Chief Inspector of Machinery (Royal Navy)

The rank was introduced as Chief Inspector of Machinery Afloat by Order in Council of 6 July, 1866. It ranked with Paymasters-in-Chief and Secretaries to Admirals of the Fleet. The rank was to be given to the three Inspectors of Machinery Afloat in the Steam Reserve and the two Assistants to Chief Engineers in the Steam Factories. The full pay was £1 7s. 5d. a day for £500 7s. 1d. a year.

By Order in Council of 17 May, 1867, the title of the rank was altered to Chief Inspector of Machinery, and was "to be given to Officers of long and meritorious service." The numbers were to be reduced from nine to five by not filling up vacancies. The salary was to be the same as that of Inspector of Machinery Afloat, which was accordingly raised slightly under the same order in council.

Under the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, Chief Inspectors were given the option of retiring upon reaching the age of 55, and were to be compulsorily retired at the age of 60, or if they had not served for seven years.

From 1 April, 1877, a distinction between Chief Inspectors and Inspectors was made again when the salary of the former was increased from £1 5s. a day to £1 12s. a day, whilst that of the latter was increased from £1 5s. to £1 8s. a day. The retired pay of the Chief Inspector was also increased from £450 a year to £500.

As of 1 April, 1900, Chief Inspectors of Machinery ranked with Captains of 3 years' seniority, according to date of commission.

From 1 April, 1903, Chief Inspectors of Machinery were restyled Engineer Rear-Admirals.

Bibliography

• The Orders in Council for the Regulation of the Naval Service. Vol. III. London: For Her Majesty's Stationary Office. 1873.