Vice-admiral of the White


The Vice-Admiral of the White was a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, immediately outranked by the rank Vice-Admiral of the Red. Royal Navy officers holding the ranks of commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral of the fleet are sometimes considered generically to be admirals. From 1688 to 1805, this rank was fifth in order of precedence; after 1805, it was the sixth. In 1864, it was abolished as a promotional rank.

History

The Navy Royal inaugurated squadron colours during the reign of Elizabeth I to subdivide the English fleet into three squadrons. There were three classes of admirals and differentiated by using coloured flags.. In 1620 the official Flag ranks of Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Rear Admiral were legally established that arose directly out of the organisation of the fleet into three parts. Admiral of the Fleet as an official flag rank was formally created in 1688.
The Vice-Admiral of the White was a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, immediately outranked by the rank Vice-Admiral of the Red. Such senior ranks or offices generally qualify the Royal Navy officers holding them to be considered admirals, a category that consists of the ranks of commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral and admiral of the fleet. From 1688 to 1805 the rank of Vice-Admiral of the White was fifth in the order of precedence; after 1805 it was the sixth. In 1864 it was abolished as a promotional rank.

Order of precedence Admirals of the Colour

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 originally into 9 bands then later 10 with ‘Admiral of the Fleet' as senior to all others..
Seniority was therefore from 1805 to 1864:
  1. Admiral of the Fleet
  2. Admiral of the Red Squadron
  3. Admiral of the White Squadron
  4. Admiral of the Blue Squadron
  5. Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron
  6. Vice-Admiral of the White Squadron
  7. Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron
  8. Rear-Admiral of the Red Squadron
  9. Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron
  10. Rear-Admiral of the Blue Squadron
Seniority was therefore from 1688 to 1805:
  1. Admiral of the Fleet,
  2. Admiral of the White Squadron
  3. Admiral of the Blue Squadron
  4. Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron
  5. Vice-Admiral of the White Squadron
  6. Vice-Admiral of the Blue Squadron
  7. Rear-Admiral of the Red Squadron
  8. Rear-Admiral of the White Squadron
  9. Rear-Admiral of the Blue Squadron
Admirals without an appointment were colloquially referred to as Yellow Admirals. Ships of the Royal Navy flew the Ensign that coincided with the squadron of their commanding officer.

Former command flag 1625 to 1805

Citations