M
MAGAZINE to MARLING-SPIKE
MAROON to MAT
MAROON
MAST
MASTER
MASTER of a merchant-ship
MASTER at arms
MASTER-attendant
MAT
MATE of a ship of war to MIDSHIPMAN
MIZEN to MORTAR
MOULD to MUSTERING
Search
Contact us
MASTER
MASTER of a ship of war, (maître, Fr.) an officer appointed by the commissioners of the navy to assist in fitting, and to take charge of the navigating and conducting a ship from port to port, under the direction of the captain, or other his superior officer. The management and disposition of the sails, the working of the ship into her station in the order of battle, and the direction of her movements in the time of action, and in the other circumstances of danger, are also more particularly under his inspection. He is to be careful that the rigging, sails, and stores, be duly preserved: to see that the log and log-book be regularly and correctly kept: accurately to observe the appearances of coals, rocks, and shoals, with their depths of water and bearings, noting them in his journal. He is to keep the hawser clear when the ship is at anchor, and to provide himself with proper instruments, maps, and books of navigation. It is likewise his duty to examine the provisions, and accordingly to admit none into the ship but such as are found, sweet, and wholesome. He is moreover charged with the stowage, or disposition of these materials in the ship's hold. And when the (ball be laid-up, he is to deposit a copy of the log-book and journal with the commissioners of the navy. And to enable him the better to perform these services, he is allowed several assistants, who are properly termed mates and quarter-masters. See those articles.
 |
Reference Works |  |
© Derived from Thomas Cadell's new corrected edition, London: 1780, page 191, 2003
Prepared by Paul Turnbull
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/0855.html