Nelson & His World

Discussion on the life and times of Admiral Lord Nelson
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 Post subject: Saluting
PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:52 am 
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I gather from my reading that it was customary in Nelson's navy to show respect by removing one's hat, exactly as one would do in civilian life.

When did the salute replace this civility?


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 Post subject: Re: Saluting
PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:48 pm 
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Interesting question! St Vincent famously objected to saluting, which he regarded as sloppy and lacking in respect, and insisted on the removal of hats - so the practice had begun to creep in before the end of the 18th century.

Brian


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PostPosted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:27 pm 
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Tycho,

I don't know the exact date, but it seems as though the hand salute in the Royal Navy and the Army was introduced by Queen Victoria, who apparently disliked men in uniform removing their headgear. The hand salute is of course the first part of raising the helmet visor, from which the salute possibly stems, or the headgear.

I also came across this interesting site:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute

Apparently there is also an American proposal to make all navies use the same salute.

Kester


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:40 pm 
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Thank you, both, for your posts and link.

I recall reading in a biography of St. Vincent (was it William James or Evelyn Berckman?) that St Vincent always removed his hat when speaking to someone on board ship - even a common seaman.


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