Captain

Captain, a chief officer. In the army, a commander of a company. In the navy, a commander of a ship. By courtesy, every commanding officer of a man of war is called captain, no matter what may be his rank in the service, but the term is strictly applied only to one having the rank of post-captain; to one, that is, who has passed through the preliminary grades of lieutenant and commander, in either of which grades he is available for the command of vessels of secondary importance. The full pay of a captain in the British navy varies from £410 12s. 6d. to £602 5s. per annum. He may also receive allowances, additional pay, etc., and, if of senior rank, he may be temporarily appointed Commodore (q.v.). A staff captain is a navigating officer of the highest rank. A captain of the fleet is an officer, either a captain or a rear-admiral, who is temporarily appointed to act as chief of the staff to an admiral commanding a fleet. Captain is also, in the royal navy, the title of the chief sailor among particular gangs of blue-jackets in a ship. There is thus a captain of the hold, a captain of the main-top, a captain of a gun, etc.