Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly took command of the Channel Fleet in December 1914 after service in the Third Anglo-Ashanti War and the Anglo-Egyptian War, followed by commands in cruisers, battlecruisers, and battle squadrons. That record offered substantial operational experience but had not prepared him for the new submarine threat. His later reputation provides an important contrast with the failure that followed. From 1915 he served at Queenstown, and from 1917 to 1919 as Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland. He worked closely with American forces defending the Western Approaches, including Captain Joel R. P. Pringle and Admiral William S. Sims. Bayly's later vigilance against submarines was hard-earned adaptation rather than knowledge he already possessed when Formidable sailed.
Notable Point · 47:38-49:16
Bayly’s experience before Formidable’s last exercise
Lewis Bayly brought colonial-war and surface-fleet experience to Channel command, then later became an effective anti-submarine leader after learning from Formidable’s loss.