Third Sloop Flotilla (Royal Navy)

The Third Sloop Flotilla was a formation of sloops of the Royal Navy.

History

The Third was one of six new flotillas to first appear in the Navy List in July, 1918, joining the long-established First Sloop Flotilla and Tenth Sloop Flotilla.

July, 1918

The flotilla was created in June as part of the Northern Patrol. At this point in time, the flotilla comprised the bulk of the Northern Patrol's forces. On paper, the Third was the largest of the Sloop Flotillas with an initial strength of twenty-one sloops. One of these, Myosotis, was paid off. The formation would remain as shown until some time between 1 August and 1 November.

November, 1918

Laburnum has left, reducing the force to 20 sloops. Myosotis is no longer paid off, but Primrose is detached.

December, 1918

Eight sloops left in November. Buttercup, Crocus, Daffodil, Delphinium, Gladiolus, Poppy and Rosemary have left to form the new Twenty-third Fleet Sweeping Flotilla on the Northern DIvision of the Coast of Ireland, and Primrose has left to provide "miscellaneous service", thus reducing the flotilla to 12 sloops. This line-up would persist until some time in January, 1919.

February, 1919

Auricula left for the Clyde in January, thus reducing the flotilla to 11 sloops.

March, 1919

Some time in February, it appears that the formation was disbanded. The sloops went to Portland, where they were listed in the Navy List without a name, and where they stayed until at least 1 July, by which time they had been reduced to Reserve Complement..

Flotilla Disbanded – sloops sent to Portland

In Command

Dates of appointment given: