Rules and Regulations Respecting the Appointment, Rank, Examination, and Pay, of Engineers - 1847

Index
 
Extracts from the Navy Lists 20 June 1849

Rules and Regulations Respecting the Appointment, Rank, Examination, and Pay, of Engineers - 1847

(Under Her Majesty's Order in Council of the 27th of February, 1847).

Admiralty 1st April, 1847.

Appointment and Rank of Engineers

Engineers in Her Majesty's Naval Service are to be classed in three divisions, and to be thus denominated:

  • Inspectors of Machinery afloat,
  • Chief Engineers,
  • Assistant Engineers,

The two latter divisions are to be divided severally into three classes, namely:-

  • Chief Engineers of the First Class,
  • Chief Engineers of the Second Class,
  • Chief Engineers of the Third Class,

  • Assistant Engineers of the First Class,
  • Assistant Engineers of tine Second Class,
  • Assistant Engineers of the Third Class,

Engineers will be considered, as at present, to belong to the Civil Branch of the Naval Service and they will be appointed, and rank, as under-mentioned.

Inspectors of machinery afloat will be appointed by commission, and rank with, but after Masters of the Fleet

Chief Engineers will be appointed by commission, and rank with, but after Masters.

Assistant Engineers will be appointed by order, and rank with, but after, Second Masters.

Examination and Qualifications of Engineers.

Inspectors of Machinery afloat. Inspectors of machinery afloat will be appointed by their Lordships for the responsible duties of superintending generally the machinery of Steam Vessels attached to each station or squadron, and the candidates for such appointments must be men of experience and acknowledged ability, in whose judgement, integrity. and talent, implicit reliance can be placed.

Chief Engineer. No person will he considered qualified to hold the commission of a Chief Engineer who is not able to keep accounts, make notes to the Log of every particular of the working of the engines and boilers, draw rough sketches of any part of the machinery. with figured dimensions fit to work from, be able and willing to exert himself practically as a workman when occasion requires, either in driving the engines, or packing, repairing, or adjusting, the various working parts of the machinery and making good the defects of boilers. He must therefore possess a thorough knowledge of the construction and working of marine engines and boilers in all their parts, coupled with skill and experience as a practical mechanic

He must be so far acquainted with the elements of theoretical mechanics as to comprehend the general principles on which the machine works. He must understand how to apply the indicator, and draw the necessary conclusions from the diagrams.

He must be acquainted with the principle of expansion, and able to prove, or at least to illustrate, the advantages to be derived from the time of expansive gear.

The particular class to which a Chief Engineer will be appointed will depend not only on the result of his examination, but on his character, services, &c.

Chief Engineers will be examined at the Steam Department at Somerset House by the Chief Engineer and Inspector of the Machinery of the Navy, in the presence of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery.

Assistant Engineer. He must be able to keep accounts and make rough working sketches of engines and boilers,

He must produce certificates of servitude in a factory or other proof of his acquaintance with engine work, and of his practical abilities as a mechanic, as well as testimonials of good conduct and character.

He must understand the general principle of the engine. and be acquainted with the names of the various parts, and their uses.

The Second Class Assistant Engineer, in addition to the foregoing general acquirements, must have served at sea at least one year, and produce proof of his capability to work engines, &c.

The First Class Assistant Engineer must have served at sea at least two years as an Engineer, and be competent to take charge of the engines when required to do so. He must be well acquainted with the principle on which the machine works in all its parts, be able to adjust the various working parts, and set right defects which may arise in the engines and boilers.

According to his acquirements in these points, his proficiency as a workman, and his general character and servitude will depend his promotion to the higher rank of Chief Engineer. But he will not be considered eligible for promotion to this latter rank until he shall have served three years in the capacity of First Class Assistant, or as "First Class Engineer" on the old establishment

Assistant Engineers will be examined by the Chief Engineer and Inspectors of Machinery of the Government Factories, in the presence of the Superintendent of the Dock-Yard, or such other Officer as may be nominated for the purpose.

In the event, however, of the exigencies of the service requiring the entry of Engineers who may not have served at sea the full periods herein stated, but in other respects may produce proof of their qualifications, a deviation from these regulations will be allowed by the special authority, in each instance, of the Board of Admiralty a notation to such effect being made on the passing Certificates, with a statement of tile circumstances of the case.

All Engineers, at present in the service are to be continued at their present rank and denomination until they shall have been examined and found eligible for promotion into the new establishment.

Rules and Regulations as to the Pay of Engineers

The pay of engineers on the new establishment will be regulated under the articles in the "Queen's Regulations" and "Admiralty Instructions," applicable to commission officers, except as regards the termination of their harbour-service pay, and commencement of sea pay, which will be regulated as directed in the case of warrant officers, under chap. x., art. 8, page 93, of the "Queen's Regulations."

Scale of Pay

Rank Class Sea Pay per Month Harbour Service Pay per Month
    s. d. s. d.
Inspectors of machinery afloat - 25 0 0 13 15 0
Chief Engineers First 20 0 0 11 0 0
Second 16 0 0 8 16 0
Third 14 0 0 7 14 0
Assistant Engineers First 12 0 0 6 12 0
Second 9 10 0 5 4 0
Third 8 0 0 4 4 0

N.B.-They are not to receive any additional pay for service within the tropics, nor any compensation in lieu of the allowance for the instruction of boys.

When engineers borne for harbour duty may have charge of steam machinery, they are to receive sea pay.

When engineers are appointed from harbour-service pay to sea-going ships, they will be entitled to receive three months' advance of .pay.

When engineers are employed to execute any work, not for their own ship, they will be allowed extra pay (granted under the "Queen's Regulations," chap. x., sec. 4, art. 1, page 104), according to their rank.

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