Instructions for the Director of Naval Ordnance

Instructions for the office of Director of Naval Ordnance.

January, 1871

1. He is to act under the immediate direction of the Third Lord and Controller, and to consult with him on all points connected with the matériel of Naval Gunnery, and by direct communications in writing whenever desirable. The chief subjects referred to are those relating directly or indirectly to the construction, fitting, or preparing ships for commissions, so far as Gunnery matters are concerned; their magazines, shell-rooms, gun-carriages, slides and other fittings, including all the arrangements necessary to be provided by the shipbuilder for their proper and efficient working, as well as for their being easily kept in order.

2. On all questions connected with the Gunnery Staff of the Navy, including the personnel of the gunnery ships, the drills, general instructions, instructions and fighting arrangements of ships in commission, he is to be under the immediate direction of the First Sea Lord. He is to visit these ships when directed to do so, and to forward written reports on the same, when necessary, address to the Secretary of the Admiralty.

3. The general correspondence between the War Department and the Admiralty on subjects connected with Ordnance Stores, ammunition, the armament of ships, small arms, reserves of Ordnance Stores, &c, will be referred to the Director of Naval Ordnance. He is to report on these papers, and forward them to the Third Lord and Controller, who has the general superintendence of the Gunnery Department.

4. He will also be in immediate communication with the Controller-in-Chief and the Director of Ordnance at the War Office; and he is to endeavour, by personal communication, when possible, to bring about a speedy decision on all matters of detail connected with Naval Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, and to lessen the large amount of correspondence which has been carried on between the two Departments. Those points which cannot be determined by this personal and direct communication, will be settled between their Lordships and the Secretary of State for War, and the results notified in the usual way to the War Department.

5. My Lords having, in conjunction with the War Department, agreed to the constitution of a Council of Ordnance, the Director of Naval Ordnance is to make himself acquainted with the subjects which may from time to time be brought before it, and to govern himself accordingly.

6. In the absence of the Controller he is to consult verbally, or communicate in writing with the Chief Constructor of the Navy, who will, under the direction of the First Sea Lord, give such orders as may be necessary.