Vice Admiral of Devon | |
---|---|
Active | 1559-1835 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Naval administration |
Role |
Admiralty court and Naval Jurisdiction. |
The holder of the post Vice-Admiral of Devon was responsible for the defence of the county of Devon, England.
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 pirate ships), dealing with salvage claims for wrecks and acting as a judge.
The earliest record of an appointment was of George Basset 1558.
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.
This is a list of people who have been Vice-Admiral of Devon. Between 1603 and 1623, a separate command existed for North Devon.