Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 41:03-41:46

Why Fisher urged restraint after the Dogger Bank incident

Fisher's restraint after Russian ships fired on British fishing boats reflected a calculation that the Russian fleet would soon be far from European waters.

Dogger Bank IncidentJohn FisherNaval DiplomacyRussian Navy
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Question

Did Fisher help calm the government after Russian ships fired on British fishing boats?

Short answer

Yes. Fisher urged restraint partly because he expected the Russian fleet to be on the other side of the world shortly.

Notes

A viewer asks whether Fisher helped calm the government after Russian ships fired on British fishing boats. The answer is yes, and the advice is tied to strategy. Fisher expected the Russian fleet to continue eastward, reducing the immediate naval danger near Britain. The timing also shows that his political contacts and influence mattered even as he entered the First Sea Lord's office.