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{{Royal Navy}}
The '''First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff''' was (and remains today) the professional head of the [[Royal Navy]].  Before 1904 the holder of the position was known as '''First Naval Lord''', and from 1904 to 1917 was known simply as '''First Sea Lord'''.  In 1917 the First Sea Lord was also denominated '''Chief of Naval Staff'''.  The First Sea Lord was the senior naval officer on the [[Board of Admiralty]], and served as chief naval adviser to the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], the politician responsible to Crown and Parliament for the Navy.
 
The '''First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff''' was (and remains today) the professional head of the [[Royal Navy]].  Before 1904 the holder of the position was known as '''Senior Naval Lord''', and from 1904 to 1917 was known simply as '''First Sea Lord'''.  In 1917 the First Sea Lord became Chief of the [[Naval Staff (Royal Navy)|Naval Staff]].  The First Sea Lord was the senior naval officer on the [[Board of Admiralty]], and served as chief naval adviser to the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], the politician responsible for the Navy.


==History==
==History==
Line 9: Line 7:
<blockquote>The First Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the administration of so much of the business as relates to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and for the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The First Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the administration of so much of the business as relates to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and for the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet.</blockquote>


The First Naval Lord and the other members of the Board became "assistants to the First Lord" rather than colleagues, which according to Dr. C. I. Hamilton "annoyed many naval officers."<ref>Hamilton.  p. 153.  Dr. Hamilton unfortunately gives no evidence for this reaction, "Many naval officers" being such a broad generalisation.</ref>
The First Naval Lord and the other members of the Board became "assistants to the First Lord" rather than colleagues, which according to Dr. C. I. Hamilton "annoyed many naval officers."<ref>Hamilton.  p. 153.</ref>


===Order in Council of 19 March, 1872===
===Order in Council of 19 March, 1872===
Line 16: Line 14:
<blockquote>The First Naval Lord, the Second Naval Lord, and the Junior Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the Administration of so much of the business relating to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and to the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet, as shall be assigned to them, from time to time, by the First Lord.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The First Naval Lord, the Second Naval Lord, and the Junior Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the Administration of so much of the business relating to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and to the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet, as shall be assigned to them, from time to time, by the First Lord.</blockquote>
   
   
===Order in Council of 1 January, 1904===
===Order in Council of 10 August, 1904===
Under the provisions of the [[Order in Council of 1 January, 1904]], the First Naval Lord was considered responsible for:
By [[Order in Council of 10 August, 1904]], the title of the First Naval Lord was formally changed to '''First Sea Lord'''. Business-wise:
 
<blockquote>(<small>A</small>.) The First Sea Lord, the Second Sea Lord, and the Fourth Sea Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the administration of so much of the general business connected with Your Majesty's Navy, and with the movement and condition of Your Majesty's Fleet and with the 'Personnel' of that Fleet, as shall be assigned to them or each of them, from time to time, by the First Lord.<br>(<small>B</small>.) The Third Sea Lord and Controller to be responsible to the First Lord for the administration of so much of the business relating to the 'Matériel' of Your Majesty's Navy as shall from time to time be assigned to him by the First Lord.</blockquote>
 
When he became First Sea Lord on 20 October, 1904, [[John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|Sir John A. Fisher]] was given "control" of the [[Naval Ordnance Department (Royal Navy)|Naval Ordnance Department]], which directly contradicts the Order in Council. The First Sea Lord retained this control until 1912.
 
==Great War==
By an [[Order in Council of 19 May, 1917]], stemming from a Board memorial of 14 May, the First Sea Lord was formally given the extra title of "Chief of the Naval Staff" and recognised as such.  He was to be assisted by two additional Naval Members of the Board of Admiralty in his capacity as Chief of Naval Staff, a [[Deputy Chief of Naval Staff]] and [[Assistant Chief of Naval Staff]].<ref>Order in Council of 19 May, 1917.</ref> Bizarrely, in his history of the Admiralty Nicholas Rodger dates this change (and others) to July and the appointment of [[Eric Campbell Geddes|Sir Eric C. Geddes]] as First Lord,{{RodgerTheAdmiralty|pp. 133-134}} a regrettable misconception.
 
The full title was later formalised in a further [[Order in Council of 23 October, 1917|Order in Council]] in October, 1917, as '''First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff''',<ref>Order in Council of 23 October, 1917.</ref> which title it remains today.<ref>''The Navy Directory 2019''. pp. 4-6.</ref>
 
==Office==
The First Sea Lord's office was located in Room 60 of Block I (later West Block) of the Admiralty Extension from its completion (circa 1901) until 1916 &ndash; 1917.  The office overlooked St. James's Park, and the view is now marred by the Admiralty Citadel constructed in the Second World War.  The rest of the Board and the Secretaries occupied offices along the corridor.  The new Board Room was next door in Room 61.  When Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss became First Sea Lord at the end of 1917 his office and staff moved to Rooms 42A and 42B at the eastern end of South Block (Block III), adjoining Old Building.
 
==Duties==
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 1805.<ref>Adapted from table in Hamilton.  ''The Making of the Modern Admiralty''.  p. 9.  Original source is Barham Papers.  National Maritime Museum.  MID/6/10.</ref>
|-
| Superintends when First Lord absent.
|-
| Military correspondence, including Port Admirals.
|-
| With approval of First Lord:<br>Ship Movements.<br>Orders to Captains and Admirals.
|-
| Ships' equipment.
|-
| Distribution of Seamen and Marines.
|-
| Checks all promotions.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 21 June, 1844.<ref>"Precis of the Division & General Mode of Conducting the Business of the Admiralty at Whitehall."  Dated 21 June, 1844.  {{TNA|ADM 1/5543.}}</ref>
|-
| The Business more immediately within the province of the 1<sup>st</sup> Sea Lord is the Ordinary Correspondence with the Departments of State, & that which relates to Slave Trade &<sup>c</sup>.<br>The 1<sup>st</sup> Lord having communicated the pleasure of the Cabinet, the 1<sup>st</sup> Sea Lord superintends the distribution & composition of the Fleet, Draws up all the orders for the Commanders in Chief at Home & Abroad, As well as the Sailing Orders of all Ships ready for sea.  (which are all submitted to the 1<sup>st</sup> Lord by him; & directs all matters connected with the Armament & Complements of Her Majesty's Ships.<br>The Queen's Regulations & the General Instructions as likewise those for the Dockyards & Victuralling Establishments have been drawn yp & prepared by the 1<sup>st</sup> Sea Lord, & [illegible] by him submitted to the Board.<br>The Dock Yards are as regards the Building & Repairs of Ships &<sup>c.</sup> & the promotion of the inferior Dockyard Officers, under his Control.<br>He is considered as the Confidential Adviser of the 1<sup>st</sup> Lord on all professional matters, more particularly everything relating to the appointments of Superior Officers & the discipline & efficient management of the Fleet.<br>But the 1<sup>st</sup> Lord being the responsible Minister of course consults anyone he pleases according to his discretion, & in the case of the appointments of Officers to Superior Commands he often consults the 2<sup>nd</sup> as well as the 1<sup>st</sup> Sea Lord, but he is bound by the opinion of neither.<br>The Surveyor of the Navy (Sir W<sup>m</sup> Symonds) & the Comptroller of Steam Machinery (Sir Edward Parry) are placed under the immediate direction & superintendence of the 1<sup>st</sup> Sea Lord.<br>He likewise superintends the Hydrographical Department under Captain Beaufort, & the Surveying Service in General.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 1850.<ref>Adapted from evidence in Q.2703 in ''Report from the Select Committee on Official Salaries'' (1850).  p. 262.</ref>
|-
| State of Foreign Navies.
|-
| Composition and disposition of the Fleet.
|-
| Sailing orders.
|-
| General Regulations.
|-
| Fisheries.
|-
| Steam Reserve.
|-
| Advance Squadron.
|-
| Appointments.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 1861.<ref>"Appendix No. 1.  Distribution of Duties."  ''Report of the Select Committee on the Board of Admiralty'' (1861).  p. 639.</ref>
|-
| Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| Manning of the Fleet.
|-
| Ships in commission.
|-
| Ships fitting out and paying off.
|-
| Ships' armaments and complements.
|-
| Ships' discipline.
|-
| Ships, muster and inspection of.
|-
| Ships, leave of absence from.
|-
| Advanced ships and steam ordinaries.
|-
| Protection of trade and fisheries.
|-
| Dockyards, so far as relates to Surveyor's Department.
|-
| Appointment of Commanders in ships of the line, and engineers.
|-
| Coast Guard and Coast Volunteers, except pay and buildings.
|-
| Pensioners, when called out.
|-
| Naval Rendezvous.
|-
| Seamen Riggers.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! July, 1866.<ref>Greene Papers.  National Maritime Museum.  GEE/2.</ref>
|-
| Dockyards, so far as relates to Controller's Department.
|-
| Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| Ships in Commission.
|-
| Ships Fitting Out.
|-
| Ships Paying Off.
|-
| Ships' Armaments.
|-
| Ships' Complements.
|-
| Ships, Inspection of.
|-
| Steam Reserve.
|-
| Protection of Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| Appointment of Commanders of Ships of the Line and Frigates.
|-
| Discipline.
|-
| Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| Punishments and Returns.
|-
| Signals.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! December, 1868.<ref>Greene Papers.  National Maritime Museum.  GEE/2.</ref>
|-
| '''Duties shared with [[Fourth Sea Lord|Junior Naval Lord]].'''
|-
| Ships in Commission.
|-
| Manning of the Fleet.
|-
| Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| Marines and Marine Artillery.
|-
| Coast Guard, except Pay and Buildings.
|-
| Naval Coast Volunteers.
|-
| Royal Naval Reserve.
|-
| Pensioners, when called out.
|-
| Appointments of Commanders of Ships of the Line and Frigates.
|-
| Appointments of&mdash;<br>Lieutenants (exclusive of Lieutenant in Command).<br>Staff Commanders.<br>Navigating Lieutenants, &c.<br>Sub-Lieutenants.<br>Midshipmen and Naval Cadets.<br>Paymasters.<br>Assistant Paymasters.<br>Clerks.<br>Clerks.<br>Assistant Clerks.<br>Warrant Officers.
|-
| Royal Naval College.
|-
| Discipline.
|-
| Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| Punishments and Returns.
|-
| Removals of "R".
|-
| Protection of Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| Signals.
|-
| [[Royal Humane Society]]'s Medals.
|-
| Good Conduct Medals.
|-
| &mdash;
|-
| Hydrographical Department.
|-
| Transport Service.
|-
| Conveyance of Troops.
|-
| Passages.
|-
| Convict Service.
|-
| Coaling.
|-
| Medical Department.
|-
| Hospitals and Hospital Ships.
|-
| Appointments of Medical Officers.
|-
| Victualling Department.
|-
| Full Pay of Officers and Seamen.
|-
| Half Pay of Officers of all Ranks.
|-
| Table Money of Officers.
|-
| Debts of Officers.
|-
| Allowances for Lodging and Travelling.
|-
| Store Allowances.
|-
| Compensation for Losses by Officers and Seamen.
|-
| Pensions.
|-
| Greenwich Hospital, as regards Officers and Men.
|-
| Prize and Admiralty Courts.
|-
| Collision at Sea.
|-
| General Salvage Questions.
|-
| Salvage of Naval Stores.
|-
| Pirates&mdash;Bounty.
|-
| Pilotage.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! December, 1872.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 1/6313.}}</ref>
|-
| 1.&mdash;Ships in Commission.
|-
| 2.&mdash;Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| 3.&mdash;Marines, and Marine Artillery.
|-
| 4.&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 5.&mdash;Complements of Ships.
|-
| 6.&mdash;Discipline.
|-
| 7.&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 8.&mdash;Punishments and Returns.
|-
| 9.&mdash;Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| 10.&mdash;Hydrographical Department.
|-
| 11.&mdash;Pilotage.
|-
| 12.&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 13.&mdash;Humane Society's Medals.
|-
| 14.&mdash;Collisions.
|-
| 15.&mdash;General Salvage Questions.
|-
| 16.&mdash;Salvage of Naval Stores.
|-
| 17.&mdash;Pirates&mdash;Bounty.
|-
| 18.&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 19.&mdash;Steam Reserve&mdash;as regards Officers and Men.
|-
| 20.&mdash;Gunnery&mdash;as relates to ''personnel'' and Ships in Commission.
|-
| 21.&mdash;Prizes.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! April, 1875.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 1/6313.}}</ref>
|-
| 1.&mdash;Ships in Commission.
|-
| 2.&mdash;Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| 3.&mdash;Marines, and Marine Artillery.
|-
| 4.&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 5.&mdash;Complements of Ships.
|-
| 6.&mdash;Discipline.
|-
| 7.&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 8.&mdash;Punishments and Returns.
|-
| 9.&mdash;Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| 10.&mdash;Hydrographical Department.
|-
| 11.&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 12.&mdash;Collisions.
|-
| 13.&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 14.&mdash;Steam Reserve&mdash;as regards Officers and Men.
|-
| 15.&mdash;Gunnery&mdash;as relates to ''personnel'' and Ships in Commission.
|-
| 16.&mdash;Prizes.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 7 July, 1885.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
|-
| 1&mdash;Ships in Commission.
|-
| 2&mdash;Distribution of the Fleet.
|-
| 3&mdash;Marines and Marine Artillery.
|-
| 4&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 5&mdash;Complements of Ships.
|-
| 6&mdash;Discipline.
|-
| 7&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 8&mdash;Punishment Returns.
|-
| 9&mdash;Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| 10&mdash;Hydrographical Department and Pilotage.
|-
| 11&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 12&mdash;Collisions.
|-
| 13&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 14&mdash;Gunnery&mdash;as relates to ''personnel'' and Ships in Commission.
|-
| 15&mdash;Prize Questions.
|-
| 16&mdash;Deserters; Rewards for apprehension of; Removals of R.
|-
| 17&mdash;Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.
|-
| 18&mdash;Foreign Intelligence Committee; Superintendence of.
|-
| 19&mdash;Naval Attachés; movements of and orders to.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! December, 1888.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
|-
| 1&mdash;Ships in Commission.
|-
| 2&mdash;Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
|-
| 3&mdash;Maritime Defence and Strategical Questions&mdash;to advise.
|-
| 4&mdash;Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery.
|-
| 5&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 6&mdash;General Supervision of Intelligence Department and of Mobilisation of Fleet.
|-
| 7&mdash;Complements of Ships.
|-
| 8&mdash;Discipline.
|-
| 9&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 10&mdash;Punishment Returns.
|-
| 11&mdash;Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
|-
| 12&mdash;Hydrographical Department and Pilotage.
|-
| 13&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 14&mdash;Collisions.
|-
| 15&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 16&mdash;Gunnery and Torpedoes&mdash;as relates to ''personnel'' and Ships in Commission.
|-
| 17&mdash;Prize Questions.
|-
| 18&mdash;Deserters; Rewards for apprehension of; Removals of R.
|-
| 19&mdash;Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.
|-
| 20&mdash;Naval Attachés; movements of and orders to.
|-
| 21&mdash;Uniform Regulations.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 4 July, 1895.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
|-
| 1.&mdash;Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large Questions of Naval Policy&mdash;to advise.
|-
| 2.&mdash;Ships in Commission.
|-
| 3.&mdash;Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
|-
| 4.&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 5.&mdash;General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of Fleet.
|-
| 6.&mdash;Complements of Ships.
|-
| 7.&mdash;Discipline.
|-
| 8.&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 9.&mdash;Hydrographical Department.
|-
| 10.&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 11.&mdash;Collisions (''see'' also 17 under Junior Naval Lord).
|-
| 12.&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 13.&mdash;Gunnery and Torpedoes&mdash;as relates to ''personnel'' and Ships in Commission.
|-
| 14.&mdash;Prize Questions.
|-
| 15.&mdash;Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.
|}
 
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
! 1 January, 1904.<ref>''Statement Showing Present Distribution between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty''.  p. 4.</ref>
|-
| 1&mdash;Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large questions of Naval Policy&mdash;to advise.
|-
| 2&mdash;Ships in Commission and in Fleet Reserve.
|-
| 3&mdash;Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
|-
| 4&mdash;Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
|-
| 5&mdash;General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of the Fleet.
|-
| 6&mdash;Discipline&mdash;General and Special Questions.
|-
| 7&mdash;Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
| 8&mdash;Hydrographical Department.
|-
| 9&mdash;Signals.
|-
| 10&mdash;Collisions.
|-
| 11&mdash;Slave Trade.
|-
| 12&mdash;Naval Ordnance Department (except as provided under ''[[Third Sea Lord|Controller]]'').
|-
| 13&mdash;Prize Questions.
|-
| 14&mdash;Leave to Officers and Men in Seagoing Ships.
|}


# Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large questions of Naval Policy&mdash;to advise.
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
# Ships in Commission and in Fleet Reserve.
! 20 October, 1904.<ref>''Statement Showing Present Distribution between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty''.  p. 4.</ref>
# Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
|-
# Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
| 1&mdash;Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
# General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of the Fleet.
|-
# Discipline&mdash;General and Special Questions.
| 2&mdash;The Fighting and Sea-going Efficiency of the Fleet, its Organisation and Mobilisation; the Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission or in Fleet Reserve.
# Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
|-
# Hydrographical Department.
| 3&mdash;The Control of the Intelligence, Hydrographical and Naval Ordnance Departments.
# Signals.
|}
# Collisions.
# Slaver Trade.
# Naval Ordnance Department (except as provided under ''[[Third Sea Lord|Controller]]'').
# Prize Questions.
# Leave to Officers and Men in Seagoing Ships.<ref>Cd. 2417.  p. 4.</ref>


===Order in Council of 20 October, 1904===
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
The distribution of business was altered, so that by [[Order in Council of 20 October, 1904]], the First Sea Lord was generally responsible for "Organisation for War and Distribution of the Fleet," and specifically responsible for:
! 17 May, 1910.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
|-
| 1&mdash;Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
|-
| 2&mdash;The Fighting and Sea-going Efficiency of the Fleet, its Organisation and Mobilisation, including Complements of Ships as affecting total numbers; the Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission and in Reserve.
|-
| 3&mdash;The Control of the Intelligence, Mobilisation, Hydrographic and Naval Ordnance Departments.
|}


# Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare&mdash;to advise.
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
# The Fighting and Sea-going Efficiency of the Fleet, its Organisation and Mobilisation; the Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission or in Fleet Reserve.
! August, 1912.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
# The Control of the Intelligence, Hydrographical and Naval Ordnance Departments.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
|-
| 1&mdash;Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
|-
| 2&mdash;Fighting and Sea-going Efficiency of the Fleet, its Organisation and Mobilisation, including Complements of Ships as affecting total numbers; system of gunnery and torpedo exercises of the Fleet, and tactical employment of air-craft, and all military questions connected with the foregoing; Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission and in Reserve.
|-
| 3&mdash;Superintendence of the War Staff and the Hydrographic Department.
|}


==Great War==
{| class="collapsible wikitable collapsed" style="width: 50%"
By an [[Order in Council of 19 May, 1917]], stemming from a Board memorial of 14 May, the First Sea Lord was given the extra title of "Chief of the Naval Staff",<ref>Order in Council of 19 May, 1917.</ref> the full title later being promulgated under a further [[Order in Council of 23 October, 1917|Order in Council]] as "First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff."<ref>Order in Council of 23 October, 1917.</ref>
! 27 June, 1917.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 116/3392.}}</ref>
|-
| ''With Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff.''
|-
| Operations of War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare.
|-
| Fighting and Sea-going Efficiency of the Fleet and its Organisation; Distribution and Movements of all Ships in Commission and in Reserve.
|-
| Superintendence of the Naval Staff and the Hydrographic Department.
|-
| Naval Communications.
|}


==First Naval Lords, 1889&ndash;1904==
==First Sea Lords==
Dates of appointment given:
Dates of appointment given:


*Admiral George Greville Wellesley, 6 November, 1877.<ref>''The Naval Staff of the Admiralty''.  [''Naval Staff''.] p. 118.</ref>  
<div name=fredbot:office0 otitle="First Sea Lord" nat="UK">
*Admiral [[Astley Cooper Key|Sir Astley Cooper Key]], 15 August, 1879.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Richard Saunders Dundas|nick=Sir Richard S. Dundas|appt=28 June, 1859<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 35.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral [[Arthur William Acland Hood, First Baron Hood|Sir Arthur W. A. Hood]], 2 July, 1885.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Frederick William Grey|nick=Sir Frederick W. Grey|appt=15 June, 1861<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 35.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral [[Lord John Hay]], 16 February, 1886.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Alexander Milne, First Baronet|nick=Sir Alexander Milne|appt=13 July, 1866<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 37.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral [[Arthur William Acland Hood, First Baron Hood|Sir Arthur W. A. Hood]], 6 August, 1886.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral Sir|name=Sydney Colpoys Dacres|nick=Sydney C. Dacres|appt=18 December, 1868<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 37.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral [[Richard Vesey Hamilton|Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton]], 26 October, 1889.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Alexander Milne, First Baronet|nick=Sir Alexander Milne|appt=27 November, 1872<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 38.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral [[Anthony Hiley Hoskins|Sir Anthony H. Hoskins]], 28 September, 1891.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Hastings Reginald Yelverton|nick=Sir Hastings R. Yelverton|appt=7 September, 1876<ref>''A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660''.  p. 39.</ref>|end=5 November, 1877<ref>Yelverton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/37/1521.|}} f. 1513.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord|note=resigned due to poor health}}
*{{FleetRN}} [[Frederick William Richards|Sir Frederick W. Richards]], 1 November, 1893.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=George Greville Wellesley|nick=George G. Wellesley|appt=6 November, 1877{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
*Admiral of the Fleet [[Lord Walter Talbot Kerr|Lord Walter Kerr]], 14 August, 1899.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Astley Cooper Key|nick=Sir Astley Cooper Key|appt=15 August, 1879{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Arthur William Acland Hood, First Baron Hood|nick=Sir Arthur W. A. Hood|appt=2 July, 1885{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=John Hay|nick=Lord John Hay|appt=16 February, 1886{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Arthur William Acland Hood, First Baron Hood|nick=Sir Arthur W. A. Hood|appt=6 August, 1886{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Richard Vesey Hamilton|nick=Sir R. Vesey Hamilton|appt=26 October, 1889{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Anthony Hiley Hoskins|nick=Sir Anthony H. Hoskins|appt=28 September, 1891{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}<ref>Hoskins Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/36/1846.|}} f. 634.</ref>|end=October 1893<ref>Hoskins Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/36/1846.|}} f. 634.</ref>|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank={{FleetRN}}|name=Frederick William Richards|nick=Sir Frederick W. Richards|appt=1 November, 1893{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Walter Talbot Kerr|nick=Lord Walter Kerr|appt=14 August, 1899{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|as=First Naval Lord}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|nick=The Rt. Hon. The Lord Fisher|appt=20 October, 1904{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|nick=Sir Arthur K. Wilson|appt=25 January, 1910{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|nick=Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman|appt=5 December, 1911{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|end=9 December, 1912<ref>Bridgeman Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39.}}  f. 167.</ref>|note=gave up appointment due to ill health}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|nick=H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg|appt=9 December, 1912{{UKNavalStaff|p. 118}}|end=9 October, 1914<ref>Milford Haven Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 59.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|nick=The Rt. Hon. The Lord Fisher|appt=30 October, 1914|end=27 May, 1915{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Henry Bradwardine Jackson|nick=Sir Henry B. Jackson|appt=27 May, 1915{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  p. 682.</ref>|end=3 December, 1916<ref>Jackson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  p. 682.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=John Rushworth Jellicoe, First Earl Jellicoe|nick=Sir John R. Jellicoe|appt=4 December, 1916{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}|end=26 December, 1917<ref>Jellicoe Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/87.}} f. 27.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|nick=Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss|appt=10 January, 1918{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff|end=1 November, 1919<ref>Wemyss Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 154.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|nick=The Rt. Hon. The Earl Beatty|appt=1 November, 1919{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|nick=Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart.|appt=30 July, 1927{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}<ref>Madden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/87.}}  f. 124.</ref>|end=30 July, 1930<ref>Madden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/87.}}  f. 124.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Frederick Laurence Field|nick=Sir Frederick L. Field|appt=30 July, 1930<ref>Field Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 247.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff|end=21 January, 1933<ref>Field Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 247.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield|nick=The Rt. Hon. The Lord Chatfield|appt=21 January, 1933<ref>Chatfield Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 346.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff|end=7 September, 1938<ref>Chatfield Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 346.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Roger Roland Charles Backhouse|nick=Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse|appt=7 September, 1938<ref>Backhouse Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.}}  f. 474.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound|nick=Sir A. Dudley P. R. Pound|appt=12 June, 1939<ref>Pound Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.}}  f. 226.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff|succBy=John B. Cunningham}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Andrew Browne Cunningham, First Viscount Cunningham|nick=Sir Andrew B. Cunningham|appt=15 October, 1943{{CN}}|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=John Henry Dacres Cunningham|nick=Sir John H. D. Cunningham|appt=10 June, 1946<ref>Cunningham Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/49/269.|D7576671}}, f. 173.</ref>|end=6 September, 1948<ref>Cunningham Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/49/269.|D7576671}}, f. 173.</ref>|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Bruce Austin Fraser, First Baron Fraser|nick=Lord Bruce A. Fraser|appt=September, 1948{{MackieRNSA}}|end=December, 1951{{MackieRNSA}}|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff|succBy=[[Rhoderick Robert McGrigor|Sir Rhoderick R. McGrigor]]}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral of the Fleet|name=Rhoderick Robert McGrigor|nick=Sir Rhoderick R. McGrigor|appt=December, 1951{{MackieRNSA}}|end=April, 1955{{MackieRNSA}}|as=First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff}}
</div name=fredbot:office0>
 
==Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord==
Dates of appointment given:
<div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Reginald Hugh Spencer Bacon|nick=Reginald H. S. Bacon|appt=21 October, 1904<ref>Bacon Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 262.</ref>|end=20 December, 1905<ref>Bacon Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 262.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|nick=Charles E. Madden|appt=20 December, 1905<ref>Madden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 83.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|nick=A. Gordon H. W. Moore|appt=12 August, 1907<ref>Moore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 64.</ref>|end=1 December, 1908<ref>Moore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 64.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Henry Francis Oliver|nick=Henry F. Oliver|appt=1 December, 1908<ref>Oliver Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 319.</ref>|end=19 December, 1911<ref>Oliver Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 319.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Charles Martin-de-Bartolomé|nick=Charles Bartolomé|appt=15 December, 1911<ref>Bartolomé Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 208.</ref>|end=1 August, 1914<ref>Bartolomé Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 208.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish|nick=Percy T. H. Beamish|appt=1 August, 1914<ref>Beamish Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.}}  f. 51.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Acting Captain|name=Thomas Evans Crease|nick=Thomas E. Crease|appt=30 October, 1914<ref>Crease Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/3.}}  f. 3.</ref>|end=15 June, 1915<ref>Crease Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/3.|}} f. 3.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Allan Frederic Everett|nick=Allan F. Everett|appt=15 June, 1915<ref>Everett Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 23.</ref>|end=16 December, 1916<ref>Everett Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 23.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Argentine Hugh Alington|nick=Argentine H. Alington|appt=28 August, 1916<ref>Alington Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/44/336.}} f. 336.</ref>|end=4 December, 1916<ref>Alington Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/44/336.}} f. 336.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Edward Montgomery Phillpotts|nick=Edward M. Phillpotts|appt=16 December, 1916<ref>Phillpotts Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 170.</ref>|end=8 October, 1917<ref>Phillpotts Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 170.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=[[Paymaster Captain (Royal Navy)|Paymaster-in-Chief]]|name=Hamnet Holditch Share|nick=Hamnet H. Share|appt=October, 1917|end=27 December, 1917<ref>Share service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/81/162.}}</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Acting {{CaptRN}}|name=John Peter Ralph Marriott|nick=John P. R. Marriott|appt=27 December, 1917<ref>Marriott service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/171.|D7603423}} f. ?.</ref>|end=11 November, 1919<ref>Marriott service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/171.|D7603423}} f. ?.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Roger Mowbray Bellairs|nick=Roger M. Bellairs|appt=5 November, 1919<ref>Bellairs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49.|}} Unnumbered folio.</ref>|end=late 1925<ref>Bellairs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49.|}} f. ?.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Herbert Fitzherbert|nick=Herbert Fitzherbert|appt=28 March, 1929|end=14 January, 1931}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Guy Grantham|nick=Guy Grantham|appt=3 May, 1939<ref>Grantham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/93/70.|}} f. 70.</ref>|end=25 May, 1940}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Cecil Charles Acland Allen|nick=Cecil C. A. Allen|appt=25 May, 1940|end=14 June, 1941}}
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=John William Ashley Waller|nick=John W. A. Waller|appt=27 May, 1941|end=12 March, 1942}}
</div name=fredbot:office1>


==First Sea Lords, 1904&ndash;1927==
==Additional Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord==
*Admiral of the Fleet [[John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|The Right Honourable The Lord Fisher]], 20 October, 1904.<ref>Ibid.</ref>  
<div name=fredbot:office2 otitle="Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord" nat="UK">
*Admiral of the Fleet [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson]], 25 January, 1910.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Sydney Stewart Hall|nick=Sydney S. Hall|appt=31 October, 1914|end=8 February, 1915<ref>Hall service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/43/236.}}</ref>|as=Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord for Submarine Duties}}
*Admiral [[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman]], 5 December, 1911.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Captain|name=Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound|nick=A. Dudley P. R. Pound|appt=20 March, 1915|end=24 October, 1915<ref>Pound service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44/294.}}</ref>}}
*Admiral [[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg]], 9 December, 1912.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=[[Paymaster Captain (Royal Navy)|Paymaster-in-Chief]]|name=Hamnet Holditch Share|nick=Hamnet H. Share|appt=4 December, 1916|end=October, 1917<ref>Share service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/81/162.}}</ref>}}
*Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable The Lord Fisher, 30 October, 1914.<ref>''Naval Staff''.  p. 119.</ref>
{{Tenure|rank=Commander|name=Ralph Frederick Seymour|nick=Ralph F. Seymour|appt=3 November, 1919|end=22 March, 1920<ref>Seymour service record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50/49.}}</ref>}}
*Admiral [[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Sir Henry B. Jackson]], 27 May, 1915.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
</div name=fredbot:office2>
*Admiral [[John Rushworth Jellicoe, First Earl Jellicoe|Sir John Jellicoe]], 4 December, 1916.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
*Admiral [[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss]], 10 January, 1918.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
*Admiral of the Fleet [[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|The Right Honourable The Earl Beatty]], 1 November, 1919.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
*Admiral of the Fleet [[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart.]], 30 July, 1927.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
*Admiral of the Fleet [[Frederick Laurence Field|Sir Frederick L. Field]], 30 July, 1930.<ref>Field Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/43.  f. 247.</ref>
*Admiral of the Fleet [[Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield|The Right Honourable The Lord Chatfield]], 21 January, 1933.<ref>Chatfield Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/43.  f. 346.</ref>
*Admiral [[Roger Roland Charles Backhouse|Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse]], 7 September, 1938.<ref>Backhouse Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/44.  f. 474.</ref>


==Footnotes==
==Footnotes==
Line 77: Line 592:
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{BibHamiltonAdmiralty}}
*''Report from the Select Committee on Official Salaries: Together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, Appendix and Index''.  H.C. 611, 1850.
*{{BibUKNavalStaff}}
*''Report from the Select Committee on the Board of Admiralty; Together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, Appendix, and Index''. H.C. 438, 1861.
*{{BlackNavalStaff}}
*{{HamiltonAdmiralty}}
*{{UKNavalStaff}}
*{{RodgerTheAdmiralty}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


[[Category:First Sea Lords|*]]
 
[[Category:Senior Naval Lords|*]]
{{Template:Board of Admiralty}}
 
[[Category:Pages with Offices]]

Latest revision as of 15:40, 7 April 2025

The First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff was (and remains today) the professional head of the Royal Navy. Before 1904 the holder of the position was known as First Naval Lord, and from 1904 to 1917 was known simply as First Sea Lord. In 1917 the First Sea Lord was also denominated Chief of Naval Staff. The First Sea Lord was the senior naval officer on the Board of Admiralty, and served as chief naval adviser to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the politician responsible to Crown and Parliament for the Navy.

History

Order in Council of 14 January, 1869

Under the terms of the Order in Council of 14 January, 1869, the First Naval Lord was granted a salary of £1,000 a year, with allowances and a house, or £1,200 a year, without a house. His duties were defined thus:

The First Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the administration of so much of the business as relates to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and for the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet.

The First Naval Lord and the other members of the Board became "assistants to the First Lord" rather than colleagues, which according to Dr. C. I. Hamilton "annoyed many naval officers."[1]

Order in Council of 19 March, 1872

In 1872 it was decided to reinstitute the office of Second Naval Lord, and to remove the Controller from the Board. In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 19 March, 1872, the First Naval Lord's responsibilities were less clearly defined:

The First Naval Lord, the Second Naval Lord, and the Junior Naval Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the Administration of so much of the business relating to the "Personnel" of the Navy, and to the movement and condition of your Majesty's Fleet, as shall be assigned to them, from time to time, by the First Lord.

Order in Council of 10 August, 1904

By Order in Council of 10 August, 1904, the title of the First Naval Lord was formally changed to First Sea Lord. Business-wise:

(A.) The First Sea Lord, the Second Sea Lord, and the Fourth Sea Lord to be responsible to the First Lord of the Admiralty for the administration of so much of the general business connected with Your Majesty's Navy, and with the movement and condition of Your Majesty's Fleet and with the 'Personnel' of that Fleet, as shall be assigned to them or each of them, from time to time, by the First Lord.
(B.) The Third Sea Lord and Controller to be responsible to the First Lord for the administration of so much of the business relating to the 'Matériel' of Your Majesty's Navy as shall from time to time be assigned to him by the First Lord.

When he became First Sea Lord on 20 October, 1904, Sir John A. Fisher was given "control" of the Naval Ordnance Department, which directly contradicts the Order in Council. The First Sea Lord retained this control until 1912.

Great War

By an Order in Council of 19 May, 1917, stemming from a Board memorial of 14 May, the First Sea Lord was formally given the extra title of "Chief of the Naval Staff" and recognised as such. He was to be assisted by two additional Naval Members of the Board of Admiralty in his capacity as Chief of Naval Staff, a Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff.[2] Bizarrely, in his history of the Admiralty Nicholas Rodger dates this change (and others) to July and the appointment of Sir Eric C. Geddes as First Lord,[3] a regrettable misconception.

The full title was later formalised in a further Order in Council in October, 1917, as First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff,[4] which title it remains today.[5]

Office

The First Sea Lord's office was located in Room 60 of Block I (later West Block) of the Admiralty Extension from its completion (circa 1901) until 1916 – 1917. The office overlooked St. James's Park, and the view is now marred by the Admiralty Citadel constructed in the Second World War. The rest of the Board and the Secretaries occupied offices along the corridor. The new Board Room was next door in Room 61. When Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss became First Sea Lord at the end of 1917 his office and staff moved to Rooms 42A and 42B at the eastern end of South Block (Block III), adjoining Old Building.

Duties

First Sea Lords

Dates of appointment given:

Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord

Dates of appointment given:

Additional Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Hamilton. p. 153.
  2. ↑ Order in Council of 19 May, 1917.
  3. ↑ Rodger. The Admiralty. pp. 133-134.
  4. ↑ Order in Council of 23 October, 1917.
  5. ↑ The Navy Directory 2019. pp. 4-6.
  6. ↑ Adapted from table in Hamilton. The Making of the Modern Admiralty. p. 9. Original source is Barham Papers. National Maritime Museum. MID/6/10.
  7. ↑ "Precis of the Division & General Mode of Conducting the Business of the Admiralty at Whitehall." Dated 21 June, 1844. The National Archives. ADM 1/5543.
  8. ↑ Adapted from evidence in Q.2703 in Report from the Select Committee on Official Salaries (1850). p. 262.
  9. ↑ "Appendix No. 1. Distribution of Duties." Report of the Select Committee on the Board of Admiralty (1861). p. 639.
  10. ↑ Greene Papers. National Maritime Museum. GEE/2.
  11. ↑ Greene Papers. National Maritime Museum. GEE/2.
  12. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 1/6313.
  13. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 1/6313.
  14. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  15. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  16. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  17. ↑ Statement Showing Present Distribution between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty. p. 4.
  18. ↑ Statement Showing Present Distribution between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty. p. 4.
  19. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  20. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  21. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.
  22. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 35.
  23. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 35.
  24. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 37.
  25. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 37.
  26. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 38.
  27. ↑ A List of the Lords High Admiral and Commissioners for Executing the that Office, which have been from time to time appointed, since the year 1660. p. 39.
  28. ↑ Yelverton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/37/1521. f. 1513.
  29. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  30. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  31. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  32. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  33. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  34. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  35. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  36. ↑ Hoskins Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/1846. f. 634.
  37. ↑ Hoskins Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/1846. f. 634.
  38. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  39. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  40. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  41. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  42. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  43. ↑ Bridgeman Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 167.
  44. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 118.
  45. ↑ Milford Haven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 59.
  46. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  47. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  48. ↑ Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 682.
  49. ↑ Jackson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 682.
  50. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  51. ↑ Jellicoe Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/87. f. 27.
  52. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  53. ↑ Wemyss Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 154.
  54. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  55. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  56. ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/87. f. 124.
  57. ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/87. f. 124.
  58. ↑ Field Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 247.
  59. ↑ Field Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 247.
  60. ↑ Chatfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 346.
  61. ↑ Chatfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 346.
  62. ↑ Backhouse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 474.
  63. ↑ Pound Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 226.
  64. ↑ Cunningham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/269., f. 173.
  65. ↑ Cunningham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/269., f. 173.
  66. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  67. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  68. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  69. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY SENIOR APPOINTMENTS.
  70. ↑ Bacon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 262.
  71. ↑ Bacon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 262.
  72. ↑ Madden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 83.
  73. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  74. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  75. ↑ Oliver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 319.
  76. ↑ Oliver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 319.
  77. ↑ Bartolomé Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 208.
  78. ↑ Bartolomé Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 208.
  79. ↑ Beamish Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 51.
  80. ↑ Crease Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/3. f. 3.
  81. ↑ Crease Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/3. f. 3.
  82. ↑ Everett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 23.
  83. ↑ Everett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 23.
  84. ↑ Alington Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/336. f. 336.
  85. ↑ Alington Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/336. f. 336.
  86. ↑ Phillpotts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 170.
  87. ↑ Phillpotts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 170.
  88. ↑ Share service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/81/162.
  89. ↑ Marriott service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/171. f. ?.
  90. ↑ Marriott service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/171. f. ?.
  91. ↑ Bellairs Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. Unnumbered folio.
  92. ↑ Bellairs Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49. f. ?.
  93. ↑ Grantham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/93/70. f. 70.
  94. ↑ Hall service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/236.
  95. ↑ Pound service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/294.
  96. ↑ Share service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/81/162.
  97. ↑ Seymour service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/49.

Bibliography

  • Report from the Select Committee on Official Salaries: Together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, Appendix and Index. H.C. 611, 1850.
  • Report from the Select Committee on the Board of Admiralty; Together with the Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence, Appendix, and Index. H.C. 438, 1861.
  • Black, Nicholas (2009). The British Naval Staff in the First World War. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press. ISBN 9781843834427.
  • Hamilton, C. I. (2011). The Making of the Modern Admiralty: British Naval Policy-Making, 1805-1927. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521765183. (on Amazon.co.uk).
  • Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division (1929). The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. Its Work and Development. B.R. 1845 (late C.B. 3013). Copy No. 8 at The National Archives. ADM 234/434.
  • Rodger, N. A. M. (1979). The Admiralty. Lavenham: Terence Dalton Limited. ISBN 0900963948. (on Bookfinder.com).


Admiralty Seal.jpg
Board of Admiralty
Political Lords Commissioners
 • First Lord of the Admiralty
 • Civil Lord of the Admiralty
 • Fourth Civil Lord (1918 – 1919)
Naval Lords Commissioners
 • First Naval Lord (– 1904) • First Sea Lord (1904 – 1917) • First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (1917 –)
 • Second Naval Lord (– 1869, 1872 – 1904) • Second Sea Lord (1904 – 1917) • Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel (1917 –)
 • Third Naval Lord (– 1869) • Third Lord and Controller (1869 – 1872) • Third Naval Lord and Controller of the Navy (1882 – 1904) • Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy (1904 – 1912) • Third Sea Lord (1912 – 1917) • Third Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Matériel (1917 – 1918) • Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy (1918 –)
 • Junior Naval Lord (– 1904) • Fourth Sea Lord (1907 – 1917) • Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport (1917 –)
 • Fifth Sea Lord (1917) • Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Air Service (1917 – 1918)
 • Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (1917 – 1940)
 • Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (1917 – 1929)
 • Deputy First Sea Lord (1917 – 1919)
Civil Lords Commissioners
 • Additional Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1882 – 1885, 1912 – 1919)
 • Third Civil Lord (1918 – 1919)
 • Controller (1917 – 1918)
Secretaries to the Board
 • First Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (– 1869) • Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1869 – 1904) • Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1904 – 1959)
 • Additional Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1917 – 1918)
 • Second Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (– 1869) • Permanent Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1869 – 1877, 1880 –)
 • Naval Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1872 – 1882)
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