Great Coat, Boat Cloak and Hats
The Great Coat, also known as a boat coat or watch coat, was a large woollen coat that was already very popular with the civilian population in the 17th century. Interestingly, the Great Coat was not introduced as an official uniform until 1825. Before that, officers wore the civilian version in dark grey/light brown.
This could have been a simple calf-length coat with two or one row of buttons and high collars, or a coat with the simple similarity of a short cape over the shoulders. From 1825, when the coat became official, it was still daredevil but now the coat had to be blue lined and the buttons the Navy’s official anchor buttons. In 1827, the formerly calf-length coat was now thigh-length single-breasted with high collars and either blue or white lining. In 1833 the coat became blue and could optionally be worn with epaulettes. The coat remained like this until 1877 when it was worn double breasted again. The warm wool coat is still worn on board today.
The Boats Cloak, like the coat, comes from the Civilian area and was worn in the Navy from the 18th century onwards. But like the coat, there are no regularities here either.
Boat cloaks of 1805 and 1836 (x)
It was a wool coat that could also be worn in green. However, like the coat of 1827, it was officially worn in blue and shorter. Unfortunately, not much can be said about it, as this cloak received little attention. However, it was even worn in WWII and is still worn today as part of the official evening uniform on special occasions.
The cocked hat made of wool felt or beaver fur has always been a part of a gentleman and in the 18th century. Since 1749 it was worn in black with a gold trim on the upper edge and a cockade on the upper left edge. Midshipman, by the way, wore the hat turned. the cockade was on the right side.
Captain Richard Howe (1726–99), ca 1763–64, by Thomas Gainsborough (1727–88). (Private collection. ©Keith Simpson) and a Midshipman, by Dominic Serres 1777 (x)
From 1782, the Sailor wore a round hat with a black rosette and a white brim. In 1795, the hat was officially made part of the uniform. The hat was now reduced from three corners to two. Flag officers wore theirs gold-laced, captains and commanders wore only theirs with dressed uniform, otherwise the hat was black laced. By 1800, the hat was also worn fore and aft and the tassels at the corners were introduced.
However, the top hat was now also worn by officers as an undressed hat, albeit quite rarely. In 1825 the uniform underwent a radical change and so did the hat. The cocked hat for warrant officers, midshipmen, assistants and volunteers was exchanged for the round hat. These were also black and had a wide gold band. In 1827, only the size of the hats still worn by the commissioned officers was reduced. From then on, undressed officers also wore the round hat. This remained the case until WWII.
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