Ship-of-the-Line Captain
Encyclopedia
Ship-of-the-line
captain (French: capitaine de vaisseau; German: Linienschiffskapitän; Italian: capitano di vascello; Spanish: Capitán de Navío; Croatian: Kapetan bojnog broda) is a rank
that appears in several navies. The name of the rank derives from the fact the rank corresponded to command of a warship of the largest class, the Ship-of-the-Line, as opposed to smaller types (corvettes and frigates). It is normally above the rank of frigate captain
.
Ship-of-the-line captain is equivalent to the naval rank of captain
in the Commonwealth
and USA, and to the rank of captain at sea
used in Germany and the Netherlands. Ship-of-the-line captain is rank OF-5 in the NATO rank codes
, and equates to the land-forces rank of full colonel
.
, equivalent to oberst
in the land forces or Kapitän zur See in the Kaiserliche Marine
. It is still partly used by the navies of the Empire's successor states, such as Yugoslavia
and Croatia
.
In order, the other officer ranks below ship-of-the-line captain were
frigate captain
,
corvette captain
(major
in the army),
ship-of-the-Line Lieutenant
(Hauptmann
in the army),
frigate lieutenant
and
corvette lieutenant
.
the rank of capitaine de vaisseau or Kapitein-ter-zee is the third grade of superior officer, equivalent to colonel in the land forces. Its insignia is made up of four bands. He or she commands a capital ship
(cruiser, battleship or aircraft carrier) or a shore establishment. Smaller vessels such as destroyer
s and frigates are commanded by a Kapitein-Luitenant.
is a rank in the navy of Brazil, which corresponds to the rank of ship-of-the-line Captain.
or the navy
of Ancien Régime France, the rank of Captain (N) (Capt(N)) is a Naval
rank equal to a Colonel
of the Army
or Air Force
. Like Colonel, Captain (N) is the highest rank of senior officer. A Captain (N) is senior to a Commander
or an Army or Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel, and junior to a Commodore
or Brigadier-General.
Typical appointments for Captains (N) include:
The rank insignia for a Captain (N) is four ½" stripes, worn on the cuffs of the Service Dress jacket, and on slip-on
s on other uniforms. On the visor of the service cap is one row of gold oak leaves along the edge. Captains wear the officers' pattern branch cap badge.
The "(N)" is a part of the rank descriptor, and is used in official publications and documents to distinguish a Captain (N) from a captain in the Army or Air Force. It is also important to distinguish between the rank of Captain and the appointment of captain, meaning the commanding officer of a ship, regardless of his or her rank.
A Captain (N) is addressed initially as "Captain Bloggins", thereafter by superiors and peers as "Captain" and by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". The "(N)" is not part of the address.
Note: Before Unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, rank structure and insignia followed the British pattern.
Capitaine de vaisseau (CV) is a rank in the French Navy
, corresponding to that of colonel
in the French Army
. They usually command the Navy's most important ships.
He has five stripes and is addressed as 'commandant'. In naval slang, he is also known as a "cap' de veau".
The rank of Ship-of-the-Line Captain also exists in the Italian Navy, the correct definition of the rank is : " capitano di vascello " in others terms " Navy Vessel Captain ".
He is addressed as " comandante ".
is a rank in the navy of Portugal, which corresponds to the rank of ship-of-the-line Captain.
in the Vietnam People's Army
. He has four stars with two stripes on shoulder rank.
Ship of the line
A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through the mid-19th century to take part in the naval tactic known as the line of battle, in which two columns of opposing warships would manoeuvre to bring the greatest weight of broadside guns to bear...
captain (French: capitaine de vaisseau; German: Linienschiffskapitän; Italian: capitano di vascello; Spanish: Capitán de Navío; Croatian: Kapetan bojnog broda) is a rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
that appears in several navies. The name of the rank derives from the fact the rank corresponded to command of a warship of the largest class, the Ship-of-the-Line, as opposed to smaller types (corvettes and frigates). It is normally above the rank of frigate captain
Frigate Captain
Frigate captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of commander.Countries using this rank include Argentina and Spain , France , Belgium , Italy ,...
.
Ship-of-the-line captain is equivalent to the naval rank of captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
in the Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
and USA, and to the rank of captain at sea
Captain at Sea
Captain at Sea, is a naval rank corresponding to command of a ship-of-the-line or capital ship....
used in Germany and the Netherlands. Ship-of-the-line captain is rank OF-5 in the NATO rank codes
Naval officer ranks
Navies have military rank systems that often are quite different from those of armies or air forces. Sometimes, services that are considered parts of the navy – marine or amphibious corps – use the army-style ranks instead, while the ranks listed here are reserved for fleets.-NATO Rank...
, and equates to the land-forces rank of full colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
.
Austrian Empire
Linienschiffskapitän was an officer rank in the Austro-Hungarian NavyAustro-Hungarian Navy
The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine , abbreviated as k.u.k. Kriegsmarine....
, equivalent to oberst
Oberst
Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
in the land forces or Kapitän zur See in the Kaiserliche Marine
Kaiserliche Marine
The Imperial German Navy was the German Navy created at the time of the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the small Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine, which primarily had the mission of coastal defense. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded...
. It is still partly used by the navies of the Empire's successor states, such as Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
and Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
.
In order, the other officer ranks below ship-of-the-line captain were
frigate captain
Frigate Captain
Frigate captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of commander.Countries using this rank include Argentina and Spain , France , Belgium , Italy ,...
,
corvette captain
Corvette Captain
Corvette captain is a rank in many navies which theoretically corresponds to command of a corvette . The equivalent rank in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and USA is lieutenant commander...
(major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
in the army),
ship-of-the-Line Lieutenant
Ship-of-the-Line Lieutenant
Ship-of-the-line lieutenant is a common naval rank, equivalent to the naval rank of Lieutenant in the UK, Commonwealth and US.The name of the rank derives from the name of the largest class of warship, the ship of the line, as opposed to smaller types of warship .The rank is lieutenant de vaisseau...
(Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
in the army),
frigate lieutenant
Frigate Lieutenant
Frigate lieutenant is a rank in some navies, especially those of Spain and Latin America, roughly equivalent to a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Navy or a lieutenant in the US Navy. The French Navy equivalent is a ship-of-the-line ensign .The NATO rank code is OF-1...
and
corvette lieutenant
Corvette Lieutenant
Corvette lieutenant is a rank in some navies, especially those of Spain and Latin America, roughly equivalent to a Royal Navy acting sub-lieutenant or a US Navy ensign....
.
Belgium
In the Belgian NavyBelgian Navy
The Marine Component of the Belgian Army, formerly the Belgian Naval Force, is the naval service of Belgium.-Early history:The Belgian Navy was created as the Marine Royale in 1831. This force has operated in various forms throughout Belgian history.When after the Belgian Revolution, the country...
the rank of capitaine de vaisseau or Kapitein-ter-zee is the third grade of superior officer, equivalent to colonel in the land forces. Its insignia is made up of four bands. He or she commands a capital ship
Capital ship
The capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; they generally possess the heaviest firepower and armor and are traditionally much larger than other naval vessels...
(cruiser, battleship or aircraft carrier) or a shore establishment. Smaller vessels such as destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s and frigates are commanded by a Kapitein-Luitenant.
Brazil
Captain of Sea and WarCaptain of Sea and War
Captain of Sea and War is a rank in a small number of navies, notably those of Portugal and Brazil, which corresponds to the rank of Ship-of-the-line Captain, or the US and Commonwealth rank of full Captain....
is a rank in the navy of Brazil, which corresponds to the rank of ship-of-the-line Captain.
Canada
In the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
or the navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
of Ancien Régime France, the rank of Captain (N) (Capt(N)) is a Naval
Canadian Forces Maritime Command
The Royal Canadian Navy , is the naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Forces. Operating 33 warships and several auxiliary vessels, the Royal Canadian Navy consists of 8,500 Regular Force and 5,100 Primary Reserve sailors, supported by...
rank equal to a Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
or Air Force
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
. Like Colonel, Captain (N) is the highest rank of senior officer. A Captain (N) is senior to a Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
or an Army or Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel, and junior to a Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
or Brigadier-General.
Typical appointments for Captains (N) include:
- Commanding OfficerCommanding officerThe commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of a Canadian Forces BaseCanadian Forces baseA Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
; - Commanding Officer of a large school or research establishment, such as the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre;
- Commanding Officer of a Protecteur class auxiliary vesselProtecteur class auxiliary vesselProtecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships are used by the Royal Canadian Navy to resupply ships at sea with food, munitions, fuel and spare parts. They have more sophisticated medical and dental facilities than smaller vessels...
; - Chief of StaffChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
of a formation staff, or a Director-GeneralDirector-generalThe term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
position on an administrative staff; - Foreign military attachéMilitary attachéA military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
.
The rank insignia for a Captain (N) is four ½" stripes, worn on the cuffs of the Service Dress jacket, and on slip-on
Slip-on
A shoulder mark, also called a shoulder board, shoulder loop, shoulder slide, rank slide, slip on, epaulette sleeve, or an epaulette, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform. It may bear rank or other insignia...
s on other uniforms. On the visor of the service cap is one row of gold oak leaves along the edge. Captains wear the officers' pattern branch cap badge.
The "(N)" is a part of the rank descriptor, and is used in official publications and documents to distinguish a Captain (N) from a captain in the Army or Air Force. It is also important to distinguish between the rank of Captain and the appointment of captain, meaning the commanding officer of a ship, regardless of his or her rank.
A Captain (N) is addressed initially as "Captain Bloggins", thereafter by superiors and peers as "Captain" and by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". The "(N)" is not part of the address.
Note: Before Unification of the Canadian Forces in 1968, rank structure and insignia followed the British pattern.
France
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
, corresponding to that of colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
. They usually command the Navy's most important ships.
He has five stripes and is addressed as 'commandant'. In naval slang, he is also known as a "cap' de veau".
Italy
He is addressed as " comandante ".
Portugal
Captain of Sea and WarCaptain of Sea and War
Captain of Sea and War is a rank in a small number of navies, notably those of Portugal and Brazil, which corresponds to the rank of Ship-of-the-line Captain, or the US and Commonwealth rank of full Captain....
is a rank in the navy of Portugal, which corresponds to the rank of ship-of-the-line Captain.
Vietnam
Đại tá Hải quân (Captain of the Navy) is a rank in the Vietnamese People's Navy, corresponding to that of colonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Vietnam People's Army
Vietnam People's Army
The Vietnam People's Army is the armed forces of Vietnam. The VPA includes: the Vietnamese People's Ground Forces , the Vietnam People's Navy , the Vietnam People's Air Force, and the Vietnam Marine Police.During the French Indochina War , the VPA was often referred to as the Việt...
. He has four stars with two stripes on shoulder rank.