Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:03:10-1:04:04

Where junior Royal Navy commanders gained experience

Lieutenant-commanders could command destroyers and other small craft even when overseas sloops required full commanders.

DestroyersNaval CommandOfficer TrainingSloops
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Question

If full commanders led sloops, how did lieutenant-commanders gain command experience?

Short answer

They commanded destroyers, cutters, other small craft, and sometimes less diplomatically demanding sloops.

Notes

Destroyer flotillas offered junior captains command experience with senior officers nearby. Cutters and smaller vessels provided other opportunities, while home-water sloops could also go to lieutenant-commanders. The more senior rank commonly seen on distant sloops reflected the diplomatic weight and isolation of their assignments.