Repro ID: PW4975
Title: Admiral c. 1799.
Description: Fleets were usually divided into three squadrons which formed the van (forward), the centre and the rear. The rear was commanded by a rear-admiral who was subordinate to the vice-admiral commanding the van. The admiral commanded the centre squadron and had overall command of the whole fleet. The rear- and vice-admirals reported to him. The ship of an admiral was recognised by flags and thus known as a flagship.
Creator: T. Rowlandson
Date: 1799
Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London
