Page "David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty" Paragraph 27

He was made captain of the battleship HMS Queen on 15 December 1908 until replaced 4 January 1910.

Queen was part of the Atlantic Fleet under Prince Louis of Battenberg.

Beatty impressed Battenburg, who gave him excellent reports, but was critical of the lack of imagination and initiative shown in exercises, and of the general inexperience of all admirals in handling large fleets.

He was promoted to Rear-Admiral on 1 January 1910 by a special order in council since he had not completed the requisite time as a captain.

Just shy of 39, the youngest Admiral in the Royal Navy ( except for Royal family members ) since Horatio Nelson.

Beatty's second son Peter was born April 1910.