Born in 1841 in Ceylon to a British Army officer, Fisher is sent at six to live with his clergyman grandfather in London. At 13 he joins the navy as a cadet, on board Nelson’s HMS Victory. In 1882 he makes Captain after successes in the Crimean War, China and the attack at Alexandria to regain UK control over Egypt. Twelve years later he is knighted and rises to 1st Sea Lord. But the navy he inherits is trapped in outdated traditions. The fleet remains frozen in wood sides and canvas sails. Gunnery practice is skipped to retain spit and polish shine for naval reviews. Crew morale suffers from hard labor, harsh discipline, hard tack and poor wages. The lack of a formal War College further inhibits change. But the pugnacious Sir Jacky turns the Navy upside down, trades sails for steam power and wood for steel in his Dreadnought class warships. While often clashing with Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, Fisher prepares the navy to fight World War I.
Sir Jacky Fisher
