Admiralty Experiment Works

The Admiralty Experiment Works (AEW) , was the British Admiralty research establishment, primarily responsible, propeller design, manoeuvrability and seakeeping behaviour in relation to vessel design and performance it was based at Haslar, Gosport, Hampshire, England from 1872 to 1977.

History
The Admiralty Experiment Works (AEW), was the oldest of all the Admiralty's research establishments, it was established in 1872 and was based in Chelston Cross, Torquay, Devon, following the Admiralty's approval of experimental work by engineer and naval architect William Froude, concerning the resistance to propulsion of ships. It was originally under the control of the Chief Constructors department of the Controller of the Navy. In 1886 its focus centered on the model testing of ships' hulls as an aid to the Department of the Director of Naval Construction. In 1887 moved to its permanent head quarters at Haslar, Gosport, Hants, where it began to expand.

The laboratories were originally concerned with the prediction of ship power, experiments undertaken involved the hydrodynamics of ship and submarine design and later propeller design in relation to ship manoeuvrability and sea-keeping behaviour of sea vessels. As its work began to expand new research testing facilities were established between 1930-1972 that enabled the works to extend their tests on models in a ship tank covering all classes of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and miscellaneous vessels. The results of these experiments were then used by Naval Construction Department enabling it to improve ship design and performance. . In 1958 the Naval Construction Department became a division of the new Ship Department.

In 1977, AEW became part of the Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment, which itself in 1984 became a department of the unified Admiralty Research Establishment.

Timeline

 * Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Experiment Works (AEW), (1872-1964)
 * Ministry of Defence, Admiralty Experiment Works (AEW), (1964-1977)
 * Ministry of Defence, Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment (AMTE), (1977-1984)
 * Ministry of Defence, Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE), (1984-1991)
 * Ministry of Defence, Defence Research Agency, (1991-1995)