Archive Collection

Extract from the bound volumes of the Beresford Enquiry, 1909. Evidence handed into the Beresford Enquiry on "The "Scr

Extract from the bound volumes of the Beresford Enquiry, 1909. Evidence handed into the Beresford Enquiry on "The "Scr

Argument against Admiralty ideas about scrapping small cruisers and the introduction of the armoured cruisers. Beresford writes: "Such considerations as the protection of trade, risks of torpedo attack upon advanced cruisers, dispersal of force for scouting, subsidiary fleet work entailing absence from the main body, navigating in shallow waters, &c., were entirely lost sight of in an attempt to convince the unthinking that the only cruiser of any use in future war was a fast powerful vessel of great displacement, heavy cost, and carrying a crew of at least 600 men. The real administrative action required at that date was the placing of an adequate number of improved small cruisers in the building programme." Beresford commanded the Channel Fleet until 1907 but disagreed with some of the measures the Royal Navy was taking. He caused controversy within the Admiralty after he left his Channel Fleet post when he publicly criticised the reforms of First Sea Lord John Fisher and accused the Royal Navy of not being prepared for a war with Germany.