kids encyclopedia robot

Admiralty in the 18th century facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Admiralty of Great Britain
Flag of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom.svg
Agency overview
Formed 1410–1964
Jurisdiction England Kingdom of England,
 Kingdom of Great Britain
Headquarters Admiralty, Whitehall, Westminster, London
Agency executive
  • First Lord of the Admiralty President of the Board
Parent agency English government
British government

The Admiralty of Great Britain was a very important government department that managed the Royal Navy for many years. It was in charge of everything from building ships to planning battles. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Britain was often at war, especially with France. These wars were fought mostly at sea, during a time known as the "Age of Sail." This meant ships relied on wind power, and naval battles were very important for controlling trade routes and protecting colonies around the world.

A big event that changed British politics was the Glorious Revolution in 1688. This led to King James II leaving the country. William III arrived with a huge fleet of 100 warships and 400 transport ships, carrying thousands of soldiers and horses. This showed how powerful naval forces were and how important they would be in the wars to come.

Britain's Naval Power: A Historical Look

Early 18th Century Naval Actions

After 1700, Britain's navy played a key role in many conflicts. In the War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1713), British and Dutch navies worked together against Spain and France. Their main goal was to get naval bases in the Mediterranean Sea. They successfully captured Gibraltar in 1704 and Port Mahon in Menorca in 1708. These victories helped Britain gain Newfoundland and Nova Scotia and become a recognized great power after the Peace of Utrecht treaty.

The navy also helped stop Spain from occupying Sicily in 1718 and blockaded Panama in 1727. For the next 25 years of peace, the navy was still active. It protected naval supplies in the Baltic from 1715 to 1727 and fought in the Cape Passaro in 1718. It was also involved in a war against Spain in 1739 over the slave trade. In 1745, the navy transported troops to Scotland to help defeat the Jacobite rising.

Wars and Naval Victories

The War of Jenkins' Ear (1739–1748) involved many naval operations in the Caribbean against Spanish trade. This war soon became part of the larger War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748), which meant new naval battles against France. In 1745, the navy defeated the French twice near Finisterre. The navy also defended Britain from an invasion by Charles Edward Stuart, often called the "Young Pretender." By the end of this war, the navy was busy protecting British trade all over the world.

The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) started a bit rough for the navy when Menorca was lost. However, things improved, and the British fleet won several important victories. In 1759, the French tried to invade Britain, but their fleet was defeated at Quiberon Bay. Spain joined the war against Britain in 1762 and lost Havana and Manila. Manila was later returned in exchange for Florida. The Treaty of Paris ended the war, giving Britain more colonies.

The American Revolutionary War

At the start of the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the Royal Navy easily handled the new Continental Navy of the American colonies, capturing or destroying many of its ships. However, France soon joined the American side. In 1778, a French fleet sailed to America, where it tried to land at Rhode Island and almost fought the British fleet before a storm hit. Spain and the Dutch Republic also joined the war in 1780.

The fighting then moved to the Caribbean, where many battles took place with mixed results. A very important event happened in 1781 at the Battle of the Chesapeake. The British failed to break the French blockade of Lord Cornwallis's forces, which led to a British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown. Even though the fighting in North America ended, it continued in the Caribbean and India, with both wins and losses for the British. Menorca, which had been recaptured, was given back to Spain.

How the Navy Was Organized in the 18th Century

The Admiralty of Great Britain

The Admiralty was the main office that ran the Royal Navy. It was led by a group of people called the Lords Commissioners, who were overseen by the First Lord of the Admiralty.

  • English White Ensign 1620

    English Navy White Ensign 1700–1707

  • Naval Ensign of Great Britain (1707-1800)

    British Navy White Ensign 1707–1801

  • White Squadron Ensign 1702-1707

    White Squadron Ensign 1702–1707

Leaders of the Navy

The overall commander of the navy was the reigning monarch:

Important Naval Officials

Key positions in the navy's leadership included:

Running the Navy: Civil Administration

The daily operations of the navy were handled by various boards and offices.

The Board of Admiralty

This board, also known as the Lord's Commissioners, was responsible for the navy's overall management.

  • the Board of Admiralty
    • Private Office of the First Lord of the Admiralty: The main leader of the Admiralty, who was also part of the government.
      • Office of Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty
      • Office of the Clerk of the Admiralty

Civil Commissioners were officials who helped manage the navy's finances and paperwork.

Naval Lords were experienced naval officers who advised the Board.

  • Naval Lord Commissioners
  • Senior Naval Lord
Judicial Administration: Naval Law

The navy also had its own legal system to handle maritime crimes and disputes.

  • Office of the Lord High Admiral
    • Advocate General to the office of the Lord High Admiral

Legal Advisors to the Admiralty Courts

  • Office of the Counsel to the Admiralty
  • Office of Solicitor for the affairs of the Admiralty and Navy

High Court of the Admiralty

This was the main court for naval matters.

  • Office of the High Court of the Admiralty Court
    • Office of the President and Judge of the High Court
    • Office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet
      • Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet

Vice Admiralty Courts

These courts were located in different regions and colonies. A Vice-Admiral of the Coast was in charge of naval defense and legal matters for a specific coastal area. They handled things like:

  • Deciding what happened to ships captured from enemies (called prize ships).
  • Dealing with claims for salvaged shipwrecks.
  • Acting as a judge for other maritime issues.

There were Vice-Admirals for many counties in England, and also for Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Vice Admiralty Jurisdictions and Prizes Abroad Britain also had Vice-Admiralty Courts in its colonies, like those in North America and the West Indies. These courts helped manage naval affairs and legal issues far from Britain. They were important for controlling trade and enforcing British law in the colonies.

Naval Operations: How the Fleet Was Run

Senior Leadership

The top leaders of the navy were called the Naval High Command.

  • Office of the Lord High Admiral
    • Office of the Vice-Admiral
      • Office of the Rear-Admiral
  • Office of the First lord of the Admiralty
    • Office of the Naval Lord of the Admiralty

Fleet Commands

The navy's ships were organized into different fleets and squadrons, each led by a Flag Officer (an admiral).

  • Admiral of the Fleet Red
    • Vice-Admiral of the Red
      • Rear-Admiral of the Red
  • Admiral of the White
    • Vice-Admiral of the White
      • Rear-Admiral of the White
  • Admiral of the Blue
    • Vice-Admiral of the Blue
      • Rear-Admiral of the Blue

Flag Officers Commanding Fleets and Stations

Admirals were in charge of specific fleets or naval stations around the world.

Main Fleets

  • Commander-in-Chief, Channel Fleet (protected the English Channel)
  • Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet

Home Commands (Stations in Britain)

Overseas Commands (Stations abroad)

  • Commander-in-Chief, Jamaica Station
  • Commander-in-Chief, Newfoundland Station
  • Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station
  • Commander-in-Chief, North America Station
  • Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station

Fleet Units: How Many Ships?

The Royal Navy grew a lot during the 18th century. Here's a look at its size:

Composition of the Navy by 1760
Type Number of units
Ships of the Line 1st rate 7
Ships of the Line 2nd rate 13
Ships of the Line 3rd rate 71
Ships of the Line 4th rate 73
Ships of the Line 5th rate 54
Ships of the Line 6th rate 61
Captured ships of the line 15
Frigates 82
Sloops 21
Armed Merchants 39
Fireships 27
Bomb Vessels 15
Hospital Ships 4
Yachts 5
In commission 487
Composition of the Navy by 1799
Type Number of units
Ships of the Line 230
Captured ships of the line 25
Frigates 234
Sloops 331
Brigs 54
Fireships 34
Bomb Vessels 31
Hospital Ships 2
Yachts 5
In commission 946

Support for the Navy

Board of Ordnance

The Board of Ordnance was responsible for providing weapons, gunpowder, and other military supplies to the navy and army.

Ordnance Yards and Stores

These were places where weapons and gunpowder were stored and managed.

Navy Board

The Navy Board was in charge of building, designing, maintaining, and supplying ships. They handled all the practical aspects of keeping the fleet ready.

  • Office of the Comptroller of the Navy
  • Office of the Treasurer of the Navy (managed naval finances)
    • Navy Pay Office (handled payments to sailors)
  • Office of the Clerk of the Acts (kept records and accounts)
Subsidiary Boards

Other boards helped the Navy Board with specific tasks.

  • Sick and Hurt Board: Cared for sick and injured sailors.
  • Transport Board: Arranged for moving troops and supplies.
  • Victualling Board: Provided food and drink for the navy.
Shore Facilities: Dockyards

Dockyards were essential naval bases where ships were built, repaired, and supplied. Each dockyard was managed by a Commissioner of the Navy.

Home Naval Bases and Dockyards (in Britain)

Overseas Naval Bases and Dockyards

Marines

The Marines were soldiers who served on naval ships and helped with landings and battles on land.

  • Office of the Marine Department
    • Marine Pay Office

Marine Forces

  • Office of Corps of the Royal Marines (formed in 1755)
    • Colonel Commandant Chatham Division
    • Colonel Commandant Portsmouth Division
    • Colonel Commandant Plymouth Division

Impress Service

The Impress Service was responsible for finding and forcing men into naval service, especially during wartime. This was known as "impressment."

  • Office of the Impress Service
    • Office of the Admiral Commanding Impress Service

Sea Fencible Militias

The Sea Fencibles were a volunteer naval militia formed in 1793. They were mostly local volunteers who helped defend coastal areas from invasion.

  • Office of the Director Sea Fencibles
    • Offices of the Fencible Districts (specific coastal areas they protected)
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Admiralty in the 18th century Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.