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[raflaunches]

In the late 1890s a Royal Navy Ship called HMS Calliope sailed the seas. In her crew she had 8 midshipmen. Out of the eight, two would leave the Navy to rejoin during WW1. What was so unusual/important about the remaining six?
When I read about these six midshipmen it made me wonder if there was any other ship that produced similar men in historical terms.
Who were these men and what were they in later years?

[BrianB6]

Not sure if the midshipmen on Calliope were special but there are midshipmen on many ships and in many navies.Google it. They are Cadets who have passed exams etc.

[raflaunches]

Hi Brian


You are correct that midshipmen are common throughout many navies but these particular six became well known and it’s very unusual that they all served together on one vessel as midshipmen.
One of them became Rear Admiral Sir Horace Hood- C/O 3rd Battlecruiser Sqn Battle of Jutland KIA May 1916 onboard HMS Invincible.

[tonyH]

Historically, of course, it helps if they went to the same school or, being from the best families, they danced with the mothers, shot with the fathers and "walked out" with the sisters

[raflaunches]

Very true Tony
Don’t know if it was true for these lads but it seems very remarkable that this group went on to be well known:
The Second was:


Vice Admiral John Glossop- captain of the HMAS Sydney who engaged and sank the SMS Emden in 1914

[tonyH]

Hi Nick
Mr Gieves, of uniform fame with Mr Hawkes I presume, had written a booklet "How to Become a Naval Officer" which suggested joining at 12 or so, then 2 years at Osborne Naval College and a further 2 at Dartmouth.If you get a chance, look at H.M.Denham and "Dardanelles - a Midshipmans Diary". If I remember, I'll bring it up to Wickie

[derekwarner]

Those words.........'Vice Admiral John Glossop - captain of the HMAS Sydney'..... are etched in Australian Naval history .....Derek


 .....

[raflaunches]

Those words.........'Vice Admiral John Glossop - captain of the HMAS Sydney'..... are etched in Australian Naval history .....Derek


 .....

Unfortunately Derek as we learn today we can’t and shouldn’t judge the actions of those people from 100 years ago. The values and culture of the time even 50 years ago are radically different to our current opinions. Yes his decision may have been extreme even for the time but unfortunately it’s something we can’t change now.

[raflaunches]

The remaining names are as follows:


Capt Frank Brandt- Captain of HMS Monmouth at the Battle of Coronel
Capt Wilmot Nicholson- Captain of HMS Hogue- sunk by a uboat with her two sister ships in unison
Captain Cecil H Fox- Captain of HMS Amphion which sunk the German minelayer Konigin Luise which was in turn sunk the next day by one of the German mines!
Admiral Sidney Drury-Lowe- Captain of the HMS Chatham who hunted down the SMS Konigsberg

[Martin (Admin)]

 
That a lot of fame coming out of one ship!