The Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Supplies, originally known as the Fourth Naval Lord, was formerly one of the Naval Lords and members of the Board of Admiralty, which controlled the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The post is currently known as Chief of Materiel (Fleet). As of 2017, it is also known as Chief of Fleet Support, Chief of Materiel (Ships), then as of 2020, Director General Ships.

History

The origin of this appointment dates back to 1830 when the post of Fourth Naval Lord was created until 1868 when it was re-styled Junior Naval Lord; this title remained until 1904 when it was again re-styled Fourth Sea Lord until 1964 when the Admiralty Department abolished this post. The modern equivalent is titled the "Naval Member for Logistics", who is responsible for the logistical support and the supply chain of the navy. Its functions along with two other departments of state were merged within a new Ministry of Defence. Following the merger a new post of Chief of Fleet Support was created, assuming the same responsibilities and duties until 2007 when it was renamed Chief of Materiel (Fleet). In around 2017, it was titled as Chief of Materiel (Ships). In around August 2020, it was renamed as Director General Ships.

Duties

In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents. The Fourth Sea Lord as Chief of Naval Supplies was responsible for supplying the navy, and his responsibilities included transport, victualling (supplying food), and medical services.

Fourth Naval Lords 1830–1868

Fourth Naval Lords include:

Junior Naval Lords 1868–1904

Junior Naval Lords include:

Fourth Sea Lords 1904–1917

Fourth Sea Lords include:

Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Supplies and Transport 1917–1964

Included:

Chiefs of Fleet Support 1964–2007

Chiefs of Fleet Support include:

Chiefs of Materiel (Fleet)/Chief of Fleet (Support) 2007–2017

Chiefs of Materiel (Fleet) include:

Chief of Materiel (Ships) 2017–2020

Chief of Materiel (Ships) include

Director General Ships 2020–present

Departments under the office

At various times included: