HMS Wolsey number became G40 in June 1918; it was changed to D98 during the interwar period. Upon completion, "Wolsey" was assigned to the Grand Fleet, based at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, in which she served for the rest of World War I. After the conclusion of World War I, "Wolsey" served in the Atlantic Fleet. In the late 1920s, she operated on the China Station. After the British river steamer SS "Kutwo" collided with and sank a Chinese troop-carrying launch on the Yangtze River and Chinese authorities threatened to seize her at Nanking in early March 1927, "Wolsey" arrived
Master of the fleet rank of captain, while masters who had served at least 15 years were given the new rank of "staff commander" and ranked after commander. During the First World War the title was revived for the Grand Fleet's senior Navigation Officer. The title has been used outside the Royal Navy, such as in "Ultramarines" and other science fiction, and for the captain of the "Belle of Louisville". Master of the fleet In the Royal Navy, the rank of master of the fleet denoted the sailing master of a fleet flagship, or the senior sailing master in a fleet. Examples include John