Note from Churchill to Fisher

Note from Churchill (First Lord of the Admiralty) to Fisher (First Sea Lord), 8 April 1915.

Reference: Churchill Papers, CHAR 13/57/3. Crown copyright.

 

” And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er by the pale cast of thought,
And the enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action*

We are defeated at sea because our Admirals have learned – where I know not – that war can be made without running risks” **

* from Shakespeare’s Hamlet

** remark said to have been made by Napoleon after Trafalgar.