Naval Reforms

Question 1

When was the Congress of Vienna and what did it decide?

Answer 1

1814/15, new peace era in Europe, recognised powers would have to reduce their forces (for Britain - navy)

Question 2

How and why did the role of the navy change after 1815?

Answer 2

It focused on protecting trade routes and enforcing the abolition of slavery (1807), due to the fact there were no other navies of significance as well as the fact Britain had suffered pooor harvests and was reliant on imports.

Question 3

How many ships were decommissioned?

Answer 3

By 1817, only 13/100 active ships of the line remained (others decommissioned eg as floating depots or prison hulks) instead: greater focus on sloops, brigs and frigates (manoeuvrable).

Question 4

What was gunboat diplomacy?

Answer 4

Using the navy to pose a veiled threat whilst diplomatic negotiations are taking place. Eg used in the Opium Wars to keep China’s ports open

Question 5

When were the first steamboats commissioned by the Royal Navy?

Answer 5

1820s

Question 6

Why were steam ships slow to be accepted by the navy?

Answer 6

Lord Melville (first Lord of the Admiralty) was conservative and saw new power source as unreliable. Sir James Graham (successor) oversaw production of first operational steam ships.

Question 7

Why were steam ships still out introduced after Graham?

Answer 7

Proposed 10 should be built before war, but weren’t at war and government saw them as too expensive. Steam powered paddle vulnerable to enemy fire and prevented broadside.

Question 8

When did Britain start developing ships with a screw propellor?

Answer 8

1850s

Question 9

HMS Agememnon

Answer 9

RN’s first steam powered battleship, 1852, but still with full sail rigging

Question 10

HMS Devestation

Answer 10

RN’s first steam ship without rigging, 1873

Question 11

What as an advantage of iron ships?

Answer 11

They could carry greater weights, allowing for bigger ships after introduction of steam (wood limited size due to weight of coal they could transport) and also supported larger guns (eg Armstrong-Whitworth 110 pounders).

Question 12

Ironclads

Answer 12

Ships initially just had iron hulls (for engine/ coal).

Question 13

HMS Warrior

Answer 13

First fully iron airship, 1860, equipped with Armstrong-Whitworth 110 pounders, mounted on turret decks (ended broadside)

Question 14

When were Graham’s reforms?

Answer 14

1832

Question 15

Which ship was placed at the gunnery school in Portsmouth established by Graham?

Answer 15

HMS Excellence. School allowed standardised techniques so men could be exchanged between any ship of the line. Encouragement of single round shooting instead of double or triple (reduced velocity).

Question 16

Why did the promotion system need to be reformed?

Answer 16

The Navy List (list of captains on active service) had over 800 names by 1830. Captains without a ship on half pay. No clear cut system as to who received ships (sometimes, young recently promoted captains with influence in high places given precedence over long standing captains).

Question 17

How did Graham alter the promotion system?

Answer 17

Before being considered for rank of commander, had to have served for at least 2 years at sea as a lieutenant. Didn’t solve long navy list of effect of patronage, but ensured at least some experience for commanders and captains.

Question 18

Which institutions did Graham abolish in his reformation of naval supply?

Answer 18

Naval Office and Victualing Board, placed there under naval control (previously administration of RN had been carried out by the government).