MilitaryForums.co.uk

Hello, could someone answer the question of how the Royal Navy handled its steam battleships at long distances at the end of the 19th century? It probably had a base where it picked up coal (and possibly oil), but when cruising across the Atlantic or the Pacific, the ships had to go far beyond their range. Did any companionships or boats with extra coal boats come with them? Thanks for the reply.

Why do you think that Britain had all those little island all over the place or set up colonies all over the world, just to to supply the RN and its merchant fleet.