Royal Naval Academy
Encyclopedia
The Royal Naval Academy was established at Portsmouth Dockyard as a facility to train officers for the Royal Navy
. The founders' intentions were to provide an alternative means to recruit officers and to provide standardised training, education and admission.
summed up this view when he remarked that "there was no place superior to the quarterdeck of a British man of war for the education of a gentleman".
There was a clear prejudice against Academy graduates. The then rating of midshipman-by-order, or midshipman ordinary
, was used specifically for graduates of the Royal Naval Academy, to distinguish them from midshipmen who had served aboard ship, who were paid more. After two years at sea, graduates of the academy were eligible to be promoted to midshipman. It was widely held that Academy students suffered from poor discipline and lax behaviour in addition to lacking the necessary practical experience and skills. Academy graduates also lacked the web of connections and bonds created as youngsters and midshipmen brought up at sea. Nonetheless, the Academy remained popular particularly for those without the means and connections to secure a traditional berth as a youngster. In 1773 the Admiralty
provided that sons of sea officers to be admitted at public cost.
who attended the Academy in 1791. He achieved particular fame as Captain of in its victory over the in the War of 1812
. Two of Jane Austen’s
brothers, Francis
and Charles
, attended the Academy in 1786 and 1791 respectively. Both went on to become Admirals.
Despite the general disregard for the Academy, the Admiralty in 1806 decided to replace it with a new and expanded Royal Naval College at Portsmouth. It opened in 1808. In part this reflected the expanding naval demands which required more manpower. In 1733 when the Academy opened, the Navy consisted of 154 ships. When it closed there were over 1,000 ships of which 200 were major vessels.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The founders' intentions were to provide an alternative means to recruit officers and to provide standardised training, education and admission.
Training
In 1773, a shore side facility was established in the dockyard for 40 recruits. A comprehensive syllabus provided theoretical and practical experience in the dockyard and at sea. Graduates of the Academy could earn two years of sea time as part of their studies, and would be able to take the lieutenant's examination after four years at sea instead of six. The Academy did not, however, achieve the objective of becoming the preferred path to becoming a naval officers. The traditional means of a sea-going ‘apprenticeship’ remained the preferred alternative. The vast majority of the officer class was still recruited in this manner based on family ties, and patronage. Family connections, ‘interest’ and a sincere belief in the superiority of practical experience learned on the quarterdeck ensured that the officer class favoured the traditional model. William IVWilliam IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
summed up this view when he remarked that "there was no place superior to the quarterdeck of a British man of war for the education of a gentleman".
There was a clear prejudice against Academy graduates. The then rating of midshipman-by-order, or midshipman ordinary
Midshipman ordinary
Midshipman ordinary, or midshipman-by-order, refers to a obsolete rating for prospective officers in the British Royal Navy. The rating was specifically applied to graduates of the Royal Naval Academy who had earned their sea time in a classroom instead of serving at sea.-History:In 1729, the...
, was used specifically for graduates of the Royal Naval Academy, to distinguish them from midshipmen who had served aboard ship, who were paid more. After two years at sea, graduates of the academy were eligible to be promoted to midshipman. It was widely held that Academy students suffered from poor discipline and lax behaviour in addition to lacking the necessary practical experience and skills. Academy graduates also lacked the web of connections and bonds created as youngsters and midshipmen brought up at sea. Nonetheless, the Academy remained popular particularly for those without the means and connections to secure a traditional berth as a youngster. In 1773 the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
provided that sons of sea officers to be admitted at public cost.
Notable individuals
A distinguished Academy graduate was Philip BrokePhilip Broke
Rear Admiral Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke, 1st Baronet KCB was a distinguished officer in the British Royal Navy.-Early life:Broke was born at Broke Hall, Nacton, near Ipswich, the eldest son of Philip Bowes Broke...
who attended the Academy in 1791. He achieved particular fame as Captain of in its victory over the in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Two of Jane Austen’s
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
brothers, Francis
Francis Austen
Sir Francis William Austen, GCB was a British officer who spent most of his long life on active duty in the Royal Navy, rising to the position of Admiral of the Fleet.-Background:...
and Charles
Charles Austen
Rear Admiral Sir Charles John Austen CB was an officer in the Royal Navy. He served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and beyond, eventually rising to the rank of rear-admiral.-Family and early life:...
, attended the Academy in 1786 and 1791 respectively. Both went on to become Admirals.
Despite the general disregard for the Academy, the Admiralty in 1806 decided to replace it with a new and expanded Royal Naval College at Portsmouth. It opened in 1808. In part this reflected the expanding naval demands which required more manpower. In 1733 when the Academy opened, the Navy consisted of 154 ships. When it closed there were over 1,000 ships of which 200 were major vessels.
Masters
- 1733 - 1740 Thomas Haselden, FRS
- 1740 - 1755 John Walton
- 1755 - 1766 John Robertson, FRS
- 1766 - 1785 George Witchell, FRS
- 1785 - 1807 William BaylyWilliam Bayly-Life:Bayly was born at Bishops Cannings, or Carions, in Wiltshire. His father was a small farmer, and Bayly's boyhood was spent at the plough. In spite of the constant manual work he had to do, he took advantage of the kindness of an exciseman living in a neighbouring village, who offered to give...
- 1807 - 1838 James InmanJames InmanJames Inman was an English mathematician, professor of mathematics at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth.He was born at Tod Hole in Garsdale, the younger son of Richard Inman and Jane Hutchinson. He was educated at Sedbergh Grammar School and St John's College, Cambridge, graduating as first...
as Professor of the Royal Naval College