Uniform Regulations, 1802



The Uniform Dress of the Captains and Certain Other Officers of the Navy of the United States

CAPTAINS' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with long lappels and lining of the same; a standing collar, and to be trimmed with gold lace, not exceeding one half inch in breadth, nor less than three eighths of an inch; in the following manner, to wit:--To commence from the upper part of the standing collar, and to descend round the lappels to the bottom of the coat; the upper part of the cuffs, round the pocket flaps and down the folds with one single lace; four buttons on the cuffs and on the pocket flap, nine on the lappels, and one on the standing collar; a gold epaulet on each shoulder; the buttons of yellow metal, with the foul anchor and American eagle, surrounded with fifteen stars; the button-holes to be worked with gold thread. 

          VEST AND BREECHES, white. The vest single breasted, with flaps and four buttons to the pockets, the buttons the same as the coat, only proportionably smaller.

          THE UNDRESS--The same as the full dress, excepting the lace and the gold worked button- holes.


LIEUTENANTS' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with long lappels, and lining of the same, with nine buttons on each lappel; a standing collar, and three buttons on the cuffs and on the pockets, the button-holes laced with such lace as is directed for the captain's; one apaulet on the left shoulder, except when acting as commanding officer, and then to be changed to the right shoulder.

          VEST AND BREECHES--The same as the captain's, except three buttons and button-holes on the pockets of the vest.

          THE UNDRESS--The same as the full dress, excepting the lace.


MIDSHIPMENS' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with the lining and lappels of the same; the lappels to be short, with six buttons; standing collar, with a diamond formed of gold lace on each side, not to exceed two inches square; a slash sleeve, with three small buttons; all the button-holes to be worked with gold thread.

          VEST AND BREECHES, white, the same as the lieutenants, except the buttons on the pockets of the vest.

          THE UNDRESS--A short coat without worked button-holes, a standing collar with a button and a slip of lace on each side.

          A MIDSHIPMAN, when he acts as a lieutenant, by order of the Secretary of the Navy, will assume the uniform of a lieutenant.

          CAPTAINS AND LIEUTENANTS, when in full dress, to wear shoes, buckles, small swords, and gold laced cocked hats; the lace not to shew more than three quarters of an inch on each side--in undress to wear hangers.

          MIDSHIPMEN, when in full dress, to wear gold laced cocked hats and hangers, with shoes and buckles.

          DIRKS not to be worn on shore by any officer.


SURGEONS FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with long lappels and lining of the same, nine navy buttons, and gold frogs on the lappels, standing collar the same as the coat, and two gold frogs on each side of the collar, three navy buttons below the pockets, and three gold frogs on the pocket flaps, and the same number of navy buttons to the cuffs, with gold frogs.

          VEST AND BREECHES, white, with navy buttons--cocked hat.


SURGEONS' MATES' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with long lappels and lining of the same, nine navy buttons, and button-holes worked with gold thread; standing collar the same as the coat, with two navy buttons, and worked button-holes on each side; three navy buttons below the pockets, and three worked button-holes on the flaps--the same number of buttons on the cuffs, with worked button-holes.

          VEST AND BREECHES, white, and plain--cocked hat.


SAILING-MASTERS' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with standing collar, long lappels and lining of the same, nine buttons on the lappels and one on the standing collar, with a slip of lace; slash sleeves with three buttons, and three buttons to the pockets.

          VEST AND BREECHES, white, and plain--cocked hat.

PURSERS' FULL DRESS.
          THE COAT of blue cloth, with standing collar, long lappels and lining of the same, with nine buttons on the lappels, cuffs open behind, with three buttons, two above and one below; the collar to be embroidered with gold, not exceeding three-fourths of an inch in breadth, with one button on each side, the folds to have each three buttons, and three buttons under each pocket, the buttons the same as worn by the other officers of the navy.

          VEST AND BREECHES, white--cocked hat.

          A COMMODORE to have on each strap of his epaulets a silver star.


Navy Department, August 27, 1802.	  R. SMITH.




Source: The Uniform Dress of the Captains and Certain Other Officers of the Navy of the United States. Washington: Navy Department, 1802.