Admiralty 24th September, 1858

Numerous instances having occurred in which men and boys who have entered for Continuous Service have been rated as Cooks, Stewards, Ships' Steward's Boys &c., for which their engagements for Continuous Service disqualify them, - such practice being in violation of the Regulations laid down in Circular No 121, dated 14th June 1853, - my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty desire that whenever it may be absolutely necessary on Foreign Stations to place Continuous Service men in Ratings which by the Regulations they are prohibited from holding, such men shall be allowed only temporarily to do the duty so assigned to them: and Commanding Officers are hereby required to use their best endeavours to procure Non-Continuous Service Men for the Ratings in question.

At the end of each Quarter a special Return is to be forwarded of all Continuous Service Men who may be serving in irregular Ratings, with a statement of the date of their entry in such Ratings and the reasons in each case for the Ratings having been given.

Continuous Service Men who may be thus temporarily rated will be allowed to count the time so served as part of their Continuous Service.

By Command of their Lordships

H CORRY

To all Flag Officers, &c.

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