Royal Naval College Greenwich Centenary 1873 - 1973
Reform for a new age
Instruction at sea was indeed
proving highly inadequate in this age of transition from sail to steam and wood
to iron and, in line with the reforming spirit of the age, a Committee on the
Higher Education of Naval Officers was set up under Rear Admiral Shadwe11 in
1870. Its naval members favoured Portsmouth as the site for an improved
College, its civilian members the empty Greenwich. One important witness
against Greenwich was Sir Astley Cooper Key, the first Director of Naval
Ordnance and late Captain of HMS Excellent and therefore of the College
attached to it. He claimed it was futile 'to educate the whole body of
officers' but that attendance by volunteers should be encouraged. As opinion
was divided a second committee was appointed under Admiral Tarleton and on its
recommendation the Portsmouth College and the School at South Kensington merged
at Greenwich - in the shadow incidentally of the Royal Observatory and
alongside what was to become the Prime Meridian in 1884. Greenwich was thus to
continue its centuries' old association with the Crown, the Navy and Maritime
study.
The Foundation
The Royal Naval College, Greenwich,
opened on 1 February 1873. The aim, as set out in an Admiralty Circular of 30
January 1873, was 'to provide the most efficient means of higher education of
Naval Officers adequate to the constantly increasing requirements of the
Service' and 'the highest possible instruction in all branches of theoretical
and scientific study bearing upon their profession', though this was to be
'without prejudicing the all-important practical training in active duties.'
Great advantages were also anticipated from 'the connection which will be
established between men distinguished in the various departments of
mathematical, physical and chemical science and practical Naval problems', and
it was expected that the College would become a 'nucleus of mathematical and
mechanical science especially devoted to those branches of scientific
investigation of most interest to the Navy.'
The First Lord of the
Admiralty, then Lord Goschen, as political head of the Navy was designated
Governor of the College. The President was a Flag Officer responsible directly
to the Admiralty. A Captain was to assist him in matters affecting discipline
and in the internal arrangements of the College unconnected with study, and a
Director of Studies headed an Academic Board of 5 Professors (Mathematics,
Physical Science, Chemistry, Applied Mechanics and Fortification) with
supporting civilian and naval lecturers - 29 in all.
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