Surveyor of the Navy
| Office of the Surveyor of the Navy | |
|---|---|
Ensign of the Royal Navy | |
| Department of the Admiralty | |
| Member of | Navy Board (1546-1832) |
| Reports to | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Nominator | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Appointer | Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 3–7 years) |
| Inaugural holder | Benjamin Gonson |
| Formation | 1546-1869 |
The Surveyor of the Navy, originally known as Surveyor and Rigger of the Navy, held overall responsibility for the design of British warships from 1745. He was a principal commissioner and member of the Navy Board from the inauguration of that body in 1546 until the Board was abolished in 1832 and its operational functions taken over by the Board of Admiralty. In 1860 the office was renamed Controller of The Navy until 1869, when the office was merged with that of the Third Naval Lord. The Department of the Surveyor of the Navy was replaced by the Department of the Director of Dockyards in 1872.