Sir Charles Cotton (5^th Baronet)

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 13th of June 2026 07:48

The number of commissioned officers at present in the service of the British Navy, amount to 2945, viz: Admiral of the Fleet, 1; Flag-officers of different ranks and colours, 105; Post-captains, 509; Commanders, 319; Lieutenants, 2011.
The last promotion of captains to the rank of rear-admiral, took place on the 20th of February last, and includes nine – Sir Charles Cotton being now the last on the list of admirals. The oldest captain, who has not reached the rank of admiral, is Sir Alex Schomberg; he was made post in the year 1757.
At the head of masters and commanders still stands the long-neglected name of George Blyke, , who was promoted to that rank in the year 1747.
The senior lieutenant of the British navy is Mr Anthony Fortye, whose luck in preferment seems to have kept pace nearly with that of the former gentleman. Mr Fortye was made a lieutenant in 1744.
Lord Howe, the venerable father of the British navy is, we believe, the oldest officer of any in the service. His Lordship was made a post-captain in the year 1746, a rear-admiral in 1770, a vice-admiral in 1775, an admiral of the white in 1782, and admiral of the fleet in 1796. how he gradually arrived at this high pitch of honour is yet fresh in the memory of most people, and will doubtless furnish ample materials for the pen of the future historian, when blazoning some of his brightest pages! [Hampshire Chronicle, 19 August 1797]