Hello Paul (and the List), sorry for the late reply, I have checked out the Continuous Service record for a gentleman who shares the same birth year. But it is a very empty document. Apart from a description of eye and hair colour, there is not much else to it. And the signature is a plain 'X' which doesn't gel with what I know of the man. (I'm very close to obtaining some medical records that may state his eye colour and completion, so I will revisit that when they arrive.) I'm tend to agree with you Paul on the nature of the man and his upbringing. I have a report written by him in 1865, when he was 22, that details the correct way to enter a newly navigable river. I'm not a mariner but it seems that he knew what he was talking about. May have found a crew agreement that lists him a a 1st mate... but have to work on that to confirm. Much thanks, Paul > > >> Also, I don't know properly, but what are the chances of being >> a 'boy 1st class' in 1861 and then Captaining a Schooner in 1864? (if >> any list member wants to weigh in on this please feel free) > > Paul > > I would have thought that he would be able to read and write if he was > a boy 1st class and would as such he would have signed on for a > Continuous Service engagement in the RN, so committing himself to some > 10-12 years in the RN, unless he purchased his discharge or deserted > from the service. You should be able to download his service record > for a small fee from the National Archives - see : > I get the feeling that they are invariably young men who have > sailed in these > vessels since they were boys and had probably worked their way up from > cabin boy to mate, and then master, a somewhat different background to > that of a Seaman.in the Royal Navy, who no doubt would be taught to > sail small RN boats.