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Uniform for the United States Navy, Prepared Under Direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1869.

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Uniform Regulations, 1869

Uniforms of the United States Navy 1869 title page

Uniform
for the
United States Navy,

Prepared Under Direction of the
Secretary of the Navy.

Washington:
Government Printing Office.
1869.

General Regulations.

Full-Dress Uniform for Occasions of Special Ceremony.
Body coat as prescribed, epaulets, cocked hat, sword with sword knot, and blue cloth or white drilling pantaloons to suit the season of the year, weather, or climate, as may be directed by the senior officer present.

Full-Dress Uniform for General Duty and Official Visits on Shore.
Frock coat as prescribed, epaulets, cocked hat or cap, sword with sword knot, and blue cloth or white drilling pantaloons to suit the season of the year, weather, or climate, as may be directed by the senior officer present.

Service-Dress and Undress Uniform.
Frock coat as prescribed, with shoulder straps, cap, and with or without sword and sword knot; pantaloons, blue or white, to suit the season of the year, weather, or climate, as may be directed by the senior officer present.

___________________________

Officers will wear the prescribed full-dress uniform for "occasions of special ceremony," whenever they make special official visits of ceremony to the President or Secretary of the Navy, or to foreign authorities and vessels of war.

Officers will wear either the prescribed full-dress uniform for "general duty" or the "undress uniform" whenever they make official visits of ceremony to the President, Secretary of the Navy, heads of other departments, or to foreign authorities and vessels of war.

Officers serving on courts-martial, courts of inquiry, boards of examination or special boards, or when attending as witnesses before courts-martial or courts of inquiry, or in any other capacity will wear the undress uniform, without swords, unless otherwise specially directed by competent authority.

Officers, in their social intercourse within the United States, (upon occasions requiring them to appear in evening dress,) may wear a body coat, made according to the prevailing fashion, of navy-blue cloth, with five navy buttons on each breast, and with the devices of rank and grade on the ends of the collar, as authorized for sack and overcoats, but without shoulder straps, epaulets, cocked hat, or sleeve ornaments.

It is optional with officers to wear their uniform while on duty in the Navy Department, at the Observatory, Hydrographic Office, or on Light-house duty ashore.

Undress uniform is to be worn by all officers when attached to any vessel of the Navy or Coast Survey, to any navy yard or station, or to any hospital or naval establishment, for duty, unless when absent on leave.

Swords are always to be worn at quarters, and on leaving a vessel, navy yard, or station, on military duty.

Offices on furlough will not wear their uniforms, and officers are strictly prohibited from wearing any part of it while suspended from duty by sentence of a court-martial.

Chaplains, when performing divine service, may wear either the vestments of the church to which they belong or the uniform prescribed in the regulations.

On all occasions of ceremony or duty, abroad or in the United States, when a commanding officer may deem it necessary to order the attendance of the officers under his command, he shall be careful in such order to prescribe the particular dress to be worn.

Officers attached to vessels in foreign ports will not visit the shore without being in uniform, except by permission of commanding officer.

Officers are forbidden to wear any part of their uniform with citizens' dress. They must wear the whole of their uniform or none.

Before a vessel proceeds to sea there will be a general muster for the purpose of ascertaining whether the officers and crew are provided with the uniform, full and undress, as prescribed by the regulations, and the commanding officer of the vessel will see that all defiencies are supplied.

Uniform
for
the United States Navy.

Dress.

Full-Dress Body Coat.
The full-dress body coat for the Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admirals, Commodores, Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant Commanders, Lieutenants, Masters, Ensigns, and all Staff Officers of relative rank, respectively, shall be of navy-blue cloth, double-breasted, lined with white silk serge; the waist of the coat to descend to the top of the hip bone; the skirts to begin about one-fifth of the circumference from the front edge and descend four-fifths from the hip bone towards the knee, with one button behind on each hip, and one near the bottom of the pocket in each fold; two rows of large navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed four inches and a half apart, from eye to eye, at top, and two inches and a half at bottom; the cuffs of the coat to be closed, without buttons, and to be from two and a half to three inches deep; standing collar, to hook in front at bottom, and to slope thence upwards and backwards at an angle of twenty-five degrees on each side, and to rise no higher than will permit a free movement of the chin over it - to have one strip of gold embroidered white-oak leaves (as per pattern) for the Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Rear Admirals - to have a strip of navy gold lace, one inch wide, around the top and down the front for Commodores, Captains, and Commanders, and one-half inch wide for Lieutenant Commanders, Lieutenants, Masters, and Ensigns.

All Staff Officers will wear the same widths of gold lace around the top and down the front of the collars of their full-dress body coats as prescribed for Line Officers with whom they have relative rank respectively.

Midshipmen, after graduation, will hereafter be allowed a full-dress double-breasted coat, nine buttons in each row, with a gold cord one-eighth of an inch wide around the sleeve, and an anchor in gold embroidery on each side of the collar, one inch in length, (as per pattern.)

The full-dress body coat is to be worn only with epaulets, cocked hat, sword, and sword knot.

Midshipmen at the Naval Academy will wear a strip of lace, one-eighth of an inch wide, around the outer edge of the collar of their parade jackets. Parade jackets will only be worn on Sundays, dress parades, or other occasions of ceremony.

Full-Dress, Undress, and Service Frock Coat.
The full-dress duty, undress, and service frock coat for all Commissioned Officers will be of navy-blue cloth, faced with the same, and lined with black silk serge; double-breasted, with two rows of large navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row, placed four inches and a half apart, from eye to eye, at top, and two inches and a half at bottom; rolling collar; skirts to be full, commencing at the hip bone and descending four-fifths thence towards the knee, with one behind on each hip, and one near the bottom of the pocket in each fold; cuffs to be closed, without buttons, and from two and a half to three inches deep.

Frock coats for Midshipmen will be the same as for Commissioned Officers, except that the buttons will be of medium size only.

The "full-dress duty" and "undress" uniform coat for Boatswains, Gunners, Carpenters, and Sailmakers will be a frock coat similar in every respect to the frock coat of the Line and Staff Commissioned Officers.

Clerks and Mates will wear a double-breasted frock coat, with nine navy buttons of medium size on each side.

Sack Coats.
Sack coats, of navy-blue flannel or blue cloth, may be worn off duty by all officers on board ship and in the United States, but never on shore nor on board ship on duty in a foreign port. Sack coats shall be single-breasted, with a row of five medium-size buttons on the right breast. Shoulder straps and lace on the sleeves will be dispensed with on sack coats - retaining the star for Line Officers, in which case the designations of rank and corps will be worn on the ends of the collar, as follow:

Admiral - Four silver stars, with gold foul anchors under the two outer ones.

Vice Admiral - Three silver stars, with a gold foul anchor under the center one.

Rear Admiral - Two silver stars, with a silver foul anchor between them.

Commodores - One silver star, with a silver anchor back of it.

Captains - A silver spread eagle, with a silver anchor back of it.

Commanders - A silver leaf, with a silver anchor back of it.

Lieutenant Commanders - A gold leaf, with a silver anchor back of it.

Lieutenants - Two gold bars, with a silver anchor back of them.

Masters - One gold bar, with a silver anchor back of it.

Ensigns - A silver anchor, placed horizontally, stock up.

Midshipmen - a gold cord, one-eigth of an inch in diameter, and one and one-quarter of an inch long, across the end of the collar.

Staff Officers will wear on the ends of the collars of their sack coats their respective shoulder-strap devices, in the same way as the Line Officers with whom they have relative rank, omitting the duplicate end device.

Mates, Boatswains, and Gunners will wear the star of Line Officers on their sleeves.

Pantaloons.
For all officers, are to be of navy-blue cloth or white duck or drilling, (or, for "service dress," of blue flannel.)

Within the tropics white pantaloons are to be worn at all seasons of the year, unless otherwise ordered by the officer in command.

North of the tropics blue pantaloons are to be worn from the first of October to the fifteenth of May, and white ones from the fifteenth of May to the first of October, when the weather is suitable; and south of the tropics, vice versa - subject, however, to such exceptions as may be directed or authorized by the senior officer present in command.

Vests.
For all officers, will be single-breasted, standing collar, with nine small navy buttons in front, and made of navy-blue cloth, fine blue flannel, or of suitable white material.

Jackets and Flannel Coats.
Jackets may be worn as "service dress" by all officers, except at general muster, or upon special occasions of ceremony, when a different dress is prescribed by the commanding officer; to be of navy-blue cloth, faced with the same, and lined with black silk serge; double or single-breasted, as in the coat; rolling collar; with the same number of small-sized buttons on the breast as for the coat, and with the same arrangement of lace on the cuffs, and the same shoulder straps.

In mild climates or seasons officers in "service dress" may wear the uniform made of navy-blue flannel. Coats to be lined with black silk serge, and finished with navy buttons of medium size. The same may be worn on shipboard at sea, except at general muster; also on board ship in port, except at general muster, when on watch with the colors hoisted, or on occasions of ceremony, when a different dress is prescribed by the commanding officer.

White linen or grass jackets, to be made like the cloth ones, but without straps or sleeve ornaments, may be worn within the tropics, at sea and in port, with white straw hats, when the weather, in the opinion of the commanding officer, is such as to require it. They must not, however, be worn ashore in foreign ports, nor by the officer of the deck for the time being in ports where the vessel may be visited by strangers.

Overcoats.
Overcoats shall be a caban overcoat and cape of dark-blue beaver or pilot cloth, skirt to extend below the knee; cape to be ten inches shorter; double-breasted, with pockets in side seam, and five navy buttons on each breast. The cape to be made so that it can be removed at pleasure, so as to form a separate garment. On each end of the collar of the overcoat the same device of rank and corps shall be worn, respectively, as authorized for sack coats.

Mates, Clerks, Boatswains, Gunners, Carpenters, and Sailmakers will not wear any devices on the collars of their overcoats.

Cravat.
Cravat for all officers to be of black silk or satin, with a white shirt collar showing above it.

Sleeve Ornaments.

Full-Dress Body Coats of Admirals.
The full-dress coat of the Admiral will have three strips of gold embroidered white-oak leaves, one inch wide and a half an inch apart, on the sleeve, as per pattern.

The full-dress coat of the Vice Admiral will be the same as for the Admiral, except that there will be but two strips of embroidery on the sleeve.

The full-dress coat of a Rear Admiral will be the same as for the Vice Admiral, except that there will be but one strip of embroidery on the sleeve.

Undress Coats - Admiral, Etc.
The lace on the sleeve is to be navy gold lace of the widths, respectively, of two inches, one inch, and one-quarter of an inch.

The undress coat of the Admiral will have one strip of gold lace, two inches wide, around the cuff, with thee strips of half-inch gold lace, one-quarter of an inch apart, above, (as per pattern:) or, at his discretion, the Admiral may wear the full and undress uniform as established by regulation of December 1, 1866.

The undress coat of the Vice Admiral will be the same as for the Admiral, except that there will be but two strips of half-inch gold above the wide lace.

The undress coat of a Rear Admiral will be the same as for the Vice Admiral, except there will be but one strip of half-inch gold lace above the wide lace.

Full-Dress Body and Frock Coats.
For Commodores, one strip of gold lace, two inches wide, one inch and a half from the edge of the sleeve.

For Captains, four strips of navy gold lace, one-half inch wide, one-quarter of an inch apart, the lower strip one inch and a half from the lower edge of the sleeve.

For Commanders, the same, except that there shall be but three strips of gold lace.

For Lieutenant Commanders, the same, except that there shall be but two strips of gold lace.

For Lieutenants, the same, except that there shall be but one strip of half-inch gold lace, and one strip of one-quarter inch gold lace one-quarter of an inch above it.

For a Master, the same, except that there shall be but one strip of half-inch gold lace.

For an Ensign, the same, except that there will be but one strip of one-quarter inch gold lace.

Staff Officers of assimilated rank will conform to the above.

Medical Officers will wear around the sleeve cobalt-blue cloth between the strips of gold lace.

Paymasters will wear around the sleeve white cloth between the strips of gold lace.

Engineers will wear around the sleeve red cloth between the strips of gold lace.

Staff Officers entitled to but one strip of lace on the sleeve will wear the colored cloth so as to show one-fourth of an inch above and below the strip.

On the outer side of each sleeve, above the upper strip of lace and midway the seams, a gold star of five rays, two inches in diameter, with a steam frigate in silver raised in the center, with one of the rays of the star pointing directly downwards, and the point one-fourth of an inch from the upper edge of the strip of lace, will be worn by the Admiral.

For all other Line officers, (including Boatswains and Gunners,) the star will be of five rays, embroidered in gold, one inch in diameter, and worn as prescribed for the Admiral.

No other officers are entitled to wear the above-described ornaments.

Epaulets, Shoulder Straps, Etc.

Epaulets.
All Commissioned Officers, including and above the rank of Lieutenant, will wear two gold-bullion epaulets, with their respective strap ornaments on the frogs, to be of the following dimensions:

For the Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admirals, and Commodores, the strap to be two and three-quarters of an inch wide and six inches long; frog, four and three-eights of an inch wide crescent, eleven-sixteenths of an inch in the broadest part; bullion, three and one-half inches long and five-eighths of an inch in diameter. Staff Officers of relative rank to wear the same.

For Captains, Commanders, Lieutenant Commanders, and Staff Officers of relative rank, the strap to be two and three-quarters of an inch wide and six inches long; frog, four and three-eighths of an inch wide; crescent, eleven-sixteenths of an inch in the broadest part; bullion, three inches long and half an inch in diameter.

For Lieutenants and Staff Officers of relative rank, the strap to be two and one-half inches wide and six inches long; frog, four and three-eighths of an inch wide; crescent, nine-sixteenths of an inch in the broadest part; bullion, three inches long and three-eighths of an inch in diameter.

Shoulder Straps.
No officer in the Navy below the assimilated rank of Lieutenant will wear shoulder straps, cocked hat, or epaulets.

Masters, Ensigns, and Midshipmen, after graduation, and Staff Officers of assimilated rank, will wear, in lieu of shoulder straps or epaulets, gold embroidered shoulder loops, as per patterns - Staff Officers omitting the anchor.

These can also be worn on the undress frock coat, either on duty or on other occasions.

All shoulder straps are to be of navy-blue cloth, four inches and a quarter long and one inch and a half wide, including the border, which is to be a quarter of an inch wide and embroidered in gold, except for the Admiral, which will be four and seven-eighths inches long and one and five-eighths of an inch wide, including the border, which is to be one-quarter of an inch wide.

Devices for Shoulder Straps and Frogs of Epaulets.
The center and end ornaments, or distinctions of the Line and Staff, and indications of rank, are to be embroidered in gold or silver, as hereinafter designated, and are to be as follows:

For the Admiral, four silver stars of five rays each, placed equidistant from each other in the middle of the strap or frog of the epaulet, with a gold foul anchor, one and one-eighth of an inch long, under the two outer stars.

For the Vice Admiral, three silver stars of five rays each, place equidistant on the strap or frog of the epaulet, with a gold foul anchor, one and one-eighth of an inch long, under the center star.

For Rear Admirals, two silver stars of five rays each, one near each end of the strap or frog of the epaulet, with a silver foul anchor, seven-eighths of an inch long, in the center.

For Commodores, a silver star of five rays, placed in the center, with a silver foul anchor at each end of the strap or frog of the epaulet.

For Captains, a silver spread eagle in the centre, with a silver foul anchor at each end of the strap or frog of the epaulet.

For Commanders, a silver oak leaf at each end, with a silver foul anchor in the center of the strap or frog of the epaulet.

For Lieutenant Commanders, a gold oak leaf at each end, with a silver foul anchor in the center of the strap or frog of the epaulet.

For Lieutenants, two gold bars at each end, with a silver foul anchor in the center of the strap or frog of the epaulet.

Staff Officers will wear shoulder straps of the same description as prescribed for Line Officers with whom they have relative rank, respectively, with the following exceptions, viz.:

In the Medical Corps, the anchor is omitted.

In the Paymasters' Corps, an oak sprig is substituted for the anchor.

In the Engineers' Corps, a device of four oak leaves in the form of a cross is substituted.

For Secretaries to commanders of fleets and squadrons, the letter S, in silver is substituted.

In lieu of the shoulder straps, Warrant Officers shall wear as follows: Boatswains and Gunners, a gold star embroidered on each side of the collar, similar to that worn on the sleeve; Carpenters and Sailmakers will wear a diamond or lozenge, embroidered in gold, one and one-eighth inch in extreme length, on each side of the collar.

Cocked Hat, Cap, Etc.

Cocked Hat.
All Commissioned Officers, including and above the rank of Lieutenant, will wear a black cocked hat of the following dimensions:

To be not more than six nor less than five and a half inches on the back fan; and not more than five and a half nor less than five inches on the front fan; and more than eighteen nor less than sixteen inches long, from peak to peak. The hat to be bound with black silk lace, to show one inch and a quarter on each side. In the fold, at each end of the hat, a tassel will be worn, formed of five gold and five blue bullions; and on the front or right fan, a black silk cockade four and a half inches in diameter.

The Admiral, Vice Admiral, Rear Admirals, Commodores, and Staff Officers of relative rank, will wear over the cockade a loop of six gold bullions, half an inch in diameter, the two inner bullions to be twisted together, with a small navy button in the lower end of the loop.

All other officers entitled to wear cocked hats will wear over the cockade a loop formed of four gold bullions, three-eighths of an inch in diameter, not twisted, with a small navy button in the lower end of the loop.

Cap.
The cap to be of dark-blue cloth; diameter of the top to be the same as the base; quarters not less than one and a quarter nor more than one inch and a half wide in front, sloping gradually; and to be not less than one-half nor more than three-quarters of an inch wide at the back of the cap. The seam around the tip to be without a welt, and neatly stitched on each side. Band to be one inch and a half wide, with a welt one-eighth of an inch in diameter at the top, and a welt one-eighth of an inch in diameter one-quarter of an inch from the base of the cap. A plain black ribbed silk band will be worn between the upper and lower welts. Visor to be of black patent leather, bound, green underneath, and not less than one and a half nor more than one and three-quarters of an inch wide in front, and rounded, as per pattern. The inside band to be of stout pasteboard, and to extend from the base of the cap to within one-quarter of an inch of the tip. The sweat and inside linings to be of uncolored morocco. The cap in front is to be not less than two and a half nor more than three inches in height; according to size, with four black metal eyelets inserted in the top for ventilation.

During rainy weather only a black glazed silk cover may be worn over the cap.

Cap Ornaments.
The cap ornament for all Commissioned Officers in the navy and Midshipmen after graduation will be a silver shield with two crossed anchors in gold, arranged as per pattern. A gold cord of the same pattern as the one now worn by the Midshipmen at the Naval Academy will be worn on the front of the cap by all officers.

Warrant Officers will wear two gold embroidered anchors crossed; each anchor one and a half inch long.

Mates will wear a plain anchor, one inch and a quarter long, embroidered in gold and placed in a vertical position.

Clerks will wear a foul anchor on the front of the cap, with a gold cord, the same as that worn by Midshipmen at the Academy.

Straw Hats.
In tropical climates, or during warm seasons, officers may wear white straw hats, under the same restrictions as in the case of jackets; the body of the hat to be not more than three and a half nor less than two and a half inches in height, and the brim, without lining, not more than three and a half nor less than two inches in width, with a plain band of black ribbon.

Swords, Etc.

Swords and Scabbard.
For all officers, shall be a cut-and-thrust blade, not less than twenty-six nor more than twenty-nine inches long; half basket hilt; grip white; scabbards of black leather; mountings of yellow gilt; and all as per pattern.

The full-dress sword belt of the Admiral, Vice Admiral, and Rear Admirals, will be of blue cloth with a small gold cord around the edge, and one strip of gold embroidered white-oak leaves, one-half inch wide, running through the centre, as per pattern.

The sling-straps to be of blue cloth with a small gold thread around the edge, as per pattern.

The full-dress sword belt of Commodores will be of blue cloth with gold embroidery as per patterns.

The full-dress sword belts of the different grades below the rank of Commodore will be of blue webbing, with gold cord woven in, as per patterns.

Full-dress sword belts are to be worn only with full-dress uniform for occasions of special ceremony.

Midshipmen may wear, on boat duty, a dirk, as per pattern.

Undress Sword Belt.
For all officers, shall be of plain black glazed leather, not less than one inch and a half nor more than two inches wide, with slings of the same not less than one-half nor more than three-quarters of an inch wide, and a hook in the forward ring to suspend the sword. Belt-plate of yellow gilt in front, two inches in diameter. The belt to be worn over the coat.

Sword Knot.
For all officers, except mates, clerks, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, and sail-makers, shall be a strap of gold lace twenty-four inches long including the tassel, gold slide, tassel of twelve gold bullions, one inch and three-quarters long, inclosing five blue bullions, with basket-worked head.

Buttons.
Shall be gilt, convex, and of three sizes in exterior diamter; large, seven-eighths of an inch; medium, seven-tenths of an inch; and small, nine-sixteenths of an inch. Each size is to have the same device.

Midshipmen At The Naval Academy.

Jacket.
The jacket to have a standing collar, one inch and a quarter high, with a plain anchor, one inch and a quarter in length, embroidered in gold, and placed in a horizontal position, on each end of the collar. To be made of dark navy-blue cloth, double-breaasted, with two rows of medium size navy buttons on the breast, nine in each row; cuffs closed, with three small size navy buttons along the seam.

Dress-parade jackets will have around the edge of the collar a strip of navy gold lace, one-eighth of an inch wide. These jackets only to be worn at dress-parade, official occasions, visits of ceremony, and Sundays.

Cap Ornament.
The cap will have a plain anchor, one inch and a quarter in length, embroidered in gold, and placed in a vertical position. A double gold cord, looped and fastened at each end by a small sized navy button, will be worn for the sliding strap.

Uniform Dress
for
Petty Officers, Seamen, Firemen, Coal-Heavers,
Ordinary Seamen, Landsmen,
and Boys.

Uniform Dress for Petty Officers, Seamen, Etc.

Seamen Gunners, Machinists, Masters-at-arms, Yeomen, Apothecaries, and Paymmasters' Writers will wear blue jackets with rolling collars, double-breasted; two rows of medium size navy buttons on the breast, six in each row; slashed sleeves or cuffs, with three small size navy buttons; plain blue caps with visor. They will be allowed to wear white cotton or linen shirts (in place of duck frocks with turn-over collars) and uniform vests, with six small size navy buttons.

Master-at-Arms will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves of their jackets a white five pointed star, one and one-quarter of an inch in diameter, over a white foul anchor one and one-quarter of an inch long; to be placed in the position of the gold star worn on the sleeves of line officers, and worked in white silk or thread, or made of other suitable material.

Coxswains of Commanders-in-Chief will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on each side of the collars of their jackets and frocks, three inches from the front, two cross anchors, each one and three-quarters of an inch in length, made of, or worked in, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon the blue garments, and vice versa.

Coxswains of other commanding officers will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve below the elbow) wear, in the same position as the coxswains of commanders-in-chief, a single foul anchor one and one-half of an inch in length, on each side of the collar of their jackets and frocks; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garmet - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

The Chief or Signal Quartermaster will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve below the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, a double marine glass, one and one-half of an inch in length, worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garments - the white upon blue garments, and vice e versa. Other quartermasters will wear the same device, but upon one sleeve only - the right or left, according as they belong to the starboard or port watch.

Machinists will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, a badge representing a paddle-wheel, with a five pointed star above; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

The Chief Boatswain's Mate will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, a foul anchor, one and one-half of an inch in length, placed vertically, and to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garments - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa. Other boatswains' mates will wear the same device, but upon one sleeve only - the right or left, according as they belong to the port or starboard watch.

Seaman Gunners will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, a badge representing two crossed cannon, with muzzles downwards, each one and one-quarter of an inch in length, with a five-pointed star above; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

Gunners' Mates will wear the same device with exception of the star. Quarter Gunners will wear the same device, but upon one sleeve only - the right or left, according as they belong to the port or starboard watch.

Carpenters' mates will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, in an inclined position, a broad axe, helved, two and one-quarter inches in length; to be made of, or worked in, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

Captains of Forecastle will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on the right or left sleeve, in front, according as they belong to the starboard or port watch, two crossed anchors, with the stocks upwards, each one and three-quarters of an inch in length, and half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

Captains of Tops will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on the right or left sleeve, in front, according as they belong to the starboard or port watch, a worked open figure of eight knot, one and three-quarters of an inch in length, placed vertically, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice verso.

Sailmakers' Mates will (in addition to the petty officers' device on the sleeve above the elbow) wear on both sleeves, in front, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, a fid, one inch and a half in length, place vertically; to be worked in, or made of, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

All line petty officers will wear on their right sleeve, above the elbow, in front, an eagle and anchor, of not more than two inches in length, with a star of one inch in diameter one inch above it, the whole to be placed vertically, and made of, or worked in, white or blue sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

All other petty officers, and First-class Firemen, except officers' stewards, will wear the same device on the left sleeve, but without the star.

The outside clothing for petty officers not previously specified, Seamen, Firemen, and Coal-heavers, Ordinary Seamen, Landsmen, and Boys, for muster, shall consist of blue cloth jackets and trowsers, or blue woolen frocks; blue cloth caps, without visors; cap bands, to be of black ribbon, one and one-quarter of an inch wide; with the name of the vessel to which they are attached painted on them in yellow or gilt letters.

In warm weather, or within the tropics, it shall consist of white linen or duck frocks, and blue or white trousers; blue cloth caps, without visors, or white sennit hats, as the commanding officer may direct; hat or cap bands to be of black ribbon, with the name of the vessel to which they are attached painted on them, as prescribed above; black silk neckerchiefs, and shoes or boots, properly cleaned.

The outside of the collars of all frocks for petty officers, and other enlisted men, will be made of or covered with blue dungaree, or blue nankin. The collars of all frocks to be uniform in size - to be six and one-half inches deep and with square corners, with a white embroidered five-pointed star, three-quarters of an inch in diameter, in each corner. No tape on the collars.

The collars to be neatly stitched with white thread - two rows, one-eighth of an inch apart, the first row close to the edge.

The shoulder-pieces of shirts to be doubled; the seams to be overlapped and double stitched; the rows of the stitiching to be one-half inch apart. The breasts of the shirt to be of double thickness, four inches wide on each side; to be neatly stitched with white thread - two rows of stitiching, one-half inch apart. The opening in front of the shirt shall extend downward from the collar ten iches, neatly stitched and strengthened at the point where the opening ends. Three tape ties on each side at equal distance apart - ties to be twelve inches long.

Trowsers are to be made with broad flaps, to button one and three-quarters of an inch from the top.

The cuffs of all frocks to be uniform in length. There will be no dungaree cuffs. The cuffs are to be of the same material as the frocks - to be neatly stitched all around, with two buttons on the sleeve.

Those for Landsmen, Coal-heavers and Boys, shall have one strip of blue dungaree or blue tape around the cuff, one-half inch wide, one inch and one-half from the lower edge.

For Ordinary Seamen and Second-class Firemen, two strips, one quarter of an inch apart. For Seamen, three strips; and for Petty Officers, four strips. On the blue frocks there shall be strips of white tape one-half inch wide, sewed on in the same manner.

Naval Apprentices will wear the letter A on the right or left sleeve of their jackets and frocks, according as they belong to the starboard or port watch, to be placed half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, and to be not less than one and a half nor more [than] two inches long, and made of, or worked in, blue or white sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon the blue garments, and vice versa.

Ships' Writers will wear the letter W on the front of the left sleeve of their jackets and frocks, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, to be from one and one-half to two inches long, and made of, or worked in, blue or white sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

Ships' Schoolmasters will wear the letter S on the front of the left sleeve of their jackets and frocks, half-way between the edge of the sleeve and the elbow, to be from one and one-half to two inches long, and made of, or worked in, blue or white sewing materials, according to the color of the garment - the white upon blue garments, and vice versa.

Stewards of Commanders-in-Chief, of other commanding officers, and of ward-room messes, may be allowed to wear blue cloth or flannel jackets, with rolling collar; to be double-breasted, with two rows of medium size navy buttons, six in each row. They may also be allowed to wear plain blue cloth caps, with visors, and with or withour covers. On special occasions they may be directed to wear citizens' clothes.

Caps for all petty officers not otherwise specified, and for enlisted men, will be uniform, both in shape and color, and in the length of bow to draw ribbon. White linen cap covers may be worn within the tropics and elsewhere in very hot weather. The cap covers to be made a plain circle, a little larger than the circumference of the cap, with a neat white cord, or narrow tape draw-string; and when tied on the cap, to be not more than half an inch below the rounded part of the top of the cap. The draw-string is to fastened behind in a small neat knot.

All sennit hats are to be uniform in shape. The height of the crown to be two and one-half inches, from the brim to be three inches in width, and without lining.

Hat ribbons are to be one inch and a quarter wide, and must be uniform both in width and in length of tie-bow. The lettering is to be of gilt or yellow color, and must be the same in character and size for the whole ship's company.

Petty officers and others who have received "medals of honor" from the Secretary of the Navy will be encouraged to wear them at general muster and on all other suitable occasions. They will also be allowed to wear a star, from three-quarters to seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, on the left breast of their frocks and jackets, as a distinction.

All enlisted men to wear, on proper occasions, a working suit, to consist of a jumper and pair of overalls, made of canvas duck.

The frocks (blue and white) are to be furnished by the pay-masters, so as to conform in design with the foregoing uniforms, with the exception of the sleeve and cuff marks.

Watch marks.
The first part of the watch will wear one bar made of white tape or blue material, according to the color of the frock, one-half of an inch wide and one inch and a quarter long, to be placed horizontally on the front part of the sleeve, one inch below the shoulder seam.

The second part of the watch will wear two bars, one-half an inch apart, parallel to each other and placed horizontally, the upper bar to be one inch below the shoulder seam.

The starboardwatch will wear the watch marks on the right arm, and the port watch will wear them on the left arm.

Petty officers with special arm devices, indicating starboard and port watches, will not be required to wear other watch marks.

It is strictly enjoined upon commandants of stations and commanding officers of the navy to see that the foregoing regulations are complied with in every respect, and to require all deviations from them to be corrected.

George M. Robeson,
Secretary of the Navy,
Navy Department, July 14, 1869.

[END]

Published: Wed Aug 23 13:30:45 EDT 2017