US Navy & US Marine Corp Boat Cloaks, and US Army Capes

[Peacoat]

I have added this thread to the Important Links section at the top of the Outerwear section.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Boat cloak worn by Admiral William Pratt (see painting earlier in this thread).

 

[Doctor Damage]

Admiral Joseph James Clark... first Native American to graduate from the USN Academy, according to Wikipedia: LINK

 

[Otium]

For what it’s worth, the Marine Shop at Quantico will still make a Navy boat cloak as well as the Marine version. After years of fighting it I caved in and ordered one this summer (I know they are not authorized anymore but they go so well with my mess dress) and just picked it up yesterday. Looks stunning and feels, well, magnificent.

 

[Peacoat]

For what it’s worth, the Marine Shop at Quantico will still make a Navy boat cloak as well as the Marine version. After years of fighting it I caved in and ordered one this summer (I know they are not authorized anymore but they go so well with my mess dress) and just picked it up yesterday. Looks stunning and feels, well, magnificent.

That surprises me. I thought boat cloaks were authorized with mess dress. What other way is there to keep the cold and wet off when wearing formal wear?

 

[Otium]

That surprises me. I thought boat cloaks were authorized with mess dress. What other way is there to keep the cold and wet off when wearing formal wear?

They announced in 2015 along with the women's tiara and beret. If you want to stay warm you can wear the bridge coat or the all weather coat (basically a cheap trench coat) if you want. (https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...ate-tiara-cloak-shed-from-navy-uniform-racks/) I'm a commander now and wear my mess dress more at social events instead of black tie so I'll wear it if I want! Besides, no crusty chief will be trying to correct me at this point.

If you really want to nerd out (and I do occasionally) you can read up on all the latest rules for mess dress at https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Refer...fficer/Dinner-Dress/Dinner-Dress-Blue-Jacket/

 

[Peacoat]

In my opinion, the bridge coat isn't suitable for wear to and from formal events.

When I was in the Army, my dress blues were all I needed for formal occasions. Never saw mess dress.

Then the Army went with the dress blues for everyday wear. I think they have now gotten away from that.

I also have an opinion about the berets: The only color authorized should be green, and they should be limited to Special Forces. Of course I am biased as I still have a strong connection to the 5th Group at Ft. Campbell, and I'm a life member of the Special Operations Association. It's hard to shake old and strongly held opinions.

Thanks for the links. When I have some time, I will read up.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a vintage USN boat cloak worn by a re-enactor (along with vintage forage jacket and cap).

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a US Army cloak which was on eBay recently, made by a tailor in Anniston, Alabama. The agraffe is non-standard.

 

[SaintPanzer]

Introduction

Of the these three garments, only US Army capes remain in use today, or at least remain ‘on the books’ in regulations.



Let's get started!

I know I'm new here. I know I should start by NOT making waves... but in this case, I have to speak up:

My reading of MCO 1020.34H is not inline with this statement. Start with paragraph 9105.1.b. If you like, jump to 9203.3. Or jump back to 3003. Heck, here's 3003 in its entirety:

3003. BOATCLOAK/DRESS CAPE

1. The boatcloak, made of dark blue broadcloth material lined with scarlet wool broadcloth, is an optional item which may be worn by male officers and SNCOs with evening dress and blue dress "A/B" uniforms for official and social functions. It will not be worn when the blue dress uniform is worn as the uniform of the day.
2. The dress cape, made of dark blue polyester-wool tropical material lined with scarlet satin rayon cloth, is an optional item which may be worn by female officers and SNCOs with the evening dress and blue dress "A"/"B" uniforms for official and social functions. It will not be worn when the blue dress uniform is worn as the uniform of the day.


Good to know I can continue to wear mine. It gets cold around the 10th of November. Besides, every superhero needs a cape.

 

[Doctor Damage]

I know I'm new here. I know I should start by NOT making waves... but in this case, I have to speak up:

My reading of MCO 1020.34H is not inline with this statement. Start with paragraph 9105.1.b. If you like, jump to 9203.3. Or jump back to 3003. Heck, here's 3003 in its entirety:

3003. BOATCLOAK/DRESS CAPE

1. The boatcloak, made of dark blue broadcloth material lined with scarlet wool broadcloth, is an optional item which may be worn by male officers and SNCOs with evening dress and blue dress "A/B" uniforms for official and social functions. It will not be worn when the blue dress uniform is worn as the uniform of the day.
2. The dress cape, made of dark blue polyester-wool tropical material lined with scarlet satin rayon cloth, is an optional item which may be worn by female officers and SNCOs with the evening dress and blue dress "A"/"B" uniforms for official and social functions. It will not be worn when the blue dress uniform is worn as the uniform of the day.


Good to know I can continue to wear mine. It gets cold around the 10th of November. Besides, every superhero needs a cape.

Regarding boat cloaks, I guess I forgot to post this link:

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...ate-tiara-cloak-shed-from-navy-uniform-racks/

 

[SaintPanzer]

Regarding boat cloaks, I guess I forgot to post this link:

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...ate-tiara-cloak-shed-from-navy-uniform-racks/

Ah, yes. But that is the Navy...

 

[coastie_classics]

Stationed here in New Orleans where balls happen often. Don’t want to drop $500 on this garment, nor do I want wool which is way too hot for this climate.

In an effort to see if a DIY cloak can be made for affordability and comfort, started a project to make one from scratch. Been studying the pictures on this forum and they’ve been incredibly helpful.

Passing on what I’ve learned for the good of the order. Experimenting with different fabrics, learned you’ll need about 5 yards of whatever material you need. You’ll also want to check that the bolt of fabric unfolds to at least 60 inches.

Finding the frog fastener has been really difficult. Was only able to find the Navy version on Etsy. So I’m unable to help anyone with a Marine or Army version of this garment unless someone knows a supplier.

Updates as they come.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^ Looking forward to updates on your project. Note that the US cloaks (USN and Army) are 3/4 of a flat circle, which, in theory, should be relatively easy to make (and line). By contrast, cloaks from other countries have shaped shoulders, which add complexity. I suspect getting the collar just right will be your biggest challenge, but since you aren't going to wear it flipped up, you wouldn't have to finish under the collar all that carefully, in fact if the cloth is heavy enough you could just bold the edges under and leave them rough (I've seen this done on old military greatcoats). Anyways, good luck.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Coastie, check out this link for a clerical cloak sold by a US supplier. It's clearly based on the USN boat cloak, including the fancy frog on the chest, although it does have arm slits (which isn't "military") and lacks the velvet collar. If you're not super hardcore about details it's probably a good option, although not cheap (heavy wool costs a lot these days, and 22oz melton will is HEAVY and THICK). The supplier claims to make them in their shop so perhaps they would delete the arm slits on request.

https://www.almy.com/Product/31700/category/clergyapparel-man/parent/WebNav-ProductCategory

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a USN boat cloak dated 1928 and named to DW Todd Jr. Interestingly, this one has shaped shoulders (note the seam) which isn't fully accurate to the official specs but since these things were tailor-made strict adherence to official specs would rarely be 100%. Note that the frog is basically a long chord sewn on in a knotted pattern, so no two of these exactly match either.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a few paintings of FDR in boat cloaks.

 

[Father V]

USN Boat Cloaks

The first official reference I have been able to find for USN boat cloaks is the 1903 Navy Regulations (below). The description speaks for itself, although it’s worth noting that the boat cloaks were to be made of the same wool and lining as the officer’s overcoats (the early version of the officer’s bridge coats) which I think implies the cloaks were intended to be a proper outergarment, not just a lightweight rain shell

To supplement your research, official references actually go back further in time. The earliest reference to outerwear that I‘m aware of is 1841 regs and limits itself to the overcoat. The next set of regs is the famous 1852 regs, famous because these are the ones with some actual photo documentation and even in the Civil War, the early regs were only technically modifications of the ‘52 regs. In the section on “Over-coats:”

It could perhaps be argued since the cloth mentioned in the section is “dark blue pilot cloth” as was prescribed for overcoats, but it doesn’t actually say that here.

Outerwear is mentioned in 1864, 1869, 1883, and 1886 but only the overcoat. Starting in 1883 & extending into the highly influential 1886 regs (and 1897!), mention is made in the general regulations section that “When overcoats shall be worn, epaulets shall be dispensed with.” In 1897, however there is explicit reference to the cloak: “17. A cloak or a mackintosh may be worn in boats, and on shore, as a protection to epaulets or shoulder knots, except at drills and exercises.” Its description is also explicit: “CLOAK. The cloak is to be cut three-fourths of a circle, of a length to reach to the ends of the fingers when the arms are hanging naturally by the side, and is to be made of the material and lining prescribed for overcoats.” That material is described as “dark navy-blue cloth (smooth-faced) lined with dark-blue or black material.” Note that the length specification is roughly equivalent to the cape that was added to the overcoat in 1864, which I think to be influenced by army fashion (greatcoats in this case) as so many of the wartime regs were: “Shall be a caban overcoat and cape, of dark blue beaver or pilot cloth, lined throughout with dark blue flannel; skirt to extend four inches below the knee; cape to be ten inches shorter; double breasted, with pockets in side seam, and buttons arranged as for frock coat; the cape to be made so that it can be removed at pleasure, and provided with an extra cloth collar to detach, so as to from [sic] a separate garment.” (1869 changed the length of the overcoat, but still specified 10” shorter). When it mentions that it can form a separate garment, it’s possible that the cape=1852 cloak. There is a radical dearth of photographic evidence for the caped version of the overcoat or the 1852 regulation cape. In the Civil War, most of the Navy was stationed on Southern blockade and cold weather gear wasn’t as common. The closest I have found so far is this:

(George M. Ranson from the commonwealth.org site, which they ID as 1863 or later. Note the buttons on the cloak not specified in the regs.)

So, it’s possible that the cloak (though not necessarily called that) was in official service from 1852 to modern times, including the previous research that I’m replying to. As to its presence before its official service, that’s also entirely possible as uniforms and most other things in the Navy & military services was first a matter of custom and only later enforced through written instructions and has remained that way if one looks carefully enough.

One caveat, the 1883 regs make no mention of anything that can be construed as a cloak, having modified the overcoat to include a hood, and making no concession officially to the rain protective materials developed before & during the Civil War. 1886 though sees permission for officers to use rain clothes distinct from the wool wear thus far authorized. Coupled with the specs & illustration of the enlisted ”rain-clothes” (Plate VI) [from history.navy.mil]

It’s possible then that the cloak/detached cape had fallen out of usage from 1883-1897 but I think it unlikely as these rain clothes might be highly desirable for duty at sea, but the appearance of the outfit would seem to me to be out of place with the formal nature of uniforms with bullion epaulets. In 1897 regs, the cloak & mackintosh were separate articles and the mac is explicitly “black or dark nay [sic] blue.” The 1897 mac was also to be “with the shoulders cut to admit of wearing epaulets or shoulder knots.” In warm, foul weather the mac would be preferred (and made dark for formal wear) whereas the boat cloak solved a problem in cold and/or wet weather, protecting epaulets in those conditions. Form follows function and I think it probable that since bullion epaulets were worn after the Civil War and into the 1900’s, they had to be protected while keeping officers warm while going on & off ship. The most practical item for that was the cloak.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Doctor Damage]

USN boat cloak date 1939, made for Lt HT Stradford.