The Royal Navy is often called 'The Andrew' Who was Andrew?

Answer 1

This is what I found - nothing conclusive.

"The origin of the Royal Navy’s nickname is obscure; some sources, including the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, say that it derives from one Andrew Miller, a zealous officer of the Impress Service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, who ‘recruited’ so many men to His Majesty's ships that the navy was said to belong to him.

Earlier (19th century) sources variously suggest that Andrew was a slang name for a man o' war, that Andrew Miller was a supplier of provisions to the Royal Navy, with such an apparent monopoly that he was said to own the Navy, or that the Press Service officer was named Andrew Walker. The most reliable list of Royal Navy officers does not mention either an Andrew Miller or an Andrew Walker.

What is certain, however, is that the Royal Navy continues to be known as the Andrew, and that there is no absolutely conclusive answer to the derivation of the nickname."

Answer 2

WHY
is the Navy sometimes called 'The Andrew'? Because there was a very keen Press Gang officer called Andrew Miller who 'recruited' by force so many men into the Navy that people said it was practically his own Service.
http://www.navynews.co.uk/youngreaders/facts.asp

There is a common theory that the Navy is nicknamed after Lieutenant Andrew Miller, a successful Press Gang Officer in the eighteenth century. However, documentary evidence of his actual existence has not yet been found. Another theory, is that the nickname comes from St Andrew, not only the patron saint of fishermen but of sailors also.
http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/visit_see_sailfaq.htm#4

Answer 3

Royal Navy Nickname

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
The Royal Navy is often called 'The Andrew' Who was Andrew?

Answer 5

St; Andrew is the patron saint of the Royal Navy as well as for Scotland!