In the Royal Navy, the rank of Master of the Fleet denoted the sailing master of a fleet flagship, or the senior sailing master in a fleet. Examples include John Bowen (Master of the Fleet during the Glorious First of June 1794), Ian Hogg, and John H. D. Cunningham.
By 1814, the title granted the master extra pay. By 1832, the masters of the fleet were given the equivalent rank and uniform of commanders. By 1843, masters were appointed by commission not warrant. By 1864, the title was changed to "Staff Captain" and ranked after the regular rank of captain, while masters who had served at least 15 years were given the new rank of "Staff Commander" and ranked after commander.
The title has been used outside the Royal Navy, such as in Ultramarines and other science fiction, and for the captain of the Belle of Louisville.
Famous quotes containing the words master of, master and/or fleet:
“I am master of myself as of the universe, so I am; so I wish to be.”
—Pierre Corneille (1606–1684)
“Into the woods my Master went,
Clean forspent, forspent.
Into the woods my Master came,
Forspent with love and shame,
But the olives they were not blind to Him;”
—Sidney Lanier (1842–1881)
“A city on th’ inconstant billows dancing;
For so appears this fleet majestical.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)