“BEST SELLER” OF ROYAL NAVY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27463, 24 September 1954, Page 6

“BEST SELLER” OF ROYAL NAVY

NEW EDITION OF QUEEN’S REGULATIONS “The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON, September 23. A new edition of the Royal Navy’s traditional best-seller, “The Queen’s Regulations and Admiralty Instructions for the Government of Her Majesty's Naval Forces,” came into force on warships and naval stations around the world a few weeks ago. Like its predecessors, the new volume of 57 chapters gives precise instructions for the general administration of the Navy, and covers questions of duties, responsibilities, and training of officers, discipline and welfare, navigation, ceremonial, and the maintenance and repair of ships. For the first time it also includes regulations covering the Fleet Air Arm. As befits the senior volume of three Forces “Queen’s Regs" (it is also known as the “Number One’s Bible") mere is a long tradition behind it. The first set of naval regulations was authorised by King George II in 1731 after the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had reported to the King that sailing orders and instructions were “so perplexed that officers were liable to fall into mistakes and omissions in the execution of their duty.” Revised editions were printed in 1744 and 1747, and by 1757, the original book had become a complete volume. Although the current volume will be circulated widely throughout the Royal Navy, it is not a secret document. Retired admirals and “wartime service only” ratings can refresh their memories of the Navy’s familiar book of rules for 22s 6d a copy.