“ The board of admiralty, as at present constituted, comprises five lords commissioners of the admiralty, who decide collectively on all important questions. Besides this collective or corporate action, each commissioner has special duties assigned to him. There are two civil or political lords, and three naval or sea lords. The first lord, who is always a cabinet minister, besides a general control, has the management of naval estimates, finance, political affairs, slave-trade prevention, appointments, and promotions. ”