COMMODORE. A senior officer in command of a detached squadron. A captain finding five or six ships assembled, was formerly permitted to hoist his pennant, and command as commodore; and a necessity arising for holding a court-martial, he ordered the said court to assemble. Again, where an admiral dies in command, the senior captain hoists a first-class broad pennant, and appoints a captain, secretary, and flag-lieutenant, fulfils the duties of a rear-admiral, and wears the uniform. Commodores of the second class have no captain or pennant-lieutenant. A commodore rates with brigadier-generals, according to dates of commission (being of full colonel's rank). He is next in command to a rear-admiral, but cannot hoist his broad pennant in the presence of an admiral, or superior captain, without permission. The broad pennant is a swallow-tailed tapered burgee. The second-class commodore is to hoist his broad pennant, white at the fore. It is a title given by courtesy to the senior captain, where three or more ships of war are cruising in company. It was also imported into the East India Company's vessels, the senior being so termed, _inter se_. It moreover denotes the convoy ship, which carries a light in her top. The epithet is corrupted from the Spanish _comendador_. COMMUNICATION. Corresponding by letter, hail, or signal. (_See_ LINE OF COMMUNICATION and BOYAUX.) COMMUTE, TO. To lighten the sentence of a court-martial, on a recommendation of the court to the commander-in-chief. COMPANION. The framing and sash-lights upon the quarter-deck or round-house, through which light passes to the cabins and decks below; and a sort of wooden hood placed over the entrance or staircase of the master's cabin in small ships. Flush-decked vessels are generally fitted with movable companions, to keep the rain or water from descending, which are unshipped when the capstan is required. COMPANION-LADDER. Denotes the ladder by which the officers ascend to, and descend from, the quarter-deck. COMPANION-WAY. The staircase, porch, or berthing of the ladder-way to the cabin. COMPANY. The whole crew of any ship, including her officers, men, and boys. In the army, a small body of foot, or subdivision of a regiment, commanded by a captain. COMPARATIVE RANK. _See_ RANK. COMPARISON WATCH. The job-watch for taking an observation, compared before and after with the chronometer.