British government office, 1576–1832
The Navy Office was the
Department of Admiralty
) that were jointly responsible for directing naval affairs. In 1832 following reforms of the naval service the Navy Office was abolished and its functions and staff taken over by the Admiralty.
History
In 1576 the Navy Office replaced the
Office of the Council of the Marine.
The Navy Office, Crutched Friars, 1714 Based at Deptford for most of the sixteenth century, the Navy Office later moved to the Tower Hill area of London.[1] In 1655 it relocated to a site at the crossroad of Crutched Friars and Seething Lane but in 1673 the office building was destroyed by fire. A new building designed by Christopher Wren was opened on the site in 1684.[2] The Navy Office continued to be based in Tower Hill until its move in 1786 to Somerset House
.
Until 1628 the Navy Office was an independent advisory office to the
Admiralty and Marine Affairs Office but upon the creation of the Board of Admiralty it became a subsidiary yet autonomous component of that office.
[3] The primary organisation within the office was the
Navy Board and the various offices of its principal commissioners. However, the Treasurer of the Navy although a principal member of the board administered a separate
Navy Pay Office . From 1567 until 1660 the office was administered by the
Comptroller of the Navy . In 1660 the Clerk of the Acts became responsible for the organisation of the Navy Office. In 1796 administration of the Navy Office was placed under the supervision of three Committees, of Correspondence, Accounts and Stores. Throughout its history its clerical supporting staff consisting of chief clerks then first, second and third class clerks were assigned to the various offices and departments within the Navy Office. In 1808 the
Naval Works Department was relocated from the Admiralty to the Navy Office. A Ticket and Wages Branch was formed in 1829. In 1832 the Navy Office and subsequently the Navy Board were abolished and its functions transferred to the Department of Admiralty under supervision of the
Board of Admiralty .
[4]
Organisation and structure of the Navy Office
The Navy Office provided accommodation for the Commissioners of the Navy Board and senior clerical and secretarial staff, as well as office space. Different branches, departments and offices were located within different parts of the Navy Office in London, England. Royal Navy Dockyards both in the United Kingdom and overseas were also part of this office.
Components of the Navy Office
The Navy Office consisted of a number of specific component parts that included:[5] [6]
Boards
The Navy Board and formerly known as the Council of the Marine or Council of the Marine Causes was the organisation with responsibility for the day-to-day civil administration of the Royal Navy between 1546 and 1832. Its principal officers and commissioners were headquartered in the Navy Office.
Navy Board [6]
Branches and Offices
Allotment Office (1795-1822)[6]
Bill Office
Contract Office (1803-1832) later became the Contract and Purchase Department [6]
Draftsmen Office
Fee Office (controlled by the Receiver of Fees and Paymaster of Contingencies)[7]
Office for Current Business (1686-1688)[6]
Office for Examining Accounts Incurred (1686-1689)[6]
Office for Examining Storekeepers’ Accounts (1671-1796)[6]
Office for Examining Treasurers Accounts (1667-1796)[6]
Office for Examining Victualling Accounts (1667-1796)[6]
Office for Foreign Accounts (1807-1829)[7]
Office for Old Accounts (1686-1688)[6]
Office of Bills and Accounts (1686-1832)[6]
Office of the Clerk Comptroller of the Navy (1546-1561)
Office of the Comptroller of the Navy of the Navy (1561-1832)[6]
Office for Seamen's Wages (1688-1829)[7]
Office of the Assistant Comptroller of the Navy (1682-1691)[8]
Office of Assistant Clerk of the Acts and Secretary to the Navy Board (1680-1832)[6]
Office of the Clerk of the Acts [6]
Office of the Deputy Comptroller of the Navy (1793-1816, 1829–1832)
Office of the Committee for Accounts
Office of the Committee for Correspondence
Office of the Committee for Stores
Office of the Committee for Transports
Office of the Committee for Victualling
Office of the Counsel to the Navy Board (1673-1696)
Office of the Counsel for the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy (1696-1832)
Office of the General-Surveyor of Victuals
Office of the Messenger to the Navy Board (1660-1832)[9]
Paymaster of the Marines (1831-1832)[6]
Office of the Paymaster of Widows Pensions (1732-1834)
Office of the Private Secretary to Controller (1794-1832)[10]
Office of the Superintendent of Transports (1829-1831)[6]
Slop Office[7]
Office of the Solicitor for the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy (1692-1698)
Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty and Navy (1703-1828)
Stores Office (1796-1832)[6]
Surveyors Office [11]
Transport Branch (1817-1832)
Ticket Office (1660-1829)[6]
Ticket and Wages Branch (1829-1832)
Departments
Accounts Department
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy (1829-1832)[6]
Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy (1829-1832)[6]
Department of the Surveyor of Buildings (1807-1832)[6]
Naval Works Department (1807-1813)[6]
Payments Department
Dockyards
Oversight of all Royal Navy Dockyards that were part of the Navy Office were normally supervised by a resident commissioner of the navy board at their respective yards, these commissioners did not normally attend Navy Board meetings in London; nevertheless, they were full members of the Navy Board. After the abolition of the Navy Board and subsequently the Navy Office in 1832 responsibility for the management of the dockyards passed to the Board of Admiralty .
United Kingdom and Ireland dockyards
Portsmouth Dockyard
(1496-)
Woolwich Dockyard (1512-1832)
Deptford Dockyard (1513-1869)
Chatham Dockyard (1567-1983)
Harwich Dockyard (1652-1829)
Sheerness Dockyard (1665-1960)
Plymouth Dockyard
renamed Devonport Dockyard in 1823 (1689-)
Pembroke Dockyard (1815-1947)
Other minor yards (with some permanent staff and minor repair/storage facilities, but without dry docks etc.) were established in a number of locations over time, usually to serve a nearby anchorage used by naval vessels.
Deal Dockyard
(1672- )
Falmouth Dockyard
Great Yarmouth Dockyard
Kinsale Dockyard and supply base, Cork, Ireland (1647-1812)
Leith Dockyard
Milford Haven Dockyard (1797-1814) shipbuilding and repairs transferred to Pembroke Dockyard
Overseas dockyards
Jamaica Dockyard , Port Royal, Jamaica (1675-1729, 1749–1905)
Cadiz Dockyard (1694)
Gibraltar Dockyard
(1704-1984)
Port Mahon Dockyard , Menorca, Spain (1708-1812)
Antigua Naval Dockyard (1728-1882)
Port Antonio Dockyard, Jamaica (1729-1749)
Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax , Canada (1759-1905)
Navy Island Royal Naval Shipyard , Canada (1763-1822)
Barbados Dockyard (1779-1783, 1810)
Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard , Canada (1788-1853)
Malta Dockyard (1791-1979)
Simons Town Dockyard , Simon's Town, South Africa (1790-1898)
York Naval Shipyard , Canada (1793-1813)
Ajaccio Dockyard, Ajaccio, Corsica (1794-1799)
Bermuda Dockyard , Bermuda (1795-1951)
Amherstburg Royal Naval Dockyard , Canada (1796-1813)
Madras Dockyard, India (1796-1813) (staff and work transferred to Trincomalee )
Cape of Good Hope Dockyard (1808-1822)
Bombay Dockyard , India (1813-1947)
Trincomalee Dockyard
, Ceylon (1813-1957)
Penetanguishene Naval Yard , Canada (1813-1856)
Ascension Dockyard on Ascension Island (1816-1922)
Services
Transport Service (1817-1832) the service was provided as part of the Transport Board.
Autonomous components of the Navy Office
Navy Pay Office (1546-1832)
Sick and Hurt Office
(1653-1806)
Transport Office (1686-1817)
Victualling Office
(1653-1832)
Citations
.
^ "British Library" . www.bl.uk . Retrieved 2021-12-19 .
.
^ "Navy Board, In-Letters And Orders, 1688-1815 - National Maritime Museum" . collections.rmg.co.uk . Royal Museums Greenwich. 2018. Retrieved 2 January 2019 .
^ Collinge, J.M. (1978). "Index of offices: British History Online" . www.british-history.ac.uk . Institute of Historical Research, University of London. p. 153. Retrieved 2 January 2019 .
^ .
^ a b c d Office, Admiralty (1814). "Navy Office". The Navy List . London, England: John Murray. p. 131.
.
.
.
^ The Royal kalendar: and court and city register, for England, Scotland, Ireland, and the colonies . London: W. Stockdale. 1765. p. 133.
Sources
Admiralty Office (1814) The Navy List. Navy Office. John Murray. London. England.
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol7
Collinge, J. M. (1978). "Index of offices: British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Institute of Historical Research, University of London.
"Index of offices," in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 7, Navy Board Officials 1660–1832, ed. J M Collinge (London: University of London, 1978), 153. British History Online, accessed January 2, 2019, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol7/p153 .
Rodger, N. A. M. (2004). "Administration 1509 to 1574". The safeguard of the sea: a naval history of Britain. Vol 1., 660–1649. London, England: Penguin. .
Direction and control of Admiralty and Naval affairs Boards and offices under the First Lord Direction of Admirals Naval/Sea Lords War and Naval Staff
Office of the Senior Naval Lord
Office of the First Naval Lord
Office of the First Sea Lord
Secretariat and staff under the First Sea Lord Operational planning, policy strategy, tactical doctrine requirements Divisions and sections under the War and Naval Staff Offices of the Sea Lords Admiralty civil departments and organisations under the Sea Lords
Admiralty Area Cash Offices
Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory
Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory
Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service
Admiralty Compass Observatory
Admiralty Constabulary
Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters
Admiralty Engineering Laboratory
Admiralty Experimental Station
Admiralty Experiment Works
Admiralty Gunnery Establishment
Admiralty Interview Board
Admiralty Labour Department
Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment
Admiralty Materials Laboratory
Admiralty Mine Design Department
Admiralty Mining Establishment
Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory
Admiralty Record Office
Admiralty Regional Offices
Admiralty Research Laboratory
Admiralty Signal Establishment
Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment
Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment
Admiralty Surveying Service
Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment
Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment
Architectural and Engineering Works Department
Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department
Air Department
Air Materiel Department
Air Personnel Department
Amphibious Warfare Headquarters
Armament Supply Department
Board of Invention and Research
Board of Longitude
Boom Defence Department
Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department
Britannia Royal Naval College
Chemical Board
Chemical Department
Civil Catering Department
Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department
Coastguard and Reserves Branch
Combined Operations Headquarters
Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department
Compass Department
Contract and Purchase Department
Council of Naval Education
Dental Examining Board
Department of Radio Equipment
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy
Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research
Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development
Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord
Department of Naval Education
Operational Research
Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments
Department of Physical Research
Department of Physical Training & Sports
Department of Radio Equipment
Department of Research Programmes and Planning
Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation
Department of the Admiral of the Training Service
Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance
Department of the Chief of Naval Information
Department of the Chief Scientist
Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief
Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery
Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services
Department of the Controller of the Navy
Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding
Department of the Controller for Navy Pay
Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding
Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding
Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships
Department of the Director-General Aircraft
Department of the Director-General of Manpower
Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch
Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Department of the Director of Contract Labour
Department of the Director of Dockyards
Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering
Department of the Director of Manning
Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding
Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs
Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs
Department of the Director of Naval Construction
Department of the Director of Naval Equipment
Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting
Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service
Department of the Director of Personal Services
Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports
Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining
Department of the Director of Transports
Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons
Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials
Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs
Department of the Director of Warship Production
Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions
Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal
Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training
Department of the Engineer in Chief
Department of the Paymaster Director-General
Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons
Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts
Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets
Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy
Department of the Physician of the Navy
Department of the Physician General of the Navy
Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy
Department of the Surveyor of Buildings
Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards
Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training)
Directorate General Training
Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department
Dockyards Branch
Dockyard Expense Accounts Department
Dockyard Schools
Electrical Engineering Department
Engineer Branch
Engineering Department
Experimental Department
Fire Control Group
Greenwich Hospital Department
Inspector of Telegraphs
Inspector of Repairs
Joint Warfare Establishment
Medical Consultative Board
Medical Examining Board
Historical Section
Hydrographic Department
Marine Department
Marine Pay Department
Materials and Priority Department
Medical Consultative Board
Medical Department
Medical Examining Board
Movements Department
Nautical Almanac Office
Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department
Naval Engineering College
Naval Equipment Department
Naval Historical Branch
Naval Construction Department
Naval Intelligence Department
Naval Medical Service
Naval Law Division
Naval Manpower Department
Naval Mobilisation Department
Naval Ordnance Department
Naval Ordnance Inspection Department
Naval Ordnance Stores Department
Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department
Naval Publicity Department
Naval Regional Offices
Naval Reserve Department
Naval Security Department
Naval Stores Department
Naval Training Department
Naval Works Department
Navy, Army and Air Force Institute
Navy and Army Canteen Board
Navy Works Department
Navigation Department
Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope
Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves
Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves
Office of the Admiralty Chemist
Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty
Office of the Assistant Controller
Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development
Office of the Clerk of the Journals
Office of the Chief Polaris Executive
Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy
Office of the Deputy Controller Production
Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord
Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings
Office of the Keeper of Records
Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval)
Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy
Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages
Office of the Vice Controller Air
Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy
Organisation and Methods Department
Packet Service
Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs
Royal Corps of Naval Constructors
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Marine Police
Royal Marines Office
Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet
Royal Naval Academy
Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops
Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Stations
Royal Naval Armaments Depot
Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
Royal Naval Cordite Factories
Royal Naval Propellant Factory
Royal Naval College
Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture
Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
Royal Naval College, Greenwich
Royal Naval College, Keyham
Royal Naval College, Osborne
Royal Naval Engineering College
Royal Naval Film Corporation
Royal Naval Hospital
Royal Naval Medical Depot
Royal Naval Minewatching Service
Royal Naval Mine Depot
Royal Naval Patrol Service
Royal Naval Scientific Service
Royal Naval Sick Quarters
Royal Naval Torpedo Depot
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Royal Naval War College
Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth
Royal Navy Dockyard
Royal Navy Medical Service
Royal Navy Shore Signal Service
Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Royal School of Naval Architecture
Salvage Department
School of Mathematics and Naval Construction
Scientific Research and Experiment Department
Sea Transport Branch
Sea Transport Department
Sea Transport Division
Ship Department
Ship Design Department
Signal Department
Signal School
Sixpenny Office
Statistics Department
Steam Department
Superintendent of De-magnetisation
Torpedo Experimental Establishment
Transport Department
Undersurface Warfare Department
Victualling Department
Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps
Weapons Department
Weapons Department (Naval)
Women's Royal Naval Service
Wireless Telegraphy Board
Direction/Command of the Fleet Naval formations after 1707
1st Fleet
2nd Fleet
3rd Fleet
Commander-in-Chief, Africa
Atlantic Fleet
Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf
Australia Station
Cape of Good Hope Station
Cape and West Africa Station
Battle Cruiser Fleet
Battle Cruiser Force
Caspian Flotilla
Channel Fleet
Channel Squadron
Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland
Cork Station
Coast of Scotland
Commander-in-Chief, China
Commander-in-Chief, Dover
Flag Officer, East Africa
East Indies Station
East Indies and China Station
Eastern Fleet
Far East Fleet
English Channel
Grand Fleet
Flag Officer Gibraltar
Harwich Force
Home Fleet
Jamaica Station
Leith Station
Commander-in-Chief, Levant
Levant and East Mediterranean
Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands
Mediterranean Fleet
Medway
Newfoundland Station
New Zealand Division
New Zealand Naval Forces
Nore
North America and West Indies Station
Commander-in-Chief, North Sea
Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands
Pacific Fleet
Pacific Station
Admiral of Patrols
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Queenstown Station
Royal East African Navy
Royal Indian Navy
Flag Officer Submarines
Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth
Reserve Fleet
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic
South East Coast of America Station
Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway
West Africa Squadron
Flag Officer, West Africa
Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches
Naval formations before 1707 Direction of Naval Finance Departments under the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary Direction of Naval Administration and the Admiralty Secretariat Branches and offices under the Permanent Secretary Civil Administration Departments under the Civil Lords Legal