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MASTER of a merchant-ship
MASTER at arms
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MASTER at arms
MASTER at arms, an officer appointed by warrant from the board of admiralty, to teach the officers and crew of a Ship of war the exercise of small arms; to confine and plant centinels over the prisoners, and superintend whatever relates to them during their confinement. He is also, as soon as the evening gun shall be fired, to see all the fires and lights extinguished, except such as shall be permitted by proper authority, or under the inspection of centinels. It is likewise his duty to attend the gangway, when any boats arrive aboard, and search them carefully, together with their rowers, that no spirituous liquors may be conveyed into the ship, unless by permission of the commanding officer. He is to see that the small arms be kept in proper order. He is to visit all vessels coming to or going from the ship, and prevent the crew from going from the ship without leave. He is also to acquaint, the officer of the watch with all irregularities in the ship which shall come to his knowledge. In these several duties he is assisted with proper attendants, called his corporals, who also relieve the centinels, and one another, at certain periods.
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© Derived from Thomas Cadell's new corrected edition, London: 1780, page 191, 2003
Prepared by Paul Turnbull
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/0857.html