50°23′06″N 4°10′59″W / 50.385°N 4.183°W / 50.385; -4.183
Military unit
The Royal Naval Engineering College was a specialist establishment for the training of Royal Navy engineers . It was founded as Keyham College in 1880, new buildings were opened in Manadon , Devon in 1940 and the old college site at Keyham closed in 1958. The college was renamed HMS Thunderer in 1946, and closed in 1995.
Construction of Keyham College on the dockside in the Keyham suburb of Plymouth started in February 1879, at a cost of £30,000 and opened in July 1880 as Training Schools for Engineer Students, replacing the hulk of HMS Marlborough which had been used as accommodation for engineering students since 1877. Students spent five years living at the college, and undergoing training in workshops around the dockyard, before spending a further two years at Greenwich college and then assigned to ships as Assistant Engineers.
The college originally only contained accommodation, replacing that provided by Marlborough , but an additional building was later constructed containing lecture theatres, a laboratory and a gymnasium which was subsequently converted to a test engineering shop. The two buildings were connected by a bridge. Later further workshops were added, as was a covered parade ground. An extension to provide accommodation for an additional 50 students was built in 1895–1897.
The Selborne-Fisher scheme of 1903 meant that engineering and deck officers received the same basic training and led the closure of the college in 1910. However it reopened in July 1913 and on the outbreak of the First World War the following year the students were sent off to serve on warships and the college turned over to special entry cadet training. After the war, the college reverted to engineer training.
Plans were announced in 1937 to move the college to Manadon , and the new college opened in May 1940 at the manor house, expanding rapidly during the Second World War. By 1945 there were several new permanent and temporary buildings on the site, and the original manor house was being used for staff accommodation.
In December 1946 the RNEC Manadon had been renamed HMS Thunderer . Further permanent building work took place following the end of the war, with a recreation block completed in 1947, and the instructional block, boiler house and factory workshop completed in 1951.
The old Keyham College closed in 1958 and was converted to the Dockyard Technical College, reopening in November 1959. The buildings were demolished in 1985.
HMS Thunderer produced around 150 RN engineer officers each year. In addition, a small number of seaman branch officers read for undergraduate arts degrees at the college. This continued until 1995 with the final Manadon students completing their 3rd year of BEng or BA degrees at Plymouth University in 1996. In parallel, in-service first degree education transferred to the University of Southampton from 1994. Postgraduate application training that had previously been conducted at RNEC Manadon transferred to HMS Sultan (marine and air engineering) and HMS Collingwood (weapon engineering). Various artefacts from the instructional blocks and Wardroom at RNEC Manadon are on display at these two establishments.
The site of the former RNEC at Manadon, Plymouth was sold off and has now been transformed into housing.
Commanding officers [ edit ] Included [ 1] Commander R. W. Hope, – 1 June 1880 – 20 December 1880
Commander: W. M. Annesley, – 20 December 1883 – 20 December 1885
Commander: W. D. Morrish, – 20 December 1885 – 7 January 1892
Commander: T. B. Triggs, – 7 January 1892 – 6 January 1895
Commander A. B. Grenfell – 6 January 1895 – 7 January 1898
Commander: H. Talbot, – 7 January 1898 – 1 October 1900
Commander: A. E. Tizard, – 1 October 1900 – 6 December 1902
Captain: Robert S. Lowry , – 6 December 1902 – 6 December 1905
Rear-Admiral: T. H. Martyn Jerram , – 6 December 1905 – 30 July 1908
Captain: L. G. Tufnell, CMG – 30 July 1908 – 15 August 1913
Engineer Captain: C. G. Taylor, – MVO, 15 August 1913 – 14 September 1914
Captain: G. R. Mansell, MVO – 14 September 1914 – 23 August 1918
Captain: H. J. T. Marshall, – 23 August 1918 – 1 January 1920
Engineer Captain: H. Lashmore, CB DSO – 1 January 1920 – 13 September 1921
Engineer Rear Admiral: H. Lashmore, CB DSO – 13 September 1921 – 2 January 1922
Engineer Captain: R. B. Morison, CMG – 2 January 1922 – 1 January 1925
Engineer Captain: E. P. St J. Benn, CB ADC – 1 January 1925 – 11 April 1927
Engineer Rear Admiral: E. P. St J. Benn, CB ADC – 11 April 1927 – 7 August 1927
Engineer Captain: A. L. Picton, – 7 August 1927 – 7 June 1930
Engineer Captain: E. L. D. Acland , MVO ADC – 7 June 1930 – 19 September 1933
Engineer Captain R. C. Boddie, CVO DSO ADC – 19 September 1933 – 12 September 1936
Engineer Rear Admiral: R. C. Boddie, CVO DSO ADC – 12 September 1936 – 2 December 1936
Engineer Captain: T. Spalding, – 2 December 1936 – 21 December 1938
Engineer Captain: C. J. G. MacKenzie, CVO – 21 December 1938 – 27 November 1941
Captain (E): B. L. G. Sebastian, ADC – 27 November 1941 – 29 March 1944
Captain (E): W. D. Brown, DSO – 29 March 1944 – 6 November 1946
Captain (E): F. V. Stopford, ADC – 6 November 1946 – 5 November 1948
Captain (E): J. G. C. Given, CBE – 5 November 1948 – 16 November 1951
Captain (E): L A B Peile, DSO MVO – 16 November 1951 – 19 December 1953
Captain: C Gatey, CBE – 19 December 1953 – 26 May 1956
Captain: Sir John Walsham, Bt OBE – 26 May 1956 – 7 August 1958
Captain: Ian G. Aylen , OBE DSO – 7 August 1958 – 7 July 1960
Rear Admiral: Ian G. Aylen , OBE DSO – 7 July 1960 – 30 July 1960
Captain: R. C. Paige, – 30 July 1960 – 30 August 1962
Captain: W. T. C. Ridley, OBE – 30 August 1962 – 26 October 1964
Captain: W. B. S. Milln, MVO – 26 October 1964 – 28 March 1967
Captain Nigel Malim , MVO – 28 March 1967 - 24 June 1969 [ 2] Captain: D. G. Satow, – 24 June 1969 – 22 April 1971
Captain: C. P. H. Gibbon, – 22 April 1971 – 31 May 1973
Captain: W. T. Pillar, – 31 May 1973 – 29 October 1975
Captain: R. G. Baylis, OBE – 29 October 1975 – 9 May 1978
Captain: P. G. Hammersley, OBE – 9 May 1978 – 2 June 1980
Captain: G. G. W. Marsh, OBE MA – 2 June 1980 – 31 July 1982
Captain: R. V. Holley, – 31 July 1982 – 17 August 1984
Captain R. A. Isaac, – 17 August 1984 – 5 August 1986
Captain: I. H. Pirnie, ADC MA – 5 August 1986 – 16 February 1988
Captain: J. A. Marshall, LVO – 16 February 1988 – 20 April 1990
Captain: T. J. England – 20 April 1990 – 7 August 1992
Captain: D. G. Littlejohns, – 7 August 1992 – 25 May 1994
Captain: B. M. Leavey, – 25 May 1994 – 5 July 1994
Captain: P. A. M. Thomas – 5 July 1994
Direction and control Boards and offices under Direction of Secretariat and staff under Operational planning, policy Divisions and sections Offices of the Sea Lords Admiralty civil departments
Admiralty Area Cash Offices Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service Admiralty Compass Observatory Admiralty Constabulary Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters Admiralty Engineering Laboratory Admiralty Experimental Station Admiralty Experiment Works Admiralty Gunnery Establishment Admiralty Interview Board Admiralty Labour Department Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment Admiralty Materials Laboratory Admiralty Mine Design Department Admiralty Mining Establishment Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory Admiralty Record Office Admiralty Regional Offices Admiralty Research Laboratory Admiralty Signal Establishment Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment Admiralty Surveying Service Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment Architectural and Engineering Works Department Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department Air Department Air Materiel Department Air Personnel Department Amphibious Warfare Headquarters Armament Supply Department Board of Invention and Research Board of Longitude Boom Defence Department Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department Britannia Royal Naval College Chemical Board Chemical Department Civil Catering Department Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department Coastguard and Reserves Branch Combined Operations Headquarters Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department Compass Department Contract and Purchase Department Council of Naval Education Dental Examining Board Department of Radio Equipment Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord Department of Naval Education Operational Research Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments Department of Physical Research Department of Physical Training & Sports Department of Radio Equipment Department of Research Programmes and Planning Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation Department of the Admiral of the Training Service Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance Department of the Chief of Naval Information Department of the Chief Scientist Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services Department of the Controller of the Navy Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Controller for Navy Pay Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships Department of the Director-General Aircraft Department of the Director-General of Manpower Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Department of the Director of Contract Labour Department of the Director of Dockyards Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering Department of the Director of Manning Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs Department of the Director of Naval Construction Department of the Director of Naval Equipment Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service Department of the Director of Personal Services Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining Department of the Director of Transports Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs Department of the Director of Warship Production Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training Department of the Engineer in Chief Department of the Paymaster Director-General Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy Department of the Physician of the Navy Department of the Physician General of the Navy Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy Department of the Surveyor of Buildings Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training) Directorate General Training Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department Dockyards Branch Dockyard Expense Accounts Department Dockyard Schools Electrical Engineering Department Engineer Branch Engineering Department Experimental Department Fire Control Group Greenwich Hospital Department Inspector of Telegraphs Inspector of Repairs Joint Warfare Establishment Medical Consultative Board Medical Examining Board Historical Section Hydrographic Department Marine Department Marine Pay Department Materials and Priority Department Medical Consultative Board Medical Department Medical Examining Board Movements Department Nautical Almanac Office Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department Naval Engineering College Naval Equipment Department Naval Historical Branch Naval Construction Department Naval Intelligence Department Naval Medical Service Naval Law Division Naval Manpower Department Naval Mobilisation Department Naval Ordnance Department Naval Ordnance Inspection Department Naval Ordnance Stores Department Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department Naval Publicity Department Naval Regional Offices Naval Reserve Department Naval Security Department Naval Stores Department Naval Training Department Naval Works Department Navy, Army and Air Force Institute Navy and Army Canteen Board Navy Works Department Navigation Department Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves Office of the Admiralty Chemist Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty Office of the Assistant Controller Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development Office of the Clerk of the Journals Office of the Chief Polaris Executive Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy Office of the Deputy Controller Production Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings Office of the Keeper of Records Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval) Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages Office of the Vice Controller Air Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy Organisation and Methods Department Packet Service Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Royal Corps of Naval Constructors Royal Flying Corps Royal Marine Police Royal Marines Office Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet Royal Naval Academy Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops Royal Naval Air Service Royal Naval Air Stations Royal Naval Armaments Depot Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Royal Naval Cordite Factories Royal Naval Propellant Factory Royal Naval College Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture Royal Naval College, Dartmouth Royal Naval College, Greenwich Royal Naval College, Keyham Royal Naval College, Osborne Royal Naval Engineering College Royal Naval Film Corporation Royal Naval Hospital Royal Naval Medical Depot Royal Naval Minewatching Service Royal Naval Mine Depot Royal Naval Patrol Service Royal Naval Scientific Service Royal Naval Sick Quarters Royal Naval Torpedo Depot Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval War College Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth Royal Navy Dockyard Royal Navy Medical Service Royal Navy Shore Signal Service Royal Observatory, Greenwich Royal School of Naval Architecture Salvage Department School of Mathematics and Naval Construction Scientific Research and Experiment Department Sea Transport Branch Sea Transport Department Sea Transport Division Ship Department Ship Design Department Signal Department Signal School Sixpenny Office Statistics Department Steam Department Superintendent of De-magnetisation Torpedo Experimental Establishment Transport Department Undersurface Warfare Department Victualling Department Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps Weapons Department Weapons Department (Naval) Women's Royal Naval Service Wireless Telegraphy Board Direction/Command of the Fleet Naval formations after 1707
1st Fleet 2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Africa Atlantic Fleet Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Australia Station Cape of Good Hope Station Cape and West Africa Station Battle Cruiser Fleet Battle Cruiser Force Caspian Flotilla Channel Fleet Channel Squadron Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland Cork Station Coast of Scotland Commander-in-Chief, China Commander-in-Chief, Dover Flag Officer, East Africa East Indies Station East Indies and China Station Eastern Fleet Far East Fleet English Channel Grand Fleet Flag Officer Gibraltar Harwich Force Home Fleet Jamaica Station Leith Station Commander-in-Chief, Levant Levant and East Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Mediterranean Fleet Medway Newfoundland Station New Zealand Division New Zealand Naval Forces Nore North America and West Indies Station Commander-in-Chief, North Sea Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands Pacific Fleet Pacific Station Admiral of Patrols Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Queenstown Station Royal East African Navy Royal Indian Navy Flag Officer Submarines Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth Reserve Fleet Scotland and Northern Ireland Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic South East Coast of America Station Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway West Africa Squadron Flag Officer, West Africa Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Naval formations before 1707 Direction of Naval Finance Departments under the Direction of Naval Administration Branches and offices under the Civil Administration Departments under the Legal
United Kingdom
Royal Navy