Vice-ADMIRAL

Vice-ADMIRAL. See VICE-ADMIRAL.

Vice-ADMIRAL is also an officer appointed by the Lord High Admiral, in various parts of the kingdom, with judges and marshals subordinate to him; for the exercising of jurisdiction in maritime affairs, within their respective limits.There are upwards of twenty Vice-Admirals. From their decisions and sentences, appeal lies to the Court of Admiralty in London.There are also Admirals of the Galleys. See GALLEY.Monstrelet makes mention of an Admiral of the Archers, or Crossbow-Men.Admiral is likewise the name of the principal vessel of a fleet, which carries the Admiral on board. See FLEET, NAVY, etc.



When two ships of war, bearing the same colors, meet in the same port; that which arrived first, has the title and prerogative of Admiral; and the other, though of greater strength and rate, shall only be accounted Vice-Admiral.It is pretty much the same with the vessels that go to Newfoundland; that which arrives there first, taking the title and quality of Admiral, which it retains during the whole fishing season. See FISHERY.

Admiral's Court, or the High Court of Admiralty, is a court held by the High Admiral; to which belongs the decision of all maritime controversies, trials of malefactors, and the like. See COURT, and ADMIRAL.

The proceedings in this court, in all civil matters, are according to the Civil Law; because the sea is without the limits of the Common Law, and under the Admiral's jurisdiction.See CIVIL LAW.

In criminal affairs, which ordinarily relate to piracy, the proceedings in this court were anciently likewise by information and accusation, according to the Civil Law; but that being found inconvenient, in regard no person could be convicted without either their own confession, or an eyewitness of the fact, so that the greatest offenders often escaped with impunity: there were two statutes made by Henry VIII, enacting that criminals should henceforth be here tried by witnesses and a jury; and this by special commission from the king to the Lord Admiral: wherein some of the judges of the realm are always to be commissioners and the trial according to the laws of England, directed by those statutes. See JURY, TRIAL, etc.

The Court of Admiralty is said to have been first erected in 1357, by King Edward III. To the Civil Law, first introduced by the founder, were afterward added, by his successors, particularly Richard I, the Laws of Oleron;and the marine uses and constitutions of several people, as those of Genoa, Pisa, Marseilles, Messina, etc. See OLERON, and USES.

Under this court is also a Court-Merchant, or Court of Equity; wherein all differences between merchants are decided, according to the rules of the Civil Law. See MERCHANT.

Between the Courts of Admiralty and Common Law, there seems to be divided authority; for in the sea, so far as the low-water mark, is accounted within the jurisdiction of the adjacent county; and the causes thence arising are determinable by the Common Law: yet when the sea is full, the Admiral has jurisdiction there also so long as the sea flows, over matters done between the low-water mark and the shore. See COMMON LAW.

Vice-ADMIRAL