Union Navy the set of Army ranks. The most visible change was that henceforth some individuals would be designated commodore, rear admiral, vice admiral, and finally admiral, all new formal ranks, and equivalent to, respectively, brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, and general. A doctrinal shift took place at the same time. Prior to the war, the United States Navy emphasized single-ship operations, but the nature of the conflict soon made use of whole fleets necessary. Already at the Battle of Port Royal (7 November 1861), 77 vessels, including 19 warships, were employed. This was the largest naval expedition that had ever
John Wilson (Royal Navy officer) John Wilson (Royal Navy officer) Rear Admiral John Crawford Wilson (1834 – 4 July 1885) was a Royal Navy officer who was appointed Commodore in command of the Australia Station. Wilson was born in 1834 to James Wilson, Chief Justice of Mauritius, and Margaret Crawford. He was the tenth of 12 children. Wilson was appointed a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1855. Promoted to captain in 1865, he was given command of HMS "Narcissus", HMS "Impregnable", HMS "Thunderer" and HMS "Wolverine". He was appointed Commodore in command of the Australia Station in 1878. In 1879, in response to the