Department of the Director of Naval Equipment facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 3 September 1912 |
| Dissolved | 1960 |
| Superseding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty London |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent department | Admiralty |
The Department of the Director of Naval Equipment was a special part of the British Admiralty, which was the main office that ran the British Navy. This department was also known as the Directorate of Naval Equipment. Its main job was to make sure that all new warships were built correctly and on time at the royal naval dockyards. It also helped plan and keep track of all the work needed to add new features, change, fix, or update ships. This department existed from 1912 until 1960. After that, its work was taken over by a new group called the Naval Equipment Division.
History of the Department
The Department of the Director of Naval Equipment started on September 3, 1912. Its main focus was to watch over how all naval ships were being built at the royal naval dockyards. These dockyards were places where ships for the navy were built and repaired.
Besides building new ships, the department also planned and checked on all the projects for making ships better. This included adding new parts, changing existing ones, fixing damages, and making ships more modern.
The department worked closely with another group called the Department of the Director of Dockyards. Both of these departments reported to an important naval officer called the Third Sea Lord from 1912 to 1939.
Between 1939 and 1956, the department's responsibilities sometimes shifted. It worked under different high-ranking officers, including the Vice-Controller of the Navy and the Vice-Controller (Air).
In 1960, the Department of the Director of Naval Equipment stopped being a separate department. Its duties were then moved to a smaller group called the Naval Equipment Division, which was part of a new, larger Ship Department.
Many important naval officers served as the head of this department. They were called the Director of Naval Equipment.
Some of the Directors of Naval Equipment included:
- Rear-Admiral Arthur W. Waymouth, from 1912 to 1915
- Captain Clement Greatorex, from 1915 to 1917
- Rear-Admiral Edward M. Phillpotts, from 1917 to 1920
- Rear-Admiral Percy L. H. Noble, until 1932
- Rear-Admiral Francis Thomas B. Tower, from 1936 to 1944 (who also became Vice-Controller of the Navy)
- Vice-Admiral Sir Henry C. Phillips, from 1944 to 1947
- Rear-Admiral Nicholas A. Copeman, from 1956 to 1957
- Captain John P. Scatchard, from 1959 to 1960
These officers helped the main Director.
Some of the Assistant Directors included:
- Captain Henry R. Crooke, from 1913 to 1914
- Captain Ernest K. Loring, from 1914 to 1915
- Captain Hugh T. Walwyn, from 1917 to 1918
- Captain Stuart S. Bonham-Carter, from 1932 to 1936
These officers also helped manage the department's work.
Some of the Deputy Directors included:
- Captain Hugh A.C. Dick, from 1940 to 1943
- Captain Hon. Oswald W. Cornwallis, from 1943 to 1945
- Captain S. Brian De Courcy Ireland, from 1948 to 1951
- Captain Ian S. McIntosh, from 1959 to 1960
How the Department Was Organized
The Department of Naval Equipment had different sections that handled specific tasks.
Salvage Section
This section was in charge of salvage work, which means rescuing ships or parts of ships that were damaged or sunk. They worked to recover valuable equipment or clear waterways.
Some of the Heads of the Salvage Section were:
- Commander J. H. Dathan, from 1915 to 1916
- Captain Christopher P. Metcalfe, from 1916 to 1917
- Hon. Captain Frederic W. Young, from 1917 to 1920
The Salvage Section later became a new, separate Salvage Department in 1939.
Office of the Captain/Admiral Superintendent Ships Building by Contract
This office supervised the building of ships that were made by private companies under a contract, rather than directly by the Royal Navy's own dockyards. This specific office focused on ships built in the Clyde area of Scotland.
Some of the officers in charge of this office included:
- Captain Edward Stafford Fitzherbert, from 1912 to 1913
- Captain Brian H. F. Barttelot, from 1913 to 1917
There was also a similar office for contract work in other areas like the Tyne, Thames, Mersey, Barrow-in-Furness, and Sunderland.
Office of the Captain/Admiral Superintendent Destroyers Building by Contract
This office had a similar role but specifically focused on supervising the building of destroyers (a type of fast warship) that were made by private companies under contract.
Some of the officers who led this office included:
- Captain Douglas L. Dent, from 1912 to 1913
- Captain Cyril Asser, from 1913 to 1917
