Ship-of-the-LineA ship-of-the-line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th century 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; Spanish -
Capitán de Navío; Croatian -
Kapetan bojnog broda) is a
rankMilitary 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 one a ship of the largest class of warship, the Ship-of-the-Line, as opposed to smaller types of warship (corvettes and frigates). It is normally above the rank of
Frigate CaptainFrigate Captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of Commander....
.
Ship-of-the-Line Captain is equivalent to the naval rank of
captainCaptain 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.The equivalent rank in many navies is Ship-of-the-Line Captain...
in the
CommonwealthCommonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good or in which all participants have equal standing...
and USA, and to the rank of
captain at seaCaptain 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 codesNavies 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
colonelColonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
.
Austrian Empire
Linienschiffskapitän was an officer rank in the
Austro-Hungarian NavyThe Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine...
, equivalent to
oberstOberst 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...
in the land forces or Kapitän zur See in the
Kaiserliche MarineThe Kaiserliche Marine or Imperial Navy was the German Navy created by the formation of the German Empire. It existed between 1871 and 1919, growing out of the Prussian Navy and Norddeutsche Bundesmarine. Kaiser Wilhelm II greatly expanded the Navy, causing a naval arms race between the German...
. It is still partly used by the navies of the Empire's successor states, such as
YugoslaviaYugoslavia is a term that describes three political entities that existed successively on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century.The first country to be known by this...
and
CroatiaCroatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a country in southeast Europe, at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Zagreb...
.
In order, the other officer ranks below Ship-of-the-Line Captain were
Frigate CaptainFrigate Captain is a naval rank in the naval forces of several countries.It is, usually, equivalent to the Commonwealth/US Navy rank of Commander....
,
Corvette CaptainCorvette Captain is a rank in many navies which theoretically corresponds to command of a corvette . The equivalent rank in the UK, Commonwealth and USA is Lieutenant-Commander...
(
MajorIn many European languages, the term Major is a military rank, implying seniority at one of usually various levels of rank. For example:*"General-Major" or "Major-General", denoting a senior ranking general officer....
in the army),
Ship-of-the-Line LieutenantShip-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...
(
HauptmannHauptmann 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 LieutenantFrigate 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 Junior Grade in the US Navy. The French Navy equivalent is a Ship-of-the-Line Ensign .The NATO rank code is OF-1...
and
Corvette LieutenantCorvette 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 NavyThe Naval Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, formerly the Belgian Navy, 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 shipThe capital ships of a navy are its most important warships; the ones with the heaviest firepower and armor. A capital ship is generally a leading or a primary ship in a fleet....
(cruiser, battleship or aircraft carrier) or a shore establishment. Smaller vessels such as
destroyerIn 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, short-range but powerful attackers .Before World War II, destroyers were light vessels without the endurance...
s and frigates are commanded by a Kapitein-Luitenant.
Brazil
Captain of Sea and WarCaptain 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
Canadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
or the
navyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military...
of
Ancien RégimeAncien Régime refers primarily to the aristocratic, social, and political system established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties...
France, the rank of Captain (Navy) or Captain (N) (Capt(N)) is a
NavalCanadian Forces Maritime Command , also known as the Canadian Navy, is the maritime force of the Canadian Forces. While equal in rank and position, The Chief of the Maritime Staff takes precedence over the Chiefs of the Land and Air Staffs following the tradition of the Royal Navy.MARCOM is the...
rank equal to a
ColonelColonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
of the
ArmyLand Force Command , often also called the Canadian Army, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces.The current size of Land Force Command is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers.LFC maintains regular forces units at bases...
or
Air ForceCanadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968...
. Like Colonel, Captain (N) is the highest rank of senior officer. A Captain (N) is senior to a
CommanderCommander is a military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service...
or an Army or Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel, and junior to a
CommodoreCommodore is a military rank used in many navies for officers whose position exceeds that of a navy captain, but is less than that of a rear admiral...
or Brigadier-General.
Typical appointments for Captains (N) include:
- Commanding Officer
The 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 BaseA Canadian Forces Base or CFB refers to 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 A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces canadiennes or BFC) refers to a military installation of the...
;
- Commanding Officer of a large school or research establishment, such as the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre;
- Commanding Officer of a Protecteur class auxiliary vessel
Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships are used by the 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 Staff
A chief of staff, also known as a principal staff officer, is the coordinator of the supporting staff and primary aide to an important individual, such as an Office of the Prime Minister-Civilian:*Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister...
of a formation staff, or a Director-GeneralThe term director-general is used worldwide to signify the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution...
position on an administrative staff;
- Foreign military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer....
.
The rank insignia for a Captain (N) is four ½" stripes, worn on the cuffs of the Service Dress jacket, and on
slip-onA shoulder mark, also called a shoulder loop, slide, slip on, epaulette sleeve, or an epaulette, is a flat cloth sleeve worn on the shoulder strap of a uniform...
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 cap badge, which is an anchor on a black oval, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves. Specialist officers in such branches as administration, medical, etc. wear their branch cap badge.
The "(Navy)" or "(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 "(Navy)" or "(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
Capitaine de vaisseau (CV) is a rank in the
French NavyThe French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military...
, corresponding to that of
colonelColonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the
French ArmyThe French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and its largest. As of 2008, the army employs 133,947 regular soldiers and 24 000+ civilians...
. 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
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 ".
Portugal
Captain of Sea and WarCaptain 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 is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the
Vietnam People's ArmyThe Vietnam People's Army is the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam...
. He has four stars with two stripes on shoulder rank.