Captain Edward Kennedy's return to command

Edward Coverley Kennedy entered naval training in 1892, became a commander in 1912, and reached captain in 1917. His rapid promotion is presented as evidence of professional ability. His service included HMS New Zealand, the minelayer Angora, and the C-class cruisers Cassandra and Constance. A cited obituary also credited him with service at the German High Seas Fleet's surrender and with helping contain unrest at Belize and Kingston. Kennedy was reprimanded after a 1921 court martial over his handling of insubordination in a naval reserve battalion at Newport, although the later account quoted here judged his wider view of the crisis wise and correct. Postwar reductions then ended his active career for nearly eighteen years. Recalled at age sixty, he brought accumulated command experience to a hastily formed wartime ship's company.