"# of officers on a cutter?" Topic

Am starting my career as a naval officer for my campaign rules. How many officers would a small 4 gun cutter have? I think 2?

Thanks

Joe

Warrant or Commissioned?

Eric

This is for HMS Alert, which originally carried ten 4-lb cannon, and later rearmed with 12 6-lb guns. Twenty additional seamen were shipped to serve the refitted guns (bringing her complement to 80).

When first commissioned the Alert carried a complement of sixty men,
who were divided as commissioned officers, warrant officers and seamen.
On naval cutters only the commanding officer, in this case, Lieutenant
John Bazeley, held the King's Commission. His status as captain or commander
of the ship was in name only. Holding the rank of lieutenant since
1760, Bazeley was promoted to commander on 1 October 1777. His successful
action against the LexinglOn off Ushant no doubt led to the promotion.
Promoted to captain on the 15 April 1778, Bazeley was appointed to
the 90-gun Formidable, Admiral Palliser's flagship during Keppel's action
off Ushant in July the same year. By coincidence, Bazeley was to see action
off Ushant 16 years later when he commanded the 74-gun Alfred, which
formed part of Howe's victorious fleet at the Glorious First of June.
The non-commissioned officers – those holding the Navy Board Warrant
- comprised those whose professional skills maintained the organisation
and running of the ship. Of this group the most senior was the Master,
Henry Peake. The master was responsible to the Commander for the navigation,
safety and general well being of the ship. Supporting the master was
the boatswain whose duties lay with the vessel's masts, sails, rigging and
ground tackle. The remaining warrant officers, often referred to as standing
officers, consisted of the surgeon – named John Bennet – the gunner and
the carpenter.
The ship's muster book for the period 17 July to 31 August 1777 makes
no reference to a purser which suggests that men 'of this notoriety' were
rarely borne on naval cutters. Those duties generally confined to this rank
were either undertaken by the clerk or even the master himself.
The remainder of the crew, colloquially referred to as 'the People' during
this era, consisted of petty officers, able and ordinary seamen. Most of these
men were employed in sailing the ship and manning the armament, though
the petty officers of this group were also allocated specified duties, acting as
mates to assist either the master, boatswain, and gunner.
The quartermaster was generally a more senior petty officer who's maturity
restrained him from the rigours of going aloft and his various duties
included taking charge of the helm and the stowage of casks, ballast and
anchor cables. On this size of ship he would also act as the coxswain in
charge of the ship's boat.

From 'The Anatomy of the Ship – The Naval Cutter Alert, 1777' by Peter Goodwin (page 21).

I concur with the above. A cutter would have one commissioned officer who was the commander of the vessel. Of course, there would be various petty officers and mates, in addition to the regular swabbie.

And for a 4-gun cutter, the commander would likely be a warranted Master, rather than a Lieutenant. If she were acting as tender to a squadron, possibly a senior Midshipman who was a protege of the Admiral/Commodore, getting some command time in.

Revenue cutters were a whole other world, not being officially part of the Navy. They were sometimes captained by a Navy Lieutenant who was either in mild disgrace or on half-pay and desparate for a command (and prize money). Otherwise by a Revenue Officer who nominally would be socially equivalent to a Navy Lieutenant.

Thank you, this is very helpful. In the game (based on my platoon forward system) you start out as a Lt just given command of a ship. [ HMS Seawitch ] So looks like it has to be a bigger ship. The other key people will be warrent officers on this small a ship.
My first mission is a land action. (This takes place in the carribean) We are taking some army folk to arrest a smuggling operation. The army Capt is in charge as he outranks me and it is a Governor's mission. He is incompetent should should be interesting as I am to lead a small contingent of sailors as back up troops. (I assume a cutter would not have marines.) Would I have enough muskets to outfit my landing party of 25 men?

Thanks again. Would anyone recommend a good book to me about these topics? There is one quoted above.

Cheers

Joe

Based upon some of the listings I've seen, it appears there's usually about one officer, or junior officer, per 8 – 10 men.

So, that'd give you the commander of the vessel, or whatever he should be called, probably a couple of junior officers (perhaps three max), and 20 – 30 men, depending upon the size of the guns. More men for larger caliber guns, e.g. crews of 4 – 8, per, generally, and erring towards the smaller to mid range crew numbers, assuming 3 – 6 pounders on your cutter.

Not sure, but I doubt there would be enough muskets for all the men. Usually, only a small portion of them would have that, say perhaps 20 – 25%, from ratios I've seen in other games, and/or inquiries I've made regarding this issue.

A lot more pistols, perhaps, say up to 50%, along with a mix of various edged and melee weapons.

Hi
On board I think you always out-rank the army Capt. He may not like it but the ship is yours. On land Naval is higher ranking than army so you may have same rank? The Royal Navy is the first service.
Be safe
Rory

I'd highly recommend 'The Wooden World' by N. A. M. Rodger. Excellent social history of the Royal Navy during the period.

link

Mike

Everyone,
Thanks for your thoughts. I gave 50% of my sailors muskets and made them poor marksman. My thinking was the Navy was first at sea and the army on land if a joint operation particularly as I don't have marines.
The Army Lt was horrible! He had a 50% chance of doing nothing per turn and did nothing 8 out of 10 turns! Lt Ronald and Bos'un Fishback had to go it alone. Sneaky Pete escaped with 16/23 points of loot and 2/3rds of his men. Lt Ron explained his lack of support to the Commodore but was still dressed down losing one Glory point. (Of course he did not report the loot as he is greedy.) I would have posted it on my blog but (gasp) Lt Ron Ronald is not painted yet. (Got him at Salute)
Delta6
That looks like a great book-- am ordering it!

Thanks

Joe