Instructions for the Director of Torpedoes and Mining

Instructions, 1917

1.—The Director of Torpedoes and Mining will be responsible to the Board for the efficient performance of the duties of his Department, which include the following:—

AS DIRECTOR OF TORPEDOES.

2.—He will advise the First Sea Lord on all matters affecting the general system of torpedo exercises of the Fleet and all military questions connected therewith.

3.—He will, when required by the Second Sea Lord, advise on questions connected with torpedo training.

4.—He will be responsible to the Third Sea Lord for matters connected with the design, &c., of torpedo material of the Navy, and (subject to paragraph 6) also for the efficiency of all electrical apparatus of every nature in connection with the armament of a ship, including searchlights, fire control communications, gun circuits, and stores connected therewith.

5.—He will be responsible to the Fourth Sea Lord in all matters affecting the supply, outfit, and reserves of torpedoes, and is to consult him as to any changes which may be proposed or made necessary in consequence of new conditions.

6.—In regard to searchlights and the mechanical arrangements connected with the supply and fitting of torpedo apparatus for ships, his responsibility will be shared by the Director of Naval Construction, and it will be his duty to advise the latter in regard to all points in which torpedoes, electrical apparatus, and patterns affect the construction of ships, and in all questions involving the structural alterations in weights, &c. of the ships. Similarly, he will be consulted by the Director of Naval Construction (or by the Superintending Electrical Engineer, as head of the Electrical Sub-Department) on all electrical matters affecting the fighting and general efficiency of ships, and any proposals involving changes in design or departure from previous practice in regard to such arrangements, will be referred to for his concurrence.

7.—he will visit, or cause to be visited, as requisite the various torpedo depots and manufactories, so as to make himself personally acquainted with the progress and state of the work, and to attend such trials and experiments as may be necessary.

8.—He will see that the authorised proportions of outfits and reserves of torpedoes and their stores are maintained and kept in repair and ready for immediate use, and that the quantities are adequate, and he is to be furnished by the Superintendent of Ordnance Stores with the necessary information and facilities for doing so.

9.—He will be at liberty to communicate directly with the Commanding Officers of the Torpedo Schools on all torpedo and electrical subjects, and will advise the Board as to all experimental and instructional work carried out by the Torpedo Schools.

10—He will be responsible in all matters connected with the design, practice, and development of wireless telegraphy and sound signalling, but will advise jointly with the Chief of the War Staff on all questions affecting the policy in regard to wireless telegraphy.

11.—he will be responsible for the preparation of designs and plans of all boom defences and obstructions for the protection of the Naval Ports, &c., against torpedo attack, and will advise on all questions that may arise concerning the maintenance of these defences in an efficient state. (NOTE: During the present war the Captain Supervising Submarine Defences will undertake the duties referred to in this paragraph on his behalf.)