Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:27:45-3:28:20

How First Sea Lords overrode normal procurement channels

The Third Sea Lord normally shaped construction, but battleships attracted direct First Sea Lord intervention from Fisher's era through Chatfield's gun-calibre decision.

14-inch Guns15-inch GunsErnle ChatfieldJohn FisherKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Naval ProcurementReginald HendersonThird Sea Lord
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Question

How much direct importance did First Sea Lords such as Fisher have in warship construction?

Short answer

Usually the Third Sea Lord controlled detail, but First Sea Lords intervened directly in major battleship choices, as Chatfield did over King George V's guns.

Notes

The Third Sea Lord normally held substantial influence over construction, especially when appointed by a First Sea Lord who shared his programme. From Fisher's era onward, however, battleships drew unusually direct attention from the senior chief. The King George V class provides an example. Third Sea Lord Reginald Henderson wanted 15-inch guns, but First Sea Lord Ernle Chatfield forced the choice of 14-inch weapons. The case shows how institutional responsibility and personal intervention could diverge on politically important capital ships.