Iee science, education & technology division: chairman´s address. close encounters of an electrical kind. electrical science, education and training technology in the royal navy - a personal view

1871 saw the foundation of the Society of Telegraph Engineers which later was to become the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Three years before this the Royal Navy became interested in the use of electricity in connection with torpedoes, at that time static devices. From these early days there have always been strong links between the IEE and the Royal Navy, epitomised for example by Captain H.B. Jackson´s work on wireless at the beginning of the 20th century, he being an active member of the IEE. Electrical and electronic developments have changed the whole complexion of naval warfare, and the Soviet Navy has been quick to capitalise on this. To counter this the Royal Navy has constantly evolved its technical education and training so that its men can keep abreast of such developments and make best use of sophisticated modern weapon systems. It is significant that many features of naval training are to be found in recent reports such as Haslegrave (1970), Merriman (1978) and Finniston (1980). The paper outlines the evolution of electrical education and training within the Royal Navy and suggests that because many naval officers and ratings, on completion of their service, have extensive second careers, their naval training can be viewed as a national investment. A corollary is that continuing links between the IEE and the Royal Navy can only be mutually beneficial.