Queens Regulations & Admiralty Instructions 1861
Queens Regulations & Admiralty Instructions 1861


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The Queens Regulations and the Admiralty Instructions - 1861


CHAPTER VII.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF THE OFFICERS OF THE MILITARY AND CIVIL BRANCHES.

I. Military Branch.
II. Civil Branch.
III. Officers in General.

§ 1 - MILITARY BRANCH.

1.

As vacancies occur on the Active List, the Captain first in seniority, who has served for his Flag, as hereafter mentioned, will be promoted, reserving, however, Her Majesty's undoubted right of selection.

Captains who rise to their Flags, but who have not served the required time, will be placed on the Reserved Half-Pay List of Flag-Officers.

2.

To qualify a Captain, whose seniority brings him in turn for advancement, for the Active List of Flag Officers, he must have commanded one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, as Captain, four complete years during War, or six complete years during Peace, or five complete years during War and Peace combined.

A Captain shall be allowed to reckon as time served at Sea, the period during which he may have been employed afloat in that capacity on surveying or other duties, provided that, during such period, he shall actually have had the charge and command of some Surveying Ship or other sea-going Vessel, or that he shall have been borne for full-pay on the books of one of Her Majesty's Ships in Commission. And the Captains-Superintendent of Her Majesty's Dockyards shall be allowed to reckon as time served at Sea, the period during which they may be so employed.

3.

In the event of a Captain, whose seniority brings him in turn for advancement to the rank of Flag Officer, preferring to continue as a Captain, he may be placed on a retired list of Captains.

4.

No Captain who shall have declined service when called upon, or against whose character there may be anything affecting him as an Officer and a Gentleman, shall be considered eligible for advancement to the rank of Flag Officer.

5.

No Commander shall be eligible to receive a Captain's Commission until he shall have served one complete year as Commander on board one or more of Her Majesty's Ships in Commission.

6.

No Lieutenant shall be eligible to receive a Commander's Commission until he shall have served two complete years as Lieutenant in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships in Commission.

7.

When the Admiralty, having reference to the length and nature of the service on which a Flag Officer has been employed, may deem it proper to extend to him, on striking his Flag, the privilege of nominating a Lieutenant for promotion, it is to be understood that the Officer nominated shall be duly qualified for promotion at the time when the Flag is struck; or, if an Acting Lieutenant, that he shall pass the required examinations at the Royal Naval College, within the prescribed period, otherwise the nomination to become void; and further, that he shall have served under the Flag Officer who nominates him during some period of the command in right of which such Flag Officer exercises this patronage. The Officer nominated must have completed at least five years' service as Lieutenant or Acting Lieutenant, at the date when the Flag Officer may be ordered to strike his Flag, - of which five years not less than three years shall have been served in a sea-going ship.

8.

To qualify an officer to receive a Lieutenant's Commission, he must have attained the full age of 19 years, and have completed not less than five years and six months' service in the Royal Navy, including the time awarded him on leaving the Training Ship, - and have passed such examinations as the Admiralty, may, from time to time, direct.

9.

Midshipmen who entered the service prior to May, 1857, may, on attaining the full age of 19 years, and having been borne on the books of, and actually served in, one or more of Her Majesty's Ships not less than five complete years, - two years as Naval Cadet and three years as Midshipman, - be examined for the rank of Lieutenant under such regulations as the Admiralty may establish.

10.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Sub-Lieutenant, he must have served the time, and passed the examination required, to qualify him for a Lieutenancy.

11.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Midshipman, he must have been borne in Training or other Ships for eighteen calendar months as a Naval Cadet, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

12.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Naval Cadet, he must be not less than 12, nor above 14 years of age when first examined; - and he must pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

13.

To qualify an officer to receive a Commission as Master, he must have been at sea at least seven years, two of which in Her Majesty's Navy as Acting Master or Second Master, and have passed such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no candidate shall be qualified before he shall have attained the age of 21 years, nor after the age of 40.

The Admiralty may, at their discretion, appoint gentlemen from the Merchant Service to be Masters, or Acting Masters, in the Royal Navy, provided they shall have been seven years at sea, one year or more of which actually in the capacity of Chief Mate, or Officer, and two years Master, or two years Chief Mate or Officer, and one year Master of a Merchant Vessel; and further, that they pass the examinations prescribed for Masters of the Royal Navy, are not less than 21, nor more than 40 years of age, and produce certificates of diligence, sobriety, and good conduct, from the Owners and Masters of the Merchant Ships in which they have served.

Masters are to be considered eligible to be promoted to the rank of Commander, or of Lieutenant, if, from distinguished service, the Admiralty should think proper to reward them by advancement to either of those ranks; and in such cases the time served as Master shall be considered as time served as Lieutenant; but no master is eligible for a Commander's Commission who has not served two years at sea as Master, or as Lieutenant and Master for the same period. Whenever a Master may be promoted under this regulation to the rank of Lieutenant, seniority as such shall be given to him from the date of his Commission as Master. Second Masters, in similar cases, are to be considered eligible for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, provided they shall have served seven years at sea.

14.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Second Master, he must have served at least five years at sea in Her Majesty's Navy as Midshipman or Master's Assistant, and have passed such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no candidate shall be examined before he shall have attained the age of 19 years, nor after the age of 35.

Masters' Assistants entered as such with one or more years' sea time in some other capacity, either in the Royal Navy or Merchant Service, are not to be examined for Second Masters until they have attained the age of 19, and have completed a period of five years' service at sea, of which the last two years must have been as Masters' Assistant in the Royal Navy.

The Admiralty may, at their discretion, appoint gentlemen from the Merchant Service to be Second Masters or Acting Second Masters, in the Royal Navy, provided they shall have been five years at sea, three of which in the actual capacity of Master, Mate, or Officer of a Merchant Vessel; and further, that they pass the examinations prescribed for Second Masters or Acting Second Masters of the Royal Navy, as the case may be, are not less than 19, nor more than 35 years of age, and produce certificates of diligence, sobriety, and good conduct, from the Owners and Masters of the Merchant Ships in which they have served.

15.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Masters' Assistant, he must not be less than 14, nor more than 16 years of age (unless he shall have been at sea previous to his entry as a Master's Assistant, in which case the age is extended to 18, provided he has served one year at sea, - and to 20, provided he has served two years at sea), and he must pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

16.

To qualify a person to receive a Gunner's Warrant, he must have been at sea at least seven years, one complete year of which as Petty Officer or Seaman Gunner, in Her Majesty's Navy, and possess a first-class certificate in Gunnery; he must also pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no candidate is to be examined before he shall have attained the age of 21 years, nor after the age of 35.

17.

To qualify a person to receive a Boatswain's Warrant, he must have been at sea at least seven years, one complete year of which with the rating, and actually doing the duty of, a Petty Officer in Her Majesty's Navy; and shall pass such examination as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no candidate is to be examined before he shall have attained the age of 21 years, nor after the age of 35.

18.

To qualify a person to receive a Carpenter's Warrant, he must have served a regular Apprenticeship to a Shipwright, and have been six months, at least, Carpenter's Mate or Caulker, or twelve months with the rating of Shipwright or Carpenter's Crew in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships; and shall pass such examination as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no candidate is to be examined before he shall have attained the age of 21 years, nor after the age of 35.

19.

Gunners, Boatswains, and Carpenters, of exemplary conduct, who may distinguish themselves by acts of gallantry and daring in the Service, shall be considered eligible to hold Commissions in Her Majesty's Fleet, in such rank or position as the Admiralty may deem them, after undergoing an examination, worthy to receive, and competent to fill.

§ II. - CIVIL BRANCH.

1.

A Chaplain shall be a Clergyman of the Established Church of England and Ireland, in Priest's Orders; and shall produce such testimonials of his conduct and fitness for the station as the Admiralty may require.

2.

To be eligible for a Commission as Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, the Officer must have served five years at home, or three years abroad, in the rank of Deputy Inspector-General.

3.

To be eligible for a Commission as Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, the Officer must have served ten years in the Royal Navy on Full-pay, of which three at least must have been passed in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, on some one or more Foreign Stations, with the rank of Surgeon.

4.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Surgeon, he must have passed such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, require, - and have served on Full-pay, with the commission of Assistant-Surgeon, for five years, of which two at least shall have been passed on board one or more of Her Majesty's sea-going Ships.

Surgeons, after twenty years' service on Full-pay, - ten of which in the rank of Surgeon, - shall be styled "Staff-Surgeons."

5.

In cases of emergency, or when the good of Her Majesty's Service may render such alteration desirable, it will be competent for the Admiralty to shorten the several periods of service mentioned in the above Articles (2, 3, and 4), in such manner as they shall deem fit and expedient.

6.

No Candidate shall be admitted to the examination for a Commission in the Medical Department of the Royal Navy who does not possess such a diploma as would qualify a civilian to practise Medicine and Surgery; and no such candidate shall receive a Commission as Assistant-Surgeon, until he shall have satisfactorily passed an examination in Naval Surgery and Hygiene before a Board of Examiners, appointed by the Admiralty. Candidates for entry as Assistant-Surgeons, must not be under 20, nor above 26 years of age.

7.

To qualify an Officer to receive an appointment as Secretary, he must be on the list of Secretaries, Paymasters, or Assistant-Paymasters of the Royal Navy.

Officers on completing twelve years' service in the rank of Secretary to Flag Officers or Commodores of the First Class, will be removed from the Paymasters' or Assistant-Paymasters' List, and placed on the permanent List of Secretaries.

8.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Paymaster-in-Chief, he must be a Paymaster, with long and meritorious sea-service. The rank of Paymaster-in chief is a retired rank.

9.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Paymaster, he must have served three complete years as the Secretary of a Flag Officer or Commodore of the First or Second Class, or as Clerk to the Secretary of a Flag Officer or Commodore of the First Class, or as a Clerk in Her Majesty's Navy, or in any one or more of those capacities, comprehending a period of three years in the aggregate, and must have been so borne on the books of one or more of Her Majesty's Ships for three complete years, and must also be at least 21 years of age, and have passed such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

Paymasters are divided into four classes ; the first class is to consist of the first 30 Paymasters on the List, - the second class of the next 60, -the third class of the next 80, - and the fourth class of the remainder.

No Paymaster, however, when paid off or superseded from one Ship, will be appointed to another, or advanced to a higher class, unless he shall have rendered and passed his Accounts in Office in a creditable manner, have exercised due economy in the expenditure of the Stores entrusted to his charge, and have discharged his duties with zeal and attention.

10.

To qualify a Clerk to receive a Commission as Assistant-Paymaster, he must have been examined and found in every respect qualified for the rank of Paymaster, as directed in the preceding Article.

Assistant-Paymasters are divided into two classes; the first class is to consist of those who have served on full-pay as such for 4 years and upwards, - and the second class of those who have served less than 4 years.

11.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Clerk, he must have served for the full period of one year as an Assistant Clerk, and been so borne for Full-pay on the books of one or more of Her Majesty's Ships; he must not be under 17 years of age, and must pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

12.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Assistant Clerk, he must pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct, and be not under 15, or above 19 years of age.

13.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Inspector of Machinery afloat, he must have served as Chief Engineer, in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, on Full-Pay, for five complete years.

14.

To qualify an Officer to receive a Commission as Chief Engineer, he must have served as Engineer in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, on Full-Pay, for three complete years, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

15.

To qualify an Officer to receive an appointment as Engineer, he must have served as First-Class Assistant-Engineer in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, on Full-Pay, for two complete years, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

16.

To qualify an Officer to receive an appointment as First-Class Assistant-Engineer, he must have served as Second-Class Assistant-Engineer in one or more of Her Majesty's Ships, on Full-Pay, for three complete years, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

17.

To qualify a person to receive an appointment as Second-Class Assistant-Engineer, he must produce certificates of service in a Factory, or other proof of his acquaintance with Engine Work, and of his practical abilities as a mechanic; he must be not less than 18, nor more than 28 years of age, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

18.

In the event of the exigencies of the Service requiring the entry or advancement of Engineer Officers who may not have served the periods mentioned in the preceding Articles (13,14,15,16, and 17), but in other respects may produce proof of their qualifications for the duties they are to perform, a deviation from the general regulations with regard to the entry, examination, and advancement of such Engineers may be allowed, at the discretion, in each particular instance, of the Admiralty.

19.

To qualify a gentleman for an appointment as Naval Instructor, he must produce a certificate of his age, and testimonials of good character, and pass such examinations as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct; but no person will be considered eligible for the situation who is under 20, or more than 35 years of age.

Commanders-in chief on Foreign Stations may direct any Chaplains, serving in the ships under their orders, who may desire to pass for the situation of Naval Instructor, to be examined according to the form prescribed, and, if found qualified, they may be appointed, pending the approval of the Admiralty, as Chaplains and Acting Naval Instructors to any of Her Majesty's Ships in which there may be a vacancy, giving a preference, when there is more than one vacancy on the Station, to that Ship bearing the greatest number of subordinate Officers requiring instruction.

Every Chaplain who may have passed abroad, and been found qualified to hold an appointment as acting Naval Instructor, must, within three months of his return to England, pass the final examinations at the Royal Naval College, and on board H.M.S. "Excellent," without which he will not be confirmed; and until such final examinations be passed, no further appointment as Naval Instructor will be granted to him.

§ III. - OFFICERS IN GENERAL.

1.

Whenever Her Majesty may be pleased, by Her Order in Council, to call Officers from the Reserved or Retired Lists into Active Service in case of War, or of emergency, Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that such Officers as may be so employed, shall be, in all respects, entitled to the pay and emoluments of their respective ranks on the Active List.

2.

If any Candidate for examination, in either the Military or Civil Branch, shall knowingly produce false certificates of his age, service, or conduct, he shall thereby be rendered incapable of ever receiving any Commission in Her Majesty's Navy; and if the falsehood of such certificates shall not be discovered until after he has obtained promotion, he shall, whenever it maybe discovered, be dismissed from the Navy, whatever rank he may at the time have attained. And no Candidate shall be allowed to reckon, as time served to render him eligible for examination, any period for which he may not produce certificates of sobriety and good conduct from the Captains of the Ships in which he has been employed.



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