Introduction to Arming the Royal Navy, 1793-1815: the Office of Ordnance and the State

The administrative structure of the supply of shipping was rationalized during the Great Wars. At their commencement there were two men with this responsibility. Firstly, there was Richard Webb who was the Purveyor of Shipping until his superannuation in 1803. Secondly, there was Thomas Dickinson the Superintendent of Ordnance Shipping during the whole of the conflict. For foreign shipping the board then applied to the Transport Board for the requisite vessels. Dickinson was then to superintend the fitting out of vessels and the embarkation and stowage of the stores on board them. Dickinson procured the shipping for the coasting trade 'under the orders of the Board' and superintended the embarkation and stowage of the stores. Dickinson also procured 'the craft wanted for the service of the Ordnance, and the Bills of the Owners of the Vessels and Craft'. As the Superintendent of Ordnance Shipping, Dickinson does not appear to have been as administratively capable and forward-thinking as Congreve and Blomefield.