellicoe recommended that India should form and man a steam trawler fleet, which in war would provide minesweeping flotillas.
Recommended that ships of the R.I.N. should fly the White Ensign and an Indian Jack. “The R.I.N. should be treated as an offshoot of the Royal Navy and as sharing in its traditions”.
Jellicoe's report concerning Ceylon:
The defences and equipment of the island as a Crown Colony did not come under Jellicoe's scrutiny, but in his report he called attention to its immense strategic importance and the necessity for holding it secure in a Far Eastern or Mediterranean War.
Australia.
Visited the harbour at Perth, and obtained information about the harbours and anchorages on the long and wild, west coast between Perth and Port Darwin in the north.
Looked at Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan River and the projected Naval Base 5 miles to the southward, at the west end of Cockburn Sound, where, although some reclamation had been carried out, work was now almost at a standstill.
Jellicoe agreed on the necessity for this western fleet primary base, as well as an eastern primary base at Sydney or Port Stephens, and a fleet refuelling and storing base at Port Darwin.
Inspected Albany, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Melbourne, Williamstown Naval Depot, and the large Naval Base at Flinders Bay (Port Western, visited Hobart in Tasmania, and Jervis Bay to visit the Australian Naval College. Cockatoo Island (the naval dockyard, which was very cramped), Garden Island (the naval base), and Spectacle Island (the ordnance stores).
Visited the Solomon Islands, New Britain, and other places in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, and the Northern Territory. Brisbane Naval Depot, also visited Port Lytton and the adjoining land.
Sailed for Port Purvis in Florida Island in the Solomons, steamed along the north shore of the large island of Guadalcanal - there was a flat surface visible on the north side of the island - a possible site for an airfield.
Visited the fine harbour at Port Purvis, and went up a creek to M'boli, next to Tulagi Harbour. Inspected the harbour and anchorage at Toma Harbour in Fauro Island in the Bougainville Straits.
Thence to Rabaul in New Britain, Mioko Harbour in the Duke of York's Island. New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago and various islands to the eastward on New Guinea.
As ship was running short of coal, were not able to visit the Admiralty Islands in search of an advanced fleet base. Were able to visit Port Moresby in New Guinea. Due to fuel shortage, had to abandon the idea of going to Port Darwin and Bynoe Harbour, so went to Thursday Island and down inside the Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Cairns, and going alongside at Gladstone.
Visited Newcastle to see its shipbuilding and various steel works, also the large natural harbour at Port Stephens, 60 miles north of Sydney, - with some dredging this could be made into a magnificent harbour.
Jellicoe came to the conclusion that the first requirement in the Pacific was a powerful, fully trained British Far East Fleet, and secondly, that Singapore be made into a great naval base, secure as the key to the Pacific. He assumed that Japan's ultimate aim would be the invasion of Australia, an earlier stage might be possibly the occupation, as advanced bases, of some harbours in New Guinea, the islands to the east of New Guinea (as bases for an attack on eastern Australia), and to the westward some Dutch East Indies Harbours for an attack on Western Australia. In addition, he assumed that Japan would send strong expeditions to assault Hong Kong and Singapore, and after the conquest of Malaya, India would be open to attack through Burma. The defences at Penang were considered very inadequate.
Hence Jellicoe considered that the following were the British Empires requirements to meet the situation:-
1) The expansion of the British Far Eastern Fleet to the following strength and to be directed by a senior admiral at Singapore, with a strong staff. He assessed this fleet at:-
4 Aircraft Carriers )
8 Dreadnought battleships ) ie:- 20 Capital Ships
8 Battlecruisers )
10 Light Cruisers
3 Flotilla Leaders
40 Modern Destroyers
2 Destroyer depot ships
36 Submarines (excluding those stationed in Indian waters)
4 Submarine parent ships
12 Fleet minesweepers
1 Large sea-going minelayer
2 Fleet repair ships
This fleet, comprising ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and vessels furnished by New Zealand and the Malay States, should be organised to act under one single direction in war. In addition, ships would be required for harbour defence and the direct protection of trade by convoy. He drew attention to the continual and rapid development of aircraft, which made the question of air warfare of great importance to Australia. He therefore stated that one of Australia's earliest requirements was the training of a Naval Air Arm and the acquisition or loan of an aircraft carrier, in order to gain experience in air-patrol work, and the air support of surface patrols which he considered to be essential for the Pacific.
2) The creation of a great naval base at Singapore. He appreciated that without the proposed Far Eastern Fleet this would be liable to capture.
3) Advanced air patrols from Singapore, through Timor to Fiji.
4) The four aircraft carriers, with torpedo-carrying aircraft, to work from advanced bases in support of the air patrol line from the Solomons and to the westward of the Torres Straits.
5) Submarines in advanced positions, to report Japanese movements and attack. Also the provision of many fast patrol craft fitted with ASDICs.
6) An advanced fleet assembly base, in or near the Hermit Islands. (Manus in the nearby Admiralty Islands was selected in the Second World War).
7) An advanced base for light cruisers, destroyers, submarines and flying-boats in an island to the eastward of New Guinea.
8) A fleet refuelling and re-storing base to be established in the north of Australia.
9) Australia and New Zealand to be given advice on local defences, and the arming and training of the crews of the Merchant Navy, minesweepers, and escort vessels, the establishment of Naval Airforces, etc.
10) The manufacture of weapons and munitions to be developed in Australia. - In this respect the country should be self-contained and capable of rapid expansion in war.
11) A large floating dock to be provided in the Far East. He regarded as very urgent to get large docks established at Singapore. Australia was to consider establishing the largest-sized docks at Fremantle and Sydney, or in nearby Port Stephens, as recommended in 1911 by Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson.
12) The defences at Hong Kong, Sydney, Fremantle, Port Darwin, and of Fiji and Samoa must be strengthened.
13) The Canadian advance base for light cruisers and small patrol craft in the Pacific at Esquimalt was well placed since coastal traffic between Vancouver and Prince Rupert Harbour in the north sailed through the inner passages. But Prince Rupert Harbour should be earmarked as a considerable naval base, if and when required.
14) A great Far Eastern Fleet refuelling force to be provided - at this time, coal was still the major fuel, so his advice included the storage of this in strategic harbours selected by him where the ships could refuel; but for oil fuel he envisaged what the U.S. Navy achieved so admirably in 1942-ie; a Mobile Base Force which enabled their task forces to keep the sea for long periods.
15) Replenishment and servicing of weapons, ammunition, and stores to be provided in special ships as well as in ports.
16) He stressed the vital importance of holding Ceylon and strengthening the defences of Colombo, Trincomalee, and Cape Town, in addition to the large naval bases at Singapore and Hong Kong, all of which would be covered by the great Far Eastern Fleet.
17) Advice on intelligence, coastguards, communications including wireless, and the protection of trade included in the report.
18) In regard to the annual payment for maintaining the Far Eastern Fleet and the local forces:-
United Kingdom
Commonwealth of Australia Dominion of New Zealand Dominion of Canada
Union of South Africa
This was based on population and overseas trade (India was treated separately, paying wholly for her defence.) Jellicoe, in considering the above table, thought it logical that;
a) Canada's share should be that required to provide and maintain a small force of light cruisers on her western seaboard to protect her trade in those waters, as well as a naval force on her eastern seaboard.
b) South Africa should pay to provide and maintain a squadron stationed at the Cape to cover trade on the west coast of Africa as well as round the Cape.
c) India should pay a sum to provide for her harbour defences and the upkeep of the East Indies Squadron.
Hence Jellicoe arrived at the following APPROXIMATE figures for the annual cost of provision and maintenance of the Far Eastern Fleet:
Great Britain Australia
New Zealand
£ 14,066,800
£ 4,024,000 .. £ 991,600
On this basis, Australia would have a fleet of:-
1 Aircraft Carrier
2 Battlecruisers
8 Light cruisers (4 being in reserve)
1 Flotilla Leader
12 Destroyers (2 being in reserve)
1 Destroyer depot ship
8 Submarines
1 Submarine parent ship
1 Seagoing minelayer ) in
2 Sloop minesweepers ) reserve
2 Sloop minesweepers (special reserve)
1 Fleet repair ship
and New Zealand a squadron of:-
1 Aircraft Carrier (small)
3 Light cruisers
6 Submarines
1 Small submarine parent ship
New Zealand.
Wellington (Port Nicholson), Auckland, in North Island, Port Lyttelton (Christchurch), Otago Harbour (Dunedin) in South Island.
The types of men-of-war he recommended could be mainly maintained from commercial facilities.
Advised the setting up of a Naval Air School, and strongly recommended setting up an air industry, the encouragement of civilian flying, and the establishment of a meteorological service. His advice included the supply and distribution of fuel, stores, ammunition, mines and torpedoes. He recommended that docking and repair facilities for light cruisers and smaller vessels should be provided at Auckland in the north of North Island and at Otago (Dunedin) in the south of South Island, and that a naval store depot be set up at Auckland.
From New Zealand to Suva, Fiji. where the harbour was investigated, then to Levuka, another Fijian Island, thence to Apia in the Samoan Islands. To Christmas Island, Fanning Island (this last just to utilise the trans-ocean cable service there).
Called at Hawaii, berthing at Honolulu Harbour.
Canada.
Arrived at Esquimalt and inspected the harbours at Port Alberni and the neighbourhood, Victoria and Esquimalt harbours and defences, and the dockyard and Yarrow's works, also the Cadet training college after the college at Halifax had been severely damaged in 1917.
Also visited Duncan Bay and Port t1cNeill. Sailed from Duncan Bay and entered Burrard inlet, on the mainland, which widens out into the fine harbour of Vancouver, where they anchored and carefully explored the upper reaches of Vancouver Harbour in a fishery vessel.
Later went through the inner passages to inspect Prince Rupert Harbour, inspected the fine harbour, including the dry dock and building slips, the harbour is deep and landlocked. Thence visited Ottawa, Sydney, Louisberg, and Shelbourne. Inspected Vickers shipbuilding yard at Montreal and also St. John, New Brunswick where Vickers also had a yard where they saw the huge dry dock being built. Thence to Halifax where they visited the private shipbuilding yards, Bedford Basin and the military forts; Quebec where more docks and shipbuilding yards were seen.
The naval force suggested by Jellicoe for Canada for the protection of her trade and harbours in the Pacific:-
3 Light cruisers
6 Flying-boats
6 Torpedo-carrying aircraft
6 Submarines
4 Local defence destroyers
8 Patrol Boats
Trawlers ) only to be requisitioned in wartime
Small patrol craft ) except for 2 trawlers for training.
(This was referred to as the £ 2,000,000 fleet, being the cost annually)
For a total of £ 3,000,000 the following could be ADDED:-
1 Aircraft carrier
1 Battlecruiser
2 Light cruisers
6 Destroyers
1 Destroyer parent ship
2 Fleet minesweepers
and again for a total of £ 5,000,000 the following could be ADDED:-
1 Aircraft carrier
1 Battlecruiser
2 Light cruisers
6 Destroyers
8 Submarines
2 Fleet minesweepers
Therefore if the maximum was spent by Canada on he, fleet, this would comprise:-
2 Aircraft carriers
2 Battlecruisers
7 Light cruisers
12 Destroyers
4 Local defence destroyers
14 Submarines
4 Fleet minesweepers
6 Flying-boats
6 Torpedo-carrying aircraft
8 Patrol boats
1 Destroyer parent ship
Trawlers and small patrol craft (2 peacetime training)
From Canada the route home covered the U.S.A., Havana (Cuba), Port Royal – Jamaica, Port of Spain – Trinidad, did not call at South Africa due to their elections, and came back to Portsmouth.
Singapore - The Far East Fleet Base
Admiral Jellicoe said that a permanent peace-time naval force in the East should be strong enough to equal the Japanese 8 Battleships and 8 Battlecruisers were stipulated.
The Admiralty recommendation was for a force of 12 Battleships and 8 Battlecruisers.
Jellicoe's tour of 1919 recommended that Port Darwin (Bynoe Harbour) be fitted out as an advanced base.
As regards the establishment of the new naval base at Singapore, the Admiralty had originally favoured a site in the road-stead south-west of Singapore Island, known as Selat Sinki, for the fleet anchorage and naval base - this would have required the construction of an eleven mile long breakwater, costing over £ 20,000,000, to counter the threat of attack by submarines.
Gun defences for Singapore were proposed as follows:-
4 x 15 inch (45 degree elevation) - 2 at the east end of the island, and 2 just west of Singapore town.
4 x 9.2 inch (45 degree elevation) of 29,000 yds.range a pair at each entrance to the Old Strait.
2 x 9.2 inch (15 degree elevation) just south of Keppel Harbour - these already in situ.
10 x 6 inch, and 4 x 4.7 inch guns were also proposed.
Later, plans were made to increase the numbers of 15 inch guns to 8, 2 to be in the central area (west of the town?), and 6 to be in the east.
Also, it was proposed to increase the elevation of the 9.2 inch guns to a uniform 45 degrees, and to increase the number of 6 inch guns to 18.
A Fleet-in-being was planned as being:-
3 Battlecruisers
1 Large Aircraft Carrier
6 or 8 Light Cruisers
2 Flotillas of Destroyers (18 ships including Leaders)
21 Submarines
At one point, the main fleet in the east could comprise:-
14 Capital Ships (Battleships and Battlecruisers)
4 Aircraft Carriers
plus the relevant supporting craft
What exactly was the Admiralty's scheme?
The purpose of the Singapore base was to maintain, supply, and repair Britains Eastern Fleet. The magnitude of the base would therefore depend upon the strength of the fleet it was supposed to service;
Two types of Eastern Fleet were envisaged by the Admiralty:-
A war fleet, comprising perhaps:-
12 Battleships
3 Battlecruisers
4 Aircraft Carriers
37 Cruisers
81 Destroyers
42 Submarines
plus other vessels, or about 900 units in all;
and a future peace fleet, comprising probably:-
3 Battlecruisers
1 Aircraft Carrier etc.
The ideal Singapore naval base would be able, by itself, to meet all the requirements of the war fleet. Such a base, which might, as the Admiralty's Civil Engineer-in-Chief estimated in January 1923, involve as many as 8 graving docks, each 1,000 feet by 130 feet, and 35 to 45 feet deep, a floating dock, and over 10,000 feet of wharves, and all the attendant facilities of a first-class base accommodation for naval stores, victuals, ammunition, mines, booms, oiling and medical facilities, repair shops, generating and pumping stations, laboratories, gunmounting shops, and a rangefinder testing house.
"Appendix" (1) - Jellieoe's Empire Tour 1919-20.
Although unable to visit South Africa at the time of his tour due to elections being held in that country, and hence not producing a plan in actuality for the strength of the South African 'contribution' for the Far East Fleet, working from the percentage of the budget share for South Africa allocated for the maintenance of the fleet, the following could very well have been the size of the South African Fleet:-
1 Aircraft Carrier
2 Battlecruisers
8 Light Cruisers
1 Flotilla Leader )Or, 2 Flotillas of Destroyers
12 Destroyers )18 Vessels in all including Leaders
1 Destroyer depot
8 Submarines
1 Submarine parent ship
1 Sea-going minelayer
4 Sloop minesweepers (or 4 Fleet minesweepers)
1 Fleet repair ship
I know the reality of post WW1 economics (and the Washington Treaty) put paid to this, but the British Empire did end the war as a net Creditor, and so theoretically should have been able to have done something about overall Empire Defence Policy......
Admiral Jellicoe made an Empire Tour post WW1, and made the following proposals:-
Jellicoe's Empire Tour 1919-1920
Take into account the great danger of the Japanese launching attacks against Australia, New Zealand, the West Coast of Canada, Hong Kong, North Borneo, British New Guinea, the many British islands in the Pacific, Malaya, Burma, India, and Ceylon. The Netherlands East Indies would also be a great temptation to them.
Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Rangoon - visited seaward defences and dockyards.
Karachi - inspected port and its defences.
- Summary of Jellicoe's report, recommending Indian contribution to B.E.F.
1) A Royal Indian Navy (RIN) to be formed in place of the Royal Indian Marine and to be manned by men recruited from localities which produce the best seamen. Officers would at first come from the Royal Navy, and from those of the R.I.M. who had gained war experience.
2) The R.I.N. to be administered by a Board consisting of a First and Second Naval Member (R.N. or R.I.N. senior officer), a Finance and Civil Member, and a Permanent Secretary.
3) India to pay for the upkeep of the East Indies Squadron as enumerated below at 4(a).
4) The R.I.N. to carry out the following functions:
a) Provide part complements for R.N. ships in the East Indies Station,
ie: 1 Aircraft Carrier
5-7 Light Cruisers (Each with an aeroplane & catapult)
6 Submarines
b) To man fully the following vessels of their own:
3 Sloops for the Persian Gulf
2 or more River Gunboats (for the Tigris and Euphrates)
20 armed Escort Ships for merchant convoys, each with an aeroplane and mounting 6 inch and A.A. guns.
1 Steamer for the Andaman Islands )
1 Steamer for Aden and vicinity ) Political
1 Steamer for Persian Gulf ) Service
1 Steamer for relief )
1 Paddle-steamer for the Irrawaddy River
1 Stern wheel Steamer for the Chidwin River
(These two latter vessels for Police Duties)
2 Surveying Steamers
50 Minesweepers, 24 Patrol Boats, 35 Patrolling aircraft, and 5 Boom Vessels as local defence flotillas for Aden, Persian Gulf, Karachi, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, and Rangoon.
3 Indian Troopships
Jellicoe also advised the Government of India, on the conduct of war in the Indian Ocean, including the protection of trade. This was in a separate and confidential volume which also contained advice about harbour and coast defences, war equipment for arming escort vessels and merchant ships, the storage of fuel, a coastguard and coast-watching service, intelligence, and communications.
With the idea of providing minesweeping vessels and crews, Jellicoe recommended that India should form and man a steam trawler fleet, which in war would provide minesweeping flotillas.
Recommended that ships of the R.I.N. should fly the White Ensign and an Indian Jack. “The R.I.N. should be treated as an offshoot of the Royal Navy and as sharing in its traditions”.
Jellicoe's report concerning Ceylon:
The defences and equipment of the island as a Crown Colony did not come under Jellicoe's scrutiny, but in his report he called attention to its immense strategic importance and the necessity for holding it secure in a Far Eastern or Mediterranean War.
Australia.
Visited the harbour at Perth, and obtained information about the harbours and anchorages on the long and wild, west coast between Perth and Port Darwin in the north.
Looked at Fremantle, at the mouth of the Swan River and the projected Naval Base 5 miles to the southward, at the west end of Cockburn Sound, where, although some reclamation had been carried out, work was now almost at a standstill.
Jellicoe agreed on the necessity for this western fleet primary base, as well as an eastern primary base at Sydney or Port Stephens, and a fleet refuelling and storing base at Port Darwin.
Inspected Albany, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Melbourne, Williamstown Naval Depot, and the large Naval Base at Flinders Bay (Port Western, visited Hobart in Tasmania, and Jervis Bay to visit the Australian Naval College. Cockatoo Island (the naval dockyard, which was very cramped), Garden Island (the naval base), and Spectacle Island (the ordnance stores).
Visited the Solomon Islands, New Britain, and other places in the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, and the Northern Territory. Brisbane Naval Depot, also visited Port Lytton and the adjoining land.
Sailed for Port Purvis in Florida Island in the Solomons, steamed along the north shore of the large island of Guadalcanal - there was a flat surface visible on the north side of the island - a possible site for an airfield.
Visited the fine harbour at Port Purvis, and went up a creek to M'boli, next to Tulagi Harbour. Inspected the harbour and anchorage at Toma Harbour in Fauro Island in the Bougainville Straits.
Thence to Rabaul in New Britain, Mioko Harbour in the Duke of York's Island. New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago and various islands to the eastward on New Guinea.
As ship was running short of coal, were not able to visit the Admiralty Islands in search of an advanced fleet base. Were able to visit Port Moresby in New Guinea. Due to fuel shortage, had to abandon the idea of going to Port Darwin and Bynoe Harbour, so went to Thursday Island and down inside the Great Barrier Reef, anchoring off Cairns, and going alongside at Gladstone.
Visited Newcastle to see its shipbuilding and various steel works, also the large natural harbour at Port Stephens, 60 miles north of Sydney, - with some dredging this could be made into a magnificent harbour.
Jellicoe came to the conclusion that the first requirement in the Pacific was a powerful, fully trained British Far East Fleet, and secondly, that Singapore be made into a great naval base, secure as the key to the Pacific. He assumed that Japan's ultimate aim would be the invasion of Australia, an earlier stage might be possibly the occupation, as advanced bases, of some harbours in New Guinea, the islands to the east of New Guinea (as bases for an attack on eastern Australia), and to the westward some Dutch East Indies Harbours for an attack on Western Australia. In addition, he assumed that Japan would send strong expeditions to assault Hong Kong and Singapore, and after the conquest of Malaya, India would be open to attack through Burma. The defences at Penang were considered very inadequate.
Hence Jellicoe considered that the following were the British Empires requirements to meet the situation:-
1) The expansion of the British Far Eastern Fleet to the following strength and to be directed by a senior admiral at Singapore, with a strong staff. He assessed this fleet at:-
4 Aircraft Carriers )
8 Dreadnought battleships ) ie:- 20 Capital Ships
8 Battlecruisers )
10 Light Cruisers
3 Flotilla Leaders
40 Modern Destroyers
2 Destroyer depot ships
36 Submarines (excluding those stationed in Indian waters)
4 Submarine parent ships
12 Fleet minesweepers
1 Large sea-going minelayer
2 Fleet repair ships
This fleet, comprising ships of the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and vessels furnished by New Zealand and the Malay States, should be organised to act under one single direction in war. In addition, ships would be required for harbour defence and the direct protection of trade by convoy. He drew attention to the continual and rapid development of aircraft, which made the question of air warfare of great importance to Australia. He therefore stated that one of Australia's earliest requirements was the training of a Naval Air Arm and the acquisition or loan of an aircraft carrier, in order to gain experience in air-patrol work, and the air support of surface patrols which he considered to be essential for the Pacific.
2) The creation of a great naval base at Singapore. He appreciated that without the proposed Far Eastern Fleet this would be liable to capture.
3) Advanced air patrols from Singapore, through Timor to Fiji.
4) The four aircraft carriers, with torpedo-carrying aircraft, to work from advanced bases in support of the air patrol line from the Solomons and to the westward of the Torres Straits.
5) Submarines in advanced positions, to report Japanese movements and attack. Also the provision of many fast patrol craft fitted with ASDICs.
6) An advanced fleet assembly base, in or near the Hermit Islands. (Manus in the nearby Admiralty Islands was selected in the Second World War).
7) An advanced base for light cruisers, destroyers, submarines and flying-boats in an island to the eastward of New Guinea.
8) A fleet refuelling and re-storing base to be established in the north of Australia.
9) Australia and New Zealand to be given advice on local defences, and the arming and training of the crews of the Merchant Navy, minesweepers, and escort vessels, the establishment of Naval Airforces, etc.
10) The manufacture of weapons and munitions to be developed in Australia. - In this respect the country should be self-contained and capable of rapid expansion in war.
11) A large floating dock to be provided in the Far East. He regarded as very urgent to get large docks established at Singapore. Australia was to consider establishing the largest-sized docks at Fremantle and Sydney, or in nearby Port Stephens, as recommended in 1911 by Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson.
12) The defences at Hong Kong, Sydney, Fremantle, Port Darwin, and of Fiji and Samoa must be strengthened.
13) The Canadian advance base for light cruisers and small patrol craft in the Pacific at Esquimalt was well placed since coastal traffic between Vancouver and Prince Rupert Harbour in the north sailed through the inner passages. But Prince Rupert Harbour should be earmarked as a considerable naval base, if and when required.
14) A great Far Eastern Fleet refuelling force to be provided - at this time, coal was still the major fuel, so his advice included the storage of this in strategic harbours selected by him where the ships could refuel; but for oil fuel he envisaged what the U.S. Navy achieved so admirably in 1942-ie; a Mobile Base Force which enabled their task forces to keep the sea for long periods.
15) Replenishment and servicing of weapons, ammunition, and stores to be provided in special ships as well as in ports.
16) He stressed the vital importance of holding Ceylon and strengthening the defences of Colombo, Trincomalee, and Cape Town, in addition to the large naval bases at Singapore and Hong Kong, all of which would be covered by the great Far Eastern Fleet.
17) Advice on intelligence, coastguards, communications including wireless, and the protection of trade included in the report.
18) In regard to the annual payment for maintaining the Far Eastern Fleet and the local forces:-
United Kingdom
Commonwealth of Australia Dominion of New Zealand Dominion of Canada
Union of South Africa
71.00% 7.50% 2.00% 12.00% 7.50%
This was based on population and overseas trade (India was treated separately, paying wholly for her defence.) Jellicoe, in considering the above table, thought it logical that;
a) Canada's share should be that required to provide and maintain a small force of light cruisers on her western seaboard to protect her trade in those waters, as well as a naval force on her eastern seaboard.
b) South Africa should pay to provide and maintain a squadron stationed at the Cape to cover trade on the west coast of Africa as well as round the Cape.
c) India should pay a sum to provide for her harbour defences and the upkeep of the East Indies Squadron.
Hence Jellicoe arrived at the following APPROXIMATE figures for the annual cost of provision and maintenance of the Far Eastern Fleet:
Great Britain Australia
New Zealand
£ 14,066,800
£ 4,024,000 .. £ 991,600
On this basis, Australia would have a fleet of:-
1 Aircraft Carrier
2 Battlecruisers
8 Light cruisers (4 being in reserve)
1 Flotilla Leader
12 Destroyers (2 being in reserve)
1 Destroyer depot ship
8 Submarines
1 Submarine parent ship
1 Seagoing minelayer ) in
2 Sloop minesweepers ) reserve
2 Sloop minesweepers (special reserve)
1 Fleet repair ship
and New Zealand a squadron of:-
1 Aircraft Carrier (small)
3 Light cruisers
6 Submarines
1 Small submarine parent ship
New Zealand.
Wellington (Port Nicholson), Auckland, in North Island, Port Lyttelton (Christchurch), Otago Harbour (Dunedin) in South Island.
The types of men-of-war he recommended could be mainly maintained from commercial facilities.
Advised the setting up of a Naval Air School, and strongly recommended setting up an air industry, the encouragement of civilian flying, and the establishment of a meteorological service. His advice included the supply and distribution of fuel, stores, ammunition, mines and torpedoes. He recommended that docking and repair facilities for light cruisers and smaller vessels should be provided at Auckland in the north of North Island and at Otago (Dunedin) in the south of South Island, and that a naval store depot be set up at Auckland.
From New Zealand to Suva, Fiji. where the harbour was investigated, then to Levuka, another Fijian Island, thence to Apia in the Samoan Islands. To Christmas Island, Fanning Island (this last just to utilise the trans-ocean cable service there).
Called at Hawaii, berthing at Honolulu Harbour.
Canada.
Arrived at Esquimalt and inspected the harbours at Port Alberni and the neighbourhood, Victoria and Esquimalt harbours and defences, and the dockyard and Yarrow's works, also the Cadet training college after the college at Halifax had been severely damaged in 1917.
Also visited Duncan Bay and Port t1cNeill. Sailed from Duncan Bay and entered Burrard inlet, on the mainland, which widens out into the fine harbour of Vancouver, where they anchored and carefully explored the upper reaches of Vancouver Harbour in a fishery vessel.
Later went through the inner passages to inspect Prince Rupert Harbour, inspected the fine harbour, including the dry dock and building slips, the harbour is deep and landlocked. Thence visited Ottawa, Sydney, Louisberg, and Shelbourne. Inspected Vickers shipbuilding yard at Montreal and also St. John, New Brunswick where Vickers also had a yard where they saw the huge dry dock being built. Thence to Halifax where they visited the private shipbuilding yards, Bedford Basin and the military forts; Quebec where more docks and shipbuilding yards were seen.
The naval force suggested by Jellicoe for Canada for the protection of her trade and harbours in the Pacific:-
3 Light cruisers
6 Flying-boats
6 Torpedo-carrying aircraft
6 Submarines
4 Local defence destroyers
8 Patrol Boats
Trawlers ) only to be requisitioned in wartime
Small patrol craft ) except for 2 trawlers for training.
(This was referred to as the £ 2,000,000 fleet, being the cost annually)
For a total of £ 3,000,000 the following could be ADDED:-
1 Aircraft carrier
1 Battlecruiser
2 Light cruisers
6 Destroyers
1 Destroyer parent ship
2 Fleet minesweepers
and again for a total of £ 5,000,000 the following could be ADDED:-
1 Aircraft carrier
1 Battlecruiser
2 Light cruisers
6 Destroyers
8 Submarines
2 Fleet minesweepers
Therefore if the maximum was spent by Canada on he, fleet, this would comprise:-
2 Aircraft carriers
2 Battlecruisers
7 Light cruisers
12 Destroyers
4 Local defence destroyers
14 Submarines
4 Fleet minesweepers
6 Flying-boats
6 Torpedo-carrying aircraft
8 Patrol boats
1 Destroyer parent ship
Trawlers and small patrol craft (2 peacetime training)
From Canada the route home covered the U.S.A., Havana (Cuba), Port Royal – Jamaica, Port of Spain – Trinidad, did not call at South Africa due to their elections, and came back to Portsmouth.
Singapore - The Far East Fleet Base
Admiral Jellicoe said that a permanent peace-time naval force in the East should be strong enough to equal the Japanese 8 Battleships and 8 Battlecruisers were stipulated.
The Admiralty recommendation was for a force of 12 Battleships and 8 Battlecruisers.
Jellicoe's tour of 1919 recommended that Port Darwin (Bynoe Harbour) be fitted out as an advanced base.
As regards the establishment of the new naval base at Singapore, the Admiralty had originally favoured a site in the road-stead south-west of Singapore Island, known as Selat Sinki, for the fleet anchorage and naval base - this would have required the construction of an eleven mile long breakwater, costing over £ 20,000,000, to counter the threat of attack by submarines.
Gun defences for Singapore were proposed as follows:-
4 x 15 inch (45 degree elevation) - 2 at the east end of the island, and 2 just west of Singapore town.
4 x 9.2 inch (45 degree elevation) of 29,000 yds.range a pair at each entrance to the Old Strait.
2 x 9.2 inch (15 degree elevation) just south of Keppel Harbour - these already in situ.
10 x 6 inch, and 4 x 4.7 inch guns were also proposed.
Later, plans were made to increase the numbers of 15 inch guns to 8, 2 to be in the central area (west of the town?), and 6 to be in the east.
Also, it was proposed to increase the elevation of the 9.2 inch guns to a uniform 45 degrees, and to increase the number of 6 inch guns to 18.
A Fleet-in-being was planned as being:-
3 Battlecruisers
1 Large Aircraft Carrier
6 or 8 Light Cruisers
2 Flotillas of Destroyers (18 ships including Leaders)
21 Submarines
At one point, the main fleet in the east could comprise:-
14 Capital Ships (Battleships and Battlecruisers)
4 Aircraft Carriers
plus the relevant supporting craft
What exactly was the Admiralty's scheme?
The purpose of the Singapore base was to maintain, supply, and repair Britains Eastern Fleet. The magnitude of the base would therefore depend upon the strength of the fleet it was supposed to service;
Two types of Eastern Fleet were envisaged by the Admiralty:-
A war fleet, comprising perhaps:-
12 Battleships
3 Battlecruisers
4 Aircraft Carriers
37 Cruisers
81 Destroyers
42 Submarines
plus other vessels, or about 900 units in all;
and a future peace fleet, comprising probably:-
3 Battlecruisers
1 Aircraft Carrier etc.
The ideal Singapore naval base would be able, by itself, to meet all the requirements of the war fleet. Such a base, which might, as the Admiralty's Civil Engineer-in-Chief estimated in January 1923, involve as many as 8 graving docks, each 1,000 feet by 130 feet, and 35 to 45 feet deep, a floating dock, and over 10,000 feet of wharves, and all the attendant facilities of a first-class base accommodation for naval stores, victuals, ammunition, mines, booms, oiling and medical facilities, repair shops, generating and pumping stations, laboratories, gunmounting shops, and a rangefinder testing house.
"Appendix" (1) - Jellieoe's Empire Tour 1919-20.
Although unable to visit South Africa at the time of his tour due to elections being held in that country, and hence not producing a plan in actuality for the strength of the South African 'contribution' for the Far East Fleet, working from the percentage of the budget share for South Africa allocated for the maintenance of the fleet, the following could very well have been the size of the South African Fleet:-
1 Aircraft Carrier
2 Battlecruisers
8 Light Cruisers
1 Flotilla Leader )Or, 2 Flotillas of Destroyers
12 Destroyers )18 Vessels in all including Leaders
1 Destroyer depot
8 Submarines
1 Submarine parent ship
1 Sea-going minelayer
4 Sloop minesweepers (or 4 Fleet minesweepers)
1 Fleet repair ship
I know the reality of post WW1 economics (and the Washington Treaty) put paid to this, but the British Empire did end the war as a net Creditor, and so theoretically should have been able to have done something about overall Empire Defence Policy......