Exploring the History of Lee-on-the-Solent by John W Green & Robin A Money

Author:John W Green & Robin A Money
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Solent, Hampshire, Lee-on-the-Solent, local history, seaside, Art Deco, Victorian, Gosport, Fareham, Schneider Trophy, HMS Daedalus
ISBN: 9781909183322
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2013
Published: 2013-08-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

The True Story Of Daedalus And Ariel

The development of early aeroplanes and the formation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1912 heralded an entirely new type of warfare. In the run-up to the Great War, the Admiralty was concerned about the measures which should be taken to patrol our coasts, so that an effective system of aerial spotting could be in place. Shore defences could then be provided with advanced warning of any threats of attack or invasion from air or sea.

It was considered that the best means of filling this new reconnaissance role would be the deployment of seaplanes, which were ideal in their ability to be able to land on, and take off from, the waters around the shores rather than being restricted to using airfields. Winston Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, was a particular champion of the use of seaplanes and actively encouraged both the programme generally and the development of the machines.

A naval branch of the RFC existed in the form of The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and later, just before the Great War, this service was separated from the RFC and celebrated its new individual status by flying over the mobilisation fleet in the review at Spithead. The Admiralty, through the RNAS, started creating coastal stations from which the new system of reconnaissance and defence could be operated and co-ordinated. Locally, a seaplane training school was established at Calshot, but it was soon found that this needed to be expanded. Some seaplane trials had already taken place at Lee-on-the-Solent in 1915 and the location was considered to be an ideal site for a new base, as it could provide a quick take-off and return to the beach.

On 30 July 1917, HM Naval Seaplane Training School was opened at Lee-on-the-Solent under the control of the RNAS, on the site of what was later to become HMS Daedalus. This, together with a number of air bases around the south and east coasts, was intended to supplement the coastguard system and provide surveillance to alert our shore defences against sea and air invasion. The base was established as an extension to the seaplane training station at nearby Calshot, at which officers and ratings were trained to fly and maintain seaplanes and flying boats.

The base at Lee-on-the-Solent was initially temporary, comprising Commander D C S Evill, two officers and 30 men, and 30 acres of land which had been requisitioned, along with a number of Victorian houses. Many of the men lived at the base under canvas, while the officers travelled in each day from their billets in Warsash. The first seaplane-training course at Lee commenced on 27 August 1917 with 28 pupils enrolled and the first seaplanes arrived on 22 September of that year.

Among the other aeronautical schools that were established in 1917 was the Special Flying School at Fort Grange, Gosport where, under the command of Major Robert Smith-Barry, the whole character of training for aerial fighting was changed. He had served

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