The Vice-Admiral of Kent was responsible for the defence of the county of Kent, England.
History 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.
The earliest record of an appointment was of William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham 1559–1597.
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 Kent This is a list of people who have served as Vice-Admiral of Kent. From 1585 to 1607, a separate vice-admiral was appointed for the Hundred of Milton.
William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham 1559–1597 The Vice-admiral of Kent was vacant 1597-1607 Sir Edward Hoby 1607–1617 Sir Francis Howard 1617–1626 Sir Thomas Walsingham 1626–1659 The Vice-admiral of Kent was vacant 1659-1668 Charles Stewart, 3rd Duke of Richmond 1668–1672 Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Winchilsea 1673–1687 Christopher Roper, 5th Baron Teynham 1687–1689 Henry Sydney, 1st Earl of Romney 1689–1702 Charles Finch, 4th Earl of Winchilsea 1702–1705 Lewis Watson, 1st Earl of Rockingham 1705–1724 Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset 1725–1765 The Vice-admiral of Kent was vacant 1765-1808 John Pratt, 1st Marquess Camden 1808–1840
Vice-admirals of the Hundred of Milton Sir Edward Hoby 1585–1607 merged with Kent
References
External links Institute of Historical Research