The Vice-Admiral of Dorset was responsible for the defence of the County of Dorset, England.
As a Vice-Admiral, the post holder was the chief of naval administration for his district. His responsibilities included pressing men for naval service, deciding the lawfulness of prizes (captured by privateers), dealing with salvage claims for wrecks and acting as a judge.
History In 1863 the Registrar of the Admiralty Court stated that the offices had 'for many years been purely honorary' (HCA 50/24 pp. 235–6). Appointments were made by the Lord High Admiral when this officer existed. When the admiralty was in commission appointments were made by the crown by letters patent under the seal of the admiralty court.
Vice Admirals of Dorset This is a list of people who have been Vice-Admiral of Dorset. c.1526–1536: Giles Strangways 1551–1580: Lord Thomas Howard (Viscount Howard of Bindon from 1559) 1580–1582: Vacant 1582: Henry Ashley 1582–1591: Sir Christopher Hatton 1591–1603: Sir Carew Raleigh 1603–1611: Thomas Howard, 3rd Viscount Howard of Bindon 1611–1640: Theophilus Howard, 2nd Baron Howard de Walden (Earl of Suffolk from 1626) 1640–1642: Francis Cottington, 1st Baron Cottington 1642–1644: Vacant 1644–1653: John Arthur 1653–1660: Vacant 1661–1672: Bullen Reymes 1672–1679: Vacant 1679–1699: Anthony Ashley-Cooper, Lord Ashley (Earl of Shaftesbury from 1683) 1699–1702: Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury 1702–1713: Thomas Strangways 1713–1714: Vacant 1714–1742: George Trenchard 1742–1754: Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton 1754–1755: Vacant 1755–1759: Harry Powlett, 4th Duke of Bolton 1759–1765: Charles Powlett, Marquess of Winchester (Duke of Bolton from later in 1759) 1765–1767: Vacant 1767–1794: Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton 1794–1797: Vacant 1797–1800: George Paulet, 12th Marquess of Winchester
References
External links Institute of Historical Research