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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Glenn Baird on Sunday 22 October 06 11:47 BST (UK)

Title: Second Master
Post by: Glenn Baird on Sunday 22 October 06 11:47 BST (UK)

Is there a way to find Royal Naval records from 1798 to 1805?

I have a John Baird who claims in a land petition to have served as Second Master for that time period and was discharged due to medical.
I would like to know what ship he served on.

Also what is a "Second Master and Pilate"?

Glenn

Title: Re: Second Master
Post by: Hackstaple on Sunday 22 October 06 12:50 BST (UK)

A Sailing Master was a Warrant Officer, not commissioned but with an Admiralty Warrant [actually issued by Trinity House]. A Second Master would be his understudy on a large vessel.
"Pilate" would be pilot probably indicating that he had river experience, on the Thames or Medway.
There is a paid site that will do the search for you. I have no experience of how good they are:
http://www.militaryresearchon.com/cgi-bin/database/research.cgi?Period=PFW&Active=Yes&Force=Royal%20Navy/Marines&sb=3&so=ascend&view_records=1