The Second Fleet was a reserve formation of the Royal Navy that briefly existed before the First World War.
History Formed on 1 May 1912 from the Third Division of the Home Fleet, its ships were manned by a nucleus crew during peacetime, but were intended to be manned by men from the naval schools when mobilised.Wragg, p. 24 It reported directly to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets. The fleet was mobilised in late July 1914 as tensions increased between Great Britain and Imperial Germany and remained on active duty until war was declared on 4 August.Marder, p. 432 It reformed the Channel Fleet upon the declaration of war and consisted of the Fifth and Sixth Battle Squadrons, equipped with a total of 15 pre-dreadnought battleships and the majority of the Home Defence Patrol Flotillas.Corbett, p. 12
Commanders
Rank Flag Name Term Vice-Admiral Commanding Second Fleet1 Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick T. Hamilton May 1912-December 19132 Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney December 1913-August 1914
Components Included
Unit Notes 15th Battle Squadron(8 battleships)Harley and Lovell. 201426th Battle Squadron (5-7 battleships)Harley and Lovell. 201435th Cruiser Squadron(3-4 light cruisers)Harley and Lovell. 201446th Cruiser Squadron3–4 armoured cruisers)Harley and Lovell. 201457th Destroyer Flotilla20 destroyer-12 torpedo boat)Harley and Lovell. 2014
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