ORDINARY, in naval language, denotes the establishment of the persons employed by government to take charge of the ships of war, which are laid up in the several harbours adjacent to the royal dock-yards. These are principally composed of the warrant-officers of the said ships, as the gunner, boatswain, carpenter, deputy-purser, and cook, and three servants. There is besides a crew of labourers enrolled in the list of the ordinary, who pass from ship to ship occasionally, to pump, moor, remove, or clean them, whenever it is necessary.
The term ordinary is also applied sometimes to the ships themselves; it is likewise used to distinguish the inferior sailors from the most expert and diligent. The latter, are rated able on the navy books, and have higher pay than those who are rated ordinary.