Flying Squadron (United Kingdom) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flying Squadron
Active	1869–1870; 1870-72; 1896
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Squadron

The Flying Squadron was a special group of ships in the Royal Navy, the United Kingdom's navy. It was formed at least three different times for important missions. These squadrons traveled all over the world, showing the flag and training sailors.

First Flying Squadron: A World Tour (1869-1870)

The first Flying Squadron was created in 1869. It was made up of ten wooden ships that could also use steam power. This squadron set sail from Plymouth, England, on June 19, 1869.

Exploring the World

The ships visited many places across the globe. They stopped in Madeira, South America, and South Africa. Then, they sailed to Australia, visiting Melbourne, Sydney, and Hobart. After that, they went to New Zealand, stopping in Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttleton.

The squadron continued its journey to Japan, Canada, and Hawaii. Their final stop before heading home was Bahia in Brazil. The ships returned to England on November 15, 1870, after an amazing journey.

Who Led the Squadron?

Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby was in charge of this squadron. He commanded it from June 19, 1869, until its return in November 1870. His main ship was HMS Liverpool (1860). Other ships in the squadron included HMS Liffey (1856), HMS Bristol, HMS Endymion (1865), HMS Scylla, HMS Barrosa (1860), HMS Phoebe, HMS Pearl, and HMS Charybdis. One ship, HMS Satellite (1855), joined them in Valparaiso, Chile, to sail home with the squadron.

• 

  Plymouth Sound
  (June, 1869)

• 

  Hobart, Tasmania
  (January, 1870)

• 

  Auckland, New Zealand
  (February, 1870)

• 

  Esquimalt Bay, Canada,
  (May, 1870)

• 

  Honolulu, Hawaii
  (June, 1870)

• 

  Rounding Cape Horn
  (September 13, 1870)

Second Flying Squadron: Another Global Journey (1870-1872)

The second Flying Squadron was formed in 1870. Most of its ships were made of wood, but it also included a very new warship called HMS Volage (1869) (HMS Volage). This squadron also sailed around the world to "show the flag," which means showing off the Royal Navy's power and presence in different countries.

The squadron left England on December 3, 1870. It visited Madeira, Brazil, the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, and the East Indies. After that, it crossed the huge Pacific Ocean. The ships returned to England at the end of 1872, completing another long journey.

Third Flying Squadron: Ready for Anything (1896)

The third Flying Squadron was a special group of Royal Navy ships that operated in 1896.

A Time of Tension

In 1896, there was a lot of tension between countries in Europe. This was after an event in South Africa where the German Emperor Wilhelm II sent a message of support to a leader named President Kruger. This made people think that a war with the German Empire might happen.

To be ready for any possible conflict, the Royal Navy quickly formed a special squadron at Portsmouth. It was first called the Particular Service Squadron, but soon its name was changed to the Flying Squadron.

The Ships and Their Commander

The main ship of this squadron was the battleship Revenge. Other powerful ships included the battleship Royal Oak, and cruisers like Gibraltar, Theseus, Charybdis, and Hermione. Rear Admiral Alfred Taylor Dale was the commander of this important squadron.

The Flying Squadron was kept ready for ten months. For a short time in mid-1896, it even joined the Mediterranean Fleet. Luckily, no war broke out, and the Flying Squadron was no longer needed. It was officially ended in November 1896.