Royal Navy ranks

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Revision as of 14:56, 14 June 2007

The ranks of the Royal Navy have become the model for many navies. By the time of Jack Aubrey they were established and only minor changes have been made since. The following table lists the ranks in the early 19th century.

Contents 1 Flag Officers 2 Commissioned officers 3 Wardroom Warrant officers 4 Standing Warrant officers 5 Other Warrant officers

Flag Officers

Flag officers or admirals were the most senior commanders in the Royal Navy. An admiral commanded an number of ships in a squadron or fleet. There were nine ranks of admiral, each of the three levels was further subdivided into three colours of flag, Red, White and Blue, and promotion up the ranks was by seniority, not merit. In the early 19th century any post captain would become an admiral by seniority if he survived long enough, however, as described in [[The Yellow Admiral (novel|]], this did not automatically lead to an active command.

Rank	Description
Admiral of the Fleet	The Admiral of the Fleet is the most senior Admiral in the Navy, the position was later known as First Sea Lord. During the period 1799-1811 the position was held by Sir Peter Parker and from 1811-1821 by the Duke of Clarence.
Admiral	The highest flag officer rank, an Admiral flew his flag at the main mast.
Vice Admiral	The Vice Admiral was originally the commander of the leading ships or van in the line of battle. His flag was flown at the foremast.
Rear Admiral	The Rear Admiral originally commanded the rear of the line of battle. His flag was flown at the mizzen.
Commodore	A commodore in the early 19th century was a temporary rank given to a Post Captain commanding an independent squadron. There were two levels of Commodore, the first rank had a captain under him to command his flagship and wore a Rear Admiral's uniform. A Commodore of the second rank had to command the ship as well as the squadron. Commodores flew a broad pennant.

Commissioned officers

Rank	Description
Post Captain
Master and Commander
Lieutenant
Midshipman

Wardroom Warrant officers

Rank	Description
Master
Surgeon
Chaplain
Purser

Standing Warrant officers

Rank	Description
Boatswain
Carpenter
Gunner

Other Warrant officers

Rank	Description
Master at Arms
Sailmaker
Armourer