Mariners-L Archives

From: Michael Young <>
Subject: [Mar] Master in Naval ships
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1999 10:31:08 -0400

Last night while watching on TV "The Bounty" with Mel Gibson as Christian, I was
reminded that someone on this list recently asked the question about the role
and function of Master in the nautical context.

If I understand it correctly, in British warships in the 18th and into the 19th
centuries the Master was in charge of sailing the ship (and presumably was also
the navigation assistant to the Captain of the ship). He was also known as the
Sailing Master. Such men were professional seamen recruited out of merchant
ships. Sometimes, but not always, they were the equivalent of the modern
Executive Officer or Second in Command. Some, like Bligh, were later
commissioned and went on to Flag rank in the Navy.

In merchant ships, the Master is always in command - thus the expression "Master
under God" - and his honorific title is Captain. This appellation survives to
modern times whereas that of the (Sailing) Master in a warship has long since
gone.

Hope this helps and I stand to be corrected by the historians!

Michael Young
Nepean, Ontario

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• [Mar] Master in Naval ships by Michael Young <>