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Western Squadron
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Active origin,1650-1690
formally established 1746-1854
Country United Kingdom
Allegiance British Empire
Branch Royal Navy
Type Squadron
Role Blockade
Patrol
Trade Protection
Garrison/HQ Plymouth Dockyard, England
Engagements First Battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)
Second Battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)
Battle of Quiberon Bay
Battle of Ushant (1778)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Admiral Edward Hawke

The Western Squadron was a group of warships, also called a formation, in the Royal Navy. It was based at Plymouth Dockyard in England. This squadron worked in the waters of the English Channel, the Western Approaches, and the North Atlantic. Its main job was to protect British trade sea lanes. It did this from 1650 to 1814, and again from 1831 to 1854.

In 1746, the Admiralty (the government department in charge of the navy) told Lord Anson to bring together all the naval commands in the English Channel. These included commands at the Downs, Narrow Seas, Plymouth, and Spithead. They were all placed under one central command, called the Commander-in-Chief, Western Squadron. The squadron was led by a Flag Officer who held two titles: Commander-in-Chief, English Channel, and Commander-in-Chief, Western Squadron.

History of the Western Squadron

In 1650, a naval officer named Captain William Penn was given the job of protecting the Channel. He used six ships to guard the area from Beachy Head to Land's End. This system continued even after the Stuart Restoration (when the monarchy was brought back). This was the beginning of what would become the Western Squadron.

Early Years and Changing Roles

By 1690, Edward Russell, 1st Earl of Orford was in charge of a fleet in the Channel. From 1705 to the 1740s, the squadron mostly cruised around. But then, its main job changed to blockading. In 1746, the Admiralty officially allowed Admiral Anson to combine all Channel commands into the Western Squadron, based in Plymouth.

Protecting Trade and Fighting Battles

During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), the Western Squadron was very important for Britain. It often patrolled the entrance to the English Channel. It also regularly sailed into the Bay of Biscay and the waters near Ushant. One of its key duties was to protect trade ships. It made sure that valuable goods coming from the East Indies and West Indies arrived safely in Britain.

The squadron took part in several important battles:

By 1801, the squadron's main goal was still to stop French ships from leaving their naval bases. These bases were at Brest, Le Havre, and other places in the Bay of Biscay. The Western Squadron was a very early version of the Channel Squadron, which later became known as the Channel Fleet.

How the Western Squadron Shaped British Naval Power

For a long time, British naval plans stayed much the same. But as British trade grew, so did the challenges from the French Navy, which had been expanding since the 1660s. British war planners often worried about war with France. However, they didn't have enough places or tools to build and fix ships to meet these challenges.

Building New Dockyards

Most of the navy's ship-building and dry-docking (places to repair ships out of water) facilities were on the South East coast. These had grown to help with the Anglo-Dutch wars. In 1689, when war with France finally started, the only dry dock in the Channel was at Portsmouth.

By 1692, the main naval activity moved west. This was because the French moved their main fleet to Brest. So, in 1698, the Admiralty decided to build a completely new dockyard at Plymouth. This new dockyard had both a dry dock and a wet dock (a place where ships could float while being loaded or repaired). Having these facilities helped the Western Squadron grow quickly. By the early 1740s, it had become the navy's main battle fleet.

New Ideas for Naval Strategy

The British wanted to control their own sea lanes, especially the English Channel. They also wanted to limit what their rivals, like the French, could do with their ships and trade. In 1747, Admiral Hawke suggested that the squadron should be used to "contain" the enemy. He developed the idea of keeping a constant watch on the French Navy and the French coast. The Admiralty agreed to this. As a result, the idea of a naval blockade became a key part of British policy.

During the 1759 blockade of Brest, Admiral Hawke was the first to set up a system for ships to get supplies while at sea. This helped the squadron stay on blockade duty for longer periods without returning to port.

Commanders of the Western Squadron

Here is a list of some of the important commanders who led the Western Squadron:
NoN = died while in command

Squadron disbanded, (1815-1830)
Squadron disbanded, (1833-1845)
  • Commodore Sir Francis Collier, (1846)
  • Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, (1846-1847)
  • Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, (1847-1849)
  • Rear-Admiral, Armar Lowry Corry, (1852-1854)
The squadron was disbanded but was later re-established under a new name, the Channel Squadron, in 1858.
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