Lords of the Admiralty

The Commissioners ("Lords") of the Admiralty 1828 - 1899

The office of Lord High Admiral is one of considerable antiquity [see this introduction External link from British History Online]. With only two exceptions (most recently in 1827-1828) it has, since 1673, always been carried out by "Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral". In the period after the Napoleonic war there were 7 Commissioners: the First Lord, three Naval Lords and three Civil Lords. In 1822 one Naval Lord and one Civil Lord were dispensed with. Although the First Lord had previously often been an Naval officer, the Duke of Northumberland (1852-53) was the only Naval officer to occupy the post since 1806.

As part of Sir James Graham's wide-ranging reorganisation of naval administration - resulting in the abolition of the Navy and Victualing Boards in 1832 - the two Civil Lords were replaced by two additional Naval Lords. The four Naval Lords - now referred to as the First, Second, Third and Fourth Naval Lords - were made responsible for individual areas of administration. In 1832 one Civil Lord was restored. Although there were some variations (1834-35 three Naval Lords and two Civil Lords; 1852-53, under First Lord Northumberland, five Naval Lords and no Civil Lord), this system remained in use until Hugh Childers' 1868 reforms. These did away with the Fourth Naval Lord, replaced the Third Naval Lord by a Junior Naval Lord, and combined the old offices of Second Naval Lord and Controller of the Navy in a Third Lord. In 1872 Childers' successor, Goschen, banished the Third Lord (and Controller) from the Board and reintroduced the Second Naval Lord. In 1882, his successor, Northbrook, readmitted the Controller under the old title of Third Lord.

[Prime ministers: Tory/Conservative Whig/Liberal Peelite-Liberal coalition]

22 January 1828: Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1st time)

19 September 1828
Robert, Viscount Melville [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn G.C.B. [Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham [Naval Lord]
Sir George Clerk, Bt. [Civil Lord]
George Charles, Earl of Brecknock [Civil Lord]

15 July 1829
Robert, Viscount Melville [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn G.C.B. [Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham [Naval Lord]
Sir George Clerk, Bt. [Civil Lord]
George pratt, Earl of Brecknock [Civil Lord]

31 July 1830
Robert, Viscount Melville [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn G.C.B. [Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Hotham [Naval Lord]
Frederick, Viscount Castlereagh [Civil Lord]
Charles Ross [Civil Lord]

16 November 1830: Charles Grey, Earl Grey

25 November 1830
Sir James Robert George Graham, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Heneage Laurence Dundas [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. George Barrington [Fourth Naval Lord]

8 June 1832
Sir James Robert George Graham, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Heneage Laurence Dundas [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. George Barrington [Fourth Naval Lord]
Henry Labouchere [Civil Lord]

13 April 1833
Sir James Robert George Graham, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Heneage Laurence Dundas [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Henry Labouchere [Civil Lord]
Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley [Fourth Naval Lord]

11 June 1834
George, Lord Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Heneage Laurence Dundas [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Henry Labouchere [Civil Lord]
Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley [Fourth Naval Lord]

16 July 1834: William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne (1st time)

1 August 1834
George, Lord Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Heneage Laurence Dundas [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Henry Labouchere [Civil Lord]
Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley [Fourth Naval Lord]

1 November 1834
George, Lord Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Henry Labouchere, after Lord Taunton [Civil Lord]
Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley [Fourth Naval Lord]

17 November 1834: Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (2nd time)

10 December 1834: Sir Robert Peel (1st time)

23 December 1834
Thomas Philip, Earl de Gray [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir George Cockburn G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Sir John Poo Beresford, Bt. [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Charles Rowley, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Anthony, Lord Ashley [Civil Lord]
Maurice Fitzgerald [Civil Lord]

18 April 1835: William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne (2nd time)

25 April 1835
George, Lord Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Captain George Elliot [Third Naval Lord]
Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Archibald, Lord Dalmeny [Civil Lord]

19 September 1835
Gilbert, Earl of Minto [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Captain George Elliot [Third Naval Lord]
Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Archibald, Lord Dalmeny [Civil Lord]

22 July 1837
Gilbert, Earl of Minto [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Archibald, Lord Dalmeny [Civil Lord]
Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley [Fourth Naval Lord]

5 March 1839
Gilbert, Earl of Minto [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir William Parker [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Archibald, Lord Dalmeny [Civil Lord]

25 June 1841
Gilbert, Earl of Minto [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Sir Edward Thomas Troubridge, Bt. [Second Naval Lord]
Sir Samuel John Brooke Pechell, Bt. [Third Naval Lord]
Archibald, Lord Dalmeny [Civil Lord]
Captain James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]

30 August 1841: Sir Robert Peel (2nd time)

8 September 1841
Thomas, Earl of Haddington [First Lord]
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage [Second Naval Lord]
Sir George Francis Seymour [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. William Gordon [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Henry Thomas Lowry Corry [Civil Lord]

22 May 1844
Thomas, Earl of Haddington [First Lord]
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral William Bowles [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. William Gordon [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Henry Thomas Lowry Corry [Civil Lord]

12 February 1845
Thomas, Earl of Haddington [First Lord]
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral William Bowles [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. William Gordon [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Henry Fitzroy [Civil Lord]

13 January 1846
Edward, Earl of Ellenborough [First Lord]
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral William Bowles [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. William Gordon [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Henry Fitzroy [Civil Lord]

17 February 1846
Edward, Earl of Ellenborough [First Lord]
Admiral Sir George Cockburn, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Hall Gage [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral William Bowles [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. Henry Fitzroy [Civil Lord]
Hon. Henry John Rous [Fourth Naval Lord]

6 July 1846: Lord John Russell (1st time)

13 July 1846
George, Earl of Auckland [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay [I], C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

24 July 1846
George, Earl of Auckland [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Adam [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay [I], C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

20 July 1847
George, Earl of Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Prescott [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay [I], C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

23 December 1847
George, Earl of Auckland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay [I], C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

18 January 1849
Sir Fraser Thornhill Baring, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay [I], C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

9 February 1850
Sir Fraser Thornhill Baring, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Whitley Deans Dundas, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Houston Stewart, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

12 February 1852
Sir Fraser Thornhill Baring, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Houston Stewart, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir James Stirling [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

27 February 1852: Edward Geoffrey Stanley, Earl of Derby (1st time)

2 March 1852
Algernon, Duke of Northumberland [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hyde Parker, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Phipps Hornby, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Sir Thomas Herbert, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Arthur Duncombe [Fourth Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fifth Naval Lord]

28 December 1852: George Hamilton-Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen

5 January 1853
Sir James Robert George Graham, Bt. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hyde Parker, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Richard Saunders Dundas, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

3 June 1854
Sir James Robert George Graham, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Richard Saunders Dundas, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Peter Richards, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. William Fraser Cowper [Civil Lord]

10 February 1855: Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston (1st time)

8 March 1855
Sir Charles Wood, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Eden [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Peter Richards, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]

14 March 1855
Sir Charles Wood, Bt. [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Eden [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Peter Richards, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Sir Robert Peel, Bt. [Civil Lord]

2 April 1857
Sir Charles Wood, Bt., G.C.B. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Eden [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Sir Robert Peel, Bt. [Civil Lord]

30 May 1857
Sir Charles Wood, Bt., G.C.B. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Eden [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Fourth Naval Lord]
Thomas George Baring [Civil Lord]

24 November 1857
Sir Charles Wood, Bt., G.C.B., afterwards Viscount Halifax [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Eden [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Alexander Milne [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Frederick Thomas Pelham, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Thomas George Baring, afterwards Earl of Northbrook [Civil Lord]

25 February 1858: Edward Geoffrey Stanley, Earl of Derby (2nd time)

8 March 1858
Sir John Somerset Pakington, Bt. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Fanschawe Martin [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Algernon George, Lord Lovaine [Civil Lord]

28 January 1859
Sir John Somerset Pakington, Bt. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Fanschawe Martin [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Swynfen Thomas Carnegie, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Algernon George, Lord Lovaine [Civil Lord]

11 March 1859
Sir John Somerset Pakington, Bt. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Fanschawe Martin [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. Swynfen Thomas Carnegie, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Frederick Lygon [Civil Lord]

23 April 1859
Sir John Somerset Pakington, Bt. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Fanschawe Martin [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Henry John Leeke, K.C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Frederick Lygon [Civil Lord]

18 June 1859: Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston (2nd time)

28 June 1859
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Frederick Thomas Pelham, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Charles Eden, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Charles Frederick [Fourth Naval Lord]
Samuel Whitbread [Civil Lord]

15 June 1861
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset [First Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Captain Charles Frederick [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Samuel Whitbread [Civil Lord]

27 March 1863
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Spencer Compton Cavendish cc Marquis of Hartington [Civil Lord]

5 May 1863
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
James Stanfeld jun. [Civil Lord]

22 April 1864
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers [Civil Lord]

25 March 1865
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Edward Gennys Fanshawe [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers [Civil Lord]

30 October 1865: John Russell, Earl Russell (2nd time)

23 January 1866
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Edward Gennys Fanshawe, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Henry Fenwick [Civil Lord]

10 April 1866
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Edward Gennys Fanshawe, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Hon. James Robert Drummond, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Civil Lord]

9 May 1866
Edward Adolphus, Duke of Somerset, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Hon. Sir Frederick William Grey, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Charles Eden, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Edward Gennys Fanshawe, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Fourth Naval Lord]
George John Shaw-Lefevre [Civil Lord]

6 July 1866: Edward Geoffrey Stanley, Earl of Derby (3rd time)

13 July 1866
Sir John Somerset Pakington, Bt., G.C.B. [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral George Henry Seymour, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Charles Dalrymple Hay, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Charles du Cane [Civil Lord]

8 March 1867
Henry Thomas Lowry Corry [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral George Henry Seymour, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Charles Dalrymple Hay, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Charles du Cane [Civil Lord]

28 February 1868: Benjamin Disraeli (1st time)

3 September 1868
Henry Thomas Lowry Corry [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral George Henry Seymour, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Charles Dalrymple Hay, Bt. [Fourth Naval Lord]
Hon. Frederick Arthur Stanley, afterwards Lord Stanley of Preston [Civil Lord]

9 December 1868: William Ewart Gladstone (1st time)

18 December 1868
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, K.C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
George Otto Trevelyan, afterwards Bt. [Civil Lord]

12 July 1870
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Spencer Robinson, K.C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

9 February 1871
Hugh Culling Eardley Childers [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Robert Hall, C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

9 March 1871
George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Robert Hall, C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Lord John Hay, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

28 June 1871
George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Captain Robert Hall, C.B. [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Walter Tarleton, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

4 May 1872
George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Walter Tarleton, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget Seymour C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

27 November 1872
George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral John Walter Tarleton, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget Seymour C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert Adam Philips Haldane, Earl of Camperdown [Civil Lord]

20 February 1874: Benjamin Disraeli, (from 1876:) Earl of Beaconsfield, (2nd time)

4 March 1874
George Ward Hunt [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir John Walter Tarleton, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount Gilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

29 December 1874
George Ward Hunt [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Alexander Milne, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount Gilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

7 September 1876
George Ward Hunt [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Hastings Reginald Yelverton G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Geoffrey Thomas Phipps Hornby [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount Gilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

11 January 1877
George Ward Hunt [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Hastings Reginald Yelverton G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount Gilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

14 August 1877
William Henry Smith [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Hastings Reginald Yelverton G.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount MeadeGilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

5 November 1877
William Henry Smith [First Lord]
Admiral George Grenville Wellesley, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount MeadeGilford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

12 Augustus 1879
William Henry Smith [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Viscount Gilford, C.B., afterwards Earl of Clanwilliam [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

4 December 1879
William Henry Smith [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Richard James, Earl of Clanwilliam, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Edmund Commerell, K.C.B., V.C. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Lopes Massey Lopes, Bt. [Civil Lord]

28 April 1880: William Ewart Gladstone (2nd time)

12 May 1880
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral John Hay cc Lord John Hay [II], C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Anthony Hiley Hoskins, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Thomas Brassey [Civil Lord]

12 April 1882
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Lord John Hay, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Thomas Brandreth [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Anthony Hiley Hoskins, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]

22 July 1882
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Lord John Hay, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Thomas Brandreth [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Thomas Brassey, K.C.B. [Civil Lord]
George Wightwick Rendel [Civil Lord]

3 March 1883
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget, Lord Alcester, G.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Thomas Brandreth [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Sir Thomas Brassey, K.C.B., afterwards Lord Brassey [Civil Lord]
George Wightwick Rendel [Civil Lord]

24 November 1884
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget, Lord Alcester, G.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Thomas Brandreth [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
William Sproston Caine [Civil Lord]
George Wightwick Rendel [Civil Lord]

25 May 1885
Thomas George, Earl of Northbrook, G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Astley Cooper Key, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Admiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget, Lord Alcester, G.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Nathan Wrighte Hewett, K.C.B., K.C.S.I. [Junior Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Thomas E. Brandreth [Third Lord]
William Sproston Caine [Civil Lord]
George Wightwick Rendel [Civil Lord]

24 June 1885: Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury (1st time)

1 July 1885
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Thomas E. Brandreth [Third Lord]
Captain William Codrington, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

6 February 1886: William Ewart Gladstone (3rd time)

15 February 1886
George Frederick Samuel, Marquis of Ripon, K.G., G.C.S.I. [First Lord]
Admiral Lord John Hay, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Graham, C.B. [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral James Elphinstone Erskine [Junior Naval Lord]
Robert William Duff [Civil Lord]

3 August 1886: Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury (2nd time)

9 August 1886
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral William Graham, C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Lord Charles William de la Poer Beresford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

30 January 1888
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, K.C.B.[First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir William Graham, K.C.B. [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick Hotham, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

30 July 1888
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Ommanney Hopkins [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick Hotham, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

28 December 1888
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Arthur William Acland Hood, C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Ommanney Hopkins [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick Hotham, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

24 October 1889
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Fairfax, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Ommanney Hopkins [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Charles Frederick Hotham, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

16 December 1889
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Henry Fairfax, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Ommanney Hopkins [Third Lord]
Captain Frederick George Denham Bedford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

28 September 1891
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Henry Fairfax, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral John Ommanney Hopkins [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Frederick George Denham Bedford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

1 February 1892
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Henry Fairfax, C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, C.B. [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Frederick George Denham Bedford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

20 May 1892
George Francis Hamilton, cc Lord George Hamilton [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, C.B. [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Frederick George Denham Bedford, C.B. [Junior Naval Lord]
Ellis Ashmead Bartlett [Civil Lord]

15 August 1892: William Ewart Gladstone (4th time)

25 August 1892
Right Hon. John Poyntz, Earl Spencer, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, C.B. [Third Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral the Lord Walter Talbot Kerr [Junior Lord]
Edmund Robertson [Civil Lord]

1 November 1893
Right Hon. John Poyntz, Earl Spencer, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral the Lord Walter Talbot Kerr [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher, C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Gerard Henry Uctred Noel [Junior Naval Lord]
Edmund Robertson [Civil Lord]

5 March 1894: Earl of Rosebury (Archibald Primrose)

6 May 1895
Right Hon. John Poyntz, Earl Spencer, K.G. [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher, K.C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Gerard Henry Uctred Noel [Junior Naval Lord]
Edmund Robertson [Civil Lord]

25 June 1895: Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquis of Salisbury (3rd time)

6 July 1895
Right Hon. George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher, K.C.B. [Third Lord]
Captain Gerard Henry Uctred Noel [Junior Naval Lord]
Joseph Austen Chamberlain [Civil Lord]

23 August 1897
Right Hon. George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur Knyvet Wilson [Third Lord]
Captain Gerard Henry Uctred Noel [Junior Naval Lord]
Joseph Austen Chamberlain [Civil Lord]

?? January 1898
Right Hon. George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford, K.C.B. [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur Knyvet Wilson [Third Lord]
Captain Arthur William Moore [Junior Naval Lord]
Joseph Austen Chamberlain [Civil Lord]

1 May 1899
Right Hon. George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick William Richards, K.C.B. [First Naval Lord]
Vice-Admiral the Lord Walter Talbot Kerr [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur Knyvet Wilson [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Moore [Junior Naval Lord]
Joseph Austen Chamberlain [Civil Lord]

14 August 1899
Right Hon. George Joachim Goschen [First Lord]
Vice-Admiral the Lord Walter Talbot Kerr [First Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Archibald Lucius Douglas [Second Naval Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur Knyvet Wilson [Third Lord]
Rear-Admiral Arthur William Moore [Junior Naval Lord]
Joseph Austen Chamberlain [Civil Lord]

This data are generally derived from Ockerby and Sainty. Where these differ, I have generally followed Sainty. [For the composition of the Board during the entire period 1628 - 1964 go here External link .]

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