CHAPTER II.

ARMAMENT AND COMPLEMENTS OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS.

1.

The Ships of Her Majesty's Fleet shall be established with such proportion and description of Ordnance as the Admiralty may, from time to time, direct.

2.

Ships shall be denominated, as to their Ordnance, according to the number of Guns they actually carry.

3.

They shall be established with the complements stated in the Table in the Appendix, and with the proportions, denominations, and ratings of Officers and Men shown therein; subject, however, to such alterations as to the denominations of the ratings, or to the proportional numbers in the several ratings, as the Admiralty may, from time to time, deem proper; and, in special cases, to such increase or decrease of complements as the Admiralty may consider necessary.

4.

Whenever any one of Her Majesty's Ships may be fitted as a-

Troop Ship, Hospital Ship,
Fire Ship,
Surveying Ship,
Prison Ship,
Store Ship, or

as a Bomb Vessel, Mortar Vessel, or Gun Vessel, or for any other temporary or special service, the Admiralty may assign to such Ship whatever Rate or Complement may be considered expedient.