h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Smugger

good to see you back around!

I have been working on an entry about the crew of the HMS Victory at A87755755. I know this is long before your time, but I am trying to understand the British rank structure.

Most of my study has been US Navy in the 1830's and I find many differences. I am not sure how much of this is the quarter century between Trafalgar and my studies, and how much is based on nationality.

If you would care to offer any of your knowledge, I would very much like to read it. I have a conversation going on my personal space, but whatever works best for you.

I Also have a two-part biography on Nelson in Peer Review if you are interested.



Thanks.
FS

Hi FS, thanks for your post, as for the R.N history thing, well I am no expert by any means, but I do have a Snippet called Royal Navy Uniform, in amongst all the Snippets on my list, (at the bottom of my page.)

A lot of Navy`s from other countries copied our Navy rank system and our regulations as well.

As for the rank system, its changed so much over the years, even during my time, they brought new ones in for Articifors and Engineers both in Mechanical and Electrical?

Also, changes were made in the junior ratings ranks, where a person would join as a recruit, do the normal basic training, then do further training, and join the fleet as Kiiiocks (leading hands)but this caused friction and bad feeling with longer served ratings, in fact I was glad to get away from all that, and got myself on board HMY, which was a lot different.

Good luck with your entry, and dont hesitate to get back in touch, OK

Smudger.

Me again,

I've just popped into have a read of your page, all good stuff BTW

The best film I have ever seen, that shows what early Royal Navy was really like, was......."Master and Commander"

It showed it like it really was, and in fact it was so realistic, you can see that in the pictures that are shown in the HMS Victory museum at Portsmouth.

In fact, if you take the tour on board, you can almost smell the gun powder, and feel the sore bumps on your head, as the deck heads (ceilings) are so low, you cant help but bang your "napper" on the oak beams?

Mind you, the average height of a jack tar was 5.3". Good luck

Smudger