Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy

British Royal Navy unit

Coastal Forces

Motor torpedo boats in the Mediterranean, February 1945

Active| 1914–1918, 1939–1968, 2020–present
Country|  United Kingdom
Branch|  Royal Navy
Type| Naval force
Commanders
Commander| Rear Admiral Coastal Forces

Military unit

Coastal Forces Squadron

Active| 2020–
Country|  United Kingdom
Branch|  Royal Navy
Type| Naval force
Size| Two divisions (14 P2000 patrol boats and 3 offshore patrol vessels)

Military unit

Coastal Forces was a division of the Royal Navy initially established during World War I, and then again in World War II under the command of Rear-Admiral, Coastal Forces.[1] It remained active until the last minesweepers to wear the "HM Coastal Forces" cap tally were taken out of reserve in 1968. The division received more gallantry awards than any other branch of the Royal Navy during that period.

In 2020, ministerial approval for the change in name from 1st Patrol Boat Squadron to Coastal Forces Squadron was given. It encompasses 14 of 16 Archer-class patrol vessels and the Batch 1 River-class offshore patrol vessels and is responsible for UKEEZ Protection and Patrol.[2]

## History

[edit]

The steam gun boat Grey Goose

MTB 5 c. 1939-1945

Crewmen with a Molins autoloading 57-mm gun on a Fairmile D motor torpedo boat during World War II

The Royal Navy Captain-class frigate HMS Rutherford underway during World War II. She served as a coastal forces control frigate in 1944 and 1945.

### Predecessor

[edit]

The Royal Navy had previously operated flotillas of small torpedo\- and depth-charge-armed craft (coastal motor boats) during World War I (1914–1918). They operated as often in action against the enemy coast as in defence of British coastal areas.

### Establishment

[edit]

The first post WWI motor torpedo boats built for the Royal Navy were built by the British Powerboat Company at Hythe, Southampton. MTBs 01-19 were built between 1935 and 1938, following the hard chine planing hull designed with T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), for high speed rescue of downed aircraft crew.[citation needed]

During World War II (1939–1945), the first Coastal Forces headquarters was set up at HMS Vernon in 1940 under Rear Admiral Piers Kekewich, Flag Officer Coastal Forces. The chief staff officer to the admiral was Augustus Agar, VC, who had commanded coastal motor boats during World War I and in British operations in the Baltic Sea in 1918 and 1919 in support of White Russian forces during the Russian Civil War.[citation needed]

### World War II operations

[edit]

Royal Navy Coastal Forces craft operated mainly in the English Channel and North Sea waters. They were also based in Malta, The 1st & 3rd MTB Flotillas, Numbers 01-06 & 14-19, and HMS Tamar, Hong Kong, the 2nd MTB Flotilla, numbers 07-12, 26 & 27\.

On 19 December 1941 MTB 07 led the attack on Japanese landing craft in Kowloon Harbour, Hong Kong, taking fire from land, sea and air. The operation was arguably the most daring daylight MTB raid of all time losing over 40% of the flotilla. MTB 07 was hit 97 times losing two crew dead and all three engines. It was hailed as the "Balaclava of the sea".[3][full citation needed]

They were also used in the Mediterranean[4][page needed] and off the Norwegian coastline.[5] They were used at the St. Nazaire Raid and the Dieppe Raid. They were used to attack German convoys and their S-boat (known to the Allies as "E-Boat") escorts, carry out clandestine raids and landings, and pick up secret agents in Norway and Brittany. Alongside British officers and sailors, the coastal craft were crewed by various Allied nationalities including Dutch, Norwegian, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealanders.[6][7]

A number of Captain-class frigates were configured to operate as "coastal forces control frigates" (CFCF).[8] Operating with Coastal Forces officers embarked and responsible for controlling and providing radar support to groups of Coastal Forces' motor torpedo boats intercepting German motor torpedo boats in the North Sea,[9] these frigates were involved in the destruction of at least 26 E-Boats.[10]

By 1944 Coastal Forces numbered 3,000 officers and 22,000 ratings. Altogether there were 2,000 British Coastal Forces craft. Affectionately known as the Royal Navy's "little ships", they fought over 900 actions and sank around 400 enemy vessels, including 48 E-boats and 32 midget submarines. They fired 1,169 torpedoes, shot down 32 enemy aircraft and carried out many mine laying operations. 170 of the "little ships" were sunk or otherwise destroyed.[11]

### Post-World War II

[edit]

Coastal Forces memorial at the former HMS Hornet, Gosport

After World War II, the Royal Navy re-designated all its motor torpedo boats (MTBs) and motor gun boats (MGBs) as "fast patrol boats." The Brave-class fast patrol boats were the last craft to be built for the Coastal Forces, and the Coastal Forces were disbanded as a separate unit. A memorial to those lost was erected in 1954 at their last base, (HMS Hornet), which was decommissioned in 1956.[12]

In 1960, a question was asked in the House of Lords why Coastal Forces had been reduced to a skeleton of three patrol boats and three ships operated by two crews, based at HMS Dolphin in Gosport, when considerable expenditure was made in the 1950s but not followed up, and thus wasted. In addition, Coastal Forces was invaluable as a means of training young officers, and the development of small ships, often to the benefit of the navies of Britain's allies. Lord Carrington, then First Lord of the Admiralty, responded that limited resources and changing threats were the reason, and that keeping the Coastal Forces at a low level would at least enable it to be rapidly expanded should the need arise. He added that nine boats were in operational reserve to maintain Britain's NATO commitment.[13]

The last sailors to wear the "HM Coastal Forces" cap tally were the ship's companies of the inshore minesweepers Dittisham and Flintham on being taken out of reserve in 1968, before individual cap tallies for the minesweepers had been manufactured and issued.

The memorial at Hornet was re-dedicated in 2019 in a ceremony to mark the D-Day 75 Commemorations, which was attended by a WWII craft and two modern vessels.[12]

A permanent exhibition of craft, personnel and history of Coastal Forces was established in Gosport in 2021. The exhibition shows that, with 3,000 decorations, including four Victoria Crosses, Coastal Forces personnel received more gallantry awards than any other branch of the Royal Navy.[14]

## Craft types used

[edit]

See also: List of vessels of Royal Navy Coastal Forces

Coastal Forces included the following types of coastal defence craft:[11]

Type[15] | Designation  | Built  | Lost  | Designed purpose

|
|
|
|

Motor launches | ML, HDML, RML  |  |  | Harbour Defence Motor Launch and submarine chasing or rescue motor launches.
Motor Gun Boats | MGB  |  |  |
Steam Gun Boats | SGB  | 7  | 1  | Hunting down German E-boats
Motor torpedo boats | MTB  |  |  |

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 there were three flotillas totalling 18 motor torpedo[16] "short boats" between 60 ft (18 m) and 72 feet (22 m) long. These could typically maintain 40 knots and were armed with two torpedo tubes. They were built mainly by the British Power Boat Company, Vospers, and Thornycroft.

In 1940 a modified craft, the motor gun boat (MGB), was introduced. These were armed with weapons such as the 0.5 in (12.7 mm) Vickers machine gun, 2-pounder (40 mm) "pom pom", a single or twin 20 mm Oerlikon cannon and ultimately the 6-pounder (57 mm) gun with autoloader.[17]

It was also apparent that larger craft were needed as the operational capability of the short boats was too restricted by sea conditions. Fairmile designed a series of larger coastal craft, up to 120 feet (37 m) long. The Fairmile A Type and B Type were Motor Launches and the C Type was a motor gun boat.[18]

In 1943 the Fairmile D Type appeared. It was a motor torpedo boat – nicknamed the "Dog Boat" – and was designed as a counter to the German S-boat (known to the Allies as the "E-boat"). It could be fitted as either a gun or a torpedo boat, so the designation MGB and MTB tended to be intermixed or 'MGB/MTB' used.[19] It was a good sea boat and could maintain 30 knots (56 km/h) at full load. The later D types carried four 18-inch (460 mm) torpedo tubes.[20]

The Vosper Type I MTB appeared in 1943. This was a 73-foot (22 m) craft with four 18-inch (460 mm) torpedo tubes and was capable of a maximum speed of 40 knots (74 km/h).

## Bases

[edit]

Coastal Forces bases were located around the British coast and at major locations overseas.[1][21][22][23]

South coast

* HMS Attack, Portland
* HMS Bee, then HMS Grasshopper, Weymouth
* HMS Bee, Weymouth 1942–1943
* HMS Bee, Holyhead 1943–1945
* HMS Black Bat, Plymouth
* HMS Hornet, Haslar, Gosport
* HMS Tadpole, Poole
* HMS Wasp, Dover Coastal Forces[24]

West coast

* HMS Ferret II Port of Londonderry, Northern Ireland
* HMS Seahawk[25] Ardrishaig, Argyll
* HMS St Christopher[26] Fort William, Inverness-shire

East Coast

* HMS Badger, Harwich
* HMS Beehive, Felixstowe
* HMS Midge, Great Yarmouth
* HMS Minos II, then HMS Mantis, Lowestoft
* HMS Sandfly, Peterhead
* HMS Flora II, Invergordon
* HMS Flora III, Invergordon

Mediterranean

* HMS Gregale, Malta
* HMS Mosquito, HMS Regea, Alexandria, Egypt
* HMS Razorbill, Algiers
* HMS Hannibal, Algiers

Indo-china

* HMIS Cheetah, Bombay (Royal Indian Navy)

Other

* HMS Argyll
* HMS Aggressive, Newhaven, Sussex
* HMS Beaver II, Immingham
* HMS Britannia III, Dartmouth
* HMS Cicala, Dartmouth[27]
* HMS Claverhouse, Leith
* HMS Dartmouth II, Dartmouth
* HMS Fervent, Ramsgate
* HMS Forte IV, Falmouth
* HMS Forward II, Newhaven
* HMS Fox Lerwick
* HMS Castle Harbour, Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda

|

## Commonwealth coastal forces

[edit]

Although British Commonwealth coastal forces operated independently from British ones, they used similar vessels:

Coastal forces of  | Type  | Built  | Lost  | Notes

|
|
|
|

Canada | Fairmile B motor launch
Fairmile D motor torpedo boat
BPB motor torpedo boat  | 80[28]
10[29]
11[30] |  |
Australia | Harbour defence motor launch
Fairmile B motor launch | 31[31]
35[32] |  |
New Zealand | Harbour defence motor launch
Fairmile B motor launch | 16[33]
12[34] |  |

## Surviving craft

[edit]

Vessel  | Description  | Built  | Builder  | In the care of  | Condition

|
|
|
|
|

HDML 1387 Medusa | Harbour defence launch which took part in the Normandy landings.[35] | 1943  | R.A.Newman & sons  | Medusa Trust[36] | restored to original condition
MTB 102 | Prototype for World War II MTBs[37] | 1937  | Vosper  | MTB102 Trust[38] | still seaworthy
MTB 331 | 55 ft (17 m) Stepped-hull motor torpedo boat - sole survivor[39] | 1941  | Thornycroft  | British Military Powerboat Trust[40] | Intention to get her seaworthy
MGB 81 | 71.5 ft (21.8 m) Motor gunboat  | 1942  | British Power Boat Company  | Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust[41] | Fully operational, based at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
MTB 71 | 60 ft (18 m) Motor torpedo boat  | 1940  | Vosper  |  | Static exhibit

Some surviving motor launches in British waters were taken on as pleasure boats and a number of them are on the National Register of Historic Vessels.

## Re-formation 2020

[edit]

The name "Coastal Forces Squadron", replacing the previous title of "1st Patrol Boat Squadron", was re-adopted in May 2020. As of 2023, the Coastal Forces Squadron comprises two divisions: the Off-shore division comprising the three Batch 1 River-class offshore patrol vessels and the In-shore division comprising 14 of 16 Archer-class fast patrol boats. Headquartered at HMNB Portsmouth, as of the mid-2020s the In-shore division of the squadron is playing an increasing role in supporting Royal Navy exercises beyond U.K. waters in both the Baltic and the Norwegian Seas.[42][43]

In 2023, four ships from Coastal Forces took part in an exercise with the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Command inside the Arctic Circle.[44]

The exercise was repeated in 2024 when four vessels of the Squadron, Biter, Blazer, Trumpeter and Exploit, deployed to northern Norway as part of the NATO exercise "Steadfast Defender".[45] In June 2024, HMS Puncher and her sister ship HMS Pursuer, embarked personnel from the Navy's the Mine and Threat Exploitation Group and deployed for exercises in the Baltic. The vessels operated an IVER 3 Autonomous Vehicle and a Video Ray Defender remotely operated vehicle to find mines on the seabed.[46]

In 2025, six vessels of the squadron, Archer, Biter, Dasher, Example, Pursuer and Smiter, again deployed to the Baltic for joint exercises with allied naval forces.[47]

## See also

[edit]

* Royal Naval Patrol Service
* Trawlers of the Royal Navy
* Coastal Forces of World War II
* Coastal Forces of the Royal Canadian Navy
* Coastal Forces of the Royal Australian Navy
* Coastal Forces of the Royal New Zealand Navy
* Robert Peverell Hichens RNVR MTB Flotilla leader

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Royal Navy Coastal Forces 1940-1945". www.unithistories.com.
2. ^ "Coastal Forces Squadron - a Freedom of Information request to Royal Navy". WhatDoTheyKnow. 6 June 2020.
3. ^ The fair log from MTB 07 along with official reports by the surviving commanders
4. ^ Reynolds, L.C. and Cooper, H.F. (1999) Mediterranean MTBs at War: Short MTB Flotilla Operations, 1939-45
5. ^ see for example Operation Brandy or MTB 345
6. ^ "Coastal Forces Heritage Trust: History". Coastal Forces Heritage Trust. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
7. ^ Coastal Forces of World War Two Archived 14 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Royal Naval Museum)
8. ^ Donald. The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War. p. 31.
9. ^ Mason, Lt Cdr Geoffrey B (29 May 2011). Smith, Gordon (ed.). "HMS Rutherford (K 558) - Captain-class Frigate including Convoy Escort Movements". Service Histories of Royal Navy Warships in World War 2. Naval-History.Net.
10. ^ Donald. The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War. pp. 124, 139.
11. ^ a b "The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust". www.coastal-forces.org.uk.
12. ^ a b "Coastal Forces remembered". Retrieved 20 June 2025.
13. ^ "Hansard: Royal Naval Coastal Forces question". 20 December 1960. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
14. ^ "Royal Navy's Coastal Forces exhibition set to open in Gosport". BBC News. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
15. ^ Note that minesweepers, trawlers and landing craft are not included.
16. ^ Konstam p.7
17. ^ Allied Coastal Forces of World War II \- Volume II: Vosper designs and US Elcos - by John Lambert and Al Ross, 1993 ISBN 0-85177-602-7
18. ^ Allied Coastal Forces of World War II \- Volume I: Fairmile designs and US Submarine Chasers - by John Lambert and Al Ross, 1990 ISBN 978-0-85177-519-7
19. ^ Konstam p17
20. ^ The Fairmile D Motor Torpedo Boat (Anatomy of the Ship's series) by John Lambert, 1985 ISBN 0-85177-321-4
21. ^ "UK Land Based Combined Operations Training Establishments".
22. ^ List of Royal Navy shore establishments
23. ^ "Western Approaches Command, Admiral Noble, January 1942". www.naval-history.net.
24. ^ "Royal Navy Coastal Forces 1940-1945". www.unithistories.com.
25. ^ "HMS Seahawk". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
26. ^ History of HMS St Christopher
27. ^ "Things to Do – Dartmouth Museum". Dartmouth Museum. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2011. "The Royal Dart Hotel between the ferries played a vital role in the Second World War. It was called HMS Cicala then."
28. ^ "Canadian Fairmile Bs". Archived from the original on 13 September 2007.
29. ^ "Canadian Fairmile Ds". Archived from the original on 7 November 2007.
30. ^ "BPB motor torpedo boat". Archived from the original on 7 November 2007.
31. ^ "Australian HDMLs". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011.
32. ^ "Australian Fairmile Bs". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011.
33. ^ "New Zealand HDMLs". Archived from the original on 7 November 2007.
34. ^ "New ZealandFairmile Bs". Archived from the original on 7 November 2007.
35. ^ "HDML 1387 Medusa". Archived from the original on 13 January 2007.
36. ^ "The Medusa Trust, preserving the small naval vessel of World War II". www.hmsmedusa.org.uk.
37. ^ "MTB102". Archived from the original on 13 January 2007.
38. ^ "MTB 102". www.mtb102.com.
39. ^ MTB-331 - 55 ft (17 m) coastal motor torpedo boat Archived 15 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
40. ^ "British Military Powerboat Trust, Coastal Forces, Gunboats, Target Boats, High Speed Launches, Motor Gun Boats, Torpedo Boats, Patrol Boats, Seaplane Tenders". www.bmpt.org.uk.
41. ^ "Motor Gun Boat 81". Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.
42. ^ "Coastal Forces Squadron". What do they know?. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
43. ^ "P2000s landmark visit to Arctic Circle for NATO exercise". Royal Navy. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
44. ^ Webb, Freddie (2 May 2023). "Royal Navy: Four Coastal Forces Squadron ships brave freezing conditions in Arctic Circle for first time in defensive exercises". The News, Portsmouth. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
45. ^ "Royal Navy's smallest ships take on huge challenge as they brave weeks of rough seas". ForcesNet. 5 February 2024.
46. ^ "Royal Navy trial smallest ships as a launchpad for mine hunting operations". Royal Navy. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
47. ^ "Royal Navy comes to 'rescue' of Swedish submarine during major NATO exercise". Royal Navy. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Cooper, Bryan. (1972) Battle of the Torpedo Boats. ISBN 978-0-330-23243-2
* Holman, Gordon (1944) The Little Ships. London: Hodder & Stroughton OCLC 2300084
* Konstam, Angus (2003) British Motor Torpedo Boat 1939–45. Osprey ISBN 1-84176-500-7
* Lambert, John and Ross, Al (1990) Allied Coastal Forces of World War II, Volume I: Fairmile designs and US Submarine Chasers. ISBN 978-0-85177-519-7
* Lavery, Brian (2006) Churchill's Navy: The Ships, Men and Organisation, 1939-1945, ISBN 978-1-84486-035-7
* Lambert, John; Ross, Al (1993). Allied Coastal Forces of World War II - Volume II: Vosper designs and US Elcos. ISBN 0-85177-602-7.
* Kemp, Paul J (1997) British Coastal Forces of WWII, ISO Publications, London, ISBN 0-946784-52-3
* Konstam, Angus (2003). British Motor Torpedo Boat 1939-45. New Vanguard No. 74. illustrated by Tony Bryan. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-500-6.
* Pickles, Harold (1995) Untold Stories of Small Boats at War: Coastal Forces Veterans Remember ISBN 978-1-85821-176-3
* Pope, Dudley (2006) Flag 4: The Battle of Coastal Forces in the Mediterranean 1939-1945. ISBN 978-1-86176-067-8
* Reynolds, L.C. and Cooper, H.F. (1999) Mediterranean MTBs at War: Short MTB Flotilla Operations, 1939-45. ISBN 978-0-7509-2274-6
* Reynolds, L. C. (2000) Home Waters MTBs at War: Channel and North Sea MTB and MGB Flotilla Operations, 1939-1945. ISBN 978-0-7509-2518-1
* Reynolds, L. C. and Lord Lewin (2000) Dog Boats at War: A History of the Operations of the Royal Navy D Class Fairmile Motor Torpedo Boats and Motor Gunboats 1939-1945, Sutton Publications Inc, ISBN 978-0-7509-2454-2
* Reynolds, L. C. (2002) Motor Gunboat 658: The Small Boat War in the Mediterranean. ISBN 978-0-304-36183-0
* Scott, Peter and Hichens, Antony (2009) The Battle of the Narrow Seas: A History of the Light Coastal Forces in the Channel and North Sea, 1939-1945 (reprint) Naval Institute Press. ISBN 9781591140412.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Holman, Gordon (1943). The Little Ships. London: Hodder & Stoughton. p. 82.
* Coastal Forces Heritage Trust \- Books About Coastal Forces
* "Coastal Forces, Clandestine Naval Ops and Landing Craft - book reviews". Retrieved 14 September 2023.
* A short history of HMS St Christopher

## External links

[edit]

* Imperial War Museum: Coastal Forces
* Royal Naval Museum: Coastal Forces
* Royal Navy Coastal Forces Veterans
* Coastal, inshore and special naval warfare
* MTB-/MGB-Battles \- mostly in German language
* The Coastal Forces Heritage Trust
* British Military Powerboat Trust: Boat Histories
* UK National Register of Historic Vessels
* Royal Navy Coastal Warfare Vessels Lost at Sea
* Motor launches and MTBs of the Coastal Forces

* v
* t
* e

British and Commonwealth coastal forces of the Second World War

Forces|

Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy
Coastal Forces of the Royal Canadian Navy
Coastal Forces of the Royal Australian Navy
Coastal Forces of the Royal New Zealand Navy

Motor launches|

Harbour defence motor launch
Fairmile A motor launch
Fairmile B motor launch
Canadian Fairmile B

Torpedo Boats|

Coastal motor boat
Motor torpedo boat (Fairmile D motor torpedo boat, Vosper 73 ft motor torpedo boat )

Gun boats|

Motor gunboat ( Fairmile C motor gun boat )
Steam gun boat

Lists|

List of vessels of Royal Navy Coastal Forces

* v
* t
* e

Department of Admiralty

Direction and control
of Admiralty and Naval affairs|

* Office of First Lord of the Admiralty and President of the Board of Admiralty
* Lord High Admirals Council
* Admiralty buildings

Boards and offices under
the First Lord|

* Board of Admiralty
* Navy Board
* Navy Office
* Navy Pay Office
* Office of the Naval Secretary
* Office of the First Naval Lord
* Office of the First Sea Lord
* Office of the Senior Naval Lord
* Office of the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty
* Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty
* Office of the Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty

Direction of
Admirals
Naval/Sea Lords
War and Naval Staff|

* Office of the Senior Naval Lord
* Office of the First Naval Lord
* Office of the First Sea Lord

Secretariat and staff under
the First Sea Lord|

* Office of the Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord
* Office of the Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord
* Office of the Hydrographer of the Navy
* Offices of the Sea Lords
* Admiralty Navy War Council
* Admiralty War Staff
* Admiralty Naval Staff

Operational planning, policy
strategy, tactical doctrine
requirements|

* Admiralty Navy War Council
* Admiralty War Staff
* Admiralty Naval Staff

Divisions and sections
under the War and
Naval Staff|

* Administrative Planning Department
* Administrative Planning Division
* Air Division
* Anti-Submarine Division
* Anti-Submarine and Warfare Division
* Anti-U-boat Division
* Air Warfare Division
* Air Warfare and Fly Training Division
* Air Warfare and Training Division
* Combined Operations Division
* Communications Division
* Convoy Section
* Directorate of Defence Plans (Navy)
* Economic Warfare Division
* Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Warfare Division
* Gunnery Division
* Gunnery and Torpedo Division
* Historical Section
* Local Defence Division Division
* Mercantile Movements Division
* Naval Air Division
* Naval Air Organisation and Training Division
* Naval Artillery and Torpedoes Division
* Navigation and Direction Division
* Navigation Division
* Minesweeping Division
* Mobilisation Division
* Naval Intelligence Division
* Operations Division
* Operations Division (Home)
* Operations Division (Foreign)
* Operations Division (Mining)
* Plans Division
* Plans Division (Q)
* Press Division
* Signal Division
* Signal Section
* Standardisation Division
* Tactical Division
* Tactical and Weapons Policy Division
* Torpedo Division
* Torpedo, Anti-Submarine and Minewarfare Division
* Trade Division
* Trade and Operations Division
* Training and Staff Duties Division
* Tactical and Staff Duties Division
* Undersurface Warfare Division

Offices of the Sea Lords|

* Office of the Second Sea Lord
* Office of the Third Sea Lord
* Office of the Fourth Sea Lord
* Office of the Fifth Sea Lord

Admiralty civil departments
and organisations
under the Sea Lords|

* Admiralty Area Cash Offices
* Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory
* Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory
* Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service
* Admiralty Compass Observatory
* Admiralty Constabulary
* Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters
* Admiralty Engineering Laboratory
* Admiralty Experimental Station
* Admiralty Experiment Works
* Admiralty Gunnery Establishment
* Admiralty Interview Board
* Admiralty Labour Department
* Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment
* Admiralty Materials Laboratory
* Admiralty Mine Design Department
* Admiralty Mining Establishment
* Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory
* Admiralty Record Office
* Admiralty Regional Offices
* Admiralty Research Laboratory
* Admiralty Signal Establishment
* Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment
* Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment
* Admiralty Surveying Service
* Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment
* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment
* Architectural and Engineering Works Department
* Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department
* Air Department
* Air Materiel Department
* Air Personnel Department
* Amphibious Warfare Headquarters
* Armament Supply Department
* Board of Invention and Research
* Board of Longitude
* Boom Defence Department
* Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department
* Britannia Royal Naval College
* Chemical Board
* Chemical Department
* Civil Catering Department
* Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department
* Coastguard and Reserves Branch
* Combined Operations Headquarters
* Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department
* Compass Department
* Contract and Purchase Department
* Council of Naval Education
* Dental Examining Board
* Department of Radio Equipment
* Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy
* Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research
* Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development
* Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord
* Department of Naval Education
* Operational Research
* Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments
* Department of Physical Research
* Department of Physical Training & Sports
* Department of Radio Equipment
* Department of Research Programmes and Planning
* Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation
* Department of the Admiral of the Training Service
* Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance
* Department of the Chief of Naval Information
* Department of the Chief Scientist
* Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief
* Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery
* Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services
* Department of the Controller of the Navy
* Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding
* Department of the Controller for Navy Pay
* Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding
* Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding
* Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships
* Department of the Director-General Aircraft
* Department of the Director-General of Manpower
* Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch
* Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
* Department of the Director of Contract Labour
* Department of the Director of Dockyards
* Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering
* Department of the Director of Manning
* Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding
* Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs
* Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs
* Department of the Director of Naval Construction
* Department of the Director of Naval Equipment
* Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting
* Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service
* Department of the Director of Personal Services
* Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports
* Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining
* Department of the Director of Transports
* Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons
* Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials
* Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs
* Department of the Director of Warship Production
* Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions
* Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal
* Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training
* Department of the Engineer in Chief
* Department of the Paymaster Director-General
* Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons
* Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts
* Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets
* Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy
* Department of the Physician of the Navy
* Department of the Physician General of the Navy
* Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy
* Department of the Surveyor of Buildings
* Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards
* Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training)
* Directorate General Training
* Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department
* Dockyards Branch
* Dockyard Expense Accounts Department
* Dockyard Schools
* Electrical Engineering Department
* Engineer Branch
* Engineering Department
* Experimental Department
* Fire Control Group
* Greenwich Hospital Department
* Inspector of Telegraphs
* Inspector of Repairs
* Joint Warfare Establishment
* Medical Consultative Board
* Medical Examining Board
* Historical Section
* Hydrographic Department
* Marine Department
* Marine Pay Department
* Materials and Priority Department
* Medical Consultative Board
* Medical Department
* Medical Examining Board
* Movements Department
* Nautical Almanac Office
* Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department
* Naval Engineering College
* Naval Equipment Department
* Naval Historical Branch
* Naval Construction Department
* Naval Intelligence Department
* Naval Medical Service
* Naval Law Division
* Naval Manpower Department
* Naval Mobilisation Department
* Naval Ordnance Department
* Naval Ordnance Inspection Department
* Naval Ordnance Stores Department
* Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department
* Naval Publicity Department
* Naval Regional Offices
* Naval Reserve Department
* Naval Security Department
* Naval Stores Department
* Naval Training Department
* Naval Works Department
* Navy, Army and Air Force Institute
* Navy and Army Canteen Board
* Navy Works Department
* Navigation Department
* Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope
* Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves
* Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves
* Office of the Admiralty Chemist
* Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty
* Office of the Assistant Controller
* Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development
* Office of the Clerk of the Journals
* Office of the Chief Polaris Executive
* Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy
* Office of the Deputy Controller Production
* Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord
* Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings
* Office of the Keeper of Records
* Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval)
* Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy
* Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages
* Office of the Vice Controller Air
* Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy
* Organisation and Methods Department
* Packet Service
* Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs
* Royal Corps of Naval Constructors
* Royal Flying Corps
* Royal Marine Police
* Royal Marines Office
* Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet
* Royal Naval Academy
* Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops
* Royal Naval Air Service
* Royal Naval Air Stations
* Royal Naval Armaments Depot
* Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
* Royal Naval Cordite Factories
* Royal Naval Propellant Factory
* Royal Naval College
* Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture
* Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
* Royal Naval College, Greenwich
* Royal Naval College, Keyham
* Royal Naval College, Osborne
* Royal Naval Engineering College
* Royal Naval Film Corporation
* Royal Naval Hospital
* Royal Naval Medical Depot
* Royal Naval Minewatching Service
* Royal Naval Mine Depot
* Royal Naval Patrol Service
* Royal Naval Scientific Service
* Royal Naval Sick Quarters
* Royal Naval Torpedo Depot
* Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
* Royal Naval War College
* Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth
* Royal Navy Dockyard
* Royal Navy Medical Service
* Royal Navy Shore Signal Service
* Royal Observatory, Greenwich
* Royal School of Naval Architecture
* Salvage Department
* School of Mathematics and Naval Construction
* Scientific Research and Experiment Department
* Sea Transport Branch
* Sea Transport Department
* Sea Transport Division
* Ship Department
* Ship Design Department
* Signal Department
* Signal School
* Sixpenny Office
* Statistics Department
* Steam Department
* Superintendent of De-magnetisation
* Torpedo Experimental Establishment
* Transport Department
* Undersurface Warfare Department
* Victualling Department
* Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps
* Weapons Department
* Weapons Department (Naval)
* Women's Royal Naval Service
* Wireless Telegraphy Board

Direction/Command of the Fleet|

* Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty
* Office of the First Naval Lord
* Office of the First Sea Lord
* Admiralty Naval Staff

Naval formations after 1707|

* 1st Fleet
* 2nd Fleet
* 3rd Fleet
* Commander-in-Chief, Africa
* Atlantic Fleet
* Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf
* Australia Station
* Cape of Good Hope Station
* Cape and West Africa Station
* Battle Cruiser Fleet
* Battle Cruiser Force
* Caspian Flotilla
* Channel Fleet
* Channel Squadron
* Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland
* Cork Station
* Coast of Scotland
* Commander-in-Chief, China
* Commander-in-Chief, Dover
* Flag Officer, East Africa
* East Indies Station
* East Indies and China Station
* Eastern Fleet
* Far East Fleet
* English Channel
* Grand Fleet
* Flag Officer Gibraltar
* Harwich Force
* Home Fleet
* Jamaica Station
* Leith Station
* Commander-in-Chief, Levant
* Levant and East Mediterranean
* Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands
* Mediterranean Fleet
* Medway
* Newfoundland Station
* New Zealand Division
* New Zealand Naval Forces
* Nore
* North America and West Indies Station
* Commander-in-Chief, North Sea
* Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands
* Pacific Fleet
* Pacific Station
* Admiral of Patrols
* Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
* Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
* Queenstown Station
* Royal East African Navy
* Royal Indian Navy
* Flag Officer Submarines
* Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth
* Reserve Fleet
* Scotland and Northern Ireland
* Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic
* South East Coast of America Station
* Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway
* West Africa Squadron
* Flag Officer, West Africa
* Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches

Naval formations before 1707|

* Lisbon Station
* West Indies Station
* Western Squadron
* Thames, Medway and Nore
* Commander-in-Chief, Thames
* Narrow Seas
* Downs Station

Direction of Naval Finance|

* Department of the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty

Departments under the
Parliamentary and Financial Secretary|

* Department of the Civil Lord of the Admiralty
* Accountant-General's Department
* Comptroller of the Navy
* Department of the Surveyor of the Navy

Direction of Naval Administration
and the Admiralty Secretariat|

* Department of the Permanent Secretary

Branches and offices under the
Permanent Secretary|

* Admiralty Central Copying Branch
* Admiralty Central Registry Branch
* Admiralty Record Office
* Admiralty Library
* Admiralty Secretariat
* Air Branch
* Civil Branch
* Legal Branch
* Military Branch
* Naval Branch
* Ship Branch

Civil Administration|

* Department of the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Department of the Additional Civil Lord of the Admiralty

Departments under the
Civil Lords|

* Accountant-General's Department
* Contract and Purchase Department
* Department of the Director of Contract Labour
* Department of the Surveyor of Buildings
* Department of the Director of Works
* Greenwich Hospital Department
* Works Loan Department

Legal|

* Admiralty Judicial Department
* Admiralty court
* High Court of Admiralty
* Office of the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty
* High Court of Justice
* Office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet
* Office of the Marshall High Court of the Admiralty
* Office of the Admiralty Advocate
* Office of the Admiralty Proctor
* Office of the Chief Naval Judge Advocate
* Office of the Counsel for the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy
* Office of the Counsel to the Admiralty
* Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet
* Office of the Receiver of Droits High Court of Admiralty
* Office of the Registrar High Court of the Admiralty
* Office of the Solicitor for the Affairs of the Admiralty
* Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty and Navy
* Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty
* Office of the Counsel to the Admiralty
* Court of Admiralty for the Cinque Ports
* King's Bench Division (Admiralty)
* Queens's Bench Division (Admiralty)
* Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division
* Vice Admiralty courts
* Colonial Courts of Admiralty

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template