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After 1653, the navy was divided into three squadrons: the red, the white, and the blue, in order of seniority. Each squadron was divided into three divisions: the van (forward), center, and rear. Each division had a commanding officer: an admiral had charge of the center division, the center position being the best to command from. A vice admiral commanded the van, and a rear admiral, of course, the rear division. Thus the fleet had nine admirals, from the rear admiral of the blue in the aftermost position, to the admiral of the red, in the center division of the center squadron. The admiral of the red was in overall command, and was called admiral of the fleet.

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