ested with special powers to meet his
peculiar circumstances, but has chiefly to depend upon moral influence
for maintaining order amongst his passengers and crew during the many
weeks or even months that he is cut off from appeal to the laws of his
country, only resorting to force on extreme occasions. Great tact and
judgment is required to fulfil this duty properly.

CAPTAIN OF A SHIP OF WAR. Is the commanding officer; as well the
post-captain (a title now disused) as those whose proper title is
commander.

CAPTAIN OF THE FLEET. Is a temporary admiralty appointment; he is
entitled to be considered as a flag-officer, and to a share in the
prize-money accordingly. He carries out all orders issued by the
commander-in-chief, but his special duty is to keep up the discipline of
the fleet, in which he is supreme. He is the adjutant-general of the
force, hoisting the flag and wearing the uniform of rear-admiral.

CAPTAIN OF THE HEAD. Not a recognized rating, but an ordinary man
appointed to attend to the swabs, and to keep the ship's head clean.

CAPTAIN OF THE HOLD. The last of the captains in rank, as a first-class
petty officer.

CAPTAIN OF THE PORT. The captain of the port is probably better
explained by referring to that situation at Gibraltar. He belongs to the
Board of Health; he controls the entries and departures, the berthing at
the anchorage, and general marine duties, but possesses no naval
authority. Hence, the port-captain is quite another officer. (_See_
PORT-CAPTAIN.)

CAPTAIN-GENERAL. The highest army rank.

CAPTAIN'S CLERK. One whose duty is strictly to keep all books and
official papers necessary for passing the captain's accounts at the
admiralty.

CAPTAIN'S CLOAK. The jocose name given to the last sweeping clause, the
thirty-sixth article of war:--"All other crimes not capital, and for
which no punishment is hereby directed to be inflicted, shall be
punished according to the laws and customs in such cases used at sea."

CAPTAIN'S GIG. _See_ GIG.

CAPTAIN'S STORE-ROOM. A place of reserve on the platform deck, for the
captain's wines and sea-stores.

CAPTIVE. A prisoner of war.

CAPTORS. The conquerors of and sharers in the proceeds of a prize.
Captors are not at liberty to release prisoners belonging to the ships
of the enemy. The last survivor is in law the only captor.

CAPTURE. A prize taken by a ship of war at sea; is the taking forcible
possession of vessels or goods belonging to one