Regulations for the government of the United States Navy (1865)

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ARTICLE III.

Section 1.

Military Honors, Ceremonies, and Salutes.

52.....When the President of the United States shall visit a vessel of the Navy, he shall be received as follows: The yards shall be manned at the moment when the bow oars of the boat in which he is embarked shall be tossed; the men on the yards of the fore and main masts facing aft, and on those of the mizzen-mast, forward; all the officers of the vessel shall be arranged in line upon the quarter- deck, according to seniority, in full uniform. The full marine guard shall be paraded. The President shall be received at the gangway by the Admiral, Commodore, or Commanding Officer, and such other officers as he may designate to assist in the reception. When the President shall reach the deck,, the flag or pendant usually worn shall be struck, and the American ensign displayed at the main. All officers and men on deck, the guard excepted, shall uncover their heads, the guard shall present arms, the drums shall give three ruffles, the band shall play the national air, and a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired; the men on the yards shall lie in and lie down at the last gun. The same ceremonies shall be observed when the President leaves the vessel; the yards shall be manned as he crosses the gangway; at the last gun of the salute the men on the yards shall lie in and lie down, and the ensign at the main shall be struck. If other vessels of the Navy be present, they shall man their yards at the moment the ensign is displayed at the masthead of the one visited, and shall also fire a salute of twenty-one guns, unless otherwise directed by the senior officer present. On passing such vessels, their sentinels shall present arms, the drums shall beat three ruffles, and the band shall play the national air.

53.....The Vice-President of the United States, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall receive the same honors as have been prescribed for the President, except that the yards shall not be manned, and that there shall be but one salute of seventeen guns, which shall be fired when he goes on board; and that the American flag shall not be displayed, unless the reception takes place abroad, in which case it shall be hoisted at the fore.

54.....An ex-President of the United States, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall receive the same honors as those prescribed for the President, except the display of the American flag and the manning of the yards.

55.....Members of the Cabinet, Justices of the Supreme Court, or Governors of States, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall receive the same honors as those prescribed for the Vice-President, except that the salute shall consist of fifteen guns.

56.....A foreign sovereign, or the chief magistrate of any foreign republic, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall be received with the same honors prescribed for the President, except that the flag of his own country shall be displayed at the main, and the band shall play his own national air.

57.....Members of a royal family, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall receive the same honors as would be paid to their sovereign, except that one salute only shall be fired.

58.....Whenever a Minister appointed to represent the United States abroad, or a Minister of a foreign country, shall visit a vessel of the Navy, he shall be received by the Admiral, Commodore, or Commanding Officer ; the marine guard shall be paraded, and a salute of fifteen guns shall be fired.

59.....A Charge d'Affaires or Commissioner shall be received in the same manner, but the salute shall be thirteen guns.

60.....A Consul General shall be received by the Commanding Officer, and saluted with nine guns.

61.....A Consul shall be received by the Commanding Officer, and saluted with seven guns.

62.....When a Rear-Admiral shall go on board his flag-ship to assume command, he shall be received by all the officers of the vessel in full uniform, and the crew arranged on the side opposite to that on which he enters; the full marine guard to be paraded. He is to be met at the gangway by the Commanding Officer and such other officers as he may select; the officers and men shall uncover their heads, the guard shall present arms, the drums shall give two ruffles, and the band shall play a march. When he orders his flag to be hoisted a salute of thirteen guns shall be fired. When he shall make a visit of inspection to any vessel of his fleet, the same ceremonies shall be observed; the salute shall be fired immediately after he arrives on board.

63.....When a Rear-Admiral relinquishes his command afloat, the ceremonies prescribed for his first reception shall take place at his departure. His flag shall be hauled down at the last gun of the salute.

64.....A Rear-Admiral leaving his flag-ship with the intention of soon returning on board, shall be entitled to an officer's guard, which is to present arms as he passes in front of it, and the drums to give two ruffles. He is to be attended at the gangway by the Line Officer next in rank to himself on board, and all the Line Officers of his Staff, other than those who are to accompany him ; the officer of the deck and the junior officers of the watch will also be in attendance. The same ceremonies are to be observed on his returning on board. If absent at night, three lights are to be displayed perpendicularly at the peak. If Commander-in-chief, the toplight will also be shown.

65.....When a Commodore is duly authorized by the Navy Department to hoist a broad pendant as Commander-in-Chief of a squadron, he is, on first going on board the vessel which is to carry his broad pendant, to be received in the same manner as prescribed for a Rear-Admiral, except that the salute is to be eleven guns. Whenever he shall make a visit of inspection to any other vessel of his command, the same ceremonies shall be observed; the salute shall be fired immediately after he arrives on board.

66.....A Rear-Admiral's flag, or a Commodore's broad pendant, shall not be hoisted on board any ship of his fleet or squadron, which he may visit for any purpose, without his special order.

67.....When a Commodore duly authorized to hoist a broad pendant relinquishes his command afloat, the ceremonies prescribed for his first reception are to take place at his departure. The broad pendant shall be hauled down at the last gun of the salute.

68.....A Commodore duly authorized to wear a broad pendant, when leaving his ship with the intention of soon returning on board, shall be entitled to the same honors as those prescribed for a Rear-Admiral, and the same are to be paid him on his return. If absent at night, three lights shall be displayed perpendicularly at the peak. If Commanding-in-Chief, the toplight will also be shown.

69.....When the Commander-in-Chief of a fleet or squadron, or naval station, whether a Rear-Admiral or Commodore, duly authorized to wear a broad pendant, shall first visit a ship not belonging to his own fleet or squadron, he shall be received as if he were visiting a ship under his own command, but in no case shall a flag or broad pendant be hoisted.

70.....Whenever a Rear-Admiral employed on shore, but not in command of a naval station, shall visit a vessel of the Navy on duty, he shall be received by the senior Line Officer present and the officer of the deck. The marine guard shall be paraded, and on the occasion of his first visit a salute of thirteen guns shall be fired.

71.....If a Commodore, while in command of a single ship, be duly authorized by the Navy Department to wear a broad pendant, and to command a division or squadron, or if he be promoted to Rear-Admiral, his pendant or flag shall be saluted by his flag-ship when first hoisted, as already provided for.

72.....When a Commodore, Captain, or any other officer is appointed to the command of a single vessel, he will, if she be at a navy yard and ready to be transferred to him, make, in company with the Commanding Officer of the yard, or some other proper officer or officers appointed by such Commanding Officer for the purpose, a thorough personal examination of her, and inform himself as to all her arrangements and preparations of equipment; after which the transfer is to be formally made in the presence of as many of her officers and crew as can be assembled, before whom his appointment is to be read; and then the vessel is to be placed in commission by hoisting her ensign and pendant If the vessel is already in commission, he is, nevertheless to examine her and inform himself as stated above, and to read to her officers and crow his appointment.

73.....All commissioned officers other than Rear-Admirals and Commodores entitled to wear a broad pendant, when visiting a vessel of the Navy, shall be received at the gangway by the officer of the deck. The approach of all Commanding Officers shall be promptly reported to the officer in command. Warrant Officers shall be received by a Warrant .Officer of the watch.

74.....Whenever the Commanding Officer of a vessel-of-war shall leave such vessel, he shall be accompanied to the gangway by the Line Officer next to him in rank, to whom he will deliver the temporary charge of the vessel; upon his return the senior Line Officer on board will receive him at the gangway to report anything of note that may have occurred during his absence. The officers of the watch will also attend at his departure and return. If absent at night, two lights shall be displayed perpendicularly at the peak.

75.....When a Rear-Admiral or Commodore duly authorized to hoist a broad pendant, or any other officer, shall be ordered to command a shore station, he is to be received at the gate, or landing, by the officer whom he is to relieve and the Line Officer next in rank, by all the officers of the station in uniform, and by the marine guard with arms presented; the drums shall give two ruffles, if the officer be a Rear- Admiral or Commodore. At the moment the flag or broad pendant shall be hoisted it shall be saluted as for a Rear-Admiral, or Commodore commanding-in-chief. On relinquishing his command, like ceremonies shall be observed, and his flag or broad pendant shall be hauled down at the last gun.

76.....Whenever the President of the United States, the Vice-President, an ex-President, or any other personage for whose reception afloat ceremonies have been prescribed in the foregoing articles, shall visit a naval station, he shall be received with the same ceremonies, so far as may be practicable.

77.....Officers of the Army or Marine Corps, on visiting a vessel of the Navy, or naval station, shall be received agreeably to their relative rank with officers of the Navy.

78.....When naval, military, or civil officers of a foreign nation visit a vessel of the Navy, or naval station, they may he received with the salutes herein prescribed for our own officers of the same rank.

79.....In the reception of officers of the Army or Marine Corps not attached to the ship or station, an officer of equal rank, if there be any such on board, shall receive him at the gangway and attend him at his departure. Foreign Admirals or Commanding Officers shall always be received and attended in like manner, but the Commanding Officer shall always be present at the arrival and departure of a foreign Commanding Officer.

80.....Any officer or other person may dispense with a salute, or other ceremonies provided for his reception, at his pleasure.

81.....Side-boys are not to be employed at any reception, unless an accommodation ladder be not shipped; nor shall the side be piped, unless side-boys are to be piped over.

82.....No officers of the Navy shall be saluted, other than Rear-Admirals commanding a fleet or station, Rear-Admirals on shore duty, or Commodores duly authorized to wear a broad pendant. When several officers entitled to be saluted may be assembled on board a ship, or at a naval station, on the same duty, but one salute shall be fired which shall consist of the number of guns to which the senior of such assemblage may be entitled. Return salutes shall be as follows: Between officers of equal rank, gun for gun. To an inferior by a superior: if the inferior be a Commodore duly authorized to wear a broad pendant, the number of guns already specified in preceding paragraphs. If a Commodore commanding a single vessel, nine guns ; if a Captain or officer of less rank, seven guns.

83.....No vessel of the Navy mounting less than six guns, nor any storeship or transport, is, on any occasion, to fire a salute. If necessary, in order to avoid giving offence, she may, however, fire a return salute; but no surveying vessel is ever either to fire or return a salute.

84.....A vessel mounting more than six guns, ordered to join a fleet or squadron, is, on meeting the Commander-in-Chief, to salute his flag, and shall not again salute it while under his command, except he shall make a visit of inspection to such vessel.

85.....The flag-ship only shall salute the flag of an officer appointed to command a fleet or squadron, on his assuming command and hoisting his flag. Any vessel belonging to a fleet, or squadron, having already saluted the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, will not salute in the same fleet or squadron, the flag of any officer succeeding to the command of that fleet or squadron; but all vessels entitled to salute on first joining a fleet or squadron will salute the flag of the Commander-in-Chief.

86.....When fleets, squadrons, or divisions meet, none but the officers commanding them are to salute.

87.....No salute shall be fired in the presence of a senior without his permission, except it be one rendered to such senior.

88.....On the Fourth day of July and the Twenty-second day of February, the national flag shall be displayed at the peak and at each mast-head, from sunrise to sunset, on board of every vessel of the Navy in commission, not under way^ the jack shall also be hoisted forward; at noon a salute of twenty-one guns shall be fired by all vessels permitted to salute. Vessels at sea shall fire a salute of twenty-one guns at noon, with the ensign flying at the peak. At naval stations the ensign shall be displayed from sunrise to sunset, and a salute of twenty- one guns shall be fired at noon.

89.....When a national anniversary to be celebrated occurs on a Sunday, all the ceremonies are to be deferred until the following day; and in no case shall a salute be fired on Sunday, unless the failure to do so would give offence to foreign authorities; but salutes may be returned on that day.

90.....If a vessel join a commanding officer who is entitled to a salute on Sunday, it is not to be fired until the following morning, immediately after hoisting the colors.

91.....All vessels of the Navy mounting ten guns or less shall use the smooth-bore howitzers in saluting. Vessels mounting more than ten guns shall use the smooth-bore heavy guns. Rifled guns must never be used for saluting, unless a vessel has no smooth-bore guns of any calibre.

92.....Commanding officers of vessels of the Navy, when in foreign ports, are to give timely information to the public authorities of such ports, and to the Commanding Officers of foreign vessels-of-war, of any anniversary or other event which it is intended to celebrate; and should they fire salutes in honor of the occasion, the salutes are not to be returned unless the failure to do so would give offence, but a message of acknowledgment and thanks is to be promptly sent to them and all others who may have publicly displayed any mark of honor, or respect, on the occasion.

93.....In saluting any personage, whether civil, naval, or military, the ensign of his nation is not to be exhibited, if its display will involve a return of the salute. When a salute shall be fired in honor of a visit from any public functionary, either to ship or shore, it shall be regarded as personal, and shall not be returned. The same functionary shall not be saluted by the same vessel, at the same place, oftener than once in twelve months, except when it may be necessary in cases of foreign officials, or of naval or military officers who may have received advancement of rank.

94.....Forts, castles, or cities of the United States are not to be saluted by any vessel-of-war of the United States.

95.....When a foreign vessel-of-war, of a nation in amity with us, shall arrive in a port of the United States where there is a vessel of the Navy, or a navy yard, the Commanding Officer shall, without delay, send a proper officer on board to offer the usual civilities and any assistance in his power; but he is not to pay the first visit of ceremony, or give the first salute. He is, however, to return either promptly, and the latter, gun for gun.

96.....The Commanding Officer of any fleet, squadron, or vessel shall, on anchoring in any foreign port, pay the first visit to the Commanding Naval Officer of the station to which the port belongs, and to the civil authorities of the place, provided the usual offers of civilities shall have been made to him.

97.....On the arrival of a vessel of the United States in a foreign port, her Commander is to inform himself as to the salutes and ceremonies usually given and observed, and be governed accordingly ; and he is to pay all proper attention to its civil and military regulations. In saluting the place, he is to hoist its national ensign at the fore, and be assured that gun for gun will be given in return. In countries having treaty stipulations with the United States in regard to salutes, Commanding Officers will be careful to conform strictly thereto.

98.....Vessels of the United States shall salute vessels-of-war of other nations in foreign ports, or at sea, when commanded by Flag-Officers, on being assured of a return, gun for gun; and when they themselves are saluted by foreign vessels-of-war, they are to give in return, gun for gun. The national flag of the vessel saluted shall be displayed at the fore.

99.....Vessels of the Navy may participate in celebrating the national festivals of a country, while lying in one of its ports, by hoisting the ensign of that country at either the fore or main, as circumstances may require, and firing salutes; and they may also participate in a similar way, while lying in a foreign port, in celebrating the national festivals of any other country in amity with ours besides the one to which the port belongs, if in effect invited so to do. In such cases, the colors shall be hauled down with those of the foreign ships, or forts, whose national festival is celebrated. And in case of foreign vessels-of-war lying in our ports and celebrating their national festivals, the Commander of the station, or senior officer present, may participate in the celebration, as provided for when lying in a foreign port.

100.....Foreign officials visiting our ships and stations will receive the salutes and honors prescribed for persons of the same rank in the service of the United States.

101.....Whenever any person for whom a salute has been provided in the preceding articles shall embark on board a vessel of the Navy for passage, he shall be entitled to the same salute as if he were visiting such vessel, and also to the same salute on disembarking.

102.....Should it occur that any foreign official of high rank or distinction, whose reception has not been provided for in the foregoing paragraphs, should visit any vessel or naval station of the United States, he may be received with the salutes and honors assigned to him by his own country.

103.....No salute is ever to exceed twenty-one guns; all salutes must be fired between sunrise and sunset, and the national colors must always be displayed at the time. On the occasion of a visit by any person entitled to one salute, such salute shall be fired on his arrival on board, or at the station.

104.....No vessel of the Navy is to lower her sails, or dip her colors to another vessel of the Navy; but should a foreign vessel, or a merchant vessel of the United States, dip her colors, or lower her sails, the compliment will be returned.

105.....Cheers shall never be given as a compliment to any officer, or man, on joining a vessel of the Navy, or while attached to or being detached from her.

106.....Vessels of the Navy are not to salute any functionary of the United States, in a foreign port, until the proper honors have been paid to the flag of the nation to which the port belongs.

107.....The Commander of a squadron, on arriving at a foreign port, is to call in person and pay the first visit to the diplomatic functionaries of the United States thereat, whose rank is of and above that of Charge" d'Affaires; and the Commander of a vessel of the Navy, on so arriving, is to so call and first visit the functionaries of our government thereat, whose rank is of and above that of Consul General. The Commander of a squadron, on so arriving, is to send a suitable officer to visit the consular officer, and tender to him a passage to the flag-ship; and the Commander of a vessel of the Navy, on so arriving, is to send an officer, who is to visit the consular officer, and if he be of the rank of Consul General, to inform him of the presence of the ship and of the Commander's intention to visit him, unless the latter should find it convenient to make the visit at that time ; if of lower rank than Consul General, to offer him a passage to the ship.

108.....Whenever any vessel of the Navy may be lying in a foreign port, or may enter such port, and foreign vessels-of-war of nations in amity with us may be at anchor there, or may enter, it shall be the duty of the Commanding Officer to render to such vessels all such civilities as may be customary, and to reciprocate fully all such as may be extended to himself.

109.....Officers in boats not laden, nor engaged in towing, are, on meeting or passing other boats, to observe the following ceremonies as marks of respect, according as they may be under oars or sail; and the officers to whom the salutes are made are to be careful to acknowledge them promptly by raising their caps: To a boat with the flag of a Rear-Admiral, or the broad pendant of a Commodore, boats with a narrow pendant are to lie on their oars, or let fly their sheets, and boats without any pendants are to toss their oars, or lower their sails. In both cases officers in them are to salute by raising their caps. In the case of two boats meeting or passing, each with the same insignia of a Commanding Officer, the junior officer in rank or seniority is first to salute the other by raising his cap. Officers in boats meeting or passing their own immediate Commander in a boat with his pendant flying, are to salute him by lying on their oars, or letting fly their sheets and raising their caps; and in passing each other the salute of raising the cap is always to be mutually made, but first by the junior in rank or seniority. All officers inferior in grade to the Commanding Officer of another vessel than the one to which they belong, are, on passing him in a boat with his pendant flying, to lie on their oars, or let fly their sheets, and raise their caps; if equal in grade, but junior in seniority, they will salute by raising their caps. All juniors, though wearing a pendant, will first salute their seniors not in command by raising their caps, except the Commander of a vessel on passing one of the boats belonging to his own vessel, which will always salute as provided for above, even if a senior be a passenger in it. Cockswains steering boats are, whenever Commissioned Officers are saluted, to stand up and raise their caps; and whenever Warrant Officers are saluted, they are to raise their caps only. The officer and Cockswain of loaded boats, or of boats engaged in towing, shall salute a boat with the flag of a Rear-Admiral, or the broad pendant of a Commodore, by standing and raising their caps. On passing boats with a narrow pendant, or with Commissioned Officers on board, the Cockswain shall stand, and both he and the officer shall raise their caps. Boats containing superiors of other grades shall be saluted as already provided for. When boats are rowing in the same direction, an inferior is not to pass his superior in grade, unless he be on urgent duty, or authorized by the superior. When boats are pursuing opposite directions, the rule of the road, to prevent fouling, is that both should put their helms to port, circumstances permitting. When boats are approaching the same landing or vessel, an inferior is always to yield the way to a superior in grade. Boats about leaving the ship's side with inferiors are to give way in ample season to others approaching it with superiors. No boat is ever to be permitted to remain unnecessarily at a landing or gangway, or to be moored at the booms so as to interfere with boats coming to or leaving the gangway.

110.....A sentinel at a gangway is to present arms to all officers coming on board or leaving the vessel, of and above the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and to carry arms to all other Commissioned Officers; but neither this ceremony, nor that of piping the side, is to take place except during the hours when the colors should be displayed. And, after tattoo, all side lights but one may be dispensed with, except in the case of a visit or departure of a foreign officer.

111.....All inferiors, in passing a superior, either afloat or on shore, or in addressing him on duty, shall raise their caps, and superiors are strictly enjoined to return such salutes in the same way. The fact that an officer is not on duty, nor in uniform, shall not be regarded as an excuse for any act of disrespect or omission of naval courtesy on the part of an officer towards a superior whose rank he knows. No personal feelings are to be allowed to interfere with official courtesy, or pleaded as an excuse for its neglect. All persons having occasion to address the Executive Officer, or the Officer of the Deck, on matters of duty, shall always raise their caps.

112.....Every officer, or man, on reaching the quarter-deck, either from a boat or below, or on leaving it to go over the side, is to salute it by raising his cap, and this is to be acknowledged in return, and in the same way, by all the officers of the watch at hand.

113.....On board vessels having an accommodation ladder shipped at each gangway, the starboard gangway is to be reserved for the use of the cabin and wardroom officers and their visitors; the port gangway for all others. When one accommodation ladder only is shipped, it is to be used indiscriminately by all officers.

114.....Officers and men are not to omit, on any occasion, to extend to officers of the Army of the United States, and to all foreign officers, the courtesy and mark of respect due to their rank, when passing in boats or meeting on shore.

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