Commodore of the White (First Class)
Commodore of the White (First Class)
480px-Pennant_of_a_Commodore_First_Class_%28Royal_Navy%29.svg.png
Active 1826-1864
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
Abbreviation CDRE
Next higher rank Commodore of the Red First Class
Next lower rank Commodore of the Blue Second Class

The Commodore of the White (First Class) was a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom first introduced in 1826, it was immediately outranked by the rank Commodore of the Red (First Class) (see order of precedence below). Royal Navy officers currently holding the ranks of commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral of the fleet are sometimes considered generically to be admirals. In 1864 it was abolished as a promotional rank. (pictured opposite is the command flag for an Commodore of the White First Class).

1) History

The Commodore of the White (First Class) was a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom first introduced in 1826, it was immediately outranked by the rank Commodore of the Red (First Class) (see order of precedence below). Royal Navy officers currently holding the ranks of commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral of the fleet are sometimes considered generically to be admirals. In 1864 it was abolished as a promotional rank.

2) Order of precedence Admirals of the Colour

Today we are used to the White Ensign being flown by all ships of the Royal Navy. However in Nelson's Day a different system was in use. The Navy was divided into three squadrons Red, White and Blue in order of seniority. Admirals were appointed to these squadrons and therefore their rank and squadron split the seniority different bands.

Admirals without an appointment were colloquially referred to as Yellow Admiral's. Ships of the Royal Navy flew the Ensign that coincided with the squadron of their commanding officer.

3) See Also

  1. Flag Officers Promotion Path (1545-1864)

4) Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_command_flags_of_the_Royal_
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