| Office of the Surveyor of the Navy | |
|---|---|
 Ensign of the Royal Navy | |
| Department of the Admiralty | |
| Member of | Navy Board (1546-1832), Board of Admiralty (1832-1848) |
| Reports to | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Nominator | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Appointer | Prime Minister Subject to formal approval by the Queen-in-Council |
| Term length | Not fixed (typically 3–7 years) |
| Inaugural holder | Benjamin Gonson |
| Formation | 1546-1869 |
The Surveyor of the Navy also known as Department of the Surveyor of the Navy and originally known as Surveyor and Rigger of the Navy[1] was a former principal commissioner and member of both the Navy Board from the inauguration of that body in 1546 until its abolition in 1832 and then a member Board of Admiralty from 1848 to 1859. In 1860 the office was renamed Controller of The Navy until 1869 when the office was merged with that of the Third Naval Lord's the post holder held overall responsibility for the design of British warships.