Board of Admiralty

1832-1964

The Board of Admiralty was the government department responsible for naval affairs from 1832-1964. It was the successor to the Navy Board, which, in turn, followed the office of the Keeper of the King's Ships, a royal post dating to the 13th century.

The Board of Admiralty was composed of six Lords Commissioners, who collectively replaced the office of Lord High Admiral. One Lord Commissioner was a civil lord, one was a representative of the government, and the remaining four were naval officers known as the Sea Lords. The Board of Admiralty came to an end as an official body in 1964 when it was merged into the Ministry of Defence.

Time period(s): Victorian Modern