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"Question: Ship Crew titles?" Topic


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3,367 hits since 8 May 2005
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Comments or corrections?

GrimeyGames09 May 2005 7:11 a.m. PST

Ok, while working on Cutthroats and Corsairs I have created specialty crew which your captain can purchase. These specialy crew I am calling Commanders, each commander has 1 command quality...here is my list so far.

Boatswain
Master Gunner
Helmsman
Sgt of the Line
Surgeon
1st Mate / Lieutenant
Quartermaster

So what other important roles are there on a ship that I am missing? Aside from a cook. LOL

rmaker09 May 2005 7:33 a.m. PST

Quartermaster and Helmsman are the same thing. I suspect you are looking for the naval equivalent of the army QM. That's the purser. The other maritime specialists are Sailing Master, Carpenter and Sailmaker.

In the RN, Captain and Lieutenant are Commissioned Officers. Lieutenants in command of sloops are styled 'Master and Commander', and are entitled to the courtesy title (but not the pay or seniority) of Captain.

Sailing Master, Purser, Surgeon, and Midshipman are Warrant Officers.

Bos'un, Carpenter, Sailmaker, and Gunner, along with their Mates and Master's Mates are Petty Officers.

Quartermaster and Captain of the (Fore/Main/Mizzen) Top are senior Ratings, followed by Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman, Landsman and Boy.

The Marines use army rank - Major, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Corporal, Marine (not Private or Soldier). A Marine Captain serving afloat has the courtesy title of 'Major' (to avoid confusion with that august being, The Captain).

In merchant vessels, things are a bit more amorphous. There will be a Master (sometimes referred to as Captain) and one or more Mates. These are the equivalent of the Navy's Commisioned and Warrant Officers. There will be the usual Petty Officers and Ratings (though in smaller numbers than in a naval vessel). There may also be a supercargo - the representative of the owner (or the owner himself). Most merchantmen would have very few landsmen and only one or two boys, and the specialists would be expected to help with sail-handling.

GrimeyGames09 May 2005 8:11 a.m. PST

Thanks rmaker! Was not aware that the Helmsman and the Quartermaster were the same. So THANK YOU MUCH!

The rest is great info as well. Thanks again!

SkipperJRS09 May 2005 7:03 p.m. PST

Midshipmen: Younger officers are refered to as midshipmen. If they live long enough they may eventually make Lt.

Coxswain: Sailor in charge of the Captains gig and gear. Hand picked by the captain.

Master at Arms: In charge of firearms (muskets and pistols) and often holds the keys to the ships Liquor cabnit and armory.

Navigator/Sailing Master: The sailor (usually noncom) who handles the directions, maps, and sextants.

Cabinboy: in charge of the officers mess, captains mess, and anyother jobs for bos of the tender age of 8 or so.

Skipper

GrimeyGames10 May 2005 4:27 a.m. PST

Thanks skipper!

This is helping greatly!

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