QR & AI
QR & AI - THE QUEEN'S REGULATIONS AND ADMIRALTY INSTRUCTIONS
Regulations for the naval service as a whole were first codified and printed
in 1731, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having represented to the
King the desirability of having the many and various orders and instructions
collected into one book. The proposed book was approved by the King by an
Order-in-Council dated 7 January, 1730, and was printed and issued in 1731
under the title "Regulations and Instructions relating to HM Service at Sen".
Several revised editions followed, the 1844 edition being the first to appear
under the title of "The Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions"; this
was in two parts, amalgamated in 1861 into one book in much the same form as
the book we know today.


QUACK
Officers' slang name for the Medical Officer.


QUARTER
THE QUARTERDECK
The built-up parts, bow and stern, of old sailing ships were called (and
resembled) Castles - the Fore castle and the After Castle. Forecastle as a
name still remains, abbreviated to FX; after castle as a name has given way
to Quarter-deck, but the initials indicating that part of the ship are still
seem as AX more often then as QD (AX is infinitely easier to carve in wood
than QD). It is said that the quarter-deck originally extended for one
quarter of the vessel's length.


The custom of saluting the quarter-deck is said to have come from the
practice of having a crucifix on the quarter-deck and paying it the normal
mark of respect, originating from the old universal custom of making the sign
of the Cross on possing any wayside crucifix.


EVENING QUARTERS
Carried out for two special reasons - (1) a complete muster of the hands,
especially necessary in the larger ships where it is possible for a man to be
locked in a compartment or a confined space where he has been working; and
(2) to see that all decks are thoroughly cleared up and tidy on completion of
the day's work. Formerly (and now, when a state of war exists) the ship's
company was summoned to Action Stations or General Quarters before dark, to
clear away the guns, and see everything in a state of preparedness for
immediate action. Until very recently the bugle (drum) call for Evening
Quarters was the same as that for General Quarters.