1805 Dispatches #20.01 June 2020 2 of 5 Nelson’s relevancy to the latest release of a Naval Doctrine Publication By John Rodgaard It is no surprise to Club members that Nelson continues to ‘pop up’ in all sorts of ways. The latest reference to Nelson can be found in a naval warfare doctrine publication. In April, the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard jointly published the first in a series of doctrinal publications — the Naval Doctrine Publication (NDP) 1: Naval Warfare. As stated in its Foreword, the ‘Naval Doctrine Publication (NDP) 1, Naval Warfare, provides the doctrinal foundation governing our pursuit of excellence in the art and science of naval warfare’ [See p4 Ed.]. Within this document, Nelson is specifically mentioned three times. Nelson first pops up as one of two examples of a commander who demonstrated the type of action that favours decentralization of command and on-scene initiative. In a quotation by naval historian Michael A. Palmer, he compared Nelson and US Admiral Arleigh Burke: ‘The comparison of the ideas and methods of Nelson and Burke reveals that these two successful commanders drew very similar lessons from their early combat experiences. They shunned centralisation and came to believe that delegation of authority — decentralisation of command — offered the best hope of enhancing fighting power and achieving victory. They did so during periods when much heralded communications technology seemed to off the prospect of every greater centralised control’. A second reference to Nelson was in understanding the three approaches to command — direction, planning and influence. The first has the commander observing the scene of battle and then personally directing his forces against the enemy. The second has the commander planning every move in advance and relies on his highly trained forces and strict discipline to carry out the plan. The third is command by influence — ‘…the commander outlines desired objectives for his subordinates to accomplish and then relies on them to exercise on-scene initiative based on local situation awareness and lowered decision thresholds….Nelson and his “band of brothers” famously exemplified command by influence’. In the section of the NDP 1 that deals with how the US Sea Services fight, Nelson comes up again. ‘Sometimes You Need to Fight a Fort. “A ship is a fool to fight a fort” is a phrase often attributed to Admiral Nelson, yet even a cursory look at his career reveals that he established his reputation doing just that’. Reference to Nelson again demonstrates the continuous relevancy of his command philosophy to twenty-first century naval professionals. NEW MEMBERS At its foundation in 1990, The 1805 Club was a small private organisation with limited ambitions, and with membership only by invitation. As its ideas developed, the decision was taken to transform it into a public charitable organisation, with membership open to everyone who appreciated its objectives. These are detailed on p4. As our 30th anniversary approaches, we continue actively to seek new members, of any age and any nationality. By joining The 1805 Club, you become part of an international community of like-minded friends with a shared interest in the sailing navies of the world. Our principal objectives are conservation, education, research and publication, and cultural events. Our twice-yearly magazine has been acclaimed as the benchmark of its type in the naval historical family of organisations, and our yearbook is regarded as the go-to publication for the best new research. All members receive these publications. The 1805 Club’s Newest Member Celebrated On VE Day, 8 May, the two minutes silence was commemorated in Greenwich for Charles Medhurst, our newest member, by Matthew Reid, Petty Officer in The Royal Naval Association, presenting colours outside his home. A very moving occasion. Charles was a Greenwich Sea Cadet and then later, in WW2, served at D Day and in the Pacific. (Note: Press photographs taken at the time were beyond the Editor’s resources to purchase, but producing a cartoon, with Charles’ permission, was free.) SHIP’S WORD WHEEL Take a ten minute break and find as many words as possible, using the letters in the wheel. Each must use the hub letter and at least 3 others, used only once. No plurals (if only made with by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’), no foreign words not in common usage in English, nor proper nouns. There is at least one nine-letter word to be found. Answers on page 4 SALLY BIRKBECK 1941 - 2019 With great sadness that we have to report the death of Sally Birkbeck, The 1805 Club's Membership Secretary from 1996 to 2007. Sally's passing occurred a few weeks after that of her husband, Paul, a distinguished professional artist. Sally and Paul were two of the oldest and closest friends of Peter Warwick, and they and their daughters regarded Peter and his son Tom as very much part of the family. Sally worked tirelessly and enthusiastically during her time as Membership Secretary, and her colleagues will remember her with huge affection. We will include a fuller appreciation of Sally in the next edition of The Kedge Anchor. ANNA TRIBE 1929 - 2020 With deep regret we must report the death of Mrs Anna Tribe, on 26 April, until then the most senior descendant of Admiral Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton. Despite being confined to a wheelchair in recent times, she maintained a lively interest in Nelson and the Age of Fighting Sail. An obituary is being prepared by Captain Peter Hore that will be distributed to members of The 1805 Club.
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