SIR JOHN FISHER.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIB,—Some little time ago you announced your intention of opening your columns to all sides in the discussion of naval matters. Though much to be regretted it must be admitted that both in and out of Parliament the discussion is largely a personal one ; will you allow me to meet the hostile critics direct and from this point of view? I hold no brief for Sir John Fisher, I write without his knowledge or the slightest suggestion, direct or indirect, that such a letter as this should be written ; but I have known him for a great many years, I sympathise with his aspirations, approve of his methods, and believe that the public will like to have, from an authoritative source, something on the personal side of the question. There is no use in going too far back in Sir John Fisher's service career ; let us take him from the time he commenced his gunnery course, the only speciality which was open to him. In gunnery he took the blue ribbon, both scientific and practical. After some sea work as Commander he became the Father of torpedo work in the Navy. Next he was Flag-Captain, North America and West Indies; Captain of Pallas," Northampton," Inflexible," Excellent' ; Director of Naval Ordnance ; Admiral Superintendent Portsmouth Dockyard ; Controller of the Navy; Commander-in-Chief North.America and West Indies; then Mediterranean, Second Sea Lord ; Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth, and First Sea Lord; to say nothing of being one of the triumvirate who gave a new turn to Army affairs. Who on the present or past list of Admirals has seen service so varied ? Is it insinuated that in any of his appointments Sir John Fisher was in- efficient, or that in selecting him for them successive Boards of Admiralty were guilty of jobbery in so employing an officer as to whose capacity there was any doubt? The idea is absurd, for it is common knowledge that in every one of them he left his mark,—some go to the length of saying that in all of them he left a record. The late Admiral Sir Cooper Key was not far out when, in speaking of Sir John Fisher as a young commander, he said, " That young Captain Fisher will yet make hit, mark." Sir John Fisher's service career has been a strenuous one, and strenuous it still is. Never sparing himself, working always on both tides, he has been a terror to the loafer and those displaying incompetence, and
to this it is possible to attribute some at least of the virulence
with which he is now assailed.—I am, Sir, &c., NEMO.
Previous page
