Admiral (Royal Navy)
Admiral was for all intents and purposes the highest rank one could aspire to in the Royal Navy and still have a sea-going career. Senior to Vice-Admiral but junior to Admiral of the Fleet, Admirals tended to be given command of ocean-going fleets and the home port commands.
Permitted Retinue
In 1888, a Royal Navy Admiral was allotted the Secretary, Flag Lieutenant and Coxswain afforded all flag officers, Commodores First Class and Captains of the Fleet, as well as ten domestics – two fewer than an Admiral of the Fleet enjoyed, and three more than were granted a Vice-Admiral.[1]
Numbers
In 1866 the number of Admirals and Admiral of the Fleets combined was fixed at 21 (of which a maximum of three could be Admirals of the Fleet).[2]
Retirement
Under the Order in Council of 24 March, 1866, Admirals were retired on reaching the age of 70, or if physically unfit for service.[3]
Flag Officers promoted to the Flag Rank before 8 December, 1903, were compulsorily retired seven years after their flag was hauled down, or if they had not hoisted their flag since their Service as Captain ceased.[4]
Admirals promoted to Flag Rank after 8 December, 1903, and prior to 1 April, 1914, were compulsorily retired five years after their last Service as a Flag Officer.[5]
Those Admirals promoted after 1 April, 1914, were to be compulsorily retired three years after their last Service as a Flag Officer, after they had served one year in the rank of Admiral, and provided it didn't conflict with the other regulations.[6]
See Also
Footnotes
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