Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

  • Surface Fleet

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

Jackie Fisher and the Admiralty

The Fisher years

The Admiralty appointed John Arbuthnot Fisher First Sea Lord, the operational chief of the Admiralty, in 1904.

Fisher was a popular leader and was known affectionately as 'Jackie'. Fisher had previously impressed the Admiralty as Third Sea Lord (1892 - 1897) when he spearheaded a five-year construction programme.

He impressed again as Second Sea Lord (1897 – 1904) when his reforms to officer entry into the Royal Navy put more emphasis on training in the new technologies transforming the service.

In his new role as First Sea Lord, Fisher revolutionised the Royal Navy. His reforms had a massive effect on the design of warships and operation of the Fleet on commission and in reserve.

Portrait painting of 1st Baron John Fisher c.1915. (RNM)

Article highlights

• The Fisher years

• Readiness for war

• Battles with Beresford

Follow the links to find more about...

War in South Africa and China

The Naval Arms Race

The lessons of the Russo Japanese War 1904 - 1905

Jackie Fisher and the Admiralty

Battleship design 1890 - 1914

Related External Links

• Royal Naval Museum Catalogue Online - Jackie Fisher