Who has been hooked on the BBC’s Vigil drama series?

I have enjoyed watching the drama unfold within the confined submarine space of HMS Vigil and seeing the British Navy in action and the conflicts of the Trident defence system between the navy, the public, the police and politicians. If you haven’t managed to watch it yet, all 6 episodes are available on BBC iPlayer.

It reminded me that Jacky Fisher was instrumental in setting up the Submarine Service. He played a major role in using the submarine as not only a defensive weapon, but also an offensive one.

As Norman Friedman wrote in his book British Submarines in Two World Wars:-

“Fisher and Balfour discussed the implications of submarines for the imperial defence at length and both became convinced of their importance. Fisher seems to have been responsible for including submarines in the 1904 fleet manoeuvres, ensuring that the rules offered them a fair chance. After becoming First Sea Lord in October 1904, Fisher quickly pushed through the adoption of submarines as the chief means of defending naval bases, both at home and abroad. The development of submarines as an arm of the fleet, not just a means of understanding a new threat, had begun.”

Jacky believed in defence as a peace deterrent, and whilst times have changed it remains fascinating and important to look back at history and see how he revolutionised the British Navy whilst he was at the helm as First Sea Lord.

Penelope Fisher

27/09/21

Blog contributions

Commander Tom Herman OBE RN
Project Director The Submariner Memorial Appeal

Image by Darren Halstead