Frederick Richards - First Naval Lord

First Naval Lord

Promoted to vice admiral on 25 October 1888, Richards became Commander-in-Chief, China Station in November 1890 and Second Naval Lord in June 1892. He was promoted to full admiral on 1 September 1893 and became First Naval Lord in November 1893. In that role Richards led a huge shipbuilding and naval works programme undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Naval Defence Act 1889. The programme was opposed by Prime Minister William Gladstone who was concerned about its vast cost and who resigned after a Cabinet defeat over it in March 1894. The programme continued under the Government of Lord Rosebery and then under the Government of Lord Salisbury and Richards remained in office driving the programme throughout the political turmoil. He was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in June 1895.

Richards also had to respond as First Naval Lord to the Far Eastern Crisis of 1897/98 when the Russian Pacific Fleet was threatening to attack the Korean port of Chemulpo to back up Russia’s demands for a peacetime coaling station at Deer Island. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 29 November 1898 and served as First Naval Lord until August 1899 when he retired. He died at his home, Horton Court at Chipping Sodbury in Gloucestershire, on 28 September 1912.