Controller (Royal Navy)

The Controller was a member of the Board of Admiralty from 1917 to 1918 responsible for production and shipbuilding. It is not to be confused with the naval office of Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy which existed in various guises through the years, with a hiatus between 1912 and 1918.

The position of Controller was created for Sir Eric Geddes by Order in Council of 19 May, 1917, who was succeeded by Sir Alan Anderson. The position was merged with the office of Third Sea Lord by Order in Council of 25 June, 1918.

Duties

27 June, 1917.
Design (in conjunction with Third Sea Lord, or in the case of Airships and Airship Sheds with Fifth Sea Lord) of Matériel required for the Fleet, including ships and their machinery, armour, guns and gun mountings, torpedoes, mines, &c., and their respective appliances and stores. Manufacture, inspection, repair, and maintenance of such Matériel.
Design, manufacture, inspection and repair of ships and other craft for Ministry of Shipping, War Office, and other Government Departments.
Selection (in conjunction with Third Sea Lord) of vessels for service as Armed Merchant Cruisers or for Fleet purposes. Alteration and preparation of vessels for such service and their subsequent maintenance and reconditioning.
Purchase of, and all contract business relating to Matériel as above and all stores for Admiralty Services, except coal, oil fuel, and naval, medical, victualling and Works Department Stores.
Order of priority of work in new construction, and repairs and alterations (as regards ships for Naval Service, in conjunction with Third Sea Lord).
Superintendence of Departments of Director of Naval Construction and Engineer-in-Chief, Board of Invention and Research, Dockyards and Shipbuilding Department, Contract and Purchase Department, Shipyard Labour Department, Materials and Priority Department, Statistics Department, and the Matériel Sections of the Departments of the Director of Naval Ordnance and Director of Torpedoes and Mining. (See note under Third Sea Lord).
Administration of the Dockyards, including provision of plant (except as dealt with by Civil Lord), provision of labour, rates of pay, and conditions of service.
Appointment, promotion, &c., of technical staff dealing with the above duties (except as reserved to First Lord).
NOTE: While the Controller is responsible for executive action in regard to labour, he will keep in close touch with the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary in all matters of general policy or of importance.

Controllers

Dates of appointment given:

• Sir Eric C. Geddes, 15 May, 1917 – 6 September, 1917^[Inference]
• Sir Alan G. Anderson, 6 September, 1917 – 25 June, 1918

Bibliography

• Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division (1929). The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. Its Work and Development. B.R. 1845 (late C.B. 3013). Copy No. 8 at The National Archives. ADM 234/434.