Admiralty

I applaud Forgotten Books reproducing The Navy List 1850 and the book looks good. But it isn't. There are so many reproduction mistakes that the book is, to be honest, rather disappointing. This book should have been a joy for a naval historian but, frankly, while it does look good, it is a slapdash piece of the reproduction publisher's work. However, I must be honest and say that I will still be able to get some value from it. Purchasers should avoid paying a premium price for this rather poor reproduction.

The main criticism is that the 305 numbered pages of the original seem to be printed twice, so that the book is twice as big as it should be - a problem for those, like me, with too many books and insufficient book shelving! This annoying duplication does however allow comparison of one page with another and this is sometimes necessary. The publisher has now told me that the book is not accurately titled, for what seems to be a second reproduction is, in fact, a separate issue of The Navy List, probably dated 20 Sep 1950 and, on close inspection, one can find new names in the later edition.

The quality of the print on some of the pages is poor, in some cases print is missing entirely, so one hopes that there is the opportunity of finding that the equivalent page in the September issue might be better - and in some cases it is. Some pages are not easy to read, the small font being a little blurred or smudged.

Nevertheless, the publisher's quality control is shockingly poor and it is a disgrace that the publisher should allow this volume to be sold - it probably should have been pulped! One might think one has been sold a pup!

Anyway, there is much of interest for both casual interest and research, and most of the pages are legible. The Navy List contains lists of all officers serving, by rank and seniority, in the Royal Navy and the 'Royal Marines Forces' (and the companies at each of the four Divisions) in 1850 and lists of those who have been Secretary to a Flag Officer. It contains the 'regulations respecting foreign orders; and lists those entitled to wear British and foreign orders. Those with pensions for 'good service. or for wounds are listed . Flag Officers and their appointments are listed, ships are listed with their station and their principal officers. Her Majesty's Packets commissioned by the Admiralty are listed as are officers employed in the service of the Coast Guard. Principal officers of the Civil Department of the Navy are listed. Notes on the classes of HM Ships are interesting, with the rules for the retinue and staff of flag officers. Rates of pay for officers and ratings and some of the regulations are herein, along with rues for half pay, Rules for officers' examinations and the dress regulations are here, as are instructions about charts, some medals, widows' pensions, prize money, slave bounty, conveyance of treasure and Greenwich School. Naval Agents, Navy Medals and the ships, boats and battles for which they were awarded - it's all here (although a magnifying glass and some patience is necessary for the small, sometimes unclear, print.

In both 1850 editions reproduced in this one volume, one can find Captain Robert Fitzroy, seniority 3 Dec 1834 (but no appointment - he retired on grounds of ill-health in 1850), Rear Admiral of the Blue, the Rt Hon George Anson, Lord Byron (no appointment) and the Flag Officer West Indies, Halifax and North America Station (Flag in 72-gun HMS Wellesley), Vice Admiral the Earl of Dundonald, whose Flag Lieutenant is Lieutenant Arthur Auckland Cochrane [he is listed elsewhere in the Jun 1850 edition as being promoted to Acting Commander and in command of the 12-gun sloop HMS Sappho, on the same West Indies station]. There is much to ponder, such as Lieutenants on the Active List with 35 years' seniority, meaning they must be 55 years old at least, and many famous names from British naval history, no doubt some being forbears of those who served in the Royal Navy in the Twentieth Century - Commander Edward Knatchbull Hughes Hallett and Commander Richard Emeric Vidal, for example and Rear Admiral of the White John Pasco. Then there are just wonderful names, like Lieutenant Elphinstone D'Oyly D'Auvergne Aplin, Captain the Hon Plantagenet Pierrepoint Carey and retired Rear Admirals Thomas Tudor Tucker and Abel Ferris.

Captain Sir John Franklin is still shown as being in command of HMS Erebus, and Captain Francis Crozier in command of HMS Terror - both are called a Discovery Ship 'for Particular Service' - the fateful Northwest Passage expedition of 1845.

Regardless of my criticisms, this is a wonderful volume for browsing!… (mehr)