As a Vice-Admiral, the post holder was the chief of naval administration for his district.

His responsibilities included pressing men for naval service, deciding the lawfulness of prizes (captured by privateers), dealing with salvage claims for wrecks and acting as a judge.

The earliest record of an appointment was of George Basset 1558.

In 1863 the Registrar of the Admiralty Court stated that the offices had 'for many years been purely honorary' (HCA 50/24 pp.

Appointments were made by the Lord High Admiral when this officer existed.