Why were there children in Master and Commander?

Master and Commander is very historically correct. Midshipmen could be as young as 12 but the normal age was 14 -17 years old. Younger children from 8- 12 could serve as Ships Boys with typical jobs like kitchen boy or Powder Monkey who brought powder for the guns up from the Magazine.

What age were midshipmen?

Midshipmen had similar duties and responsibilities as in the Royal Navy, and were typically young men between the age of 14 and 22 in training to become a naval officer. “Passed midshipman” was first used in 1819, and was an official rank of the US Navy.

Are Royal Navy officers gentlemen?

In their portraits, naval officers were usually depicted in their ceremonial full-dress uniform, rather than the more informal undress uniforms that they wore whilst on duty. According to the Admiralty, uniform was introduced for officers in order “to distinguish their rank as gentlemen”.

Was Master and Commander historically accurate?

Pretty accurate, at least in terms of authenticity. The names were fictional, and the nationalities changed, but the events and depiction of early 19th century naval warfare were stunningly good. The depiction of sea life and British Naval protocol were near perfect.

How true is Master and Commander?

Though not a bad moviemaking choice in any way, it should be noted for historical accuracy that the characters shown are fictional. The movie takes place in a real war, with a British ship that actually existed at some point, but the majority of the plot and characters are adapted from the fiction of O’Brian.

Why is Navy called the Midshipmen?

midshipman, title used in the Royal Navy from about 1660 for “young gentlemen” in training at sea to qualify for service as commissioned officers. Continental and U.S. navies adopted the title and system. The equivalent French title is aspirant, and the Spanish is guardia marina.

Why naval officers are not gentlemen?

Rather, they wanted people who actually knew how to sail to become officers. Because of this more meritocratic approach, the gentlemanly aspects of commission that existed in the Army didn’t exist in the Navy, and Naval officers were often not, in the strict definition, gentlemen.

Can officers carry swords?

Swords finally ceased to be used by officers during WWI, and this age-old tradition finally died, except for ceremonial purposes. Pistols and revolvers have not followed suit, however, and remain the official sidearm for officers of various branches of the world’s militaries.