ADMIRAL

A great naval officer, who has the same power and authority over the maritime forces of a state that a general has over its land forces; and who also tries himself, or appoints officers to try, maritime cases. There are three ranks of Admirals, the Admiral (or full Admiral), Vice Admiral, and Rear Admiral. Each of these again has three gradations, of red, white, and blue, the colours of the flags they bear The Admiral carries his flag at the main, the Vice at the fore, and the Rear at the mizen mast. Admiral, Lord High. The ninth great officer of state in England. The office has been usually given, at least since the reign of Henry IV., to some of the king's youngest sons, near kinsmen, or of the higher nobility. Since the reign of Charles II. it has been, with occasional exceptions, always in commi ion, and the commi ioners are styled ' Lords of the Admiralty.' It was held by the late sovereign William IV., when Duke of Clarence, from 1827 to the following year. ADMIRALTY, the Board of Commi ioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral, and having authority over naval affairs generally. Admiralty, Court cf. In Law, is a court of record, [s. 27]