During the Navy's early years, enlisted uniforms were prescribed by whom?

In the early years of the Navy, enlisted uniforms were largely governed by the discretion of individual ship captains. This decentralized approach allowed captains to establish uniform standards that suited the needs and circumstances of their specific vessels. Variability in uniform requirements across different ships reflected the lack of standardized regulations during that period. Each captain had the authority to prescribe the attire for their crew, leading to a range of uniform variations that were influenced by operational considerations and the personal preferences of the commanding officer.

The role of the Secretary of the Navy in this context emerged much later, as uniform standards became more centralized and regulated. Similarly, Naval Academy Commandants and Fleet Admirals did not have the same level of direct influence over enlisted uniforms during the Navy’s formative years. The evolution of uniform regulations and standards took time, leading to the eventual inclusion of more structured guidelines later in Navy history.