The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-04
FROM the Army and Nary Chronicle Nov. Is.
NAVAL RANK.

There seems TO be much ignorance prevailing among
the editorial fraternity, respecting the several grades
OF rank, in navy, and the duties pertaining 10
each. The titles Of Commodore and Commander
are frequently COMPOUNDED, and one improperly used
| for the other.
The title of Commodore Is merely one of courtesy
il il unknown in our naval laws. The highest grade
established bylaw is that of Captain. When cap
tain is ordered TO the command Of squadron he is
| styled by courtesy Commodore; = and Judge Ihomp-
son, when Secretary of the Navy ordered that Cap
| tain should only be addressed Commodore when
| actually in command Of squadron. When he re-
linquished that command, he TO be addressed by
his original title of Captain. II has now however.
become customary TO address Captains in command of
navy yards, who have never had the command of
a squadron as Commodore
There is another very common, though erroneous
practice in our service, of calling Captains Post
Captains, and IL is even recognized in the laws of
Congress. The act, establishing Board of Com
mlssoners for the Navy, says that il shall be compos-
ed OF three post Captains The term ID also found in
several other laws. II is derived from the British
service, and means there that post Captain is one
that shall take post in order of battle in ship of the
line
Captains in our navy command squadrons, navy
yards, ships OF the line and gates and in 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 ser
vice. hey command sloops of war, rendezvous for
the enlistment of seamen, and are attached 10 navy
yards as second executive officers. Sometimes
they are attached to ships the line as executive Off
GERS where they perform the duties usually allotted to
the first lieutenant.
In two of the principal Baltimore papers we find
the following paragraph: 0+~bE
Commander q. N. Hollins, at present soiourninp
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 Hoins was ordered the 18th October (as ap-
pears in the Army and Navy Chronicle of the 4th
insant0 to the navy yard at Pensacola as second or
dant oftbat yard, All our navy yards are commanded
sence that the command devolves upon the next in
rank. o. the commander. .~..s e....' |
The next and lowest grade Of commissioned Off |
GERS who exercise command, is that of lieutenant-l
These attached to all cruising and receiving ves-
sels the number varying according the rate of the
vessel; to navy yards, two three 10 each to rem
devious two to each; and they also command schoon-
ers, and the receiving vessels at Philadelphia and Bal
timore. .sM7, ..... .@.
Surgeons, Assistant Surgeons, Pursers, and Chap
lains are commissioned officers but n-combat-
ants. .,. ,.... ....-.. ... 4, ,
Passed Midshipmen, Midshipmen Masters, Boat
SWANS, Gunners, Carpenters, and Sailmakers, are
aoarrant officers Professor of Mathematics and Tea
cheers of Languages receive letter of appointment
merely. 80 #..
All these matters 90 to prove the necessity for an
organization of the navy, and the establishment by
law OF proper distinctions and appropriate division
OF duties between the several grades