The Royal Navy
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Captain, 1812.
The Admiralty reintroduced 'White Flags' on the cuffs and lapels, which had been blue since 1795.
Surgeon 1832. The surgeon
was one of the early warrant officers. The diarist and Secretary of the Admiralty, Samuel Pepys, had stressed the
need to improve. In 1805, surgeons had their own uniform. 1832 Surgeons ranked with Lieutenants and wore a single
breasted full dress coat with 9 buttons, grouped in threes.
Flag Officer 1827. The peaked
cap was first recognized by regulations in 1825. The fleet was divided into Red, White and Blue Squadrons, each
with their own flags. In 1864 this was abolished.
Rough seas, bad
food and water, gave sailors a very hard time. Out of the hardships came tough, hardy men who could turn their
hand to almost anything. When they had time to themselves, some carved intricate designs on whale bones. Some carved
beautiful boxes, of varing sizes to keep their tobacco or treasured items in.