Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Newcomer to Brit-Gen
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    5

    Default Three stripes: Master or First Mate?

    I have a portrait photo of my GGGrandfather in a chair on deck in front of the mast of a ship. He was born in 1841 and spent his life at sea, starting as a 'boy' and moving up to Master on a number of telegraph cable laying ships. The photo is undated but would have been mid-late 1800s. He was certificated 2-mate 1865, 1-mate 1867, and Master 1869.

    The photograph has him in a dark double-breasted jacket with 'gold' buttons and three equal width medium-thickness stripes above each wrist … a bit like a modern day navy Commander, except without the loopy bit.
    I have been assuming this was a photo of him as Master of whatever ship it was … but wanted to check.

    Are those three stripes indicative of Master, or First Mate, or something else?

    p.s. I am talking about an English mariner. He'd have been sailing out of near Greenwich at the time.
    Last edited by Dougal.; 20-05-2019 at 12:11 PM. Reason: disambiguation

  2. #2
    Knowledgeable and helpful
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Liverpool
    Posts
    819

    Default

    https://www.marineinsight.com/career...-navy-uniform/

    According to the above site three stripes nowadays signifies a Chief Officer, four stripes for a Captain. I'd gues that is the present day equivalent of First Mate and Master back in the 1800s, however I am happy to stand corrected if someone knows better.

    Emeltee

  3. #3
    Newcomer to Brit-Gen
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Thanks. I think that could well be correct.
    In today's merchant navy it'd have been 'Chief', with Captain having four stripes (https://www.marineinsight.com/career...-navy-uniform/). Maybe the portrait photo was celebrating /commemorating his first mateship.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Select a file: