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From:
Subject: Re: LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-D Digest V04 #269
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 19:44:13 EST
I thought these genealogy discussions might interest you. Is Ted still
working in Washington and Alaska? I am not finding any of the Doxey's on this
site, but I really am enjoying their discussions. Mary E.
In a message dated 12/13/2004 4:01:24 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
X-Message: #8 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 09:04:45 -0500 From: "Sharon and Jeff"
To: LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS- L@rootsweb.com Message-ID:
000801c4e11c$b3b87280$ Subject: Difference between
sailor/waterman in census
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
While searching census records I find in the Hoopers Island area at the same
time a Lewis ancestor's occupation as Sailor and another listed as oysterman
and another as waterman. In the late 1800's was there any difference? My
Grandfather James Mathew Lewis jr. was Captain of the skipjack Martha Lewis. Any
input would be appreciated. Jeff Sarvey
----- Original Message ----- From: "Liz" To:
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 1:24 PM Subject: [LDR]
Ship's Master vs. Captain
Can any of you mariners/historians out there describe the difference between
the ship's master and the captain in the early 17th century. Was the master
"over" the captain? I notice in early records they always cite the ship's
master and not usually the captain. Thanks in advance.
Liz__________________________
X-Message: #6 Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 11:41:46 -0800 From: "Jodi"
To:
Message-ID: 000701c4e082$9ddb9400$ Subject: Re: [LDR]
Ship's Master vs. Captain Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
According to maritime law the captain of a ship was liable for the negligence
of all members of the crew . Each person on board was under the control of
the captain. All were bound to carry out his orders whatever they were. The
Master of the ship was in charge of the ships operation. When in port he was
in control of supplies, slaves, fugitives, and whatever came on board and
basically all the ship to shore operations. He was under the orders of the
Captain.
______________________________
X-Message: #6 Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 07:55:40 -0500 From: "craig o'donnell"
To:
Message-Id: p05111a3abde33ff8bb90@[69.72.58.176] Subject: Master
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I believe captain is a later term applied to the person in overall charge of
running the ship. It is still the title for the "captain" of a merchant
vessel. Even naval vessels at one time had masters, or sailing masters, who were
quite often civilians, even though the vessel was under the operational control
of a captain or other officer rank. The captain directed the master where to
maneuver the vessel, but not neccessarily how to do it, while the captain
directed the combat functions of the vessel. At some point, probably with the
adoption of steam power, the navigation of naval vessels fell to naval officers
in most cases.
Around the time of the Spanish Armada, the "master" was the guy who directed
the sailing of the ship (and could well be the owner, or the owner's employee)
while the "captain" was the military commander. Remember that in Elizabethan
times all ships were subject to the "draft" in times of war.
In the 1700s in small ships the sailing master and the captain were often the
same guy. In large ships the Master was a warrant officer (not a civilian,
but also not technically a naval officer).
The famous Capt Cook came up in an unusual way, as a warrant officer and
master before being promoted to command. More usually it was Midshipman-Lt-"Master
and Commander"- Post Captain. Post capt's were "tenured" & on track to become
admirals if they lived long enough.
An analogy in the modern navy is the ship's captain and the executive
officer, though it is not a close parallel anymore.
In merchant ships there typically was not a separate function for "captain"
and "master".
--
Craig O'Donnell Sinepuxent Ancestors & Boats
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fassitt/ The Proa FAQ
http://boat-links.com/proafaq.html The Cheap Pages http://www.friend.ly.net/~dadadata/
Sailing Canoes, Polytarp Sails, Bamboo, Chinese Junks, American Proas, the
Bolger Boat Honor Roll, Plywood Boats, Bamboo Rafts, &c.
_________________________________
X-Message: #5 Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 14:17:37 -0500 From: "W.F. Stephens"
To: Message-ID:
000701c4e07f$428e58b0$ Subject: Re: [LDR] Ship's Master vs.
Captain Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
I believe captain is a later term applied to the person in overall charge of
running the ship. It is still the title for the "captain" of a merchant
vessel. Even naval vessels at one time had masters, or sailing masters, who were
quite often civilians, even though the vessel was under the operational
control of a captain or other officer rank. The captain directed the master
where to maneuver the vessel, but not neccessarily how to do it, while the
captain directed the combat functions of the vessel. At some point, probably
with the adoption of steam power, the navigation of naval vessels fell to naval
officers in most cases.
Owners of merchant vessels may been aboard may aboard their vessels, but the
navigation was left to the master. In the absence of the owner, he master
acted in his stead, which is generally the case today.
On naval vessels, the officer in command is referred to as the captain
regardless of rank. Even merchant vessel masters are referred to as captain"
although they are more properly called "master", and so designated on their licenses.
Woody Stephens Hope this clarifies this somewhat. Jodi
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