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 the, master of, master and/or fleet:
“Master of the universe but not of myself, I am the only rebel against my absolute power.”
—Pierre Corneille (1606–1684)
“Man acts as though he were the shaper and master of language, while in fact language remains the master of man.”
—Martin Heidegger (1889–1976)
“In realms of knowledge, we bequeath our books,
And woe pursue who to a master quotes
The funnier of our witty marginal notes.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)
“They ... fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)