Vice-Admiral Charles Tibbits

b. 1872 in Warwick

d. 1947 in Gosport

7th son of Dr John Tibbits of Warwick

Charles Tibbits joined the Royal Navy in July 1885 at the age of 13. Between 1893 and 1917 he kept a detailed journal of his time in the Navy covering the transition from sail to steam.

Service History

Photo of officers of HMS Bellerephon 1888 probably taken in Canada.

Charles Tibbits (aged 15 or 16) is seated second from the left at the back.

The following are Charles Tibbits' journals transcribed by his grandson (also Charles Tibbits)

From Sail to Steam

Charles Tibbits served in the Navy between 1884 and 1924, an era of enormous transition from Sail to Steam. He served on full sail ships (e.g. Nautilus) through sail and coal-powered steam ships and finally into oil-powered ships. As well as this he witnessed the introduction of ship to ship radio superseding the use of flags to communicate between ships.

Promotion Records

Charles Tibbits joined the Navy on 15th July 1885 soon after his 14th birthday as a trainee on HMS Britannia.

By the time he left the Navy in 1924 he had risen to the rank of Vice-Admiral (despite having a number of incidents recorded against his name!*)

(* see Service Records)