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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: velly on Monday 03 August 09 01:43 BST (UK)

Title: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: velly on Monday 03 August 09 01:43 BST (UK)
Hello - I'm sure there is an exceedingly obvious answer to this, but what does the term 'AB' mean on a ship's crew list?

Thank you.

Vickki
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: danuslave on Monday 03 August 09 01:43 BST (UK)
Able Seaman??
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: velly on Monday 03 August 09 01:55 BST (UK)
Thank you.  I was thinking that it would be something like that as there are the following on the (short) crew list:
- Master
- Mate
- 2nd Mate
- Cook & AB
- AB
- AB
- AB
- OS
- AB
- AB

Vickki
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: judb on Monday 03 August 09 02:02 BST (UK)
According to Wikipedia
Able seaman was originally entered using the abbreviation AB instead of the more obvious AS in ships' muster books or articles. Such an entry was likely to avoid confusion with ordinary seaman (OS). Later the abbreviation began to be written as A.B., leading to the folk-etymological able-bodied seaman. The correct term, able seaman, remains in use in legal documents, in seaman's papers, and aboard ship.

Cheers, Judith
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: velly on Monday 03 August 09 02:16 BST (UK)
Ahhh, the definitive answer!  Thanks so much Judith.  That's one mystery solved.   :)
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: John Johnston on Monday 03 August 09 08:10 BST (UK)
AB stands for "Able Bodied Seaman".

John
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: sparrett on Monday 03 August 09 08:38 BST (UK)
Hi John,
Well Judith in Reply #3 does not agree with you ;D
Did you read her posting?


 ....leading to the folk-etymological able-bodied seaman. .....
JUDITH

Sue
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: tropicalj on Monday 03 August 09 09:07 BST (UK)
folk-lore to one side :D

I just  looked at my dad's Australian Navy Records

and it clearly show  Able Bodied Seaman

first off though  he was an ordinary seamn
than an AB
a leading AB

I  feel  sure it was a widely excepted term  that no  doubt was stepped in maritime folklore.
 ;D ;D ;D
Jenn
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: judb on Monday 03 August 09 10:13 BST (UK)
'Tis not MY opinion - Wikipedia is to blame LOL  ;D

I asked my husband who is of the RN (past) and he says it was the first level after Ordinary Seaman and it actually meant that you were able to do all tasks on deck (under the direction of a Petty Oficer) so you knew how to manage rigging, cables, splicing, anchors etc.


Didn't apply to washing dishes or cleaning the floor etc LOL LOL
 ::)
Judith



Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: velly on Monday 03 August 09 10:28 BST (UK)
Thank you one and all.  We all have much more 'seaman' knowledge now.  An asset I'm sure  ;)

Vickki  ;D
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: Jamjar on Monday 03 August 09 10:41 BST (UK)
An Internet search shows Able-Bodied is a widely used term.

A large number of the males in my family were in the Merchant Navy and they refered to themselves as Able-Bodied seamen.

Jamjar
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: Brownseagirl on Friday 29 January 16 23:56 GMT (UK)
Wikipedia has detailed information relating to the abbreviation AB.  My grandfather is noted as one on nearly all the  Discharge sheets issued to him on the completion of his voyages.
Title: Re: Crew List - what does 'AB' mean?
Post by: Rourkous on Thursday 23 March 17 05:50 GMT (UK)
Thanks , I was just going to ask the same question. signed Rourkus