First Sea Lord

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."

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. 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, 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, which title it remains today.

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

1805.
Superintends when First Lord absent.
Military correspondence, including Port Admirals.
With approval of First Lord: Ship Movements. Orders to Captains and Admirals.
Ships' equipment.
Distribution of Seamen and Marines.
Checks all promotions.

21 June, 1844.

The Business more immediately within the province of the 1st Sea Lord is the Ordinary Correspondence with the Departments of State, & that which relates to Slave Trade &c. The 1st Lord having communicated the pleasure of the Cabinet, the 1st 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 1st Lord by him; & directs all matters connected with the Armament & Complements of Her Majesty's Ships. The Queen's Regulations & the General Instructions as likewise those for the Dockyards & Victuralling Establishments have been drawn yp & prepared by the 1st Sea Lord, & [illegible] by him submitted to the Board. The Dock Yards are as regards the Building & Repairs of Ships &c. & the promotion of the inferior Dockyard Officers, under his Control. He is considered as the Confidential Adviser of the 1st Lord on all professional matters, more particularly everything relating to the appointments of Superior Officers & the discipline & efficient management of the Fleet. But the 1st 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 2nd as well as the 1st Sea Lord, but he is bound by the opinion of neither. The Surveyor of the Navy (Sir Wm Symonds) & the Comptroller of Steam Machinery (Sir Edward Parry) are placed under the immediate direction & superintendence of the 1st Sea Lord. He likewise superintends the Hydrographical Department under Captain Beaufort, & the Surveying Service in General.

1850.
State of Foreign Navies.
Composition and disposition of the Fleet.
Sailing orders.
General Regulations.
Fisheries.
Steam Reserve.
Advance Squadron.
Appointments.

1861.
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.

July, 1866.
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.

December, 1868.
Duties shared with 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— Lieutenants (exclusive of Lieutenant in Command). Staff Commanders. Navigating Lieutenants, &c. Sub-Lieutenants. Midshipmen and Naval Cadets. Paymasters. Assistant Paymasters. Clerks. Clerks. Assistant Clerks. 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.
—
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—Bounty.
Pilotage.

December, 1872.
1.—Ships in Commission.
2.—Distribution of the Fleet.
3.—Marines, and Marine Artillery.
4.—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
5.—Complements of Ships.
6.—Discipline.
7.—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
8.—Punishments and Returns.
9.—Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
10.—Hydrographical Department.
11.—Pilotage.
12.—Signals.
13.—Humane Society's Medals.
14.—Collisions.
15.—General Salvage Questions.
16.—Salvage of Naval Stores.
17.—Pirates—Bounty.
18.—Slave Trade.
19.—Steam Reserve—as regards Officers and Men.
20.—Gunnery—as relates to personnel and Ships in Commission.
21.—Prizes.

April, 1875.
1.—Ships in Commission.
2.—Distribution of the Fleet.
3.—Marines, and Marine Artillery.
4.—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
5.—Complements of Ships.
6.—Discipline.
7.—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
8.—Punishments and Returns.
9.—Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
10.—Hydrographical Department.
11.—Signals.
12.—Collisions.
13.—Slave Trade.
14.—Steam Reserve—as regards Officers and Men.
15.—Gunnery—as relates to personnel and Ships in Commission.
16.—Prizes.

7 July, 1885.
1—Ships in Commission.
2—Distribution of the Fleet.
3—Marines and Marine Artillery.
4—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
5—Complements of Ships.
6—Discipline.
7—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
8—Punishment Returns.
9—Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
10—Hydrographical Department and Pilotage.
11—Signals.
12—Collisions.
13—Slave Trade.
14—Gunnery—as relates to personnel and Ships in Commission.
15—Prize Questions.
16—Deserters; Rewards for apprehension of; Removals of R.
17—Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.
18—Foreign Intelligence Committee; Superintendence of.
19—Naval Attachés; movements of and orders to.

December, 1888.
1—Ships in Commission.
2—Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
3—Maritime Defence and Strategical Questions—to advise.
4—Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery.
5—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
6—General Supervision of Intelligence Department and of Mobilisation of Fleet.
7—Complements of Ships.
8—Discipline.
9—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
10—Punishment Returns.
11—Protection to Trade and Fisheries.
12—Hydrographical Department and Pilotage.
13—Signals.
14—Collisions.
15—Slave Trade.
16—Gunnery and Torpedoes—as relates to personnel and Ships in Commission.
17—Prize Questions.
18—Deserters; Rewards for apprehension of; Removals of R.
19—Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.
20—Naval Attachés; movements of and orders to.
21—Uniform Regulations.

4 July, 1895.
1.—Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large Questions of Naval Policy—to advise.
2.—Ships in Commission.
3.—Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
4.—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
5.—General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of Fleet.
6.—Complements of Ships.
7.—Discipline.
8.—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
9.—Hydrographical Department.
10.—Signals.
11.—Collisions (see also 17 under Junior Naval Lord).
12.—Slave Trade.
13.—Gunnery and Torpedoes—as relates to personnel and Ships in Commission.
14.—Prize Questions.
15.—Leave to Officers and Men in Ships in Commission.

1 January, 1904.
1—Maritime Defence, Strategical, and all large questions of Naval Policy—to advise.
2—Ships in Commission and in Fleet Reserve.
3—Distribution and Organisation of the Fleet.
4—Appointments of Commanders under Captains.
5—General Supervision of Intelligence Department (including Naval Attachés) and of Mobilisation of the Fleet.
6—Discipline—General and Special Questions.
7—Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry.
8—Hydrographical Department.
9—Signals.
10—Collisions.
11—Slave Trade.
12—Naval Ordnance Department (except as provided under Controller).
13—Prize Questions.
14—Leave to Officers and Men in Seagoing Ships.

20 October, 1904.
1—Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
2—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.
3—The Control of the Intelligence, Hydrographical and Naval Ordnance Departments.

17 May, 1910.
1—Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
2—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—The Control of the Intelligence, Mobilisation, Hydrographic and Naval Ordnance Departments.

August, 1912.
1—Preparation for War: All large Questions of Naval Policy and Maritime Warfare—to advise.
2—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—Superintendence of the War Staff and the Hydrographic Department.

27 June, 1917.
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 Sea Lords

Dates of appointment given:

• Vice-Admiral Sir Richard S. Dundas, 28 June, 1859
• Admiral Sir Frederick W. Grey, 15 June, 1861
• Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, 13 July, 1866
• Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney C. Dacres, 18 December, 1868
• Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, 27 November, 1872
• Admiral Sir Hastings R. Yelverton, 7 September, 1876 – 5 November, 1877  (resigned due to poor health)
• Admiral George G. Wellesley, 6 November, 1877
• Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, 15 August, 1879
• Admiral Sir Arthur W. A. Hood, 2 July, 1885
• Admiral Lord John Hay, 16 February, 1886
• Admiral Sir Arthur W. A. Hood, 6 August, 1886
• Admiral Sir R. Vesey Hamilton, 26 October, 1889
• Admiral Sir Anthony H. Hoskins, 28 September, 1891 – October 1893
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick W. Richards, 1 November, 1893
• Admiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr, 14 August, 1899
• Admiral of the Fleet The Rt. Hon. The Lord Fisher, 20 October, 1904
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur K. Wilson, 25 January, 1910
• Admiral Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman, 5 December, 1911 – 9 December, 1912  (gave up appointment due to ill health)
• Admiral H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg, 9 December, 1912 – 9 October, 1914
• Admiral of the Fleet The Rt. Hon. The Lord Fisher, 30 October, 1914 – 27 May, 1915
• Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson, 27 May, 1915 – 3 December, 1916
• Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe, 4 December, 1916 – 26 December, 1917
• Admiral Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss, 10 January, 1918 – 1 November, 1919
• Admiral of the Fleet The Rt. Hon. The Earl Beatty, 1 November, 1919
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart., 30 July, 1927 – 30 July, 1930
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick L. Field, 30 July, 1930 – 21 January, 1933
• Admiral of the Fleet The Rt. Hon. The Lord Chatfield, 21 January, 1933 – 7 September, 1938
• Admiral Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse, 7 September, 1938
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir A. Dudley P. R. Pound, 12 June, 1939
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, 15 October, 1943^{[Citation needed]}
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir John H. D. Cunningham, 10 June, 1946 – 6 September, 1948
• Admiral of the Fleet Lord Bruce A. Fraser, September, 1948 – December, 1951
• Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick R. McGrigor, December, 1951 – April, 1955

Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord

Dates of appointment given:

• Captain Reginald H. S. Bacon, 21 October, 1904 – 20 December, 1905
• Captain Charles E. Madden, 20 December, 1905
• Captain A. Gordon H. W. Moore, 12 August, 1907 – 1 December, 1908
• Captain Henry F. Oliver, 1 December, 1908 – 19 December, 1911
• Captain Charles Bartolomé, 15 December, 1911 – 1 August, 1914
• Captain Percy T. H. Beamish, 1 August, 1914
• Acting Captain Thomas E. Crease, 30 October, 1914 – 15 June, 1915
• Captain Allan F. Everett, 15 June, 1915 – 16 December, 1916
• Captain Argentine H. Alington, 28 August, 1916 – 4 December, 1916
• Captain Edward M. Phillpotts, 16 December, 1916 – 8 October, 1917
• Paymaster-in-Chief Hamnet H. Share, October, 1917 – 27 December, 1917
• Acting Captain John P. R. Marriott, 27 December, 1917 – 11 November, 1919
• Captain Roger M. Bellairs, 5 November, 1919 – late 1925
• Captain Herbert Fitzherbert, 28 March, 1929 – 14 January, 1931
• Captain Guy Grantham, 3 May, 1939 – 25 May, 1940
• Captain Cecil C. A. Allen, 25 May, 1940 – 14 June, 1941
• Captain John W. A. Waller, 27 May, 1941 – 12 March, 1942

Additional Naval Assistants to the First Sea Lord

• Captain Sydney S. Hall, 31 October, 1914 – 8 February, 1915
• Captain A. Dudley P. R. Pound, 20 March, 1915 – 24 October, 1915
• Paymaster-in-Chief Hamnet H. Share, 4 December, 1916 – October, 1917
• Commander Ralph F. Seymour, 3 November, 1919 – 22 March, 1920

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.
• 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).