Frederic Dreyer

Admiral Sir Frederic Charles Dreyer (8 January 1878 – 11 December 1956) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He was known for his skill with ship weapons and made a key tool called a fire control system to help British ships aim in battles.

Dreyer served as an important captain under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe during the big sea fight, the Battle of Jutland. His work helped sailors during serious times in history.

He worked during two world wars before retiring as an admiral in 1943. Dreyer's ideas and leadership changed how ships fought in those days.

Background and early life

Frederic Dreyer was born on 8 January 1878 in the Irish town of Parsonstown (now Birr) in King's County (now County Offaly). His father, John Louis Emil Dreyer, was an astronomer from Denmark. He worked at the Armagh Observatory. Dreyer went to school at The Royal School, Armagh and then joined the Royal Navy in 1891. He studied at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Royal Navy career

Admiral Sir Frederic Charles Dreyer was a skilled officer in the Royal Navy. He did well in his early studies and served on many ships, learning about naval guns. He wrote a book about sea skills tests and later became an expert in ship weapons.

During World War I, Dreyer served with Admiral Jellicoe and was the captain of the main ship at the Battle of Jutland. After the war, he held many important jobs, including leading groups of ships and helping plan naval battles. He retired in 1943 after serving through two world wars.

Family life

Frederic Dreyer married Una Maria Hallett on June 26, 1901. They had three sons and two daughters. His older brother, Major General John Tuthill Dreyer, helped him with his inventions.

All three of Dreyer's sons and his two sons-in-law became naval officers. His second son, Vice Admiral Sir Desmond Dreyer, was a gunnery officer. He received a Distinguished Service Cross during the Battle of the River Plate. Later, he became Second Sea Lord.

Honours

In 1914, Frederic Dreyer was awarded for his important work in helping ships aim their guns. After fighting in a big naval battle, he received another award for his leadership. Later, he was given more awards for his service to the navy and the country.

Dreyer Fire Control Table

Centralized fire control helped warships aim their guns better. As guns could shoot farther, new ways were needed to control shooting.

The Royal Navy supported this research, with two main groups. One was led by Arthur Pollen and the other by Dreyer. Both wanted to build a mechanical computer to help ships aim.

The Royal Navy chose the Dreyer system, called the Dreyer Table. It became popular in its Mark IV* form.

With director control, ships could coordinate their guns better. Most big Royal Navy ships used this system by mid-1916. The director was placed high on the ship, where operators could see better than gun crews in the turrets. This helped improve aiming.

The Dreyer Table had some mechanical issues, but it worked well. It was later replaced by the improved "Admiralty Fire Control Table" for newer ships, but Dreyer Tables were still used in World War II in older British battleships and battlecruisers.

Published works

Admiral Sir Frederic Charles Dreyer wrote two books about sailing and the sea. His first book, How to Get a First Class in Seamanship, was published in 1900. His second book, The Sea Heritage: A Study in Maritime Warfare, came out in 1955 with Museum Press.