post shipn.2
/ˈpəʊs(t)ʃɪp/, U.S. /ˈpoʊs(t)ˌʃɪp/ Now historical.
A ship of not less than 20 guns, the command of which carried the rank of post captain. Cf. earlier ship of post at post n.5 Phrases 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > war vessel > [noun] > vessel carrying certain number of guns > twenty or more
ship of post1731
post ship1747
seventy-four1777
fifty1778
forty-four1821
1747 Order-in-Council 10 Feb. (Rank & Precedence of Officers) §6 That Captains commanding post-ships, after three years from the date of their first commission for a post ship, have rank as Colonels.
1747 Order-in-Council 10 Feb. (Rank & Precedence of Officers) §7 That all other Captains, commanding Post-Ships, have rank as Lieutenant-Colonels.
1790 R. Beatson Naval & Mil. Mem. I. 266 The Shirley-galley was..made a post ship in the Royal Navy, and her former commander, Mr. John Rous, appointed Captain of her.
1827 Times 23 Mar. 4/2 Her burden is about 400 tons, and though a post ship, she only carries two six-pounders, and a complement of 64 men.
1891 Dict. National Biogr. XXVI. 337/2 He had previously commanded post ships..and had..completed the survey of a great part of the east coast of Ceylon.
1988 D. A. Thomas Compan. Royal Navy ii. 43 The smaller 6th rates..became classified as post-ships, the smallest ships commanded by post captains.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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