| Western Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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[1] was a squadron or formation of the Royal Navy based at Plymouth Dockyard.[2] It operated in waters of the English Channel, the Western Approaches, and the North Atlantic. It defended British trade sea lanes from 1650 to 1814 and 1831 to 1854.[3] Following Admiralty orders to Lord Anson he was instructed to combine all existing commands in the English Channel - those at the Downs, Narrow Seas, Plymouth and the Spithead - under a centralized command under the Commander-in-Chief, Western Squadron in 1746.[4] The squadron was commanded by the Flag Officer with the dual title of Commander-in-Chief, English Channel [5] and Commander-in-Chief, Western Squadron[6]
- ^ Robson, Martin (2016). A History of the Royal Navy: The Seven Years War. London, England: I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd. p. 228. ISBN 9781780765457.
- ^ "Royal Navy Dockyards: Plymouth". rmg.co.uk. Royal Museums Greenwich, 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ Duffy, Michael, ed. (1992). Parameters of British naval power : 1650-1850 (1st publ. ed.). Exeter: Univ. of Exeter Press. pp. 60–81. ISBN 9780859893855.
- ^ Palmer, Michael A. (2005). Command at Sea: Naval Command and Control Since the Sixteenth Century. Harvard, Mass, USA: Harvard University Press. p. 100. ISBN 9780674016811.
- ^ Harrison, Simon. "Commander-in-Chief at English Channel". threedecks.org. S. Harrison 2010-2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ Harrison, Simon. "Commander-in-Chief at English Channel". threedecks.org. S Harrison, 2010-2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.