Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth

HMS Victory, flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth

Active| 1667–1969
Country|  United Kingdom
Branch|  Royal Navy
Type| Area command
Part of| Admiralty
Garrison/HQ| Dockyard Commissioner's house, Portsmouth

Military unit

The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. The commanders-in-chief were based at premises in High Street, Portsmouth from the 1790s until the end of Sir Thomas Williams's tenure, his successor, Sir Philip Durham, being the first to move into Admiralty House at the Royal Navy Dockyard, where subsequent holders of the office were based until 1969. Prior to World War I the officer holder was sometimes referred to in official dispatches as the Commander-in-Chief, Spithead.[1]

The Command extended along the south coast from Newhaven in East Sussex to Portland in Dorset.[2] In 1889 the Commander-in-Chief took HMS Victory as his flagship.[3]

## History

[edit]

Admiralty House, HMNB Portsmouth

In the late 18th century port admirals began to reside ashore, rather than on board their flagships; the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was provided with a large house at 111 High Street, which was renamed Admiralty House (and which had formerly been home to the Mayor of Portsmouth).[4] In the 1830s Admiralty House was sold to the War Office (as Government House, it went on to house the Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth for the next fifty years).[5] The Commander-in-Chief moved in turn into the former Dockyard Commissioner's house, which still stands within HMNB Portsmouth.[4]

During the Second World War the Command Headquarters was at Fort Southwick.[6] Rear Admiral Lancelot Holland, commanding the 3rd Battle Squadron, was briefly tasked also to command the Channel Force, operating from Portland Harbour in September-October 1939, within the Portsmouth command boundaries but responsible directly to the Admiralty.[7] Operation Aerial, the evacuation from western French ports in 1940, was commanded by Admiral William Milbourne James, the Commander-in-Chief. James lacked the vessels necessary for convoys and organised a flow of troopships, storeships and motor vehicle vessels from Southampton, coasters to ply from Poole and the Dutch schuyts to work from Weymouth, while such warships as were available patrolled the shipping routes. Demolition parties sailed in the ships but it was hoped that supplies and equipment could be embarked as well as troops.[8]

During World War II several subordinate commanders along the coast were appointed: Flag Officer-in-Charge Southampton, 1942-45; a Captain as Naval Officer-in-Charge Weymouth, 1941-43; Naval Officer-in-Charge Newhaven, 1942-44, held by two retired vice-admirals; and Commander C.B. Hastings RN (retired) as Naval Officer-in-Charge Poole, 1940-44.[9] Also located at HMS Vernon for a time within the C-in-C Portsmouth's command boundaries was the Rear-Admiral in charge of the Royal Navy Coastal Forces. However operational control of the various Coastal Forces flotillas was the responsibility of the local area commander-in-chief rather than Rear-Admiral Coastal Forces.[10] Later in the war Coastal Forces HQ was moved to North London.[10]

In 1952 the Commander-in-Chief took up the NATO post of Commander-in-Chief, Channel (CINCHAN). This move added Allied Command Channel to the NATO Military Command Structure. The admiral commanding at Portsmouth had control naval operations in the area since 1949 under WUDO auspices.[11]

The post of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, was merged with that of Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, in 1969 to form the post of Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command.[12] The posts of Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command were amalgamated in 1994 following the rationalisation of the British Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War.[13]

## Units and formations

[edit]

Considered as the most prestigious of the home commands, the Commander-in-Chief was responsible for the central part of the English Channel between Newhaven and the Isle of Portland.[14][15][16] Below is a list of units that served under this command.

The Commander-in-Chief had a Chief of Staff serving under him from 1832–1969.[17]

Senior officers included:[18][19]

Admiral Commanding | Date | Notes

|
|

Admiral-superintendent, Portsmouth | 1832–1969 | Portsmouth Dockyard. Renamed Flag Officer, Portsmouth and Admiral Superintendent
Senior Naval Officer, Portland | 1908–1914 | held by a Captain up-to the rank of RAdm.
Flag Officer-in-Charge Portland | 1914–1958 |
Commodore RN Barracks, Portsmouth | 1898–1969 | Possibly renamed Commander, Naval Base Portsmouth from the time Commodore Edward Ellis took command in July 1969.[20]

### Flotillas and squadrons

[edit]

Included:[19][21]

Naval Units | Commanded by | Date | Notes

|
|
|

1st Anti-Submarine Flotilla |  | 1939–1945 |
1st Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 1st Destroyer Flotilla | 01/1918-01/1919 |
1st Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 1st Destroyer Flotilla | 07/1940-05/1945 |
4th Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 4th Destroyer Flotilla | 12/1916-03/1917 |
12th Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 12th Destroyer Flotilla | 1939-08/1940 |
16th Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 16th Destroyer Flotilla | 1939-08/1940 |
18th Destroyer Flotilla | Captain (D), 18th Destroyer Flotilla | 09-10/1939 |
4th Minesweeper Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 4th Minesweeper Flotilla | 04/1944-12/1944 |
9th Minesweeper Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 9th Minesweeper Flotilla | 11/1940-05/1945 |
14th Minesweeper Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 13th Minesweeper Flotilla | 09/1941-12/1944 |
2nd Submarine Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 2nd Submarine Flotilla | 08/1914-08/1916 |
3rd Submarine Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 3rd Submarine Flotilla | 1919–1922 | based at Gosport
5th Submarine Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 5th Submarine Flotilla | 1919–1939 | based at Gosport – training & reserve flotilla
6th Submarine Flotilla | Officer Commanding, 6th Submarine Flotilla | 1919–1939 | based at Portland – ASW training & reserve flotilla
Fishery Protection Flotilla | Officer Commanding, Fishery Protection Flotilla | 1919–1927 |
Fishery Protection and Minesweeping Flotilla | Captain of Fishery Protection and Minesweeping Flotilla | 1923–1945 |
Fishery Protection Squadron | Captain, Fishery Protection Squadron | 1945–1969 |
Newhaven Local Defence Flotilla | Officer Commanding, Newhaven Local Defence Flotilla | 1914–1918 |
Portsmouth Escort Flotilla | Officer Commanding, Portsmouth Escort Flotilla | 01/1916-01/1918 | renamed 1st Destroyer Flotilla
Portland Local Defence Flotilla | Officer Commanding, Portland Local Defence Flotilla | 1914–1918 |
Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla | Officer Commanding, Portsmouth Local Defence Flotilla | 1914–1927 |

### Shore establishments

[edit]

Included:[19][21]

Other units | Commanded by | Date | Notes

|
|
|

HMS Dolphin (shore establishment) |  | 1904–1969 | Royal Navy Submarine School
HMS Dryad (shore establishment) |  | 1939–1969 | Royal Navy's Maritime Warfare School
HMS Grasshopper (shore establishment) |  | 1939–1946 | Coastal forces base, Weymouth
HMS Hornet (shore establishment) |  | 1941–1956 | HQ Coastal Force
HMS Marlborough (shore establishment) |  | 1939–1945 | Torpedo school, Eastbourne
HMS Mercury (shore establishment) | Captain of Royal Navy Signals School | 1941–1969 | Royal Navy Signals School and Combined Signals School
HMS King Alfred (shore establishment) |  | 1939–1946 | RNVR officers training establishment- Sussex Division – Hove
Portsmouth Signal School | Captain of Portsmouth Signal School | 1916–1941 |
Signal School | Superintendent of Signal Schools | 1901–1920 |
HMS St Vincent (shore establishment) |  | 1927–1969 | Boys Training School, Gosport
HMS Sultan (shore establishment) |  | 1914–1969 | Mechanical engineering school
HMS Turtle (shore establishment) |  | 1946–? | Combined operations training establishment, based at Poole
HMS Vernon (shore establishment) |  | 1876–1969 | Torpedo and mining school

## Commanders-in-Chief

[edit]

Post holder have included:[22][23]
N = died in post

* Rear Admiral Sir Robert Holmes April 1667–October 1667[24]
* Captain, John Graydon, January – February 1695[25]
* Captain James Wishart, February – April 1695[26]
* Commodore Basil Beaumont: February–March 1698[27]
* Rear Admiral Henry Houghton: March–July 1698[28]
* Commodore Thomas Warren: December 1698[29][30] N
* Rear Admiral James Wishart, September 1703 – October 1703[31]
* Commodore Richard Lestock, 1741 [32]
* Admiral James Steuart: 1745–1747
* Admiral Sir Edward Hawke: 1748–1752
* Admiral Sir Edward Hawke: 1755–1756
* Admiral Henry Osborn: 1756–1757
* Admiral Sir Francis Holburne 1758–1766
* Admiral Sir John Moore: 1766–1769
* Admiral Sir Francis Geary 1769–1771
* Admiral Thomas Pye: 1771–1774
* Admiral Sir James Douglas: 1774–1777
* Admiral Thomas Pye: 1777–1783
* Admiral John Montagu: 1783–1786
* Admiral Viscount Hood: 1786–1789
* Admiral Robert Roddam: 1789–1792
* Admiral Viscount Hood: 1792–1793
* Admiral Sir Peter Parker: 1793–1799
* Admiral Mark Milbanke: 1799–1803
* Admiral Lord Gardner: March – June 1803
* Admiral Sir George Montagu: 1803–1809
* Admiral Sir Roger Curtis: 1809–1812
* Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton: 1812–1815
* Admiral Sir Edward Thornbrough: 1815–1818
* Admiral Sir George Campbell: 1818–1821 N
* Admiral Sir James Hawkins-Whitshed: 1821–1824
* Admiral Sir George Martin: 1824–1827
* Admiral Sir Robert Stopford: 1827–1830
* Admiral Sir Thomas Foley: 1830–1833 N
* Admiral Sir Thomas Williams: 1833–1836
* Admiral Sir Philip Durham: 1836 – March 1839
* Admiral Charles Elphinstone Fleeming: April – November 1839
* Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: 1839–1842
* Admiral Sir Charles Rowley: 1842–1845
* Admiral Sir Charles Ogle: 1845–1848
* Admiral Sir Thomas Capel: 1848–1851
* Admiral Sir Thomas Briggs: 1851–1852 N
* Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane: 1852–1856
* Admiral Sir George Seymour: 1856–1859
* Admiral Sir William Bowles: 1859–1860
* Admiral Sir Henry W. Bruce: March 1860 – March 1863
* Admiral Sir Michael Seymour: March 1863 – March 1866
* Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, Bt.: March 1866 – February 1869
* Admiral Sir James Hope: February 1869 – March 1872
* Admiral Sir Rodney Mundy: March 1872 – March 1875
* Admiral Sir George A. Elliot: March 1875 – March 1878
* Admiral Edward G Fanshawe: March 1878 – November 1879
* Admiral Alfred Ryder: November 1879 – November 1882
* Admiral Sir Geoffrey Hornby: November 1882 – November 1885
* Admiral Sir George Willes: November 1885 – June 1888
* Admiral Sir John Commerell: June 1888 – June 1891
* Admiral the Earl of Clanwilliam: June 1891 – June 1894
* Admiral Sir Nowell Salmon: June 1894 – August 1897
* Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bt.: August 1897 – October 1900
* Admiral Sir Charles Hotham: October 1900 – August 1903
* Admiral Sir John Fisher: August 1903 – March 1904
* Admiral Sir Archibald Douglas: March 1904 – March 1907
* Admiral Sir Day Bosanque: March 1907 – March 1908
* Admiral Sir Arthur Fanshawe: March 1908 – April 1910
* Admiral the Hon. Sir Assheton Curzon-Howe: April 1910 – March 1911 N
* Admiral Sir Arthur Moore: March 1911 – July 1912
* Admiral of the Fleet the Hon. Sir Hedworth Meux: July 1912 – March 1916
* Admiral the Hon. Sir Stanley Colville: March 1916 – March 1919
* Admiral Sir Cecil Burney: March 1919 – April 1920
* Admiral the Hon. Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe: April 1920 – April 1923
* Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle: April 1923 – April 1926
* Admiral Sir Osmond Brock: April 1926 – April 1929
* Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes, Bt.: April 1929 – May 1931
* Admiral Sir Arthur Waistell: June 1931 – January 1934
* Admiral Sir John Kelly: January 1934 – July 1936
* Admiral Sir William Fisher: July 1936 – June 1937 N
* Admiral of the Fleet The Earl of Cork and Orrery: July 1937 – June 1939
* Admiral Sir William James: June 1939 – October 1942
* Admiral Sir Charles Little: October 1942 – February 1945
* Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton: March 1945 – May 1947
* Admiral The Lord Fraser of North Cape: May 1947 – July 1948
* Admiral of the Fleet Sir Algernon Willis: July 1948 – September 1950
* Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Power: September 1950 – September 1952
* Admiral Sir John Edelsten: September 1952 – September 1954
* Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Creasy: September 1954 – July 1957
* Admiral Sir Guy Grantham: July 1957 – March 1959[33]
* Admiral Sir Manley Power: March 1959 – October 1961
* Admiral Sir Alexander Bingley: October 1961 – February 1963
* Admiral Sir Wilfrid Woods: February 1963 – August 1965
* Admiral Sir Varyl Begg: August 1965 – March 1966
* Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins: March 1966 – November 1967
* Admiral Sir John Frewen: November 1967 – 1969

## References

[edit]

1. ^ McLynn, Frank (2015). "5: Revolutionary Attempts". Invasion: From The Armada to Hitler. London, England: Crux Publishing Ltd. ISBN 9781909979314.
2. ^ "Sea Your History". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
3. ^ A Chronolgy of HMS Victory Archived 13 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine Royal Naval Museum
4. ^ a b "Government House". History in Portsmouth. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
5. ^ "Dockyard Chronology" (PDF). Portsmouth Dockyard. p. 63. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
6. ^ Capel, A.F., Commanding Canadians: the Second World War diaries of A.F.C. Layard, page 310 University of Columbia Press, 2005, ISBN 978-0-7748-1193-4
7. ^ Niehorster, Dr. Leo. "Channel Force, Royal Navy, 3.09.39". niehorster.org. Leo Niehorster, 1 May 2001. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
8. ^ Ellis, Major L. F. (2004) [1st pub. HMSO 1953]. Butler, J. R. M. (ed.). The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940. History of the Second World War United Kingdom Military Series. Naval & Military Press. p. 302\. ISBN 978-1-84574-056-6. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
9. ^ Houterman, J.N.; Koppes, Jerome. "Royal Navy, Portsmouth Command 1939–1945". www.unithistories.com. Houterman and Koppes, 2004–2006. Archived from the original on 27 June 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
10. ^ a b "Command structure within Nore Command". and J.P. Foynes book.
11. ^ "Fort Southwick NATO Communications Centre". Subterranean Britain. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
12. ^ "Port admirals (Commanders-in-Chief) Portsmouth (1714–1931)". History in Portsmouth. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
13. ^ "Admiral Sir Michael Layard, KCB, CBE". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
14. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919–1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 2 September 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
15. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939–1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
16. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1914–1918". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 27 October 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
17. ^ "History In Portsmouth:Admiral Superintendents (1832-1971), transcribed from "The Illustrated History of Portsmouth" by William Gates. The Admiral Superintendent replaced the Commissioner by Order in Council dated 27 June 1832. Sir Michael Seymour becoming the first under that title by virtue of his existing tenure". historyinportsmouth.co.uk. The Navy Lists, 1832-1864. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
18. ^ Houterman, J.N.; Koppes, Jerome. "Royal Navy, Portsmouth Command 1939–1945". www.unithistories.com. Houterman and Koppes, 2004–2006. Archived from the original on 27 June 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
19. ^ a b c Watson. 2015
20. ^ "Ellis, Rear-Adm. Edward William". Ellis, Rear-Adm. Edward William, (6 Sept. 1918–13 Jan. 2002), CBE 1968. London and Oxford: A & C Black and Oxford University Press. 1 December 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u14882. `{{cite encyclopedia}}`: `|journal=` ignored (help)
21. ^ a b Houterman and Koppes. 2004–2005
22. ^ Mackie, Gordon. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Gordon Mackie, February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
23. ^ Harrison, Simon. "John Graydon (c.1666-1725/26) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/3 Commission and Warrant Book 1694/5 Jan.-1696 25 May". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
24. ^ Charnock, John (1794). Biographia navalis; or, Impartial memoirs of the lives ... of officers of the navy of Great Britain from ... 1660. London, England: R, Faulder. p. 17.
25. ^ Harrison, Simon. "John Graydon (c.1666-1725/26) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/3 Commission and Warrant Book 1694/5 Jan.-1696 25 May". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
26. ^ Harrison, Simon. "Sir James Wishart (d.1723) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/8 Commission and Warrant Book 1703 6 July-1706 3 July". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
27. ^ Harrison, Simon. "Basil Beaumont (1669–1703) from National Archives UK, ADM 6/5 Commission and Warrant Book 1698 28 Jan.-1699 1 June". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
28. ^ Harrison, Simon. "Henry Haughton (d.1703) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/5 Commission and Warrant Book 1698 28 Jan.-1699 1 June". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
29. ^ Harrison, Simon. "Thomas Warren (d.1699) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/5 Commission and Warrant Book 1698 28 Jan.-1699 1 June". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
30. ^ Lincoln, Margarette (2016). British Pirates and Society, 1680–1730. Abingdon, England: Routledge. p. 167\. ISBN 9781317171676.
31. ^ Harrison, Simon. "Sir James Wishart (d.1723) from National Archives UK: ADM 6/8 Commission and Warrant Book 1703 6 July-1706 3 July". threedecks.org. Simon Harrison, 2010–2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
32. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Richard Lestock (1678/79-1748)". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
33. ^ "Letter regarding CINCHAN appointment" (PDF). NATO. Retrieved 20 February 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Admiralty and Marine Affairs Office

Direction and control
Naval affairs|

* Office of Lord Admiral of England (1513-1613)
* Office of the Secretary of State of England (1546-1628)
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Under the offices
of Direction and control|

* Office of the Vice-Admiral of England
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Direction of
Military Units|

* Office of the Vice-Admiral of England
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Military units|

* Baltic Fleet
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Under
Lord High Admiral/Board of Admiralty|

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Civil Departments
Under
Council of the Marine & Navy Board|

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Autonomous Civil Departments
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Departments under the
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Direction of Naval Administration|

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Branches and offices under the
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* v
* t
* e

Department of Admiralty

Direction and control
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* Office of First Lord of the Admiralty and President of the Board of Admiralty
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Boards and offices under
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Direction of
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Naval/Sea Lords
War and Naval Staff|

* Office of the Senior Naval Lord
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Secretariat and staff under
the First Sea Lord|

* Office of the Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord
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Operational planning, policy
strategy, tactical doctrine
requirements|

* Admiralty Navy War Council
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Divisions and sections
under the War and
Naval Staff|

* Administrative Planning Department
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Offices of the Sea Lords|

* Office of the Second Sea Lord
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Admiralty civil departments
and organisations
under the Sea Lords|

* Admiralty Area Cash Offices
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* Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments
* Department of Physical Research
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* 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
* t
* e

Historic fleets and naval commands of the Royal Navy

North and Irish Seas and English Channel|

* First Fleet
* Second Fleet
* Third Fleet
* Atlantic Fleet
* Battle Cruiser Fleet
* Channel Fleet
* Channel Squadron
* Coast of Ireland
* Coast of Scotland
* Devonport
* Dover
* Commander-in-Chief Fleet
* Grand Fleet
* British Naval Forces Germany
* Humber
* Home Fleet
* Irish Squadron
* Leith
* Nore
* North Sea Squadron
* Orkneys and Shetlands
* Plymouth
* Portsmouth
* Rosyth
* Reserve Fleet
* Western Approaches
* Western

* Naval Home Command

* Eastern
* English Channel
* Downs
* Channel Squadron (Navy Royal)
* Narrow Seas
* North
* North and West
* Western Squadron
* North Sea Fleet
* South
* West and Irish Sea
* West
* Yarmouth

Atlantic Ocean|

* Atlantic Fleet
* Barbadoes and Leeward Islands
* Good Hope
* Jamaica Division (1838-1905)
* Jamaica Station (to 1830)
* Leeward Islands
* Lisbon
* Newfoundland
* North America
* North America and West Indies
* North Atlantic
* Portugal
* South America Station
* South Atlantic and South America
* South Atlantic
* South East Coast of America
* West Africa Squadron
* Flag Officer, West Africa
* Senior Naval Officer, West Indies

Baltic, Black, Caspian, and Mediterranean Seas|

* Adriatic
* Aegean
* Baltic Fleet
* Black Sea and Caspian
* Caspian
* Coast of Spain
* Eastern Mediterranean
* Egypt and Red Sea
* British Naval Forces Germany
* Gibraltar
* Levant
* Levant and East Mediterranean
* Malta
* Mediterranean Fleet
* Portugal

Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean|

* Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf
* Commander-in-Chief, Australia
* Commander-in-Chief, China
* East Indies
* East Indies and China
* East Indies Fleet
* Eastern Fleet
* Far East Fleet
* Egypt and Red Sea
* Senior British Naval Officer, Suez Canal Area
* Middle East
* New Zealand
* New Zealand Naval Forces
* Pacific Fleet
* Pacific Station
* Red Sea and Canal Area/Red Sea
* South America Station
* Persian Gulf

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