Military unit
The Downs Station [ 1] Commander-in-Chief, the Downs [ 2] Admiral Commanding at the Downs was a formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain and then the United Kingdom 's Royal Navy based at Deal . It was a major command of the Royal Navy from 1626 until 1834.[ 4]
The Downs is a roadstead (area of sheltered, favourable sea) in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast. It is primarily known in naval history for the Dutch defeat of the Spanish in the Battle of the Downs in 1639.
The Downs served as permanent base for naval vessels operating out of Deal, Kent .[ 5]
It served as a base for warships patrolling the North Sea . The command generally covered an area in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast. The station lasted until 1815, when it was absorbed into the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore 's control, whose role and geographic area of responsibility was re-defined by the Admiralty.
Commanders in chief [ edit ] Incomplete list includes:[ 6] N = died in post
Commodore Sir Henry Palmer , 1626 Rear-Admiral Sir John Penington , 1626–1631 Vice-Admiral Sir John Penington, 1638–1645 Vice-Admiral Sir John Mennes , 1645–1649 Rear-Admiral Richard Badiley , 1649–1650 Vice-Admiral John Lawson , 1650–1656 Vice-Admiral Richard Badiley , 1656 N Admiral Sir Edward Montagu , 1657–1663 Commodore Thomas Allin , 1663–1664 Admiral Sir William Penn , 1664–1666 Vice-Admiral Sir John Holmes , 1667–1679 Commodore Stafford Fairborne , 1695–1697 [ 8] Rear-Admiral Basil Beaumont , 1699–1703 N Commodore Richard Griffith , 1707 Commodore Gerard Ellwes , 1707–1708 [ 9] Commodore Charles Cornwall , 1709–1710 Commodore Tudor Trevor , 1711–1712[ 9] Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Wager , 1712–1714[ 9] Captain Edward Vernon , 1716 Commodore Philip Cavendish , 1716[ 9] Admiral Edward Vernon, 1745 Vice-Admiral William Martin , 1745 Commodore Matthew Michell , 1745–1748 Admiral Thomas Smith , 1755–1758 Commodore Sir Peircy Brett , 1758–1761 Commodore John Moore , 1761–1766[ 9] Rear-Admiral John Montagu , 1771[ 9] Commodore John Elliot , 1777–1778[ 9] Vice-Admiral Matthew Buckle , 1778–1779[ 9] Vice-Admiral Francis William Drake , 1779–1782 Rear-Admiral John Evans , 1780–1781* Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Hughes , 1781–1782*[ 11] Station not active 1782 to 1790
Station not active 1791 to 1793
Rear-Admiral John MacBride , 1793–1794 [ 12] Vice-Admiral Joseph Peyton , 1794–1799[ 9] Rear-Admiral John Bazely , 1796–1797* Vice-Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge , 1799–1802[ 13] Rear-Admiral Edward Thornbrough , 1803 [ 14] Vice-Admiral Philip Patton , 1803–1804[ 15] Vice-Admiral John Holloway , 1804–1807 [ 16] Vice-Admiral Bartholomew Rowley , 1807–1808 [ 17] Vice-Admiral George Campbell , 1808–1811[ 18] Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Foley , 1811–1815 [ 19] Rear-Admiral William Hall Gage , 1833.[ 20] [ 21] Temporary command in absence of senior officer *
^ Clarke, James Stanier; McArthur, John (2 September 2010). The Naval Chronicle: Volume 27, January-July 1812: Containing a General and Biographical History of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom with a Variety of Original Papers on Nautical Subjects ISBN 9781108018661 ^ a b Papers, Relative to Correspondence between Sir Home Popham and the Admiralty, between 1 January 1787 and 31st December 1792 ^ Lee, Christopher (20 November 2014). Nelson and Napoleon: The Long Haul to Trafalgar ISBN 9780571321681 ^ Robson, Martin (2005). The Battle of Trafalgar . Conway Maritime Press. pp. 29, 36, 158. ISBN 0-85177-979-4 ^ Hiscocks, Richard (1 February 2016). "Downs commander-in-chief 1777-1815 - more than Nelson" . more than Nelson . Richard Hiscocks. Retrieved 10 March 2017 . ^ Harrison, Simon. "Stafford Fairborne (d.1716)" . threedecks.org . Simon Harrison 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018 . ^ a b c d e f g h i Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Commander-in-Chief at The Downs" . threedecks.org . S.Harrison. Retrieved 16 February 2019 . ^ Marshall, John (18 November 2010). Royal Naval Biography: Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-Officers, Superannuated Rear-Admirals, Retired-Captains, Post-Captains, and Commanders ISBN 9781108022712 ^ O’Byrne, William R. (6 February 2012). A Naval Biographical Dictionary - Volume 1 ISBN 9781781502778 ^ Archives, The National. "Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge, Commander-in-Chief in the Downs, Order to Captain Portlock of the Arrow. Copy. Paper No 6" . discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk . National Archives, 1799 May 26, HO 69/5/6. Retrieved 10 March 2017 . ^ Burke, John (1838). A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain and Ireland 302 . Rear-Admiral Edward Thornbrough Downs Station. ^ O’Byrne, William R. (6 February 2012). A Naval Biographical Dictionary - Volume 2 ISBN 9781781502792 ^ Goodman, Alfred Edwin (1916). Goodman, a Family History ^ Urban, Sylvanus (1811). Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle ^ The Annual biography and obituary 448 .^ Marshall, John (1823). "Foley, Thomas" Royal Naval Biography ^ Laughton, John Knox (1889). "Gage, William Hall" Dictionary of National Biography ^ Marshall, John (1823). "Gage, William Hall" Royal Naval Biography Charnock, John (1794). Biographia Navalis; or, Impartial memoirs of the lives of officers of the navy of Great Britain from 1660 29 –31. Ireland, Bernard (2001), Naval Warfare in the Age of Sail - War at Sea 1756–1815, 1st Ed, WW Norton & Co. ISBN 9780393049831 . Rodger, N.A.M. (2004), The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, 1649–1815. New York and London: W.W. Norton and Company. ISBN 9780393060508 . Schomberg, Isaac (1802). Naval Chronology: Or, An Historical Summary of Naval & Maritime Events, from the Time of the Romans, to the Treaty of Peace, Volume 5 224 .
Direction and control Under the offices Direction of Military units Admiralty Departments Civil Departments Autonomous Civil Departments Direction of Naval Finance Departments under the Direction of Naval Administration Branches and offices under the Legal Services Legal under
Direction and control Boards and offices under Direction of Secretariat and staff under Operational planning, policy Divisions and sections Offices of the Sea Lords Admiralty civil departments Admiralty Area Cash Offices Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service Admiralty Compass Observatory Admiralty Constabulary Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters Admiralty Engineering Laboratory Admiralty Experimental Station Admiralty Experiment Works Admiralty Gunnery Establishment Admiralty Interview Board Admiralty Labour Department Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment Admiralty Materials Laboratory Admiralty Mine Design Department Admiralty Mining Establishment Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory Admiralty Record Office Admiralty Regional Offices Admiralty Research Laboratory Admiralty Signal Establishment Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment Admiralty Surveying Service Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment Architectural and Engineering Works Department Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department Air Department Air Materiel Department Air Personnel Department Amphibious Warfare Headquarters Armament Supply Department Board of Invention and Research Board of Longitude Boom Defence Department Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department Britannia Royal Naval College Chemical Board Chemical Department Civil Catering Department Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department Coastguard and Reserves Branch Combined Operations Headquarters Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department Compass Department Contract and Purchase Department Council of Naval Education Dental Examining Board Department of Radio Equipment Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord Department of Naval Education Operational Research Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments Department of Physical Research Department of Physical Training & Sports Department of Radio Equipment Department of Research Programmes and Planning Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation Department of the Admiral of the Training Service Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance Department of the Chief of Naval Information Department of the Chief Scientist Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services Department of the Controller of the Navy Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Controller for Navy Pay Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships Department of the Director-General Aircraft Department of the Director-General of Manpower Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Department of the Director of Contract Labour Department of the Director of Dockyards Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering Department of the Director of Manning Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs Department of the Director of Naval Construction Department of the Director of Naval Equipment Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service Department of the Director of Personal Services Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining Department of the Director of Transports Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs Department of the Director of Warship Production Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training Department of the Engineer in Chief Department of the Paymaster Director-General Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy Department of the Physician of the Navy Department of the Physician General of the Navy Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy Department of the Surveyor of Buildings Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training) Directorate General Training Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department Dockyards Branch Dockyard Expense Accounts Department Dockyard Schools Electrical Engineering Department Engineer Branch Engineering Department Experimental Department Fire Control Group Greenwich Hospital Department Inspector of Telegraphs Inspector of Repairs Joint Warfare Establishment Medical Consultative Board Medical Examining Board Historical Section Hydrographic Department Marine Department Marine Pay Department Materials and Priority Department Medical Consultative Board Medical Department Medical Examining Board Movements Department Nautical Almanac Office Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department Naval Engineering College Naval Equipment Department Naval Historical Branch Naval Construction Department Naval Intelligence Department Naval Medical Service Naval Law Division Naval Manpower Department Naval Mobilisation Department Naval Ordnance Department Naval Ordnance Inspection Department Naval Ordnance Stores Department Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department Naval Publicity Department Naval Regional Offices Naval Reserve Department Naval Security Department Naval Stores Department Naval Training Department Naval Works Department Navy, Army and Air Force Institute Navy and Army Canteen Board Navy Works Department Navigation Department Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves Office of the Admiralty Chemist Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty Office of the Assistant Controller Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development Office of the Clerk of the Journals Office of the Chief Polaris Executive Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy Office of the Deputy Controller Production Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings Office of the Keeper of Records Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval) Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages Office of the Vice Controller Air Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy Organisation and Methods Department Packet Service Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Royal Corps of Naval Constructors Royal Flying Corps Royal Marine Police Royal Marines Office Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet Royal Naval Academy Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops Royal Naval Air Service Royal Naval Air Stations Royal Naval Armaments Depot Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Royal Naval Cordite Factories Royal Naval Propellant Factory Royal Naval College Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture Royal Naval College, Dartmouth Royal Naval College, Greenwich Royal Naval College, Keyham Royal Naval College, Osborne Royal Naval Engineering College Royal Naval Film Corporation Royal Naval Hospital Royal Naval Medical Depot Royal Naval Minewatching Service Royal Naval Mine Depot Royal Naval Patrol Service Royal Naval Scientific Service Royal Naval Sick Quarters Royal Naval Torpedo Depot Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval War College Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth Royal Navy Dockyard Royal Navy Medical Service Royal Navy Shore Signal Service Royal Observatory, Greenwich Royal School of Naval Architecture Salvage Department School of Mathematics and Naval Construction Scientific Research and Experiment Department Sea Transport Branch Sea Transport Department Sea Transport Division Ship Department Ship Design Department Signal Department Signal School Sixpenny Office Statistics Department Steam Department Superintendent of De-magnetisation Torpedo Experimental Establishment Transport Department Undersurface Warfare Department Victualling Department Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps Weapons Department Weapons Department (Naval) Women's Royal Naval Service Wireless Telegraphy Board Direction/Command of the Fleet Naval formations after 1707 1st Fleet 2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Africa Atlantic Fleet Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Australia Station Cape of Good Hope Station Cape and West Africa Station Battle Cruiser Fleet Battle Cruiser Force Caspian Flotilla Channel Fleet Channel Squadron Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland Cork Station Coast of Scotland Commander-in-Chief, China Commander-in-Chief, Dover Flag Officer, East Africa East Indies Station East Indies and China Station Eastern Fleet Far East Fleet English Channel Grand Fleet Flag Officer Gibraltar Harwich Force Home Fleet Jamaica Station Leith Station Commander-in-Chief, Levant Levant and East Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Mediterranean Fleet Medway Newfoundland Station New Zealand Division New Zealand Naval Forces Nore North America and West Indies Station Commander-in-Chief, North Sea Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands Pacific Fleet Pacific Station Admiral of Patrols Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Queenstown Station Royal East African Navy Royal Indian Navy Flag Officer Submarines Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth Reserve Fleet Scotland and Northern Ireland Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic South East Coast of America Station Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway West Africa Squadron Flag Officer, West Africa Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Naval formations before 1707 Direction of Naval Finance Departments under the Direction of Naval Administration Branches and offices under the Civil Administration Departments under the Legal
Historic fleets and naval commands of the
Royal Navy North and Irish Seas and English Channel Atlantic Ocean Baltic, Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean
Royal Navy
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