Coaling Stations

Coaling Stations
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COALING STATIONS

The era of the steam powered warship is generally accepted to be between 1871 and 1914. Oil had been available earlier, but after the outbreak of World War 1 was widely accepted. The Royal Navy reluctantly transitioned from using the wind to using steam engines for propulsion, and there was a growing awareness that secure coal stocks were required to ensure operational efficiency.

During this period the British authorities strove to establish a network of Coaling Stations that could provide the Royal Navy with adequate supplies of good quality coal. Loading the coal onto warships was a particularly unpleasant job as the coal often had to be carried onto the ship in wicker baskets. This was dirty and tiresome work, and where possible local labour was used. Even using local porters, the coal dust coated the vessel requiring the crew to expend a lot of effort in clearing away dust.

The coal to be held was also carefully selected by the Royal Navy who had a list criteria including:

Maximum amount of energy generated per ton of coal
The coal retained its’ quality if stored
Fully burn leaving few cinders, thus not fouling the steam engines
Did not generate lots of black smoke which would make locating the vessel easier

The coal from South Wales was identified as of the best quality. When it was not available in sufficient amounts, it was often mixed with other more inferior products. Coal was used from other locations such as New Zealand and Japan.

Images courtesy of Transnet Heritage Library Photo Collection www.drisa.co.za

A list of Defended Coaling Station from a report dated 19^th November 1885, (TNA WO 78.5429). It should be note that certain locations were later added such as Albany and Durban, although tended to be removed fairly quickly from the list of Defended Coaling Stations. This list does not include the four fortress ports of Halifax, Gibraltar, Malta and Bermuda.

Barbados (deleted)

Galle (deleted)

By 1903 the British had the following Naval Bases and Defended Harbours outside their Home Waters. It should be noted that some of these locations were never provided with fixed defences of much substance, for example Labuan.

By 1905 the number of ports designated for protection had been considerably reduced. For Home Ports, see here and for Overseas Ports see here. Some locations such as Australia, South Africa and Canada had taken a more direct role in the financing and protection of their ports, while some smaller ports were reduced in priority.