RN Admirals on Malta - help needed

[Markgraf]

Dear Gentlemens!

Now I'm working on a diary of an Austro-Hungarian seaman. He served on the SMS Erzherzog Karl as gunner. His squadron made a round trip on the Mediterranean Sea in 1908.

On March 2 the squadron arrived to Malta. The diarist mentioned a British Rear Admiral and a Vice Admiral (latter the commander of the harbor) who visited the Eh. Karl.

However, not mentioned the names.

Anybody can tell me, who were these British Admirals?

Any help would be appreciated!

[hucks216]

Vice-Admiral Frederic W. Fisher was Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard from 16th January 1907 to 26th February 1910 so would most probably be one of those mentioned although he held the rank of Rear Admiral until 1909.

Edited April 13, 2017 by hucks216

[Markgraf]

Thank You hucks216!

Meanwhile I found a report about the Austro-Hungarian visit in the Army & Navy Gazette. It's very detailed, and mentioned the British officers.

[hucks216]

Just out of curiosity, who was the second one named as (supposing Fisher was the other)?

Edited April 14, 2017 by hucks216

[Markgraf]

I guess the diarist noted Sir Charles Drury besides Fisher but missed his rank.

The full text of the report:

THE ARMY AND NAVY GAZETTE, &c. March 7, 1908.

The Austro-Hungarian squadron, consisting of the battleships Erzherzog Karl, Erzherzog Ferdinand Maximilian, Erzherzog Friedrich, and two torpedo-boat destroyers, left Teodo (Dalmatia) on Saturday for Malta, arriving there on Monday morning. In the evening Admiral Sir Charles Drury entertained to dinner at Admiralty House, Rear-Admiral von Ziegler and the senior officers of the squadron. Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham was present. The toasts of " The King " and " The Emperor Francis Joseph " were honoured with the greatest enthusiasm, the National Anthems of Great Britain and Austria-Hungary being played by the band. The officers of the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the Bacchante simultaneously entertained the officers of the Erzherzog Karl, the Erzherzog Friedrich, and the Erzherzog Ferdinand Maximilian respectively.

A carnival ball was given in the Duke of Connaught's Palace at Malta on Monday night, his Royal Highness being represented by Major-Gen. Grant, the Governor. The ball was attended by over 1,300 guests, including Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham and the admirals and general officers of the Navy and Army, the officers of the Austrian squadron being the special guests. At noon on Tuesday 400 Austrian seamen were entertained at luncheon by a similar number of their British comrades at the Royal Naval Canteen. Before lunch Rear-Admiral von Ziegler, Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Hotham, Admiral Sir C. Drury, and Rear-Admiral Sir H. D. Barry entered the canteen. Admiral von Zeigler, addressing the men in German, referred in flattering terms to the great hospitality extended to the Austrian seamen by their British comrades, and finally called upon them to drink to Sir Charles Drury and the British Mediter-ranean Fleet. The Austrians responded with three ringing cheers. After lunch the party were present at a football match, and had tea together. Admiral von Ziegler lunched with Sir Charles and Lady Drury.

The officers of the squadron dined on Tuesday evening with Lieut.-Gen. Grant, the Governor, and Mrs. Grant, at the Auberge d'Aragon. Two hundred and forty Austro-Hungarian petty officers and leading seamen and an equal number of British sat down to dinner in the canteen. Capt. Troubridge, chief of the staff of the Mediterraneann Fleet, speaking in German, welcomed the visitors, and expressed his pleasure at seeing them united with their British com-rades. During the dinner the toasts of "The King " and "The Emperor Francis Joseph" were lustily honoured. A most enjoyable theatrical entertain-ment followed. The same night the commander-in-chief, flag officers, captains, and other officers of the Mediterranean Fleet gave a ball in honour of the Austro-Hungarian officers at the Union Club. Over 1,000 guests were invited.

The Austrian admiral invited to lunch on Wednesday on board the Erzherzog Karl, Gen. and Mrs. Grant, Princess Henry of Battenberg, Sir Charles and Lady Drury, the flag officers and generals on the station, and Capt. Troubridge. Admiral von Ziegler proposed the toast of the King and Queen, and Gen. Grant that of the Emperor Francis Joseph. The toasts were received enthusiastically, the National Anthem of the two countries being played. The Austrian admiral then proposed the toast of Sir Charles Drury and the Mediterranean Fleet, referring with sincere pleasure to the great hospitality extended to the Austrian visitors. Sir Charles Drury replied in equally cordial strain, and hinted at the return of the Austrian squadron next year.

On Thursday morning Admiral von Ziegler, accompanied by Admiral Sir C. Drury and Rear-Admiral F. W. Fisher, paid a visit to the dockyard and naval establishments. At noon, Vice-Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg gave a luncheon party on board his flagship, the Prince of Wales. In addition to Admiral von Ziegler and the senior officers of his squadron, Princess Henry and Princess Louis of Battenberg were present. The speeches were most cordial, Prince Louis and Admiral von Ziegler proposing the healths of the Emperor Francis Joseph and the King respectively. In the afternoon the Erzherzog Friedrich and Er.hemog Ferdinand Max were thrown open to visitors. In the evening Admiral von Ziegler held a reception on board his flagship, the guests including the admirals and generals on the station. The officers received their visitors with great cordiality, and the evening, which closed with a dance, afforded one of the most successful entertainments given during the stay of the squadron.