Difference between revisions of "British Royal Navy"

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The British Royal Navy is the sea arm of the armed forces of the British [[United Kingdom]].
The British Royal Navy is the sea arm of the armed forces of the [[United Kingdom]].


== History ==
== History ==
For Britain, being an island nation meant that their navy was always one of the most important branches of their military.  Also, because of the global nature of the British Empire, they always needed naval forces in order to maintain their vast colonial assets. 


Britain being an island nation meant that their navy was always one of their most important branches of their military forcesAlso because of the global nature of the British Empire they have always needed naval forces in order to maintain their vast colonial assets.   
The first time that the Royal Navy was able to prove itself on the world stage was when it fought against the seemingly invincible Spanish Armada.  With a mixture of good seamanship and the deployment of fireships against the Spanish, the British were able to win a massive victory against the ArmadaThis was cemented when foul weather destroyed the survivors of the Armada as they attempted to sail around Ireland and return to portThis soon made the Royal Navy the greatest navy in Europe.


The first time that the Royal Navy was able to prove itself on the world stage was when it fought against the seemingly invincible Spanish ArmadaWith a mixture of good seamanship and the deployment of fireships against the Spanish the British were able to gain a massive victory against the Armada.  This was cemented when foul weather destroyed the survivors of the Armada as they attempted to sail around Ireland and return to port.  This soon made the Royal Navy the greatest navy in Europe.
Britain's next rival against which the Royal Navy fought was FranceIn a series of wars leading up to the reign of Napoleon, the French and British Navies built up their navies in an arms race against each other.  This culminated in two decisive battles lead by the famous Admiral Nelson: the first off the coast of the Nile in the Mediterranean, and the second at the Battle of Trafalgar.


Britain's next rival against which the Royal Navy fought was the FrenchIn a series of wars leading up to the reign of Napoleon, the French and British Navies built up an arms race against each otherThis culminated with two decisive battles lead by the famous Admiral Nelson, first off the coast of the Nile in the Mediterranean and then at the Battle of Trafalgar.
The next rival of the Royal Navy was the German EmpireDuring the period leading up to the Great War, the United Kingdom and the Germans built up a steadily increasing array of battleshipsDuring this period, several naval battles were fought by the United States and Japan, and British designers took careful notes.  This resulted in the design and deployment of ''HMS [[Dreadnought]]''.  Soon the dreadnought race was on as Germany, Italy, and others saw their chance to potentially catch up with the Royal Navy in sea power.  This lead to the stalemate that was the Battle of Jutlands.


The next rival for the Royal Navy was the German Empire.  During the period leading up to the Great War, the United Kingdom and the Germans built up a steadily increasing array of battleships against each otherDuring this period several naval battles were fought by the United States and Japan that British designers took careful notes of.  This resulted in the designing and deployment of ''HMS [[Dreadnought]]''Soon the dreadnought race was on as Germany, Italy and others saw their chance to potentially catch up with the Royal Navy in sea powerThis lead to the stalemate that was the Battle of Jutlands.
During the post [[Great War]] period, the Royal Navy was reduced under various international treaties, starting with the Washington Arms TreatyWhile still making it the largest Naval force in Europe, it brought its numbers into parity with the [[United States Navy]].  Even with these restrictions, it was still a force powerful enough to prevent any reasonable invasion of the British IslandsAll during the war, the Royal Navy proved formidable in all theaters.


During the post [[Great War]] period the Royal Navy was reduced under various international treaties starting with the Washington Arms Treaty.  While still making it the largest Naval force in Europe it brought its numbers into parity with the United States Navy.  Even with these restrictions it was still a force powerful enough to prevent any reasonable invasion of the British Islands.  All during the war, the Royal Navy proved formidable in all theaters of the war.
The end of the [[World War II|Second World War]] saw the decline of the once mighty Royal Navy.  Its fleet of [[battleship]]s was now obsolete thanks to the rise of the aircraft [[carrier]], and due to the steady break up and independence of possessions of the British Empire, the United Kingdom could no longer afford a massive navy.  By the 1980's, the Royal Navy only had two small carriers when Argentina attacked and occupied the Falkland Islands.  While the forces available to the British were limited, they were still able to transport and support the operation to retake the Falklands.
 
With the end of the [[World War II|Second World War]] soon saw the decline of the once mighty Royal Navy.  Its fleet of [[battleship]]s were now obsolete thanks to the rise of the aircraft [[carrier]] and due to the steady break up and independence of possessions of the British Empire, the United Kingdom could no longer afford a massive navy.  So by the 1980's the Royal Navy only had 2 small carriers when Argentina attacked and occupied the Falkland Islands.  While the forces available to the British were limited, they were still able to transport and support the operation to retake the Falklands.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
The Royal Navy has a legacy that is still evident today.  Because of the long reach of the British Empire, the Royal Navy was always on the forefront of navigation technology.  The British were the first to start using standardized maps and charts onboard their vessels, allowing Royal Navy forces to have much better planning and coordination than their rivals.  Many of their great victories were owed to these standards.  Included in this was the invention and deployment of very precise clocks on Royal Navy vessels as part of this navigation standard.  Times Zone standards, as we know them today, exist largely as a part of those navigation standards.  There is a reason that Greenwich Mean Time is the starting point for today's Time Zones. 


The Royal Navy has a legacy that is still evident today.  Because of the long reach of the British Empire, the Royal Navy was always on the forefront of navigation technology.  The British were the first to start using standardized maps and charts on-board the vessels allowing Royal Navy forces to have much better planning and coordination them their rival nations.  many of their great victories were owed to these standards.  Included in this was the invention and deployment of very precise clocks on Royal Navy Vessels as part of this navigation standard. 
In all but a few instances, the Royal Navy has always been on the forefront of naval technology.  They were the first to deploy many innovative technologies.  These include iron-clad warships, naval aviation, steam technology, and the list goes on.  From the ''HMS Mary Rose'' to the ''HMS Ark Royal'', the Royal Navy always was in the lead in naval technology.
 
In everything but a few instances the Royal Navy has always been on the forefront of Naval Technology.  They were the first to deploy many innovative technologies.  These include iron-clad warships, naval aviation, steam technology, and the list goes on.  From the ''HMS Mary Rose'' to the ''HMS Ark Royal'', the Royal Navy always was on the lead in naval technology.


== Innovations ==
== Innovations ==
*Breach Loading Cannons
*Breach Loading Cannons
*Iron Clad Warships
*Iron Clad Warships
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*Chronometers
*Chronometers
*Establishing a standard for Longitude for navigation.
*Establishing a standard for Longitude for navigation.
<gallery>
File:HMS dreadnaught.jpg|HMS ''Dreadnaught''
File:Hms warspite.jpg|HMS ''Warspite'' The ship that was everywhere and did everything.
File:HMS Hood.jpg|HMS ''Hood''.  The pride of the Royal Navy.
File:HMS Prince Of Wales.jpg|HMS ''Prince of Wales''.
Image:HMS Ark Royal.jpg|The HMS ''Ark Royal'', the world's first dedicated aircraft carrier.
Image:HMS Triumph 1950.jpg|HMS ''Triumph''. The first carrier with an angled deck. This image is before the refit.
Image:HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21).jpg|The HMCS ''Magnificent'' (CVL 21), a Canadian aircraft carrer.
Image:HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22).jpg|The HMCS ''Bonaventure'' (CVL 22), the last Canadian aircraft carrier.
Image:QE class carrier.jpg|The HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' which is currently under construction.
</gallery>
[[Category: History]]
[[Category: Military]]

Latest revision as of 00:43, 9 September 2013

The British Royal Navy is the sea arm of the armed forces of the United Kingdom.

History

For Britain, being an island nation meant that their navy was always one of the most important branches of their military. Also, because of the global nature of the British Empire, they always needed naval forces in order to maintain their vast colonial assets.

The first time that the Royal Navy was able to prove itself on the world stage was when it fought against the seemingly invincible Spanish Armada. With a mixture of good seamanship and the deployment of fireships against the Spanish, the British were able to win a massive victory against the Armada. This was cemented when foul weather destroyed the survivors of the Armada as they attempted to sail around Ireland and return to port. This soon made the Royal Navy the greatest navy in Europe.

Britain's next rival against which the Royal Navy fought was France. In a series of wars leading up to the reign of Napoleon, the French and British Navies built up their navies in an arms race against each other. This culminated in two decisive battles lead by the famous Admiral Nelson: the first off the coast of the Nile in the Mediterranean, and the second at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The next rival of the Royal Navy was the German Empire. During the period leading up to the Great War, the United Kingdom and the Germans built up a steadily increasing array of battleships. During this period, several naval battles were fought by the United States and Japan, and British designers took careful notes. This resulted in the design and deployment of HMS Dreadnought. Soon the dreadnought race was on as Germany, Italy, and others saw their chance to potentially catch up with the Royal Navy in sea power. This lead to the stalemate that was the Battle of Jutlands.

During the post Great War period, the Royal Navy was reduced under various international treaties, starting with the Washington Arms Treaty. While still making it the largest Naval force in Europe, it brought its numbers into parity with the United States Navy. Even with these restrictions, it was still a force powerful enough to prevent any reasonable invasion of the British Islands. All during the war, the Royal Navy proved formidable in all theaters.

The end of the Second World War saw the decline of the once mighty Royal Navy. Its fleet of battleships was now obsolete thanks to the rise of the aircraft carrier, and due to the steady break up and independence of possessions of the British Empire, the United Kingdom could no longer afford a massive navy. By the 1980's, the Royal Navy only had two small carriers when Argentina attacked and occupied the Falkland Islands. While the forces available to the British were limited, they were still able to transport and support the operation to retake the Falklands.

Legacy

The Royal Navy has a legacy that is still evident today. Because of the long reach of the British Empire, the Royal Navy was always on the forefront of navigation technology. The British were the first to start using standardized maps and charts onboard their vessels, allowing Royal Navy forces to have much better planning and coordination than their rivals. Many of their great victories were owed to these standards. Included in this was the invention and deployment of very precise clocks on Royal Navy vessels as part of this navigation standard. Times Zone standards, as we know them today, exist largely as a part of those navigation standards. There is a reason that Greenwich Mean Time is the starting point for today's Time Zones.

In all but a few instances, the Royal Navy has always been on the forefront of naval technology. They were the first to deploy many innovative technologies. These include iron-clad warships, naval aviation, steam technology, and the list goes on. From the HMS Mary Rose to the HMS Ark Royal, the Royal Navy always was in the lead in naval technology.

Innovations

  • Breach Loading Cannons
  • Iron Clad Warships
  • Dreadnoughts
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Steam Catapults for launching aircraft
  • Angled Flight Deck
  • Chronometers
  • Establishing a standard for Longitude for navigation.