Royal Naval Academy Academy was reconstituted as the "Royal Navy College" and in 1816 was amalgamated with the "School of Naval Architecture". The college closed as a young officer training establishment on 30 March 1837, meaning that from that date all youngsters setting out on a naval career proceeded directly to sea. The closure of the college created a gap in officer training, and in 1857 the two-decker "Illustrious" undertook the role of cadet training ship at Portsmouth. In 1859 she was replaced by the three-decker "Britannia", which was removed to Portland in 1862 and to Dartmouth in 1863. A distinguished Academy graduate
Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer) Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer) Rear Admiral Simon Paul Williams, is a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) from March 2015 to June 2018. Educated at Kingsbridge School, the City University London and the Britannia Royal Naval College, Williams joined the Royal Navy in 1978. After taking charge of the minesweeper , he became Commanding Officer of the frigate in 2001 and of the frigate in 2005. He became Director of Naval Personnel Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in 2008, Commodore of the Britannia Royal