First Sea Lord: Difference between revisions
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By 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 as "First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff."<ref>Order-in-Council of 23 October, 1917.</ref> | By 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 as "First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff."<ref>Order-in-Council of 23 October, 1917.</ref> | ||
== | ==First Naval Lords, 1889–1904== | ||
Dates of appointment given: | Dates of appointment given: | ||
Revision as of 07:34, 16 August 2011
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. 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
1 January, 1904
As of 1 January, 1904, the First Naval Lord was generally responsible for "Strategy, Fleet Organisation and Movements, Armaments, Discipline."[1]
Specifically, he was responsible for:
- Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large questions of Naval Policy—to advise.
- Ships in Commission and in Fleet Reserve.
- Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
- Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
- General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of the Fleet.
- Discipline—General and Special Questions.
- Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
- Hydrographical Department.
- Signals.
- Collisions.
- Slaver Trade.
- Naval Ordnance Department (except as provided under Controller).
- Prize Questions.
- Leave to Officers and Men in Seagoing Ships.[2]
20 October, 1904
The distribution of business was altered, so that on 20 October, 1904, the First Sea Lord was generally responsible for "Organisation for War and Distribution of the Fleet," and specifically responsible for:
- Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
- 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.
- The Control of the Intelligence, Hydrographical and Naval Ordnance Departments.[3]
By 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",[4] the full title later being promulgated as "First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff."[5]
Dates of appointment given:
- Admiral George Greville Wellesley, 6 November, 1877.[6]
- Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, 15 August, 1879.[7]
- Admiral Sir Arthur W. A. Hood, 2 July, 1885.[8]
- Admiral Lord John Hay, 16 February, 1886.[9]
- Admiral Sir Arthur W. A. Hood, 6 August, 1886.[10]
- Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, 26 October, 1889.[11]
- Admiral Sir Anthony H. Hoskins, 28 September, 1891.[12]
- Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick W. Richards, 1 November, 1893.[13]
- Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr, 14 August, 1899.[14]
First Sea Lords, 1904–1927
- Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable The Lord Fisher, 20 October, 1904.[15]
- Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson, 25 January, 1910.[16]
- Admiral Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman, 5 December, 1911.[17]
- Admiral H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg, 9 December, 1912.[18]
- Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable The Lord Fisher, 30 October, 1914.[19]
- Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson, 27 May, 1915.[20]
- Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, 4 December, 1916.[21]
- Admiral Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss, 10 January, 1918.[22]
- Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable The Earl Beatty, 1 November, 1919.[23]
- Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart., 30 July, 1927.[24]
- Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick L. Field, 30 July, 1930.[25]
- Admiral of the Fleet The Right Honourable The Lord Chatfield, 21 January, 1933.[26]
- Admiral Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse, 7 September, 1938.[27]
Footnotes
- ↑ Cd. 2417. p. 3.
- ↑ Cd. 2417. p. 4.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Order-in-Council of 19 May, 1917.
- ↑ Order-in-Council of 23 October, 1917.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. [Naval Staff.] p. 118.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Naval Staff. p. 119.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Field Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 247.
- ↑ Chatfield Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 346.
- ↑ Backhouse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 474.
Bibliography
