Clerks 1660-1800

Clerks 1660-1800

Before 1694 little is known of the Clerks of the Admiralty. Their appointment, tenure and remuneration were matters within the discretion of successive Secretaries. For Pepys' two periods of office as Secretary between 1673 and 1679 and between 1684 and 1689 it is possible to form some idea of the identity of the Clerks serving in the office; for other periods very little information is available. (fn. 1)

In 1694 the fees of the office, out of which the remuneration of the Clerks had been found, were abolished and provision was made for six salaried Clerks, apart from the Chief Clerks, each of whom was to receive £80 a year payable by the Treasurer of the Navy. (fn. 2) From this date the identity and periods of service of the Clerks can be accurately determined. Frequent changes in the number of the Clerks and the size of their salaries occurred in the following years. In 1698 the number was again fixed at six, four at £80 and two at £40. (fn. 3) In 1703 a new establishment was authorised consisting of nine Clerks, one at £150, one at £100, two at £80, three at £70 and two at £60. (fn. 4) From 1705 until the end of the war in 1713 between four and five Clerks, sometimes known as 'extra Clerks' were also employed with salaries of £50. (fn. 5)

In 1712 the establishment was fixed at eight Clerks, two at £120, one at £90, two at £80, two at £70 and one at £60, together with four others at £50. (fn. 6) At the end of the war in 1713 the clerical staff was reduced to six, two at £100, two at £80 and two at £60. (fn. 7) Finally in 1715 it was fixed at seven with salaries of £200, £150, £120, £100, £80, £70 and £60. (fn. 8) Following the reintroduction of the fees in 1717 provision was made for the established Clerks to receive shares in half the product in proportion to the size of their respective salaries. (fn. 9) Apart from the fact that the Clerk with the salary of £200 was detached from the rest and given special responsibilities as Chief Clerk in 1783, the establishment of 1715 continued in force until 1800 when the remaining six Clerks were appointed to the new grade of Senior Clerk. (fn. 10)