Clerk of the Acts
| Office of the Clerk of the Acts | |
|---|---|
Flag of the Navy Board | |
| Department of the Admiralty | |
| Member of | Navy Board (1546–1796) |
| Reports to | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Nominator | First Lord of the Admiralty |
| Appointer | Monarch, with advice from council/ministers |
| Term length | Not fixed (usually for life) |
| Inaugural holder | Samuel Pepys |
| Formation | c. 1660–1796 |
The Clerk of the Acts, originally known as the Keeper of the King's Ports and Galleys, was a civilian officer in the Royal Navy and a principal member of the Navy Board. The office was created by King Charles II in 1660 and succeeded the earlier position of Clerk of the Navy (1546 to 1660). The Clerk was responsible for the organisation of Navy Office, processing naval contracts and coordinating the administrative and secretarial side of the Navy Board's work. The post lasted until 1796, when its duties were merged with that of the Second Secretary to the Admiralty later known as the Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty.