0
Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage

Admiral of the blue.

Yesterday I had coffee at Somerset House. We had intended top sit out on the riversdie terrace, but it was so hot (and the papers told us that the air was unbreathable), so we sat in the foyer, which was decorated with portraits of naval heroes - Nelson, Hardy, and two others. They were described as "Admiral of the Blue", White, or Red. I forget which was which.
I assume there may have been some hierarchy involved, but don't know whether the Blue was higher than the Red, or the White. Looking at Google, I found the terms used as slang for tradesmen, but didn't find any explanation of the terms as used in the Navy.
Does anyone know what the terms signified?
Fran
  

Top answer

[nq:1]Yesterday I had coffee at Somerset House. We had intended top sit out on the riversdie terrace, but it was ... [/nq] From highest to lowest, the Royal Navy's flag ranks were: Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Red Admiral of the White Admiral of the Blue Vice-Admiral of the Red Vice-Admiral of the White Vice-Admiral of the Blue Rear-Admiral of the Red Rear-Admiral of the White Rear-Admiral of the Blue (Source: Dean King's "A Sea of Words") I believe although I don't remember where I got this idea from that it was based on the different squadrons in a fleet.

— Usenet

  • [nq:1]Yesterday I had coffee at Somerset House.
  • We had intended top sit out on the riversdie terrace, but it was ...
  • [/nq] From highest to lowest, the Royal Navy's flag ranks were: Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Red Admiral of the White Admiral of the Blue Vice-Admiral of the Red Vice-Admiral of the White Vice-Admiral of the Blue Rear-Admiral of the Red Rear-Admiral of the White Rear-Admiral of the Blue (Source: Dean King's "A Sea of Words") I believe although I don't remember where I got this idea from that it was based on the different squadrons in a fleet.
  • The Red squadron would be in front, followed by the White squadron, and the Blue would be in the rear.
  • com
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

10 Answers
0
[nq:1]Yesterday I had coffee at Somerset House. We had intended top sit out on the riversdie terrace, but it was ... may have been some hierarchy involved, but don't know whether the Blue was higher than the Red, or the White.[/nq]
From highest to lowest, the Royal Navy's flag ranks were:

Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Red
Admiral of the White
Admiral of the Blue
0
0
[nq:1]From highest to lowest, the Royal Navy's flag ranks were: Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Red Admiral of ... The Red squadron would be in front, followed by the White squadron, and the Blue would be in the rear.[/nq]
And what about all the fuss Jack Aubrey made about the fearsome possibility of being made a Yellow Admiral (promoted but without a squadron to command)? Was there such a
0
0
[nq:2]Yesterday I had coffee at Somerset House. We had intended ... the Blue was higher than the Red, or the White.[/nq]
[nq:1]From highest to lowest, the Royal Navy's flag ranks were: Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Red Admiral of ... The Red squadron would be in front, followed by the White squadron, and the Blue would be in the rear.[/nq]
You forgot to add 'Ha-HAR, Jim Lad!'
I b
0
0
[nq:1]... Was there such a phrase in real life, or did O'Brian make it up?[/nq]
Since he fabricated a large portion of his own persona, there's always the chance he lied in one of his novels.

Good luck and good sailing.
s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat
http://kerrydeare.tripod.com
0
0
[nq:1]And what about all the fuss Jack Aubrey made about the fearsome possibility of being made a Yellow Admiral (promoted but without a squadron to command)? Was there such a phrase in real life, or did O'Brian make it up?[/nq]
The Dean King entry implies Yellow Admirals really existed.
SML
http://www.pirate-women.c
0
0
[nq:2]... Was there such a phrase in real life, or did O'Brian make it up?[/nq]
[nq:1]Since he fabricated a large portion of his own persona, there's always the chance he lied in one of his novels.[/nq]
Do tell! What did he fabricate about his own life?

-skipka
0
0
[nq:2]Since he fabricated a large portion of his own persona, there's always the chance he lied in one of his novels.[/nq]
[nq:1]Do tell! What did he fabricate about his own life?[/nq]
Start with his name and work forward. To quote from http://homepage.ntlworld.com/anthony.campbell1
0
0
[nq:2]Don't forget the Admiral of the Pink, too many gins.[/nq]
[nq:1]The Admiral of the Orange defected to the Dutch.[/nq]
The Admiral of the Green was still playing bowls.
Mike

M.J.Powell
0
0
[nq:2]The Admiral of the Orange defected to the Dutch.[/nq]
[nq:1]The Admiral of the Green was still playing bowls.[/nq]
That why he didn't shout "Pink Plymouth, Hoe!"?
Mike.
0
0
[nq:1]That why he didn't shout "Pink Plymouth, Hoe!"?[/nq]
Armada wouldn't let him.
0

Related Questions