Naval Uniforms

Index
 
Naval Uniforms



Admiralty, 30th October 1877.

In pursuance of Her Majesty's pleasure, the following change is to be made in the uniform of the undermentioned officers, an regards the distinguishing Lace on the Cuff of the Coat;

  • Lieutenants and Navigating Lieutenants of 8 years' seniority upwards ;
  • Paymasters of 8 and under 15 years' seniority ;
  • Secretaries to Junior Flag Officers ;
  • Secretaries to Commodores of the First Class ;
  • Secretaries to Captains of the Fleet ;
  • Chief Engineers of less than 10 years' seniority ;
  • Naval Instructors of 8 and under 15 years' seniority ;

To wear 2 rows, with a narrow stripe of gold braid between; similar to that worn by Staff Surgeons.

  • Assistant Paymasters of 8 years' seniority and upwards ;
  • Engineers of 8 years' seniority and upwards;

To wear 2 rows (like Lieutenants of less than 8 years' seniority).

By command of their Lordships,

Robert Hall.

---------------------

CIRCULAR No. 47-N.

Admiralty, 10th October 1875.

UNIFORM.

The following Regulations as to Uniform and Plain Clothes are to be strictly observed, both by the Officers of the Fleet and by the Officers of the Royal Marines:

  1. The Officers, Men, and Boys of Her Majesty's Fleet and the Royal Marines shall wear such Uniform as their Lordships shall, in pursuance of Her Majesty's pleasure, from time to time direct, and of which the description will be published in the Quarterly Navy Lists.
  2. Every Officer, from the time of his joining the Fleet, Squadron, or Ship to which he shall be appointed, to that of his being removed from it, shall wear the Uniform established for his rank, except when he shall have leave from the Admiralty or the Senior Officer to be absent from his duty, or as herein-after provided.
  3. Permission may be given to Officers to wear plain clothes on ordinary leave; but at Reviews, Public Balls, or Entertainments given by Naval or Military Authorities, by Civil Functionaries, or by Military Messes at forts at which their Ships may be lying, Officers are to wear the Uniform of their ranks.
  4. Subordinate Officers when on ordinary leave are to wear the Uniform of their ranks ; but permission may be granted to them to wear plain clothes when going into the country, or to ride, shoot, play cricket, or for exercise.
  5. In Foreign Ports great discretion should be exercised in allowing Officers to appear out of Uniform, as in such cases they can have no right to expect to be recognised as British Officers.
  6. Full dress is always to be worn on State occasions, whether at home or abroad, by all Naval and Marine Officers.
  7. Undress is to be worn when visits of ceremony are being exchanged on arrival at Foreign Ports, or when meeting Foreign Officers or other Foreign Functionaries, and also at Courts Martial and upon all other occasions of ceremony when full dress is not prescribed. Marine Officers are on these occasions to wear their full dress.
  8. Morning dress, that is the surtout coat and sword is to be worn on ordinary occasions, such as waiting it upon Superior Officers, Survey's, and Examinations. Marine Officers on these occasions are to wear their undress.
  9. On other occasions not specially provided for, the Commander-in-Chief or the Senior Officer on the spot will regulate the Uniform to be worn.
  10. All Naval Officers, when on shore or when on duty, in full dress, or in undress coats with epaulettes, are to wear the cocked hat and sword of their respective ranks.
  11. On all occasions of mourning, Officers are to wear a piece of black crape round the left arm above left elbow, and no other mark of mourning is ever to be worn unless specially ordered.
  12. Gloves-White is the only colour permissible with Uniform.
  13. Officers on the Retired and on the Reserved Lists, whose names appear on the List of the Navy, are Permitted to wear the Uniform of their respective ranks on State and other occasions of ceremony.

By Command of their Lordships,

To all Commanders-in-Chief, &c.

Robert Hall.

The following is the description of the Uniforms which, in pursuance of Her Majesty's pleasure, are in future to be worn by the Officers, Seamen, and Boys of the Royal Navy, viz.:-

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET.

Dress Uniform.

Coat.- Blue cloth, double-breasted, ten buttons in each in each row, three inches apart across the breast ; white collar sloped off in front, one and three-quarters inch gold lace of the Navy pattern along the top and front edges, and one-inch lace along the bottom edge, coming partly on the coat; blue cuffs with one and three-quarters inch lace round the top; white slash pointed flaps in the sleeve with three small buttons, and one-inch lace round the outside edge; four rows of five-eighths of an inch distinction lace round the sleeve above the cuff at such distance from each other as place them within the length of the slash, the upper row to form a circle, two inches diameter, in he centre of the top sleeve of all the coats of Officers of the Military Branch; pointed blue flaps on the skirt, laced all round with one and three-quarters-inch lace, and three buttons under them ; a row of one-inch lace to encircle the hip buttons and form a point above them on the seam; and bottom of lappel and front and back edges of the skirt to be laced with the same; the skirt to begin at one fifth the circumference from the front edge, and to be lined with white kerseymere ; one button at the bottom of each plait.

Buttons.-Raised gilt, and one inch in diameter, indented with a round rim, and within, an anchor and a cable, and a crown over between two wreaths of laurel ; the small buttons to be half an inch in diameter.

Epaulettes.-Two gold epaulettes with embroidered straps, oak leaf and acorn pattern with pearl crescent, and edging; three stars within the crescent and one star on the strap, above it crossed batons surmounted by a crown; a double row of dead and bright loose bullions three inches long, and one inch and a quarter in circumference.

N.B.-The devices on all the Executive Officers' epaulettes to be embroidered in silver according to patterns, except batons and swords, which are to be solid.

Trowsers.-Blue cloth, with one and three-quarter inch gold lace down the outside seam, to be worn over boots, on all occasions, unless otherwise ordered.

Cravat or Stock.-Black silk.

Hat.-Cocked; the flaps eight and a half inches in the back, seven and a half inches in the front, five and three-quarters inches at each corner, bound with gold lace two inches wide, showing one inch on each side. Black silk cockade five inches wide, looped with six gold dead and bright bullions three and a half eighth of an inch wide, the two centre twisted, with a button of the same size and pattern as that on the coat; and tassels with five gold and five blue bullions each.

Sword.-The hilt solid, half basket guard, with raised bars, and crown and anchor badge, lion head, back-piece, white fish skin gripe, bound with three gilt wires; outside length, five inches and three-quarters; inside length four inches and a half. The blade slightly curved, thirty-one inches and a quarter long, and one inch and three-eighths wide at the shoulder, with a flat back and the blade ground hollow to within eleven inches of the end, with a double-edged spear point.

Scabbard.- The top and middle lockets to be four and three inches and a half long respectively; to have loops and rings, and to be ornamented with embossed oak-leaves in bas-relief ; the chape to be seven inches and a half long, and to have oak leaves, as above, round the upper part, and a honeysuckle ornament at he end.

Sword Knot.-Blue-and-gold rope, twenty-three inches long, with ditto ditto vellum basket-work head, and twelve gold bullions ; a piece of the same sort of cord, fourteen inches and three-quarters long, is to be fixed to the hilt to which the knot is attached.

Sword Belt.-Blue morocco leather, lined, full one inch and a half wide in the girdle; single, one inch wide, sword-slings on carriages; the whole embroidered in gold, with oak leaves and acorns down the middle, and margined with a straight line near each edge. Gilt mountings with circular clasp in front, two inches diameter, laurel embossed edges, crown, anchor, and laurel on the centre; embossed carriage buckles, plain girdle buckles, and rings, the latter one inch and three-quarters diameter in the centre; a plain, strong, gilt hook attached to the ring to suspend the sword short.

Undress Uniform

Coat.-Blue cloth double-breasted, eight buttons in each row, with padded turn-down collar, ; pointed flaps with three notched holes, and buttons under; round cuffs, with three buttons, he sleeves laced the same as the full-dress coat, omitting the slash.

Buttons.-The same as in dress.

Epaulettes.-The same.

Waistcoat.-White or blue cloth or kerseymere, single-breasted with small buttons.

Trowsers.-Blue cloth, with or without gold lace on the seams; in warm climates, or on the home station in summer, Officers may wear white duck.

Cravat or Stock.-Black silk.

Hat.-The same, or without lace.

Sword.-The same.

Scabbard.-The same.

Sword Knot.-The same.

Sword Belt.-Black morocco leather, of the same width as in full dress, but without embroidery, with round slings ; the mountings and edges to be the same as in dress.

ADMIRAL.

Dress Uniform

The same uniform and appointments as Admiral of the Fleet, except that there are to be three rows only of distinction lace on the sleeves; and the

Epaulettes are to have lace straps, with three stars within the crescent, above them crossed sword and

baton, surmounted by a crown.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Admiral of the Fleet, except that the

Coat-is to have three rows only of distinction lace on the sleeves.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

VICE-ADMIRAL.

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as an Admiral, except that the

Coat-is to have two rows only of distinction lace on the sleeves; and

Epaulettes-two stars only within the crescent, under the crossed baton and sword.

Undress Uniform.

The same as an Admiral, except that the

Coat-is to have two rows only of distinction lace on the sleeves.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

REAR-ADMIRAL.

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as an Admiral, except that the

Coat-is to have one row only of distinction lace on the sleeves, and

Epaulettes-one star, of a larger size, within the crescent under the crossed baton and sword.

Undress Uniform.

The same as an Admiral, except that the

Coat-is to have one row of distinction lace on the sleeves.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

COMMODORES OF THE FIRST CLASS, AND CAPTAINS OF THE FLEET WHEN NOT FLAG OFFICERS.

Dress Uniform.

The same as Rear-Admiral, with the following exception

Epaulettes.-The same pattern as the Admirals, but, the bullions to be bright, with an anchor and chain cable within the crescent, above it two stars surmounted by a crown.

Undress Uniform.

The same as a Rear-Admiral, except that the epaulettes are to be the same as in dress.

COMMODORES OF THE SECOND CLASS.

Dress Uniform.

The same as Commodores of the First Class, with the following exceptions

Coat.-The lace on the bottom edge of lappel and on front and back edges of skirt to be omitted; the lace round top edge of the collar to be one and a half inches wide, and three-quarters of an inch along the bottom one and a half inch lace round the flaps, and three quarters of an inch on slash in sleeve; and one inch to encircle the hip buttons. The sleeves to have one are to have one row only of one and three-quarter inch lace round them and a loop formed of half-inch distinction above it.

Buttons.-The same as the Admirals, omitting laurel wreaths.

Trowsers.-The lace on the outside seam to be one and a half inch wide.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Commodores of the First Class, except that the sleeves are to be laced the same as the dress coat, omitting the slash, and to have notched holes to the three buttons on the cuffs.

Buttons the same as in dress

CAPTAINS AND COMMANDERS

Dress Uniform.

The same as Commodores of the Second Class, with the following exceptions

Coat.-The sleeves to have four rows of Half-inch distinction lace for Captains, and three for Commanders. The lace round hip buttons for Commanders to be omitted.

Epaulettes.-CAPTAINS of three years' standing, the same as Commodores. Those under three years' standing the same, but with one star.

COMMANDERS the same, with an anchor and cable, surmounted by a crown, and the bullion to be only two inches and three-quarters long, and one inch and one eighth in circumference.

Hat.-The same as the Admiral, but bound with black silk instead of gold lace, of the oak-leaf pattern, and looped with four bright gold bullions, the two centre twisted.

Scabbard.-The same as the Admirals, but the chape to be only six inches and a half long; both lockets and chapes to be ornamented with fluted threads and scrolls instead of oak leaves.

Sword Belt.-Black morocco leather, lined, the same dimensions as the Admiral's, embroidered in gold, with three straight lines, one down the middle, and one at each margin near the edge ; gift clasps, with circular fronts, with embossed laurel edges, crown and anchor in the centre; plain carriage and girdle buckles, and plain gilt ring and hook.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Commodores of the Second Class, with the following exceptions

Coat.-To have four rows of half-inch distinction lace round the sleeves for Captains, and three rows for Commanders.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

Hat.-The same.

Scabbard.-The same.

Sword Belt.-The same as the Admirals, omitting the laurel in the centre of the clasp.

LIEUTENANTS.

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as Commanders, with the following exceptions

Coat.-The lace to be only one inch wide instead of one inch and a half, and half an inch instead of three quarters of an inch ; and the sleeves to have two rows of half-inch distinction lace round them. Lieutenants of above eight years' standing to wear a narrow stripe of gold braid between the rows.

Epaulettes.-Lieutenants above eight years' standing to wear the same as Commanders, with an anchor and cable surmounted by a star. Those under eight years' standing to wear the anchor and cable only, omitting the star.

Trowsers.-The lace on the outside seals to be one inch wide.

Hat.-To be looped with only two bullions, twisted.

Sword Belt.-To have only two straight lines, one near each edge.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Commanders, with two rows of half-inch distinction lace round the sleeves.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

Hat.-The same.

Sword Belt.-The same as Commander.

STAFF CAPTAIN.

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as a Captain under three years, with the following exceptions

Coat.-Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epaulettes-are to have crossed anchors without cables surmounted by one star and a crown.

Undress Uniform.

The same as a Captain under three years, with the following exceptions:

Coat. Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

STAFF COMMANDERS

Dress Uniform.

The same as Commander, with the following excepttion

Coat.-Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epoulettes.-Are to have crossed anchors without cables, surmounted by a crown.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Commander, with the following exception

Coat.-Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epaulettes-The same as in dress.

NAVIGATING LIEUTENANTS

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as Lieutenants, with the following exception

Coat.-Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epaulettes.-Navigating Lieutenants above eight years' standing are to have crossed anchors without cables, surmounted by a star; those under eight years' standing to wear the crossed anchors only, omitting the star.

Undress Uniform.

The same as Lieutenant, with the following exceptions

Coat.-Nine buttons worn by threes.

Epaulettes.-The same as in dress.

SUB-LIEUTENANTS

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as Lieutenants, with the following exceptions

Coat.-The lace to be only three-quarters of an inch wide, and the sleeves to have one row of half-inch distinction lace round them.

Trowsers.-To have no lace on the outside seams.

Epaulettes.-Instead of epaulettes, two shoulder straps of the same pattern as Lieutenant's epaulettes, without bullion, with the anchor only.

Undress Uniform.

Coat.-The same as Lieutenants, except to have one row of half-inch distinction lace round the sleeves.

Trowsers.- Same as in dress.

Shoulder Strap.- The same as in dress.

NAVIGATING SUB-LIEUTENANTS.

Dress Uniform.

The same uniform and appointments as Sub-Lieutenants except that the straps are to have crossed anchors, and nine buttons placed by threes are to worn on the breast of the coat.

Undress Uniform.

The same as the Sub-Lieutenants, and the devices on the straps are to be the same as the dress. Nine buttons placed by threes are to be worn on the breast of the coat.

MIDSHIPMEN

Coat.-Blue Cloth, single-breasted, with nine notched holes on each breast, and three on each cuff and pocket-flap, with buttons to correspond, lined with white serge, stand-up collar, with a white turn-back on each side of the collar, with notched hole and button.

Buttons.-The same as other Officers.

Sword.-No sword, but a dirk according to pattern.

Dirk Belt.-The same as the Lieutenant's undress belt but with frog instead of sling.

Hat.-The uniform cap only.

NAVAL CADETS.

The same as Midshipmen, but instead of the white turn-back, a button-hole of white twist on the collar, with a corresponding button.

CHIEF GUNNERS, CHIEF BOATSWAINS, AND CHIEF CARPENTER.

Coat.-Blue cloth, if lined, to be with serge, fall-down collar, blue lappels to button across, and round cuffs; nine buttons on the lappels, and thee on each cuff and pocket, with corresponding blue twist button-holes, and three buttons in the folds of the skirts. The sleeves to have one row of half-inch distinction lace round them. Buttons the same as other Officers.

Waistcoat.-White.

Cravat or Stock.-Black.

Hat.-Cap only.

Sword.-Of the same pattern and length as Commissioned Officers, but the back-piece of the handle is to be plain, with flute round the top and down the back, with a black fish-skin gripe, bound with three gold wires; the etchings on the blade not blued or gilt.

Sword Knot.-Of blue silk, mixed with gold fringe, but no bullion.

Sword Belt.-The same as Sub-Lieutenants' undress belt.

GUNNERS, BOATSWAINS, AND CARPENTERS.

The same as Chief Gunners, &c., except that they have no distinction lace on the sleeve.

MASTER-AT-ARMS.

Coat.-Blue Cloth tunic, with fall-down down collar. To be single-breasted, Naval gilt buttons, and three on cuffs.

Jacket.-Blue cloth, and Navy gilt buttons.

Cap.-Blue cloth, with peak and plain mohair band, but without device.

Sword and Belt.-As Warrant Officers.

NAVAL SCHOOLMASTERS.

Coat.-Blue frock coat, single-breasted, with gilt Naval buttons, but none on cuffs. Head Master's with one row quarter-inch black braid on cuff.

Jacket.-Blue cloth, without buttons on cuffs. Braid as above, for Head Masters.

Cap.-As Masters-of-Arms.

No Sword.

PUPIL TEACHERS.

Same jacket and cap as Seamen's Schoolmasters, but the buttons to be of black horn, with the anchor and crown thereon.

SHIP'S STEWARDS

The same as Naval Schoolmasters.

WRITERS.

Boy Writers and 3rd Class Writers.- Blue jacket and waistcoat, with black anchor buttons, and cloth or white trowsers as directed; white or check shirt, blue cloth cap with peak, and plain mohair band, but without device.

2nd Class Writers.-Ditto, but with gilt naval buttons.

1st Class Writers.-Same as Naval Schoolmasters, viz., blue frock coat, single-breasted with gilt naval buttons, but none on cuffs; blue cloth jacket, without buttons on cuffs; blue cloth cap with peak, and plain mohair band, but without device.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS. PETTY OFFICERS, SEAMEN, AND BOYS.

Blue Cloth Jacket.-To be made of navy blue cloth, double-breasted, with stand and fall collar, sleeve sufficiently large to go easily over a duck and serge frock, to reach to the hip, with all opening at the cuffs on the seam, with two small black buttons, one inside breast pocket on the left side, and seven black horn crown and anchor buttons seven-tenths of an inch in diameter, on each side, according to a pattern except Chief Petty Officers who are to wear navy gilt buttons.

Blue Cloth Trowsers.-To be made of navy blue cloth, of the ordinary naval pattern, fitting tight at the waistband, with two pockets and a broad flap, and stained bone buttons.

Duck or White Drill Frock.-To be made with collar and wristbands of blue jean, the collar having a border of three rows of three-sixteenths of an inch white tape, one-eighth of an inch apart, and the wristbands to be peaked with two rows of white tape along the upper margin, and one along the lower, with one white metal dead-eye button at each of the wrists.

Duck Trowsers.- To be made of white duck, in a similar manner to the blue trowsers, with white metal dead-eye buttons.

Blue Serge Frock.-To be made of the same material and pattern as that now in use.

Pea Jacket.-To be of blue Flushing, the same as the present pattern and material, with seven buttons on each side, black horn, navy pattern, one inch and a third in diameter.

Black Silk Handkerchief.

Hat.-To be black or white, according to climate.

The hat to be three inches high in the crown, four inches wide in the rim, and seven inches across the crown, and made of sennet, covered with brown holland painted black, with a hat ribbon bearing the ship's name; and in warm climates the same hat uncovered.

A chin-stay to be attached to the hat.

Cap.-To be worn at night, and at sea when ordered.

The cap to be made round, of No. 1 cloth, and partially stiffened across the crown, similar in shape to that worn by Naval Officers, without the peak. Diameter across the crown: For men, ten inches; for boys, nine inches; with a ribbon bearing the ship's name.

A chin-stay to be attached to the cap.

Woollen Comforter.-To be of a dark blue colour.

Badges.-Petty Officers and Leading Seamen are to wear an embroidered mark of distinction on the upper part of the left sleeve of their jacket, viz. :

  • Chief Petty Officers ����� Crown and anchor, encircled with laurel.
  • First Class Petty Officers��... Crown and cross anchor.
  • Second Class Petty Officers �..Crown and anchor.
  • Leading Seamen������. The anchor.

On a blue frock the badge is to be red, and blue on a white frock.

Gunnery Instructors and Seamen Gunners are to wear an embroidered mark of distinction on the upper part of the right sleeve of their jackets, viz.:

  • Gunnery Instructors���.��..A gun with rifle and cutlass crossed and crown over.
  • Seamen Gunners, 1st Class��A gun and crown.
  • Seamen Gunners, 2nd Class�.. A gun.

On the blue frock the badge is to be of red cloth, and blue on the white frock.

Badges and buttons of the approved pattern will be supplied to H.M. ships for issue.

Bands of black silk or crape, two and a half inches wide, may be worn in mourning; but they must be worn on the left arm, above the distinctive badges.

SKILLED SHIPWRIGHT ARTIFICERS.

3rd Class.- Jacket, long, blue cloth; waistcoat, blue, single-breasted; trowsers, blue or white, according to tile time of year; cap, plain blue cloth, with a leather peak.

2nd Class.-The same, with the addition of a 1st Class Petty Officer's badge.

1st Class-The same, with the addition of a Chief Petty Officer's badge, but with gilt buttons on the jacket and waistcoat.

SERVANTS OF ALL CLASSES.

To wear a blue jacket and blue or white trowsers, according to order. to order.

MARINE SERVANTS.

To wear blue jacket, Waistcoat, trowsers, cap, black neckerchief. "Drill" may be worn in warm climates.

BANDSMEN.

A tunic of dark blue cloth, with a white collar, braided with white worsted cord on the back and front, and the cuffs.

Trowsers of dark blue cloth, having two lines of narrow white braid, 1 inch apart, down the leg on the outside.

Cap of dark blue cloth, flat and without peak, with band of black braid, 1� inch deep, edged with white cord. White ornament on the top, and chin strap.

BANDMASTERS (INCLUDING CHIEF BANDMASTERS).

A tunic, the same as that of Bandsmen, but without white collar, and trimmed with black braid and cord.

Trowsers the same as Bandsmen, but with silver lace instead of braid.

Cap, the same as Bandsmen, only trimmed with silver lace, and with silver ornament on the top.

Summer Dress.

When the Ship's Company is in white, a white drill or duck tunic, similar to that worn by the Marines, is to be worn, with white duck trowsers. The Bandmaster's tunic to be distinguished by braid.

Undress.

In undress, a plain blue serge jacket, .similar to the patrol jacket of the Marines, but with white collar, is to be worn. The Bandmaster's jacket to be distinguished by braid oil the cuffs.

BAND BOYS.

Band boys are to wear the same uniform as Bandsmen.

CIVIL BRANCHES.

All Officers of the Civil Branches are to wear the same uniform or appointments as Officers of corresponding rank in the Military Branches, with the following exceptions viz.:-

The coats of all ranks to be single-breasted, at angles with the skirt; the distinction laces to be carried round the sleeves, but without the loop ; the epaulettes to have silver instead of gold edging to the straps quarter of an inch wide, to be continued round inside the crescent, and outside below it ; the devices thereon to be embroidered in gold and silver ; the loops of cocked hats to be of half-inch gold lace instead of bullion ; the tassels to be flat ; and the cap badges and peaks of caps of those Officers entitled to wear them to be embroidered in gold, as per pattern.

The various Civil Branches are to be distinguished from the Military Branch, and from each other by the introduction of distinctive colours between the gold lace stripes at present worn on the sleeves of Uniform, Coats; by the arrangement of buttons on the coat; and by the omission of the sword and baton, and the anchor and cable, on the epaulettes, a star being in each case substituted for these devices ; but all Officers are to have the same number of rows of distinction lace round the sleeve; the same width of lace on the coat and trowsers; and the same number of devices on their epaulettes, as the Officers of the Military Branch with whom they respectively rank. In the case of Officer. entitled to wear only one row of distinction lace the velvet stripe is to be worn below the gold. The following are to be the distinguishing colours for the stripes on the sleeve, and the arrangement of the Coat Buttons, viz.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

Scarlet velvet stripes quarter-inch wide, and nine buttons on breast of coat placed by threes.

Staff-Surgeons are to wear round the sleeve of the coat two stripes of gold lace with a stripe of narrow gold. braid between, instead of the three stripes of gold lace which are to be worn by Fleet Surgeons.

SECRETARIES' AND PAYMASTERS' DEPARTMENT.

White velvet stripes, quarter-inch wide, and eight buttons placed by twos on breast of coat.

CLERKS.

To wear the Undress Uniform of Assistant Paymasters, but without shoulder straps or lace on sleeves, and with one stripe of white velvet, quarter-inch wide round the sleeve, above the cuff.

Cap only - no sword or dirk.

ASSISTANT CLERKS.

The same as Clerks.

ENGINEER DEPARTMENT.

Purple velvet stripes, quarter-inch wide, and eight buttons placed by fours on breast of coat.

ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.

Dress and Undress Uniform.

The undress uniform of Engineers, but without shoulder straps, or lace on sleeves, and one stripe of purple velvet, quarter-inch wide, round the sleeve, above the cuff.

Cap.- Same as Engineers ; no sword or dirk.

TEMPORARY SERVICE ENGINEERS AND ASSISTANT ENGINEERS.

Undress uniform according to Regulation Pattern.

ENGINE ROOM ARTIFICERS AND CHIEF ENGINE ROOM ARTIFICERS.

Blue Cloth Tunic, or close fitting Pea Jacket with uniform buttons.

Blue Cloth Waistcoat.

Blue or white Trousers.

Cap with black band, crown and anchor, device of Civil Branch, but without laurel-leaf.

Chief Engine Room Artificers to wear-three buttons on each sleeve of the tunic.

NAVAL INSTRUCTORS.

Naval Instructors are not required to wear any uniform whatever; but, if they do, it is to be the following

Dress and Undress Uniform.

Unless in Holy Orders, the same as Secretaries to 2nd Class Commodores, except that the eight buttons on the breast of the coat are to be placed at equal distances, and without epaulettes or lace to the trowsers.

MEMORANDA.

Full dress is to be worn only on state occasions:

The undress coat, with epaulettes, cocked hat and sword, to be worn at Courts-Martial.

On all special duties, such as Medical Surveys, Examination of Candidates, &c., as well as upon ordinary occasions of duty, frock coat, with the cap and sword, is to be considered sufficient dress.

Trowsers.- On all occasions of full dress, officers shall wear blue trowsers, over boots, unless otherwise ordered.

Officers employed afloat are to wear white or blue trowsers as maybe directed by the Senior Officer present, but on all occasions they are to be in the same colour as the men.

Great Coats.-The great coats for Officers are to be of blue cloth, double-breasted, with the number and arrangement of buttons according to the undress uniform assigned to their respective ranks, omitting the pocket flaps; with padded turn-down collar, and with the rows of lace and velvet round the sleeves the same as the undress coats.

All Officers, except Midshipmen, Naval Cadets, and Assistant Clerks, may wear a blue frock made according to the directions given above for great coats, with the same distinctions of lace and velvet on the sleeves.

Admirals and Commodores of the First Class may wear epaulettes, with their frock and greatcoats, and on such occasions the cocked hat and sword must also be worn.

Jackets.-All Officers may wear on board their ship a round jacket without skirts, with their respective arrangement of buttons and distinction lace, and velvet, double-breasted for the Military Branch, except Midshipmen and Naval Cadets, who are to wear single. breasted jackets, the same as the Civil Branch.

Caps.-Are to be of blue cloth, the diameter of the top to be eight inches, with a black mohair band one and a half inch wide. Admirals and Commodores of the First Class, and Officers of the Civil Branches ranking with them, to have the peak embroidered all round in gold; Commodores of the Second Class, Captains, and Commanders, and Officers of the Civil Branches ranking with them, the peak embroidered on the front edge only - and all other Officers a plain peak.

The Military Branch to be distinguished by the embroidery on the peak, which is to be of oak leaves, and. a device placed in front of the cap, consisting of a crown embroidered in gold and silver, and a silver anchor, surrounded by gold laurel wreaths.

The Civil Branches by plain embroidery and the same device embroidered in gold. The peaks of all caps not embroidered to be of patent leather; when embroidered, to be of blue cloth bound with patent leather.

The embroidered peak is not to be worn by any one below the rank of Commander.

Aides-de-Camp to the Queen are to wear a gold Aiguillette, to be worn on the right shoulder: the Aiguillette to be in accordance with the pattern deposited in this office.

The Aiguillette is to be worn only with Full Dress, when in attendance on the Sovereign, or on State occasions.

Honorary Physicians and Honorary Surgeons to Her Majesty to wear a gold and black sash of the same pattern as that worn by Officers holding similar appointments in the Army.

This sash to be worn only with full dress when in attendance on the Sovereign or on State occasions.

The Naval Equerry of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will wear an Aiguillette similar to that established for Her Majesty's Naval Aides-de-Camp.

Round Hats.-Officers, during bad weather, when on board their ships, may wear a round black hat, with a narrow black band and buckle and a black silk of leather cockade, with a loop of gold lace half the width of the broad lace on their dress coats, or, if they have no lace on their coats, of black silk ribbon. Midshipmen, and those ranking with them, and Cadets, to have a loop of gold twist.

In warm climates white linen covers to caps may be worn by Officers and Men, subject to the approval of the Commander-in-Chief.

Belt -The sword belt to be worn over the coat.

The new Regulations may be adopted at once by Officers requiring uniforms, and they are to come into full force after 1st July 1564.

My Lords desire that Commanders-in-Chief and the Captains of Her Majesty's ships will prevent any Officer serving under their command from deviating, in any way whatever, from the foregoing Regulations.

Patterns of uniform will be exhibited at the Admiralty, and at the Offices of the Port Admirals at Sheerness, Portsmouth, and Devonport.

UNIFORM OF FOREIGN OFFICERS.

Foreign Officers, who are permitted to serve in the Royal Navy, are to be allowed to wear the uniform of the rank in which they may be serving.

For uniform of Royal Naval Reserve and of Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, see the Regulations for the Reserve and Volunteers.

^ back to top ^