Active 1559-1835. Branch Royal Navy | Country United Kingdom Type Naval administration | |
Role Admiralty court
and Naval Jurisdiction. | ||
The Vice-Admiral of Dorset was responsible for the defence County of Dorset, England.
Contents
As a Vice-Admiral, the post holder was the chief of naval administration for his district. His responsibilities included pressing men for naval service, deciding the lawfulness of prizes (captured by privateers), dealing with salvage claims for wrecks and acting as a judge.
History
The earliest record of an appointment was of 1551–1580: Lord Thomas Howard (Viscount Howard of Bindon from 1559).
In 1863 the Registrar of the Admiralty Court stated that the offices had 'for many years been purely honorary' (HCA 50/24 pp. 235-6). Appointments were made by the Lord High Admiral when this officer existed. When the admiralty was in commission appointments were made by the crown by letters patent under the seal of the admiralty court.
Vice Admirals of Dorset
This is a list of people who have been Vice-Admiral of Dorset.