Instructions for the Assistant Director of Torpedoes

Instructions for the Assistant Director of Naval Ordnance at the Admiralty.

10 March, 1887

1. To advise and assist the Director of Naval Ordnance on all torpedo matters.

2. To see that all ships are are provided with the torpedoes, torpedo carriages, and fittings, torpedo and electrical stores, electric search light apparatus which are approved for them.

3. To see that the orders contained in Admiralty Circular Letter of 4th July 1884 in regard to torpedo and electrical fittings, and any approved modification of the same which may be made from time to time are strictly carried out. See also instructions for professional officers of Dockyards, Articles 58 to 68.

4. To advise as to the establishment of the necessary depôts for torpedo and electrical stores at home and abroad, and to see that such as are established are properly provided with the approved reserves of stores.

5. To advise the Director of Naval Ordnance as to all the experimental and instructional work carried out by the Torpedo School ships "Vernon" and "Defiance."

6. To watch the progress of the expenditure in the manufacture of torpedoes and torpedo material by Woolwich or private firms, especially as regards time of completion, and to draw the attention of the Director of Naval Ordnance to any departure from the estimates. To see that all torpedoes, torpedo and electrical fittings and stores are kept in repair and ready for immediate use.

7. On these details he is to communicate departmentally with the Director of Artillery and the Captains of the Torpedo School ships, keeping the Director of Naval Ordnance informed from time to time as to any important facts.

8. To advise with regard to the designs in ships as well as boats of torpedo armament, and fitting out of torpedo boats, and to see what that they are supplied and fitted in accordance with the approved regulations as far as regards torpedo and electrical fittings.

9. To prepare programmes when required for submarine mining practice and manœuvres to be carried out by H.M. fleet and torpedo boats, and suggest any particular points which require working out.

10. To furnish the Intelligence Department from time to time with such information as they may require in regard to torpedo questions.

11. To visit, as may be considered necessary, under the directions of the Director of Naval Ordnance, the various torpedo depôts 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.

12. To consult personally with the Director of Naval Construction, Director of Dockyards, and Engineer-in-Chief, and Director of Stores on any matters relating to his work, so as to facilitate business and prevent misunderstandings and delays.

13. To act and sign for the Director of Naval Ordnance in his absence.

14. It is to be understood that the Director of Naval Ordnance will continue to be primarily responsible for all work of his Department, as laid down in his instructions of 13th December 1883, and all communications to the Controller or the Board are to be sent through him.

Bibliography

• Preliminary and Further Reports (With Appendices) of the Royal Commissioners Appointed to Enquire into the Civil and Professional Administration of the Naval and Military Departments and the Relations of those Departments to Each Other and to the Treasury. C.—5979. London: Her Majesty's Stationary Office. 1890.