Nathaniel Barnaby designed ships such as HMS Inflexible and HMS Dreadnought of 1875, but his larger contribution was institutional. He strengthened the role that became Director of Naval Construction, challenged private yards that tried to dictate what the Navy could have, and developed training for junior constructors. Those arrangements shaped Royal Navy design capacity for decades and helped make possible the fleets of both world wars. His organization and training system mattered more to the Royal Navy's development than any single ship he produced.
Chapter · 22:39-24:47
Nathaniel Barnaby builds a naval-construction institution
Barnaby's lasting contribution was an organization that trained constructors and gave the Royal Navy greater control over private shipbuilding.