Irish Squadron (Royal Navy)

The Irish Squadron was a series of temporary formations assembled for particular naval campaigns of various English Monarch's from the thirteenth to the seventeenth century. The formation was commanded by senior officers whose title changed a number of times during its existence. In 1298 the first Admiral appointed by a state document issued by Edward I of England was Sir William de Leybourne who was titled as Admiral of the Irish Sea he was given responsibility to command all English ships operating in the Irish Sea.[3]

In the fourteenth century the squadron was formed on four occasions. In 1356 during the reign of Edward III it was assembled for the protection of troop convoy ships that were being attacked by the Royal Scottish Navy.[4] In 1382 during Richard II of England first expedition to Ireland it was formed under the command of Sir William Spalding. At the start Richards's second expedition to Ireland it was reformed again in 1397 under the command of Sir John Beaufort. In January 1399 it was assembled once more under the command of Thomas Percy, 1st Earl of Worcester until September 1399.

From the thirteenth until the beginning of the fifteenth century, the English Navy was divided into subsidiary fleets of which the Irish Fleet was a part of it along with the Western Fleet, the Northern Fleet and the Aquitaine Fleet each of these fleets had their own independent commanders. In 1406 these fleets came under the unified command of the High Admiral of England, Ireland and Aquitaine.[5] In the Tudor period the squadron was established again during Anglo-Scottish Wars (1539-1545). In 1571 the Irish Squadron operated during Desmond Rebellions (1569–1573) and again in (1579–1583), its commander during these periods was Admiral Sir William Wynter in 1579 he was authorized to cut off all sea routes into Ireland and seize all ships of the pending papal invasion force.[6] In 1616 it was formed again under the command of Sir Thomas Button.

At the start English Civil War in 1642 the Royal Navy came under the control of Parliament of England its squadron operating from Milford Haven was renamed the Irish Guard Naval Squadron of Parliament (1642-1653) it was active during Oliver Cromwell's expedition to Ireland in 1649.[7] It operated only during two specific time periods three months during the summer and three months during the winter. The strength of the squadron varied in size but did reach a peak of 56 ships in 1645 making it the navy's second-largest squadron.[8] In July 1689 the squadron was engaged at the Battle of Bantry Bay under the command George Rooke he remained in control of the squadron until early 1690. The squadron then reformed in June 1690 when it took part in the Capture of Waterford under the command of Rear-Admiral Cloudesley Shovell until June 1690. In 1691 it was part of a larger naval force assembled to transfer King William III to Ireland.[9][10]

As the Irish Squadron entered the eighteenth century it was formed in July 1727 and again in July 1731 but it was gradually wound down in terms of ship numbers assigned to it before being disbanded.[11] It would not be until 1797 that the Royal Navy established a permanent naval formation for the Irish Sea known as the Cork Station.

The squadrons operating base for the majority of its existence was from Milford Haven, Wales for operations in the Irish Sea and off the Coast of Ireland. By the end of the 1680s it was stationed at Greenock, Scotland.[12] Its repair and resupply bases in Ireland included Kinsale Dockyard in County Cork.

Note:Incomplete list of post holders include.

The Irish Squadron as 1 September 1689.[42]

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