FLAG OFFICERS.

1851.

B,

Her Majesty, by Her Order in Council of 25th June 1851, having been graciously pleased to sanction certain arrangements proposed by the Board of Admiralty, with a view to the general benefit of the Naval Service, and, at the same time, the ultimate reduction of the present charge for half-pay, the Lord, Commissioners of the Admiralty hereby give notice of the mode in which the arrangements in question will be carried into effect.

The number of Flag Officers will in future be reduced to 99 exclusive of Admirals of the Fleet; of these 21 to be Admirals, 27 Vice-Admirals, and 51 Rear-Admirals: this reduction will be effected as follows, viz.:-

1. By removing to a Reserved Half-pay List those Officers now on the Active List who have not served for their Flag under the Order in Council of 30th June 1827. These Officers will receive, as at present, the Half-pay of Rear-Admirals, but they will be allowed the same advantage of rising in rank as if they had remained on the Active List.

2. By awarding ten Retired Service Pensions, of �150 each, to such Flag Officers as are either above 70 years of age or are physically incapable of further Active Service, such Officers to be placed on the Reserved List, and the vacancies occasioned by death to be filled up from the Active List. These Pensions will not be held in addition to the Good Service Pension,

1866

1. Compulsory retirement to be extended to all the Executive Lists.
2. Admirals to be retired on attaining 70 years of age, or when physically unfit for service.
3. Vice-Admirals to be retired on attaining 68 years of age, or when physically unfit for service.

4. Rear-Admirals to be retired on attaining 65 years of age, or when physically unfit for service.

5. Flag Officers, at present on the Active List, who may be retired under these Regulations, will retain all the privileges of rising in rank and pay to which they are now entitled; but no Flag Officer who has not hoisted his Flag will be considered eligible for the appointments of Vice- and Rear-Admirals of the United Kingdom, or promotion to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

6. The Active Flag List to be reduced to 85 :

This reduction to be made gradually, by only filling up two out of every three vacancies caused by the removal of Flag Officers who accept Greenwich Pensions, and by retirements from age, whether optional or compulsory Vacancies from all other causes to be filled up as they occur. Vacancies on the List of Flag Officers on Reserved Half-pay in receipt of Service Pensions, and on the List of Flag Officers of Greenwich Hospital, will not be filled up.

7. Flag Officers at present on the Active List, who have hoisted their Flags, or been employed at the Admiralty since their promotion to Flag Rank, are to be allowed to retain their places on the Active List, if they should prefer it, but they may he placed on the Retired List at their own request, with the consent of the Admiralty Officers. Officers coming on the Flag List after this date will be subject to compulsory retirement at the age specified above, whether they have served or not.

CAPTAINS

1847

The plan of retirement published in the London Gazette of 1st Sept. 1845 and carried out by Her Majesty's Order in Council of 24th April 1817, provides:

C.

1. That the rank of Retired Rear-Admirals shall be given by Seniority, to such applicants from the 14s. 6d. half-pay List as may be willing to accept it, with the pay of �1. 5s. per diem, and the corresponding pension to their widows, under the usual restrictions.

2. An addition of 7s. 6d. per day to be given to a applicants, by Seniority, from the 12s. 6d. and 10s. 6d. Half-pay lists, being Captains of not less than 20 years' standing and 55 years of age. Officers from both Lists to be permitted to assume the title of Retired Rear-Admiral at the period when they would have obtained the Flag by Seniority had they remained upon the Active List, and (under Order in Council of 17 May 1858) to rise to the higher grades on the Flag List, according to the Seniority which they respectively held on the List of Captains. Their widows to be entitled to a pension of �110 per annum, and to the pension of Rear-Admiral's widow when the rank of Retired Rear-Admiral has been attained.

3. The vacancies upon the �1 List to be filled up in turn of Seniority, by Officers then accepting the 18s. per diem; but no new admissions to the �1 5s. List to be made until it is reduced below the number of 25 which it is not to exceed afterwards. The permanent Retired List to be reduced to 100, by making one appointment for every two vacancies, the first 25 Officers upon the List receiving �1 5s. per diem, and the remaining 75, �1 per diem, with the right of assuming the rank of Retire Rear-Admiral when entitled to it by Seniority.

1851

The number of Captains on the Active List will be reduced to a number not permanently exceeding 350, and the reductions shall be affected as follows, viz.:-

B

1. As vacancies occur on the Active List of Flag Officers, the Captain first in Seniority, who has served for his Flag, will be promoted; reserving, however, Her Majesty's undoubted right of selection. Those Captains will rise to their Flags, and who have not so served, will be placed on the Reserved Half-pay List, rising in rank as at present, but with the Half-pay only of Rear-Admirals.

E

2. By keeping up the Retirement of 1846 to the number of 200 to be effected by permitting Captains who are above 55 years of age, and who have been on the Captain's List for ten years, to be eligible for retirement. The Retirement will be so kept up to 200 until the List of Captains shall be reduced to 350; the Retired List then to be diminished by only retiring one in two vacancies until it shall be reduced to 100.

3. By observing the rule of promotion, as it is now in force, of promoting one in three vacancies, except in special and individual cases, until the number is reduced to 350.

1860

All Captains who have attained, or shall hereafter attain, the age of 60 without having served In their present Rank, to be placed on a Retired List, and receive Retired Pay as follows:

Such Officers to assume the Rank and Title of Rear-Admiral at the time they would have obtained their Flag by seniority, had they remained on the Active List.

Captains who may arrive at the head of the List, without having served in that Rank, to be placed on the List of Reserved Flag Officers, with he pay of 20s. per diem.

Captains now on the 14s. 6d. Half-pay List not to be affected by these arrangements unless by their own desire.

1864

1. The Active List of Captains to be reduced from 350 to 300.

2. The existing system of placing on a Retired List all Captains who may from time to time attain the age of 60 without having served in their present rank, shall be extended to Captains who may attain the age of 60 and have served a portion of but not the full sea time required to qualify them for promotion to the Active List of Flag officers. Such Officers to receive Retired Pay as follows:-

If on the 10s. 6d. Half-pay List when retired	18s. per diem.
If on the 12s. 6d.	20s. per diem.
If on the 14s. 6d.

Such Officers to assume the rank and title of Rear-Admiral at the time they would have obtained their Flag by seniority had they remained on the Active List, and then to receive Retired Pay at the rate of 25s. per diem, subject, however, to the proviso contained in paragraph 8.

3. The above system of retirement to be extended to Captains who may have attained the age of 55, provided they be willing and desirous to accept the same, subject to the proviso contained in paragraph 8. When the Active List of Captains shall have been reduced to 300, no Captain shall be eligible for retirement under this clause who has not been five years on that list.

4. Captains who shall be found physically unfit for service may, at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty, be allowed to retire irrespective of age, at the several rates of 15s. or 20e. a day, according to their standing on the List, provided they shall have served at sea in the ranks of Lieutenant, Commander, or Captain a combined period of fifteen years ; and, if less than that period of service, at the rate of 16s. a day. Such Officers to be allowed to rise in rank and pay with other Captains of their standing, subject to the proviso contained in paragraph 8.

5. A limited number of Captains who may have attained the age of 50, and who are not desirous of further employment, to be allowed, at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty, to retire on the foregoing conditions, and subject to the same proviso. When the Active List of Captains shall have been reduced to 300, no further retirement of Officers to take place under this clause.

6. Captains who may arrive at their turn for promotion to the Flag List, without having served the time required to qualify them for their Active Flags, to be placed on the List of Reserved Rear-Admirals,

These Officers, and also such Officers as may, under the provisions of the Order in Council of 1st August 1860, have been already promoted to the Reserved Flag List, to he allowed pay at the rate of 25s. a day; subject, however. to the proviso contained in paragraph 8,

7. The increased rate of 25s. per diem Half-pay to be extended to Officers who, under the provisions of the Order in Council of 1st August 1860, have already attained or may hereafter attain the rank of Rear-Admiral on the Retired List, subject to the same proviso. All Officer, who are either now, or who may be in future, retired under the provisions of the Order in Council of 1st August 1860, to be allowed to rise to the higher grades on the Retired Flag List, according to the seniorities which they respectively held on the List of Captains, but without receiving any further increase of Retired pay or emoluments

8. No Officer who was not on the Active List of Captains previously to the 1st of August 1860 to be allowed to be more than the pay of 20s. a day on attaining the rank of Rear -Admiral, unless he shall have completed on year's service at sea in the rank of Captain.

1866

1. Captains to be retired on attaining 60 years of age, or when physically unlit for service, on the terms of the Order in Council of 9th July 1864. Those at present on the Active List who, before attaining the age of sixty, shall have served the necessary time to qualify them for promotion to the Active Flag List, are to be allowed to retain their places on the Active List, if they should prefer it; but no Captain will be eligible for promotion to the Active Flag List after 60 years of age, or when physically unfit for service.

2. Officers promoted, to the rank of Captain after the date authorised by Her Majesty's Order in Council, to be subjected to compulsory retirement on attaining the age of 60 whether they have served or not.

T

3. Captains of 6U years of age who have served the necessary time to qualify them for promotion to the Active Flag List, and who remain on the Captains' List, until promoted to Rear-Admiral, to be placed on the Retired List; but will be allowed to rise by seniority to the Rank and Pay of Vice-Admiral and Admiral respectively. Captains who have served their time, but who retire voluntarily before reaching the top of the List, will not be entitled to rise to higher pay as flag Officers than 25s. a day, in accordance with the Order in Council of 9th July 1864.

4. Captains who have not served their time for Active Flag Rank, and who have been unemployed for ten years, to be retired on the terms of the Order in Council of 9th July 1864.

5. Captains' List to be reduced gradually to 250, by filling up only two out of every three vacancies caused by age, retirements front that List, whether optional or compulsory. Vacancies from all other causes are to be filled up as they occur.

COMMANDERS

1840

This List consists of 50 of the Senior Commanders on the List, who have the option of receiving the Retired Rank of Captain, with the Half-pay of 10s. 6d. per diem, being the lowest rate of Half-pay allowed to a Captain. Their widows are allowed pensions of �75 per annum if otherwise entitled thereto.

1851

I

The number of Commanders on the Active List will be reduced to a number not permanently exceeding 450, and the reduction will be effected thus:-

1. By selecting 50 Commanders to be Captains, as above specified.

2. By increasing to 100 the List of Commanders promoted to the rank of Retired Captain under the Order in Council of 1840, and keeping such Retirement open until the number of Commanders on the Active List is reduced to 450.

3. By placing on reserved half-pay all Commanders who have not have not served afloat, or in the Packet or Revenue Service within twenty years or who are physically incapable of service, and by continuing from time to time to remove such Officers from the Active List to Reserved Half-pay Officers who may he thus placed unreserved half-pay will be allowed to retain all the advantages they now enjoy of rising in pay or rank, or of receiving the Greenwich Out-Pension (This list was abolished in May 1863,)

4. By observing the rule of promotion of one in three vacancies (except in special and individual cases), as now in force, until the number on the Active list shall be reduced o 460.

1856

1. That the List of Captains on the Reserved List, established by Order in Council of 25th of June 1851, be increased from 50 to 100, by selecting from the Active List of Commanders a number not exceeding 15 in the present and in each succeeding year, till the number of 100 be complete, when the vacancies only are to be filled up, by selection also from the Active List.

2. That the List of Retired Captains (established by Order in Council of 10th August 1840, and increased by Order in Council of 25th June 1851) be increased temporarily from 100 to 250 and permanently to 200. To effect this subsequent reduction, one Officer only will be promoted in two vacancies till the List be reduced to its permanent number of 200, but thence forward one Officer will be promoted in each vacancy.

1860.

U

All Commanders on the Active List who have attained the age of 60, or who may hereafter attain that age, to be placed on a Retired List, with the rank and title of Retired Captain, and to receive Half Pay, according to their length of Sea Service on the scale herein-after mentioned.

V

Commanders on the Active List, who have not been employed either afloat, in command of Revenue Vessels, in the Coast Guard, or as Mail or Transport Agents, within a period of fifteen years, to be placed on a Retired List, and to receive Retired Pay according to their amount of Sea Service, also on the same scale as hereinafter after mentioned; such Officers to be permitted to assume the rank and title of Retired Captain on reaching the age of 60, without further addition to their Retired Pay.

Scale of Retired Pay.

Total Sea Service in the rank of Commander and Lieutenant:-

Officers after twenty years' service in these ranks, or who are physically incapable of service, to be eligible for this retirement, with the rank and title of Retired Captain, irrespective of age, at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty.

1864

1. The Active List of Commanders to be reduced from 450 to 400.

2. The existing system of placing on the Retired List under the conditions specified in the Order in Council of August 1860, all Commanders who have not served within a period of fifteen years, either afloat or in command of Revenue Vessels or in the Coast Guard, or as Mail Agent, or Transport Officer, to be extended to Coin

Commanders who have not been so employed during a period of ten years; such Officers, and Officers of Greenwich Hospital of similar rank, to be permitted to assume the rank and title of Retired Captain on reaching the age of 60, or on attaining fifteen years' seniority on the List or Commanders, and to receive on their retirement, pay on the scale provided for in the said Order in Council, with this difference only, that Officers who shall in future retire will be allowed to reckon their service in the Coast Guard on shore or Transport Service on shore, as hair the same period served at sea, instead of one-third, as :It present.

3. The same plan of retirement, with its corresponding benefits of rank and Retired Pay, to be extended to Commanders who may have attained the age of 55, provided they will be willing and desirous to accept the same.

4. A limited number of Commanders who may have, attained the age of 45, and who are not desirous of further employment, may be retired on the foregoing condition, at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty. When the Active List of Commanders shall have been reduced to 400 no further retirement of Officers to take place under this clause.

5. Commanders who have already been removed from the Active to the Retired List of that rank, under the provisions of the Order in Council of August 1860, as well as those who may hereafter so retire, to be allowed to assume the rank of Retired Captain, on attaining fifteen years' seniority, but without any increase of Half-pay or Widows' Pension, beyond that authorised by the sail Order in Council.

1866

Commanders to be retired at the age of 55, or when physically unfit for service, and to be allowed to retire at 50, with the consent of the Admiralty, on the terms of the Order in Council of 9th July 1864.

LIEUTENANTS

1816

O

This List consists of the 100 Senior Lieutenants who by age and infirmities are presumed to be incapable of further service, and who are permitted to retire at a pension of 8s. 6. a day, with the rank of Commander. Their Widows receive a pension of �60 per annum.

1830

P

By this Order in Council the Board of Admiralty are authorised to confer the rank and title of a Retired Commander on every Lieutenant who has reached, or shall hereafter reach, the situation on the List of Lieutenants which entitles him to receive 7s. a day Half-pay. Such Retired Commanders are not to receive any increase to their Half-pay, as Lieutenant until they shall have attained the situation of Retired Commanders established by the Order in Council of 30th January 1816. They cannot be employed as Lieutenants nor in any situation usually held by Lieutenants, and, if holding such, they must resign, if they wish to take advantage of the proposed Regulations.

1851

MN

The number of Lieutenants on the Active List will be reduced to a number not permanently exceeding 1,200, viz.:

1. By the promotion of 50 Lieutenants by selection, as above stated.

2. By placing on the reserved Half-pay List all Lieutenants who have not served afloat, or in the Packet or Revenue Service, within 20 years, and all such as are physically unable to serve; and by removing from time to time such Officers from the Active to the Reserved Half-pay List, reserving to them, as in the case of Commanders, all the advantages they now enjoy of rising in pay or rank, or of receiving the Greenwich Out-Pension.

(This List was abolished by Order in Council of August 1860.)

3. By keeping up the rule of promoting one officer in three vacancies (except in special and individual cases) till the number of Lieutenants on the Active List shall be reduced to 1,200.

4. No promotion of Mate to be Lieutenants will hereafter be made by brevet; but whereas in case of war or of emergency, Her Majesty may be pleased by Her Order in Council to call such officers from the Reserved List into active service, Her Majesty has been pleased to approve that such Officers as may he so employed shall be in all respects entitled to the pay and emoluments of their respective ranks on the Active List.

1856

M

Further, as regards Lieutenants, this Order in Council "M" provides that the Reserved List, consisting of 50 Commanders (established by Order in Council of 25th June 1851) be increased to 100 ; such increase to be effected by selecting from the Active List of Lieutenants a number not exceeding 15 in the present and in each succeeding year, till the number of 100 be complete, when the vacancies only are to be filled up, by selection also from the Active List.

1860

Lieutenants on the Active List, who have attained or may hereafter attain the age of 60, to be placed on a Retired List with the Rank of Retired Commander, and to receive pay according to their Sea Service on the hereinafter mentioned scale.

Lieutenants on the Active List, who have not been employed, either afloat, in the Coast-Guard, in command of Revenue Vessels, or as Mail or Transport Agents within a period of 15 years to be placed on a Retired List, anal to receive pay also on the same scale as herein-after mentioned. These Officers to be permitted to assume the Rank and Title of Retired Commander on attaining the age of 60, but without further addition to their Retired Pay.

Scale of Retired Pay.

Total Sea Service in the rank of Lieutenant:-

Officers after 20 years' service in this Rank, or who are physically incapable of service, to be eligible for Retirement with the Rank and Title of Retired Commander, irrespective of age, at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty.

No further additions from the Active List to be made to the present Retired and Reserved Lists for Commanders and Lieutenants.

Lieutenants who have been promoted to the Reserved List of Commanders, under the Orders in Council of 25th June 1851, and 30th January 1856, will be entitled to increase of pay on the above scale, according to their length of service.

1864

1. The Active List of Lieutenant not to exceed 1,000, instead of 1,200, the number at which it is at present fixed.

2. Lieutenants who have completed fifteen years' Service in that rank, and who have attained the age of 45, to be allowed to retire with the rank of Retired Commander. Such Officers to receive Retired Pay, and their Widows to be allowed Pensions on the scale provided for in the Order in Council of August 1, 1860; with this difference only that such Officers who shall in future retire, shall reckon their Service on the Coast Guard on shore, or Transport Service on shore, as half the same period served at sea, instead of one-third, as at present.

3. Lieutenants who are either now on the Reserved or Retired List. or who may be in future Retired under the provisions of the Order in Council of August 1, 1860 and Lieutenants of Greenwich Hospital, to be allowed to assume the rank of Retired Commander on attaining fifteen years' seniority, but without any increase of Half-pay or Widows' Pension beyond that authorised by the by the Orders in Council under which they were respectively retired.

1866

Lieutenants to be retired at 55, or when physically unfit for service and to be allowed to retire at 45, with the consent of the Admiralty, on the terms of the Order in Council of 9th July 1864.

NAVIGATING OFFICERS

MASTERS RETIRED WITH THE RANK OF COMMANDER UNDER ORDER IN COUNCIL OF 19TH MAY 1846.

This list consists of 40 of the Senior Masters on the List, who have the option of receiving the Retired Rank of Commander, the first 20 at 12s. 6d. a day, and the rest at 10s. 6d. a day. Their Widows are allowed pensions of �60 a year, if otherwise entitled thereto.

NB - By Order in Council of 28th February 1855, Masters at 60 years of Age, who are qualified for 1st Rates, are permitted to retire with the Rank of Commander after 15 years' service on Full Pay as Master ; but the amount of retirement will be fixed according to the rate of Half Pay which they may have earned by service as Master.

Masters above 55 years of age and under 60, who are totally disqualified by sickness or injuries contracted in the service, and rendered incapable of further service afloat, will be allowed, at the discretion of their Lordships to retire with the Rate of Half Pay which they may have earned, and with the Rank of Commander, provided they have completed not less than 15 years' service in the Rank of Master.

MASTERS RETIRED WITH THE RANK OF CAPTAIN
UNDER ORDER 1N COUNCIL OF 28TH FEBRUARY 1855.

By this Order in Council Masters are permitted to retire with the Rank of Captain after 20 years' service on Full Pay in the Rank of Master, the amount of Retirement being fixed according to the Rate of Half Pay which they may have earned by service as Master.

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