Page 212 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

210 BRITISH NAVAL

ONET 1680–1815 OFFICERS’ UNIFORM

The British Royal Navy’s officer class in
the 18th and early 19th centuries was primarily
made up of men as young as 12 to 14 years of
age who came from respectable backgrounds.

wartime, despite the hazards of life at sea. In
addition to opportunities for promotion, there
Y The Navy offered a tempting career during ▲ CAPTAIN’S HAT A captain would usually carry
was the chance to become rich from the prize
AND BA and crew who took possession of enemy ships. Origin England wig was not displaced. The
his hat under his arm so that his
Date c.1750
money paid by the Admiralty to those officers
material was “half-beaver”—
Material “Half-beaver” felt
a type of felt with beaver hair
These young recruits initially learned how to
added to increase its firmness.
navigate and operate a warship as midshipmen.
The hat was then lined with
They would hope for promotion to lieutenant
FLINTLOCK after around six years, and for command of their ▶ MIDSHIPMAN’S The “mariner’s cuff” in
silver lace.
own ship by the age of 21. Uniforms for officers,
predominantly in white and navy blue, were
white with a three-point
FROCK COAT
first issued in 1748, and a new pattern was
blue section was widely
Date 1748
fashionable beyond the
introduced in 1774.
Origin England
Royal Navy, appearing in
well. The wool collar is
Red-dyed rayskin
lined with white velvet.
covering the barrel Material Wool, velvet suits and riding clothes as
▲ OFFICER’S TELESCOPE An officer used a hand-held telescope to
Date c.1800 identify approaching vessels, view flag signals, Mariner’s cuff
and help him gauge possible navigational hazards.
Origin England This telescope had seven draw tubes, and the
Material Glass, brass, rayskin, eyepiece cover, draw tubes, and fittings were
sharkskin made of brass. It could be retracted and fitted
into a sharkskin case.

▲ MIDSHIPMAN’S Midshipmen carried a short
Jaw clamp screw DIRK sword called a dirk as a mark
Striking steel of rank. This version has a
Date c.1800
stiletto blade and an ivory
Origin England
grip, and would have been
1
Weight 11 ⁄4oz (320g) kept in a gilt-metal sheaf.
Length 14in (36cm)

Manufacturer’s name
engraved on the lock Spring-loaded bayonet

▲ JOHN WATERS The blunderbuss (from the Dutch donderbus
BLUNDERBUSS PISTOL or “thunder gun”) was used in boarding
Date 1785 operations—its bell-mouth ensured a wide
spread of shot when fired at close quarters.
Origin England
This box-lock model was made by John
1
Weight 33 ⁄2oz (950g) Waters of Birmingham, who held the patent on
1
Barrel 7 ⁄2in (19cm) the pistol bayonet. His name is legible on the
rectangular box enclosing the lock mechanism.
Caliber 1in