The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-04
From Ms Army and Nary Chronicle Nor. 49,
NAVAL RANK.

Thero seems 10 be much ignorance prevailing among
the editorial fraternity, respecting the several grades
OF rank in our navy, and the duties pertaining TO
each. The titles Of Commodore and Commander
are frequently confounded, and one Improperly USED
| for the other.
The title Of Commodore il merely one Of courtesy
| il il unknown in naval laws. The highest grade
established by law is that of Captain. When cap
tain is ordered TO the command Of squadron, he Is
| styled by courtesy Commodore; and Judge Thomp-
son. when Secretary Of the Navy ordered that Cap
tain should only be addressed as Commodore when
actually in a command of squadron. w hen he re-
inquished that command, he was TO be addressed by
his original title Of Captain 1t has now, however.
become customary, TO address Captains In command OF
navy yards who have never had the command oil
a squadron as Commodore.
There is another very common, though erroneous
practice in our service, of calling our Captains Post
Captains and il is even recognized IN the laws OF
Congress. The act, establishing Board of Com
mssoners for the Navy, says thatit shall be compos
ed Of three posi- Captains The term Is also found IN
several other laws. II is derived from the British
service. and means there that a post Captain is
that shall take post in order of battle in ship OF the
line.
Captains in our navy command squadrons, navy
wards ships OF the line, and gates and 10 the three
principal ports Boston, New York, and Norfolk, the
Receiving ships, for enlisted sailors and apprentices
are commanded by them.
Commanders are the next grade known in our
vice. They command sloops OF war, rendezvous for
the enlistment OF seauen anu are uuhcneu W navy
yards second executive officers Sometimes
they are attached to sh ps ofthe line, executive Off
GERS where they perform the duties usually allotted 10
the first lieutenant.
In two Of the principal Baltimore papers We find
the following paragraph;
"Commander G. NJ Hollins, at present sojourning
with his family and friends in this city, has been APP
pointed TO the command Of the navy yard at Pensa-
cola"
The fact is not exactly as here stated Comman-
der Holns was ordered the 26th October, LAS APP
pears in the Army and Navy Chronicle Of the 4th
instant 10 the navy yard at Pensacola, us second or
eIecuire officer. Commodore Dallas is the Comman-
dant oftbat yard, All our navy yards commanded
by Captains and il is only during their temporary abb
sence that the command devolves upon the next in
rank. e. the commander
The next and lowest grade Of commissioned Off
who exercise command, is that of Heutenant-
These attached to all cruising and receiving YES
sells the number varying according to the rate of the
vessel to navy yards, two three TO each TO
devious two TO each; and they also command schoon-
ers and the receiving vessels at Philadelphia and Bal
timore.
Surgeons, Assistant Surgeons, Pursers and Chap.
lains are commissioned officers, but are noncombat-
ants.
Passed Midshpmen, Midshipmen, Masters, Boat
swans Gunners Carpenters, and Sailmakers, are
,carrant officers Professor of Mathematics and Tea
chers of Languages receive letter Of appointment
merely
All these matters 60 to prove the necessity for
organization of the navy, and the establishment by
law of proper distinctions and appropriate division
OF duties between the several grades.