 The chefs d'escadres were chosen from among the capitaines de vaisseau; as the flag of their command they flew a "cornette" at the top of their flagship's main-mast (a flag named after its resemblance in shape to a cornette, making it roughly the same shape as a British commodore's 'broad pennant').The rank of Chef d'escadre was junior to that of Lieutenant-général des armées navales.From 25 March 1765, the rank was senior to Brigadier des armées navales, renamed to Chef de Division on 1 January 1786.