Captain of the King’s Ships

The title of 'Captain of the King's Ships' was only directly used of Vëantur of Númenor, and so may in principle have been restricted to him. However, Vëantur was also named 'Captain of Ships', a title so similar that it seems reasonable to treat it as a synonym. In that case, there were Captains of the royal fleet active until at least III 1432, when Castamir abandoned the role to rebel against the throne of Gondor. No further Captains are recorded after this date, and while Gondor presumably still required admirals for its navy after this time, none are individually named or titled as such.

'Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor' is a title that is evidently related to 'Captain of the King's Ships', but may not have been identical in meaning. It is only recorded as having been given to Aldarion of Númenor who, as King's Heir, was in an unusual situation. Indeed the title may have been created specifically for Aldarion, though this seems unlikely. It is said of the role that Aldarion received the 'title and power of Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor' (Unfinished Tales Part Two II, Aldarion and Erendis). For the title to carry a defined 'power', it would seem that it must have predated Aldarion's time (and therefore was likely a close equivalent to 'Captain of the King's Ships').