“ Admiral of the Fleet, is a mere honorary distinction, which gives no command, but an increase of half-pay, his being three guineas a-day, and that of an Admiral two guineas. It is sometimes conferred, but not always, on the senior Admiral on the list of naval officers, being held at present by his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. ”

“ If the Admiral of the fleet should happen to serve afloat, he is authorized to carry the union flag at the main-top-gallant-mast head, which was the case when the Duke of Clarence escorted Louis XVIII, across the Channel, to take possession of the throne of France.
The comparative rank which flag-officers held with officers in the army has been settled as follows by his Majesty’s order in council:
The Admiral and Commander-in-chief of the fleet has the rank of a Field-marshal in the army. Admirals with flags at the main take rank with Generals of horse and foot. ”