Extract from the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions Article 923. "In addition to the instructions contained herein all Officers are to be guided in the use and management of the Machinery and Boilers by the further regulations and instructions given in the 'Steam Manual', which is furnished for their information and guidance so far as they may concern the Machinery and Boilers fitted to their ships."


1. - With reference to the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions Article 923 quoted, my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to issue the following directions respecting the "Steam Manual " therein referred to.

2.- Nothing contained in the "Steam Manual" is to be understood to supersede the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, but the regulations and instructions given in the former, are to be regarded as supplementing those contained in the latter.

3.1 - Each Commanding Officer on being first appointed to command, each Engineer Officer and each Midshipman on first appointment, and each Engine Room Artificer and Mechanician on being rated as such, is to be provided with a copy of the Steam Manual. This copy is to be onsidered as the personal property of the Officer, Artificer or Mechanician to whom supplied, and is to be the only one supplied to him except when replaced by a revised edition or when his copy has been worn out.

The supply of these Manuals to Engineer Officers,
Engine Room Artificers and Mechanicians is to be made by the Engineer Rear-Admiral on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief at the Home Ports.

The books will be issued to him through the accounts of the Secretary to the Commander-in Chief, to whom he will furnish a receipt for the total number of Manuals received.

Supply in lieu of a copy worn out may be made on the approval of the Senior Naval Officer.

3.2 - Engineer Officers are to insert in their copies on the pages provided for the purpose, such particulars of the Machinery, or other information connected with the ships to which they are attached as they may think will be of future service to themselves.

4.1 - A copy of the Steam Manual is to be provided for every Steam Vessel in His Majesty's Navy, which is to be marked with the vessel's name.
In the case of new ships it is to be issued to the ship on the first appointment of the Engineer Officer.

4.2 - It is intended that the Ship's Manual shall contain such particulars of the Engines and Boilers, &c, as to type, construction, age, makers, power, the dimensions of its more important parts, the results of trials and tests, particulars of any additions or alterations made, and its state and condition from time to time, so that, in the event of an Officer being appointed to a ship already in commission, he may be able, by its aid, to make himself acquainted with the nature of the Machinery placed in his charge. The Engineer Officer is to arrange for the insertion of such particulars on the pages provided for the purpose.

4.3 - The Ship's Manual is to be readily accessible to all the Engineer Officers who may be attached to the ship.

5. - Throughout the Manual, unless there is something in the context or subject matter inconsistent therewith, the term "Engineer Officer" shall mean the Officer, OR the Senior Engine Room Artificer, in charge of the Machinery, whatever his rank or rating may be.

By Command of their Lordships,

C.J. Thomas

To all Commanders-in-Chiefs, Captains, Commanders, and Commanding Officers of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, the Superintendents of His Majesty's Dockyards at home and abroad, and all others concerned.

background pertinent to British aeronautical engineering pre WW1, aeronautical Ground engineering post WW1