the fleet or shipping of a prince or state. See MARINE.

The management of the British royal navy, under the lord high admiral of Great Britain, is intrusted to principal officers and commissioners of the navy, who hold their place by patent. The principal officers of the navy are four, viz. the treasurer, whose business it is to receive money out of the exchequer, and to pay all the charges of the navy, by warrant from the principal officers: comptroller, who attends and controls all payment of wages, is to know the rates of stores, to examine and audit all accounts, &c.: surveyor, who is to know the states of all stores, and see wants supplied; to estimate repairs, charge boatwains, &c. with what stores they receive, and at the end of each voyage to state and audit accounts: clerk of the acts, whose business it is to record all orders, contracts, bills, warrants, &c.

The commissioners of the navy are five: The first executes that part of the comptroller's duty which relates to the comptrolling the victualler's accounts; the second, another part of the said comptroller's duty relating to the account of the storekeepers of the yard; the third has the direction of the navy at the port of Portsmouth; the fourth has the same at Chatham; and the fifth at Plymouth. There are also other commissioners at large, the number more or less according to the exigencies of public affairs; and since the increase of the royal navy, these have several clerks under them, with salaries allowed by the king.

The victualling of the royal navy hath formerly been undertaken by contract; but is now managed by commissioners, who hold their office on Tower-hill, London. The navy office is where the whole business concerning the navy is managed by the principal officers and commissioners.

The royal navy of Great Britain is now in a very flourishing state, having been diligently kept up in late reigns, as the natural strength of the kingdom. When it is complete, it is divided into three squadrons, distinguished by the colours of the flags carried by the respective admirals belonging to the same, viz. red, white, and blue; the principal commander of which bears the title of admiral; and each has under him a vice admiral and a rear admiral, who are likewise flag officers.

NAVY Exercise. See EXERCISE.

NAVY Discipline, or Regulations. See MARITIME STATE.