# Naval Administration and Corruption in The Diary

> Theme guide for The Diary by Samuel Pepys.

Pepys' work at the Navy Board reveals systemic financial mismanagement, bribery, and the struggle to fund and maintain the fleet, highlighting the gap between official duty and personal gain.

## Where it surfaces

- [Particulars of the Life of Samuel Pepys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/particulars-of-the-life-of-samuel-pepys): Pepys's appointment as Clerk of the Acts despite lacking naval and accounting knowledge, his hard work to become a model official, and his role in managing naval affairs during the Dutch war and Plague.
- [The Diary of Samuel Pepys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/the-diary-of-samuel-pepys): Pepys' work at the Navy Office is central, highlighting the administrative and financial challenges of the fleet.
- [March 1659–60](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1659-60): Pepys manages fleet establishments, lists of ships, and orders, highlighting the administrative demands and potential for corruption in naval affairs.
- [April 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1660): Pepys's work on ship commissions, convoy assignments, and the financial state of the Exchequer highlight the administrative and corrupt practices of the Navy.
- [May 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1660): Pepys's role in drafting votes and proclamations, and his observations of the fleet's command structure, highlight the administrative and patronage aspects of naval life.
- [June 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1660): Pepys computes ship pay, deals with commissions for captains, and observes the financial and bureaucratic workings of the Navy Office.
- [July 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1660): Pepys begins his official duties at the Navy Office, signs bills for the first time, and navigates the politics of appointments and lodgings.
- [August 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1660): Pepys manages Navy accounts, orders money for victuallers, and is tempted by a £1,000 bribe for his clerkship, revealing the financial opportunities and ethical challenges in the Navy Office.
- [September 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1660): Pepys works on paying off ships and presenting accounts to the Committee of Parliament, highlighting the administrative challenges and political pressures of naval finance.
- [October 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1660): Pepys engages in naval office duties, ship payments, and discussions of the Winter Guard, highlighting the administrative machinery of the Navy.
- [November 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1660): Pepys deals with paying off ships, inspecting dockyards, and managing naval finances, including the sale of ships by candle.
- [December 1660](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1660): Pepys engages in discussions about seamen's pay and inspects a sunken ship, revealing administrative challenges and corruption in the Navy.
- [January 1660–61](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1660-61): Pepys attends meetings about paying off ships and regulating Navy officers, reflecting his role in naval bureaucracy.
- [February 1660–61](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1660-61): Pepys engages in office debates about paying off the Fleet and drafting letters to Parliament, highlighting administrative tensions.
- [March 1660–61](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1660-61): Pepys works on naval accounts, resolves purveyor dispute, and secures money via bill of exchange.
- [April 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1661): Pepys's interactions with Sir W. Batten and Sir W. Penn reveal the informal, often drunken dealings among naval officials, and his preparations for a trip to Portsmouth highlight administrative duties.
- [May 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1661): Pepys inspects Portsmouth dockyard, sells old provisions, and deals with disputes over ship masters and accounts.
- [June 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1661): Pepys inspects ships at Woolwich and Deptford, deals with office money shortages, and secures imprest bills for Lord Sandwich's voyage.
- [August 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1661): Pepys works at the Navy Office, deals with clerks' absence for a funeral, and is troubled by his inability to focus on business due to his love of plays.
- [September 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1661): Pepys discusses attempts to remove Lord Sandwich from sea command, reflecting factional struggles and envy within the Navy.
- [October 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1661): Pepys inspects the ship Norwich at Deptford, and discusses naval provisions for the Queen with Mr. Pierce.
- [November 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1661): Pepys attends to office duties, welcomes Sir John Minnes as comptroller, and presents a letter to the Duke of York about the Navy's financial state.
- [December 1661](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1661): Pepys engages in paying off ships and preparing estimates of Navy debts, highlighting the bureaucratic and financial aspects of naval management.
- [January 1661–62](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1661-62): Pepys attends Trinity House dinner and discusses Sir N. Crisp's dock project, reflecting naval administrative affairs.
- [February 1661–62](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1661-62): Pepys deals with office politics, reads the Duke's instructions, and hears of bribery among Treasurer's officers.
- [March 1661–62](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1661-62): Pepys's daily office work, dealing with accounts and counterfeit bills, highlights the administrative challenges and corruption in the Navy.
- [April 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1662): Pepys engages in paying off ships, inspecting dockyards, and discussing office faults, highlighting the complexities and potential corruption in naval management.
- [May 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1662): Pepys returns to naval office duties, tensions arise over Mr. Coventry's appointment as a Navy Commissioner, and Sir G. Carteret threatens Sir W. Penn.
- [June 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1662): Pepys deals with office politics, contract disputes, and inspections of naval supplies like yarn and tallow.
- [July 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1662): Pepys uncovers abuses at Deptford, inspects stores and books, and notes that only a third of duties are performed.
- [August 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1662): Pepys inspects Chatham dockyard, discusses naval abuses, and engages with officials like Commissioner Pett and Mr. Coventry.
- [September 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1662): Pepys engages in paying off ships, selling hulks, and inspecting dockyards, highlighting the routine and challenges of naval administration.
- [October 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1662): Pepys attends to office business, inspects masts with Commissioner Pett, and notes the base carriage of Sir J. M. and Sir W. B. at Chatham.
- [November 1662](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1662): Pepys deals with Navy Office business, legal troubles (Field's case), and the arrival of Dunkirk money.
- [January 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1662-63): Pepys observes Sir W. Batten's arbitrary and self-interested handling of ticket payments, reflecting ongoing administrative issues.
- [February 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1662-63): Pepys confronts Mr. Gawden over delayed provisions, discusses Navy errors with Parliament-men, and works on Tangier victualling and the Mole contract.
- [March 1662–63](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1662-63): Pepys engages in naval inspections, rope trials, and office rivalries, including disputes over patents and conduct.
- [April 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1663): Disputes over defective timber at Woolwich, tensions with Captain Holmes, and Navy debt discussions.
- [May 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1663): Pepys deals with the fallout of clerk Hater's religious nonconformity, reflecting the tension between personal belief and naval office discipline.
- [June 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1663): Pepys confronts Sir W. Batten's corrupt pricing of tar and reports to Sir G. Carteret.
- [July 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1663): Pepys inspects Woolwich and Greenwich for naval matters, discusses ship drafts with Mr. Deane, and deals with accounts involving Sir G. Carteret.
- [August 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1663): Pepys engages in office business, discusses Mr. Wood's knavery, and handles Commissioner Pett's complaint.
- [September 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1663): Pepys deals with naval contracts, the debt dispute with Sir G. Carteret, and Batten's criticism of his mast bargain.
- [October 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1663): Pepys engages in disputes over contracts, accounts, and salaries, highlighting inefficiency and potential corruption in the Navy Office.
- [November 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1663): Pepys discusses Navy Office business and the mismanagement of royal revenue, including difficulties in collecting taxes.
- [December 1663](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1663): Pepys's involvement in arbitration and contract disputes reveals the complexities and potential corruption in naval supply and shipping.
- [February 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1663-64): Pepys handles office business, inspects masts, and discusses Dutch threats to English trade, highlighting naval and commercial concerns.
- [March 1663–64](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1663-64): Pepys's office work, including the letter about masts and the meeting of the East India Company, underscores the complexities of naval administration.
- [April 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1664): Pepys details the mismanagement and corruption at the Navy Office, particularly by Sir W. Batten and Sir J. Minnes, and discusses reforms with Mr. Coventry.
- [May 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1664): Pepys engages in disputes over canvas specifications and inspects dockyard business, highlighting the administrative and material concerns of the Navy Office.
- [June 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1664): Pepys deals with ship delays, incompetent captains, and the Tangier committee's disorganized provisioning.
- [July 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1664): Pepys deals with victualling contracts, mast procurement, and the death of a ropeyard official, highlighting the daily workings and ethical gray areas of naval management.
- [August 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1664): Pepys works on contracts for masts and Tangier victualling; discusses Sir W. Batten's dealings and Sir W. Penn's rewards for helping Falconer.
- [September 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1664): Pepys laments the office's sluggishness in preparing for war, while simultaneously profiting from the Tangier victualling contract, saving the King money but also securing personal gain.
- [October 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1664): Pepys is deeply involved in naval contracts, including the timber contract with Sir W. Warren, and preparations against the Dutch.
- [November 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1664): Pepys manages naval stores, accounts, and seeks personal gain through the prize office, highlighting administrative challenges and self-interest.
- [December 1664](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1664): Pepys engages in financial schemes related to Tangier freight, securing payments with questionable justification, and discusses naval affairs with colleagues.
- [January 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1664-65): Pepys deals with timber felling, Tangier Committee disputes, and naval business, reflecting administrative challenges and factionalism.
- [February 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1664-65): Pepys engages in naval business, inspects rope-making and Sir W. Petty's ship, discusses pressing of men, and hears complaints about careless governance.
- [March 1664–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1664-65): Pepys's appointment as Treasurer for Tangier and his work on Navy business, including discussions with Coventry about office order.
- [April 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1665): Pepys grapples with the Navy's financial chaos, Ticket abuse, and the incompetence of ministers like Sir G. Carteret, while the King's service suffers.
- [May 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1665): Pepys grapples with delayed ships, lack of provisions, and the blame falling on the Navy Office; he fears new officers may be imposed.
- [June 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1665): Pepys deals with office business, Tangier treasury troubles, and the release of Mr. Hater; naval command changes and Captain Holmes's torn commission highlight administrative tensions.
- [July 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1665): Pepys deals with disorder in Portsmouth Yard due to lack of money, and manages office business amid the plague.
- [August 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1665): Pepys continues his naval office duties, discusses fleet movements, and participates in plague prevention meetings for naval towns.
- [September 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1665): Pepys's office work, discussions about fleet funding, and observations of mismanagement highlight the challenges of naval administration during war and plague.
- [October 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1665): Pepys inspects Chatham dockyard, criticizes waste (timber handling), and deals with prize goods and victualling.
- [November 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1665): Pepys manages victualling, prize goods disputes, and Tangier boats, highlighting the intersection of duty and personal profit.
- [December 1665](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1665): Pepys grapples with naval office inefficiencies, pursers' trade reforms, and the King's financial losses from coinage projects.
- [January 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1665-66): Pepys works extensively on Pursers' business, navigates office politics over mast contracts, and discusses the Act's credit with Sir W. Coventry.
- [February 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1665-66): Pepys attends meetings to state Navy debts to the Duke, and discusses the political fallout between Sir G. Carteret and Sir W. Coventry.
- [March 1665–66](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1665-66): Pepys engages in Navy business, discusses tallies and credit, and negotiates prize ships; tensions arise between Lord Ashly and Sir W. Coventry over prize ship management.
- [April 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1666): Pepys conducts business at the Navy Office, discusses the Chest business with Mr. Prin, and notes the disorder in Tangier due to military governance.
- [May 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1666): Pepys deals with naval finances, letters to the Duke of York about lack of money, and Captain Cocke's complaints about Lord Brouncker.
- [June 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1666): Pepys is deeply involved in the logistical and administrative efforts to support the fleet, including dispatching soldiers and supplies, while also noting the failures in intelligence and command.
- [July 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1666): Pepys deals with pressing men, victualling, and the logistics of the fleet, highlighting the challenges and inefficiencies of naval administration.
- [August 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1666): Pepys deals with naval accounts, victualling issues, and a scathing letter from the Generals criticizing the office's management.
- [September 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1666): Pepys deals with complaints about lack of money for the fleet, parliamentary scrutiny of accounts, and discussions about timber and privateering to raise funds.
- [October 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1666): Pepys grapples with parliamentary scrutiny of Navy lists, the financial paralysis of the fleet, and the incompetence of officials like Sir J. Minnes.
- [November 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1666): Pepys and Sir W. Coventry lament lost discipline in the fleet, lack of money, and the need to represent the Navy's ill state to the Duke of York, highlighting administrative decay and corruption.
- [December 1666](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1666): Pepys manages Tangier accounts and office business, while Sir W. Warren is noted for his cunning in business.
- [January 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1666-67): Pepys discusses the Navy's inability to set out a fleet due to lack of men and money, and examines the loss of The Prince Royal, highlighting administrative challenges.
- [February 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1666-67): Pepys deals with the Carcasse affair, double tickets, and disputes between Lord Brouncker and Sir W. Batten; examines petty warrants and Victuallers' accounts.
- [March 1666–67](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1666-67): Pepys deals with the Carcasse affair, financial shortages, and the distribution of limited funds, highlighting administrative challenges and personal rivalries.
- [April 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1667): Pepys and Coventry discuss the Navy's lack of funds and internal conflicts, highlighting administrative decay.
- [May 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1667): Pepys works on the report against Carcasse, a rogue clerk, and discusses Sir G. Carteret's desire to sell his Navy Treasury post.
- [June 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1667): Pepys details the breakdown of naval discipline, lack of funds to pay seamen, and the disastrous consequences of administrative failure at Chatham.
- [July 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1667): Pepys highlights the Navy Office's paralysis due to lack of money, the public's contempt for officers' wasteful spending on defenses, and the struggle to pay for essential supplies like grapnells.
- [August 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1667): Pepys engages in financial transactions with Mr. Gawden and discusses retrenchments with Sir William Coventry, reflecting the ongoing management and corruption within the Navy.
- [September 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1667): Pepys attends to Navy Office business and discusses ship sales with the Duke of York.
- [October 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1667): Pepys is deeply involved in Navy accounts and the Parliamentary inquiry, which scrutinizes the actions of officials like Lord Brouncker and Commissioner Pett regarding the Chatham disaster.
- [November 1667](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1667): Pepys's dealings with Warren over payments for ship passes highlight the informal economy of favors within naval administration.
- [February 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1667-68): Pepys deals with office disputes, the need for money, and the Commissioners of Accounts investigating prize profits.
- [March 1667–68](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1667-68): Pepys prepares defenses against accusations of mismanagement, ticket fraud, and favoritism in payments.
- [April 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1668): The Office is unable to do much due to lack of money and trust; the fleet's fitting out is hampered by financial rubs.
- [May 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1668): Pepys's office work, Sir Thomas Teddiman's death linked to parliamentary treatment, and naval appointments are discussed.
- [June 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/june-1668): Pepys attends Treasury and Council meetings about fleet funding, highlighting the tension between royal orders and parliamentary scrutiny.
- [July 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/july-1668): Pepys attends Council on ticket security, the Duke of York resolves to reform the Navy, and the Commissioners of Accounts investigate.
- [August 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/august-1668): Pepys works on reforming the Navy Office and drafting a victualling contract, highlighting administrative challenges.
- [September 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/september-1668): Disputes over the victualling-contract and the Duke of York's great letter highlight Navy Office challenges.
- [October 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/october-1668): Pepys maneuvers to secure the Storekeeper's place at Deptford for Mr. Hater, dealing with petitions and seniority.
- [November 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/november-1668): Pepys deals with Navy Office business, including the Duke of York's letter, the loss of a tally, and the replacement of Sir William Penn, highlighting administrative challenges and corruption.
- [December 1668](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/december-1668): Pepys deals with Office disputes, the Ticket-Office, and concerns about Navy debts and mismanagement.
- [January 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/january-1668-69): Debates over ship repair timelines and Tangier treasury management reflect administrative challenges.
- [February 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/february-1668-69): Pepys engages in council meetings about balancing storekeeper accounts and discusses naval reforms with the Duke of York.
- [March 1668–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/march-1668-69): Pepys's research into naval records and his captain's commission for a court-martial highlight his deep involvement in Navy affairs.
- [April 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/april-1669): Pepys attends a court-martial where commanders protect a rogue captain, and later presents a history of the Navy to counter political efforts to change the administration.
- [May 1669](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/may-1669): Pepys works on Commanders' Instructions and discusses naval reform with Sir W. Coventry and the Duke of York.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/chapters/endnotes): Pepys's letter to Sir William Coventry on naval victualling exemplifies his focus on administrative reform.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/themes/naval_administration_and_corruption
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_diary_se/themes