Sackville Hamilton Carden Biography and Timeline

Birth of Sackville Hamilton Carden

Birth of Sackville Hamilton Carden

Royal Navy Entry

Carden joins the Royal Navy and begins the naval career that eventually takes him to senior command.

Role range: 1870-1917

Egyptian Campaign Service

Carden serves with the Royal Navy during the Egyptian campaign, gaining early active-service experience.

Role range: 1870-1917

Sudan Campaign Service

Carden serves during operations connected with the Sudan campaign, adding further active-service experience to his naval career.

Role range: 1870-1917

Captain

Appointed Captain

Benin Expedition Campaign Honours

Carden's Benin Expedition service contributes to the campaign honours associated with his Victorian naval career.

Role range: 1870-1917

Benin Expedition Service

Carden serves in the Benin Expedition under Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson.

Role range: 1870-1917

Promotion to Captain

Carden is promoted to captain in December 1899, correcting the supplied 1887 captain date.

Role range: 1899-1908

HMS Immortalité Command Assumed

Carden takes command of HMS Immortalité, the seagoing tender to Wildfire at Sheerness.

Role range: 1901-1902

Sheerness Tender Duties Begin

As captain of Immortalité, Carden performs seagoing tender duties for the Sheerness flagship establishment.

Role range: 1901-1902

HMS Magnificent Command Assumed

Carden is appointed captain of HMS Magnificent, flagship of the Channel Squadron's second-in-command.

Role range: 1902-1906

Magnificent Visits Gibraltar

Soon after taking command, Carden takes HMS Magnificent to Gibraltar during a Channel Squadron cruise.

Role range: 1902-1906

Magnificent Visits Tetuan

Carden takes HMS Magnificent to Tetuan during the same early command cruise that includes Gibraltar.

Role range: 1902-1906

Magnificent Becomes Channel Fleet Flagship

While under Carden's command, HMS Magnificent serves within the reorganised Channel Fleet structure.

Role range: 1902-1906

Magnificent Transfers to Atlantic Fleet

Following fleet reorganisation, HMS Magnificent becomes part of the Atlantic Fleet while Carden remains associated with the battleship.

Role range: 1902-1906

Magnificent Gun Explosion Response

A six-inch gun accident aboard HMS Magnificent causes multiple casualties during Carden's period in command.

Role range: 1902-1906

Half-Pay Period Begins

After promotion to rear admiral, Carden spends roughly two years on half-pay before returning to a fleet appointment.

Role range: 1908-1910

Rear Admiral Promotion Confirmed

Carden is promoted to rear admiral after his service in major battleship commands.

Role range: 1908-1912

Rear Admiral

Appointed Rear Admiral

Atlantic Fleet Appointment

Carden returns to active flag service with an appointment in the Atlantic Fleet.

Role range: 1910-1911

Flag Raised in HMS London

Carden raises his flag aboard HMS London while serving with the Atlantic Fleet.

Role range: 1910-1911

Admiralty Posting Begins

Carden returns to London for an Admiralty posting after his Atlantic Fleet service.

Role range: 1911-1912

Malta Dockyard Administrative Command

Carden assumes responsibility for dockyard administration, repair capacity and naval support facilities at Malta.

Role range: 1912-1914

Malta Dockyard Appointment

Carden becomes Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard in August 1912.

Role range: 1912-1914

Mediterranean Dockyard Readiness Overseen

Carden oversees Malta's dockyard readiness and support functions during the final pre-war year.

Role range: 1912-1914

Malta Dockyard Wartime Transition

Carden's Malta appointment ends as the Royal Navy shifts fully onto a wartime footing in the Mediterranean.

Role range: 1912-1914

Eastern Mediterranean Squadron Command Assumed

Carden assumes command of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron during the opening months of the First World War.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Mediterranean Squadron Wartime Patrols Directed

Carden directs British naval patrol and readiness duties in the eastern Mediterranean as regional tensions increase.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Dardanelles Outer Forts Reconnoitred

Carden conducts reconnaissance of the Ottoman forts and mine defences guarding the Dardanelles entrance.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Dardanelles Squadron Concentrated

Carden concentrates Allied naval forces outside the Dardanelles after the Ottoman Empire enters the war.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Dardanelles Entrance Blockade Strengthened

Carden strengthens the watch on the Dardanelles entrance as Allied planners consider operations against Ottoman defences.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Ottoman Entry Alters Squadron Mission

Ottoman entry into the war turns Carden's squadron toward blockade, reconnaissance and possible operations against the Dardanelles.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Aegean Support Base Requirements Reviewed

Carden reviews ships, bases and logistical arrangements required for sustained naval operations near the Dardanelles.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Churchill Requests Dardanelles Feasibility Opinion

Churchill asks Carden whether the Dardanelles can be forced by ships alone and requests his professional assessment.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Rush through Straits Rejected

Carden replies that a sudden rush through the Straits is impracticable but sustained operations with sufficient force may succeed.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Systematic Reduction Strategy Proposed

Carden proposes reducing forts, suppressing mobile guns and clearing minefields rather than attempting a rapid passage.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Dardanelles Attack Plan Submitted

Carden submits a staged plan for reducing Ottoman forts and clearing the Dardanelles minefields.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1915-1915

Six Submarines Requested

Carden's plan includes six submarines for operations beyond and within the Straits.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Sixteen Destroyers Requested

Carden asks for sixteen destroyers to support the fleet during the proposed Dardanelles operation.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915

Three Battlecruisers Requested

Carden includes three battlecruisers in the force he considers necessary for sustained operations in the Straits.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1914-1915