Surveyor of Buildings (Royal Navy)

The Surveyor of Buildings [1] also known as the Department of the Surveyor of Buildings was the civil officer initially a member of the Navy Board then later the Board of Admiralty responsible for superintending, maintaining and improving the British Royal Navy Dockyards, Naval Buildings, and Architectural Works [2] of the Admiralty from 1812 to 1837.

Office of the Surveyor of Buildings
Department of the Admiralty
Reports toBoard of Admiralty, (1796-1807), Navy Board, (1807-1832), Board of Admiralty, (1832-1837)
NominatorFirst Lord of the Admiralty
AppointerPrime Minister
Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term lengthNot fixed (usually for life)
Inaugural holderMr. Edward Holl
Formation1812-1837

History

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The office holder evolved out of an earlier post in 1796 when an Inspector-General of Naval Works was appointed to superintend the Naval Works Department[3] then under the Board of Admiralty with responsibility for all civil engineering works in the royal naval dockyards.[4] In 1806 the Commissioners of Enquiry for Revising and Digesting the Civil Affairs of the Royal Navy produced a fourth report (since 1785) in which they recommended the abolition of the Inspector-Generals Department as a semi-autonomous function and recommended the role be re-styled and its responsibilities broadened.[5] In 1807 the title was changed to the Civil Architect and Engineer of the Navy his department then reported directly to the Navy Board.[6] In 1813 the title and role was changed to Surveyor of Buildings whose responsibilities shifted focus towards architectural works. In 1827 the Surveyors department was expanded to include the duties of managing the buildings belonging to the Victualling Department and including its various yards and stations.[7] In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and its role and responsibilities were merged into the Admiralty. In 1837 following restructuring the surveyors department was abolished and its functions merged into a new Architectural and Engineering Works Department[8] under a Director of Naval Works who then reported to the Civil Lord of the Admiralty.[9]

Office holders

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Surveyor of Building (1812-1837)

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Timeline

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References

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  1. ^ Archives, The National. "Records of Works Departments". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives, 1786-1962. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  2. ^ Archives, The National. "Admiralty, Navy Works Department and predecessors: Naval Establishments: Plans and Drawings". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives, WORK 41, 1760-1970. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  3. ^ Sainty, J.C. (1975). Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 4, Admiralty Officials 1660-1870. University of London, Institute of Historical Research, London. pp. 91–94.
  4. ^ Sainty, compiled by J.C. (1975). Admiralty officials, 1660-1870. London: Athlone Press [for] University of London, Institute of Historical Research. pp. 91–94. ISBN 9780485171440.
  5. ^ Fourth Report of the Commissioners for Revising ann Digesting the Civil Affairs of His Majesty's Navy. H.M. Stationery Office, Digitized by the University of Oxford, 26 Jan 2009. 1806. pp. 19–22.
  6. ^ Sainty, J.C. "Naval works department, British History Online". british-history.ac.uk. University of London, 1975. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  7. ^ Collinge, J.M. (1978). Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 7, Navy Board Officials 1660-1832. University of London, Institute of Historical Research. pp. 32–33.
  8. ^ Archives, The National. "Admiralty: Architectural and Engineering Works Department, later Civil Engineer in Chief's Department: Photographs of Works". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives, ADM 195, 1857-1961. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  9. ^ al.], edited by A. W. Kempton ... (et) (2002). A biographical dictionary of civil engineers in Great Britain and Ireland (1. publ. ed.). London: Thomas Telford, on behalf of the Institution of Civil Engineers. p. 329. ISBN 9780727729392. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ Collinge, J.M. "Surveyor of Buildings 1812-32, British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. University of London, Institute of Historical Research, 1978. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  11. ^ Collinge, J.M. "Surveyor of Buildings 1812-32, British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. University of London, Institute of Historical Research, 1978. Retrieved 14 July 2017.

Sources

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