Downs Station


The Downs Station also known as the Commander-in-Chief, the Downs or
Admiral Commanding at the Downs was a former formation of the Kingdom of Great Britain and then the United Kingdom's Royal Navy based at Deal it was considered a major command of the Royal Navy from 1626 until 1834.

History

station was the name an naval area of sea during the 17th to 19th centuries. It served as permanent base for the navy operating out of Deal. for warships patrolling the North Sea during the age of sail. The command generally covered an area in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast it is primarily known in Naval History for the earlier Battle of the Downs that took place in 1639. The station lasted until 1815, when it was absorbed into the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore's control, whose role and geographic area of responsibility was re-defined by the Admiralty.

Commander in chiefs

Incomplete list includes:
Station not active 1782 to 1790
Station not active 1791 to 1793
Temporary command in absence of senior officer *