Kirkwall by Night

Warship Wednesday will be back next week! I am on the road with limited access to the interwebs. Until then, enjoy this shot, some 115 years ago this evening. How about this great shot of the RN’s 1st Destroyer Flotilla illuminated at anchor in Orkney’s Kirkwall Bay, 27 May 1911, on the lead up to HM George V’s coronation. The greyhounds in attendance include HMS Amazon, HMS Blenheim, HMS Swift, HMS Tartar, and others. At the time, the 1st Destroyer Flotilla’s flag was held by Commodore (Capt, D) Robert Keith Arbuthnot. Arbuthnot, 47 when the above photo was snapped, was a career officer and the eldest son of Sir William Wedderburn Arbuthnot, Third Baronet, late a major in the 18th Hussars. Passing his cadetship exam 42nd out of 46, the younger Arbuthnot walked onto the training ship Britannia at age 13 and was soon serving as a midshipman on service around the globe. Earning high marks, he was one of Lord Fisher’s favorite mids and picked up his first command, that of H.M. T.B. 59,…