Director of Naval Construction facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Office of the Director of Naval Construction
Ensign of the Royal Navy
Admiralty Department, Ministry of Defence
Member of	Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Board, Navy Board
Reports to	Third Sea Lord
Nominator	First Sea Lord
Appointer	First Lord of the Admiralty, Secretary of State for Defence Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council
Term length	Not fixed (typically 5–8 years)
Inaugural holder	Isaac Watts
Formation	1860-1966

The Director of Naval Construction (DNC) was a very important job in the Royal Navy. This person was in charge of designing and building all the warships for the British fleet.

The DNC was a senior officer who worked for the Board of Admiralty. They were also the head of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors. This group of naval architects worked in the DNC's department from 1860 to 1966. Today, a similar role exists in the Ministry of Defence. It is called the Director Ships.

History of the Role

The job of Director of Naval Construction changed over time. It started as the Assistant Surveyor of the Navy from 1832 to 1859.

In 1860, this role was renamed the Chief Constructor. This person was the main leader of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors. Members of this group designed and built warships. They worked on ships built in Royal Dockyards, like Chatham. They also oversaw ships built by private companies, such as Armstrong Whitworth.

The Chief Constructor was not just a manager. They were also a skilled naval architect. This means they knew a lot about how to design ships.

In 1875, the Chief Constructor job was renamed to the Director of Naval Construction. The DNC worked closely with another department. This was the Department of the Engineer-in-Chief. This department handled the steam engines used in ships.

In 1958, the DNC department changed. It became part of a new, larger ship department. This new department was led by a Director-General, Ships. In 1964, the Admiralty department was closed. A new Ministry of Defence took its place.

Important People in This Role

Here are some of the people who held these important jobs:

Chief Constructors

• Isaac Watts (1860–1863)
• Sir Edward James Reed (1863–1870)
• Sir Nathaniel Barnaby (1870–1875)

Directors of Naval Construction

• Sir Nathaniel Barnaby (1875–1885)
• Sir William Henry White (1885–1902)
• Sir Philip Watts (1902–1912)
• Sir Eustace Tennyson d'Eyncourt (1912–1924)
• Sir William Berry (1924–1930)
• Sir Arthur Johns (1930–1936)
• Sir Stanley V. Goodall (1936–1944)
• Sir Charles S. Lillicrap (1944–1951)
• Sir Victor Shepheard (1951–1958)

Departments Under the DNC

The Director of Naval Construction oversaw several important departments. These included:

• Naval Construction Research Establishment, (NCRE), (1943–58)
• Admiralty Experimental Works Haslar
• Office of the Assistant Director Naval Construction
• Office of the Deputy Director Naval Construction
• Royal Corps of Naval Constructors
• Superintendent of Construction Accounts and Contract Work

Timeline of the Role

Here's how the role changed over the years:

• Board of Admiralty, Surveyor of the Navy, Assistant Surveyor of the Navy, 1832–1859
• Board of Admiralty, Controller of the Navy, Chief Constructor, 1860–1875
• Board of Admiralty, Director of Naval Construction, 1875–1958
• Board of Admiralty, Director-General, Ship Department, Director Naval Construction Division, 1959–1964

See also

• Admiralty administration