The Channel Squadron[1] also referred to as the Western Squadron[2] (1512-1649) was a series of temporary naval formations first formed in under the
EnglishTudorNavy Royal during the sixteenth century. Later during the
Interregnum a channel squadron was formed as part of the Commonwealth Navy. During the 18th century as part of the
Royal Navy.
Initially the English Navy had organised its fleet into sub-commands namely
squadrons from at least 1205.[3] and certainly during the 16th century. A channel squadron was operating out of
Portsmouth from around 1523. By 1560 The Navy Royal had four functioning squadrons one in the Channel (Western), and the
Irish Sea,
Narrow Seas (Eastern) and another in the
North Sea.[4] During the Spanish Armada campaign a detached Western squadron was reassigned from the main English Fleet and sent to Plymouth under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Drake.[5] From 1509 until 1649 Vice-Admirals commanding particular fleets or squadrons were styled so as to denote they were junior to the
Lord Admiral of England these
flag officers were formally appointed by the crown.[6]
The Vice-Admiral in the Channel was senior appointment of the
Navy Royal created in 1512 as a subordinate commander to the
Lord Admiral of England. The post holder commanded the Channel Squadron until 1649.
The office was created in 1512 as a subordinate commander to the
Lord Admiral of England. By 1560 there were four Vice-Admirals in the
English Navy commanding naval formations.
^Corbett, Julian Stafford (1917).
"The Navy of Elizabeth". Drake and the Tudor navy, with a history of the rise of England as a maritime power. London, England: London : Longmans, Green. p. 347.
^Rodger, N.A.M. (1997). "Social History of Officers 1509-1603". The safeguard of the sea : a naval history of Britain. Vol 1., 660–1649. London, England: Penguin. p. 298.
ISBN9780140297249.
Corbett, Julian Stafford (1917). "The Navy of Elizabeth". Drake and the Tudor navy, with a history of the rise of England as a maritime power. London, England: London : Longmans, Green.
Hammer, Paul E. J. (2003). Elizabeth's Wars: War, Government and Society in Tudor England, 1544-1604. London: Macmillan International Higher Education.
ISBN9780230629769.
Martin, Colin (1999). The Spanish Armada: Revised Edition. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
ISBN9781901341140.
Rodger, N.A.M. (1997). "Social History of Officers 1509-1603". The safeguard of the sea : a naval history of Britain. Vol 1., 660–1649. London, England: Penguin.
ISBN9780140297249.
Rose, Susan (2013). "3:The Navy of England understanding the resources of the crown". England's Medieval Navy 1066-1509: Ships, Men & Warfare. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing.
ISBN9781473853546.
Runyan, Timothy J. (1987). Ships, Seafaring, and Society: Essays in Maritime History. Detroit, Michigan, USA: Wayne State University Press.
ISBN0814319912.