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User:Pfly/Ideas for translating Age of Sail Spanish Navy terms

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Translating Spanish Navy ranks

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Spanish Navy ranks of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with equivalent British Navy ranks of the same period,* and suggested ideas for rendering into modern English.

Spanish Navy rank Equivalent in British Navy Suggested terms to use
Capitán y Director General de la ArmadaF "With headquarters in Cádiz, who was also Comandante General".†
Capitán General de la ArmadaF Admiral of the Fleet Admiral of the Fleet.†
Capitán GeneralF Admiral Admiral.† (see Captain General (History: Spain (Navy)))
Teniente GeneralF Vice Admiral Vice Admiral.†
Jefe de Escuadra (also Gefe)F Rear Admiral Rear Admiral,† Chief of Squadron, Squad leader (lit.).
BrigadierF Commodore Brigadier, Commodore.†
Capitán de NavíoC Post-Captain Ship Captain*, Captain,† (lit. "ship of the line" captain)
Capitán de FragataC Commander Frigate Captain,* Commander.†
Capitán de CorbetaC Lieutenant Commander Corvette Captain (lit.), Lieutenant Commander.†
Teniente de NavíoC Lieutenant (senior) Ship Lieutenant,* Lieutenant.†
Teniente de FragataC Lieutenant (junior), "Commissioned Warrant Officer" Frigate Lieutenant,* "equiv. of Lieutenant (junior grade) in US Navy.†
Alférez de NavíoC no exact equivalent Ensign, Ship Ensign,* Sub-Lieutenant.† (see Alférez)
Alférez de FragataC no exact equivalent Ensign, Frigate Ensign.* "Midshipman's title upon graduation".†
Piloto primeroP Master Master, Navigator (Pilot, but see note below)
Piloto segundoP Master Master, Navigator (Pilot, but see note below)
PilotínP Master's mate Master's Mate, Junior piloto (Junior Pilot, but see note below)
PrácticoP Master's mate? Master's mate? "Essentially a coastal pilot".†
Guardiamarina Guardiamarina, Guardia Marina no exact equivalent? Midshipman

* According to Kendrick
† According to Tovell
F Flag officer
C Commissioned ranks
P Piloto: "Institute-trained, not considered a full member of the marina de guerra. As a naval rank, navigator or master of a ship; does not translate directly to "pilot" in nautical terms". A piloto primero could, at first, earn the rank of alférez de fragata; later he could aspire to rank of either teniente de fragata or teniente de navío. A piloto segundo would be given be given the rank of oficial mayor (warrant officer); later he could aspire to the rank of alférez de fragata or alférez de navío.†

Style

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  • For person in charge of a vessel use commanded by, or under the command of, or commander. Examples: "The schooner Saturnina commanded by Master's Mate [Don] Juan Carrasco". "The goleta Sutil put to sea under the command of Frigate Captain Dionisio Galiano". "Ship Lieutenant Salvador Fidalgo, commander of the Princesa". "The brig Activa commanded by Pilot Salvador Menendez."
  • Use commandant for a person in charge of a base, such as "Ship Captain Quadra, commandant of the establishment at Nootka."

Ships

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Spanish term Possible English terms
fragata frigate
corbeta corvette, frigate
goleta schooner, goleta
bergantín brig, brigantine
balandra sloop
Packet ship, storeship

Sources

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  • Kendrick, John (1990). The Voyage of Sutil and Mexicana, 1792: The last Spanish exploration of the Northwest Coast of America. Spokane, Washington: The Arthur H. Clark Company. ISBN 0-87062-203-X.