Born in Ceylon in 1841, Fisher entered the navy at 13 and was assigned to the "Calcutta", a wooden sailing ship. He saw active service as a midshipman in the Crimean War (1854-56) and in China (1859-60).
He was promoted to captain in 1874, and commanded various ships and the gunnery school. In 1882 he was captain of the battleship "Inflexible", perhaps the most impressive and advanced vessel of her day. She had 24-inch armor backed by layers of teak and cork and her engines could generate 8,400 horsepower (good for 14.75 knots). On this ship Fisher took a prominent part in the bombardment of Alexandria.
He was a skilled manipulator of the press and a master of the staged leak, carefully cultivating his relationships with reporters. One of these contacts said "if a Fisher letter was headed 'Burn and Destroy' it meant 'publish as widely as possible but don't give me away'."
He was appointed to the board of the admiralty in 1892 as third sea lord and controller of the navy. He was knighted in 1894.
Fisher was commander in chief of the North American and West Indies station in 1897-99. He represented British naval interests at the Hauge peace conference, and then became commander in chief of the Mediterranean fleet.
He returned to the admiralty in 1902, and was primarily responsible for a major alteration in the way naval officers were recruited and trained that had kept it a very class driven system, separating officers from engineers. "My mission is that of the mole -- my existence only to be known by upheavals" he said. He is credited with encouraging the creation of the battleship "Dreadnaught", and the lightly armored "Invincible" battle cruiser.
In 1904 he went to the admiralty again, this time as first sea lord. He was created Baron Fisher of Kilverstone in 1909, and he retired in January of 1910.
Fisher remained in retirement until October, 1914 when he was recalled to be first sea lord on the resignation of Prince Louis of Battenberg.
There were few people who were ambivalent about Fisher, he was either despised or adored. He was a bold personality with no fear of politicians, and known to be able to carry a grudge for years. He was alternately flamboyant and severe. Although he could present his ideas logically, he often got his way on the strength of slogans and verbal explosions (often riddled with obscure biblical imagery).
Author
Kim Dyer (kimbis@aol.com)
Last updated: July 2, 1995