Ranks
Posted by Marie Bernadette on March 10, 1998 at 15:57:50:
In response to A question on British Naval ranks, written by Lynn on March 10, 1998 at 14:27:19
...what rank is before (one step lower than) Captain in the British navy? How many steps are there between Captain and Admiral?
Dear Lynn,
Commander is just below Captain in the British navy. Here is a quote from A Sea of Words (by Dean King): "The rank below Captain was Commander. The instition of this rank in 1794 caused som confusion, since up to that point, any commanding officer was properly the commander of his vessel, regardless of his rank, and was called captain.
From 1794 onward, those promoted to Captain came only from among those who held the rank of Commander. Officers holding the rank of Commander commanded sloops of war, vessels smaller than rated ships but larger than the cutters and gunboats commanded by lieutenants."
There is one step between Captain and Admiral and that is the rank of Commodore.
Have you heard of the author Patrick O'Brian? He has written a wonderful naval series that begins in about 1805. I just love his character Jack Aubrey. I think that BookServe may sell this series as well as A Sea of Words which is a very helpful companion book with all sorts of information that you would probably find interesting (I do!). Even if you never read the Aubrey/Maturin series, A Sea of Words will be helpful to you as it lists the ranks, has drawings of different ships and defines many different naval terms.
Honoured, &c.
Marie Bernadette
- Naval Ranks JW 16:25:26 3/11/98
(6)
- Anybody read Woodson's "Drinkwater" series? Woodhouse 10:11:17 3/12/98 (3)
- Clarification Ken 07:51:07 3/12/98
(1)
- Flags JW 06:36:48 3/13/98
(0)
- Flags JW 06:36:48 3/13/98
(0)
- Patrick O'Brian P. Bingham 20:15:45 3/10/98
(0)
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
