The navy is composed of two bodies of men—seamen and marines. There are commissioned, warrant, and petty officers.
The commissioned officers are flag-officers, captains, commanders and lieutenants.
Flag-officers are divided into the following classes, and rank and command in the order here following Admirals of the fleet.
Admirals of the red, white, and blue squadrons.
Vice-admirals of the red, white; and blue squadrons.
Rear-admirals of the red, white, and blue squadrons.
There are superannuated and retired rear-admirals, who enjoy the rank and pay, but do not rise.
The admiral of the fleet, when in command, bears the union flag at the main-top-gallant-mast. The other flag-officers bear a square fin of the colour of their squadron at the main, fore, or uiizcn top-gallant meat, according to their rank.
The flag-officer holding the chief command of a fleet or squadron employed within certain geographical limits, termed a station, is called a commander-in-chief. Ile is responsible for the efficiency and conduct of the fleet under his orders; be dispose. of the vessels composing it in such manner as will be most advantageous for the service ; but without some especial necessity ho is never to send one beyond the limits of his station. All vacancies in ships under his orders which are caused by death or dismissal from the service by the sentence of a court-martial, are in his gift.
A temporary rank is given to captains called commodore : they are of two dames, the first cLass having the pay and allowance of a rear admiral, with a captain under him. They bear a broad pendant, but must strike it in the presence of a senior captain. Caetaina and com manders are appointed to command her Majesty's ships, except when the latter are appointed to flag-ships and ships of the line, in which case they must have served three years in command of a sloop sir as first lieutenant of a rated ship.
When a captain or commander is ordered to commission a ship, he does so by hoisting a long pendant, having a St. George's cross on a white field next the mast, and a fly of the colour of the admiral's flag under whose orders be is placed. No vessels, except such as belong to
her Majesty, or are hired for her service, and commanded by a naval officer, are entitled to wear this pendant. The ship being commis sioned, a hulk or receiving ship is allotted for the use of the crew while fitting for sea ; a party of marines, commanded in rated ships by a commissioned officer, is sent on board ; seamen are entered as they volunteer, on being reported fit for the service after examination by the surgeon ; stores are demanded as required, and the sea stores, pro visions, and water stowed away. When ready for sea, the ordnance and powder are received on board ; the crew are paid two months' wages in advance ; and the ship only waits the sailing orders from the Admiralty to proceed to her destination. The duty of the captain as regards the books and accounts is regulated by Act of Parliament ; but the interior arrangements and discipline depend mainly on himself, in which be has for his guidance the Act 22 Geo. IL, called the Articles of War, and the general printed instructions issued by the Admiralty. All muster and pay books, &c., are signed by the captain, commander, or senior lieutenant, master, and purser, or other officer in whose charge the stores in question may be placed.
The senior lieutenant is nominated by the captain, and has under his direction the whole management and superintendence of the internal arrangements of the ship ; indeed on the qualifications of this officer must in a great measnre depend the state of discipline and efficiency. The other lieutenants take the watch by turns, during which time they have charge and command of the ship ; they are never to quit the dock without being relieved. The watches are periods of four hours, except that from four to eight rag., which is divided into two, called the dog-watehee. No mate is eligible for the rank of lieutenant until he has served six complete years in the navy, has completed his nineteenth year, and passed in seamanship and navigation.