85-727: Captain George Duff (c. 1 February 1764 – 21 October 1805) was a Scottish officer in the Royal Navy during the American War of Independence , the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars , who was killed by a cannonball at the Battle of Trafalgar . Born at Banff , Scotland , the son of Banff Sheriff Clerk James Duff (1729–1804) by his marriage to Helen Skene 1734–1764, he
170-525: A midshipman on Mars : Dearest Sophia, I have just time to tell you we are going into Action with the Combined Fleet. I hope and trust in God that we shall all behave as becomes us, and that I may yet have the happiness of taking my beloved wife and children in my arms. Norwich is quite well and happy. I have, however, ordered him off the quarter-deck. Yours ever, and most truly, George Duff did not see more than
255-439: A "letter of service" from the crown, and were paid at the same rate as midshipmen. The letter instructed the admirals and captains that the bearer was to be shown "such kindness as you shall judge fit for a gentleman, both in accommodating him in your ship and in furthering his improvement". Their official rating was volunteer-per-order , but they were often known as King's letter boys, to distinguish their higher social class from
340-527: A Union Flag. Command of the Mars devolved on the first lieutenant, William Hennah , who performed a good service and was promoted as a reward. Following the battle, Duff was buried at sea with his shipmates, 28 of whom had been killed and 69 wounded in the fight. Both Collingwood and young Norwich Duff wrote letters of consolation to Sophia Duff, and Captain Duff was mentioned with honour alongside Nelson and John Cooke in
425-422: A commission were often called young gentlemen instead of their substantive rating to distinguish their higher social standing from the ordinary sailors. Generally, aboard most warships common seamen berthed in the gundeck , while officers were quartered at the stern. Occasionally, a midshipman would be posted aboard a ship in a lower rating such as able seaman but would eat and sleep with his social equals in
510-480: A commission, which is effective from the date of their appointment. Officer candidates enter the RAN at various ranks depending on previous experience or degree qualifications; graduates from a three-year course, non-degree qualified entrants, and sailor changeovers below the rank of leading seaman enter as midshipman. On joining the RAN, midshipmen complete six months' initial officer training (New Entry Officers' Course) at
595-480: A commission. Midshipmen with political connections were promoted first, while others would wait their turn on a roster. During wartime, when large numbers of ships and men might be lost in battle, most passed midshipman would be promoted in a year or two, but during peacetime the wait might be so long that the midshipman would eventually be considered too old and lose his chance for a commission. Passed midshipmen awaiting promotion often elected to become master's mates,
680-469: A commissioned officer candidate was rated as a midshipman, and the seaman rating began to slowly die out. By the Napoleonic era (1793–1815), a midshipman was an apprentice officer who had at least nominally served at least three years as a volunteer, officer's servant or able seaman , and was roughly equivalent to a present-day petty officer in rank and responsibilities. After serving at least three years as
765-590: A decade after the Second World War . The title was probably used informally up until the abolition of frigate and destroyer squadrons with the Fleet FIRST reorganisation circa 2001. Ashore, the rank of captain is often verbally described as "captain RN" to distinguish it from the more junior Army and Royal Marines rank , and in naval contexts, as a "four-ring captain" (referring to the uniform lace) to avoid confusion with
850-423: A first-class passing grade in studies, seamanship and conduct on their final examination could receive a credit for up to a year of sea time, and could be rated as midshipmen immediately after passing out of the college. After passing out of the college, cadets served aboard a special training vessel for one year. Cadets were then rated as midshipmen, and served aboard the fleet another two years. Midshipmen lived in
935-510: A formal naval school. However, after the Somers Affair , officers realized that the system for training officers had to change to be more efficient. George Bancroft , appointed Secretary of the Navy in 1845, decided to work outside of congressional approval and create a new academy for officers. He formed a council led by Commodore Perry to create a new system for training officers, and turned
SECTION 10
#17330863370781020-501: A gold button and a twist of white cord on each side of the coat collar. The uniform emphasized that midshipmen were gentlemen and officers under instruction. Midshipmen were expected to work on the ship, but were also expected to learn navigation and seamanship. They were expected to have learned already, as able seamen and volunteers, to rig sails, other duties included keeping watch, relaying messages between decks, supervising gun batteries , commanding small boats, and taking command of
1105-462: A high-ranking petty officer who assisted the master with his duties, served on watch as deputy to the lieutenants, and commanded small boats. A midshipman who became master's mate earned an increase in pay from £2 5s to £3 16s per month but initially reduced his chances at a commission because master's mates, along with masters, were assumed to have a working-class background. Over time, however, appointment to master's mate became considered
1190-513: A midshipman or master's mate , he was eligible to take the examination for lieutenant . Promotion to lieutenant was not automatic, and many midshipmen took positions as master's mates for an increase in pay and responsibility aboard ship. Midshipmen in the United States Navy were trained and served similarly to midshipmen in the Royal Navy, although unlike their counterparts in the Royal Navy,
1275-460: A midshipman was a warrant officer rank until 1912. During the 19th century, changes in the training of naval officers in both the Royal Navy and the United States Navy led to the replacement of apprenticeship aboard ships with formal schooling in a naval college . Midshipman began to mean an officer cadet at a naval college. Trainees now spent around four years in a college and two years at sea prior to promotion to commissioned officer rank. Between
1360-479: A naval officer. "Passed midshipman" was first used in 1819, and was an official rank of the US Navy. During the long period of peace between 1815 and 1846 midshipmen had few opportunities for promotion, and their warrants were often obtained via patronage . The poor quality of officer training in the US Navy became visible after the Somers Affair , an alleged mutiny aboard the training ship USS Somers in 1842, and
1445-452: A new building was completed on shore to replace Britannia , which was named Britannia Royal Naval College. In 1913, increasing demand for officers led to recruitment of 18-year-old graduates of public schools , which was called 'Special Entry', and was conducted separately from Selborne scheme cadets. Special entry cadets trained for approximately 6 months prior to service in the fleet as midshipmen. When World War I began in 1914, all
1530-512: A new preparatory college was opened at the Royal Naval College, Osborne , in part of Queen Victoria 's favorite residence but not a favorite of her successor Edward VII who had presented it to the nation in 1902. Training initially consisted of two years at Osborne and two years at Dartmouth as cadets, later four years at Dartmouth, followed by approximately 3 years of sea duty as midshipmen prior to promotion to sub-lieutenant. In 1905
1615-509: A normal part of the path to a commission; the situation caused some confusion during the last part of the 18th century, when two parallel roles – master's mates trying to become masters, and former midshipmen working toward a commission – held the same title and responsibilities aboard ship. By the first years of the 19th century, the term 'mate', without the prefix master's, was used for passed midshipmen , to distinguish them from master's mates who had not served as midshipmen. In 1824,
1700-557: A servant of one of the ship's officers, a volunteer, or a seaman. By the 1730s, the rating volunteer-per-order was phased out and replaced with a system where prospective midshipmen served as servants for officers. For example, a captain was allowed four servants for every 100 men aboard his ship; many of these servants were young men destined to become officers. In 1729, the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth – renamed
1785-404: A short time, followed by specialty training for 16 weeks. After approximately two years in the Navy, midshipmen are promoted to ensign. Officers who entered the service with a university degree are promoted to sub-lieutenant after completion of Junior Officer Common Training. Officers without a degree have the option of earning a university degree while serving in the Navy. A midshipman in
SECTION 20
#17330863370781870-494: A single military, called the Canadian Forces. As part of the act, the rank of midshipman was replaced with the rank of naval cadet. In Royal Navy slang, a midshipman is sometimes referred to as a "snotty". Two popular stories give origins for the term: the first claims that it arose from a shortage of handkerchiefs among midshipmen, who would consequently use their sleeves to wipe their noses. Prince William, later William IV ,
1955-447: A sub-division of the ship's company under the supervision of one of the lieutenants. On smaller ships, midshipmen were instructed by a senior master's mate, often a passed midshipman , who taught them mathematics, navigation, and sailing lore. Larger ships would carry a schoolmaster , who was rated as a midshipman but usually was a civilian like the chaplain . Midshipmen were expected to keep detailed navigational logs, which were shown to
2040-466: A two-and-a-half-day assessment, called the Admiralty Interview Board , and a medical examination. Initial officer training for the Royal Navy takes place at Britannia Royal Naval College . The first two phases are 15 weeks each, followed by specialisation training. All prospective officers join as midshipman, but use the rank of officer cadet when under initial training. During
2125-515: Is equivalent to a colonel in the British Army and Royal Marines , and to a group captain in the Royal Air Force . There are similarly named equivalent ranks in the navies of many other countries. In the Royal Navy, the officer in command of any warship of the rank of commander and below is informally referred to as "the captain" on board, even though holding a junior rank, but formally
2210-400: Is sometimes cited as a notorious example of this practice among midshipmen. The other story claims that the three buttons formerly sewn onto midshipmen's jacket cuffs were placed there to prevent them from wiping their noses on their sleeves. In the modern Royal Navy , a midshipman is the lowest rank of officer, and ranks with second lieutenant in the British Army and pilot officer in
2295-480: Is titled "the commanding officer" (or CO). Until the nineteenth century, Royal Navy officers who were captains by rank and in command of a naval vessel were referred to as post-captains ; this practice is now defunct. Captain (D) or Captain Destroyers, afloat, was an operational appointment commanding a destroyer flotilla or squadron , and there was a corresponding administrative appointment ashore, until at least
2380-646: The British Empire formed their own navies during the 20th century, further countries began using the rank of midshipman. Today Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, India, Singapore , Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , Kenya , and Brunei use the rank. Prior to 1968 Canada also used the rank of midshipman, until the National Defence Act consolidated the Royal Canadian Navy with the Army and Air Force into
2465-554: The Royal Air Force and above all enlisted and warrant ranks . A midshipman's rank insignia, which has changed little since Napoleonic times, is called a "turnback": a white patch of cloth with a gold button and a twist of white cord on each side of the coat collar. Prospective officers must have at least five GCSEs , including English and maths, plus at least 72 ( new tariff ) UCAS points from at least two A levels or other suitable qualifications (each qualification must be over 45 (old tariff) UCAS points). They must pass
2550-652: The Royal Australian Naval College . Following this, all members serve six months in the fleet completing Primary Qualification (PQ) continuation training. Direct entry midshipmen continue their normal training and Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) entry midshipmen post to Canberra to study at the ADFA in their second year in the Navy. Midshipmen undertake an undergraduate degree over the course of three years, whilst also completing elements of their naval training. ADFA midshipmen are also undergraduate students of
2635-533: The Royal Naval College in 1806 – was founded, for 40 students aged between 13 and 16, who would take three years to complete a course of study defined in an illustrated book, and would earn two years of sea time as part of their studies. The rating of midshipman-by-order, or midshipman ordinary, was used specifically for graduates of the Royal Naval College, to distinguish them from midshipmen who had served aboard ship, who were paid more. The school
George Duff - Misplaced Pages Continue
2720-605: The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), midshipman is the lowest officer rank for officers under training and retained upon completion of initial training by those without a university degree. Unlike officer cadet ranks in the Army, midshipmen are treated as officers but do not hold a commission. The RNZN has approximately 60 midshipmen in service at a time. Midshipman begin their career at Junior Officer Common Training, which lasts 21 weeks. After completing their initial training course, midshipmen serve aboard ships for
2805-695: The South African Military Academy , and upon graduation receive a B Mil degree from Stellenbosch University . Midshipmen in the Indian Navy begin their career as cadets at the National Defence Academy or the Indian Naval Academy , where they study for approximately three years. After graduation they receive a BTech degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University and are assigned to training ships for one year. After six months aboard
2890-652: The South African Navy (SAN) is an officer of the lowest rank. Officer candidates are citizens between the ages of 18 and 22, either in grade 12 or graduated from high school with an academic background in mathematics and science. Cadets initially spend a year training at the South African Naval College in Gordon's Bay , about 55 km southeast of Cape Town , and upon graduation are commissioned as midshipmen. Midshipmen can then study for three more years at
2975-614: The University of New South Wales (UNSW). When they graduate from UNSW at ADFA at the completion of their three- or four-year undergraduate program, they do so with a fully recognized degree from UNSW – the same degree received by graduates of UNSW's campus in Sydney. During Single Service Training (SST) at ADFA, midshipmen have the opportunity to return to sea during the SST period as well as visiting shore establishments for PQ related training. In
3060-524: The cockpit . Approximately 50 percent of midshipmen were the sons of professional men, which included the sons of naval officers, and there were notable sailing families throughout the Age of Sail , such as the Saumarez , Hood , and Parker families. The niceties of preferment and promotion made family connections an obvious advantage for prospective officers. Members of the peerage and landed gentry formed
3145-547: The 'University of the Navy'. Beginning in 1903, officer training of military and engineering students was reformed by the Selborne-Fisher scheme , and engineering and executive officer candidates began to enter the Navy in the same way, which was termed 'Common Entry'. Previously engineer cadets had been trained separately at the Royal Naval Engineering College, Keyham , which was closed in 1910. In 1903
3230-555: The Atlantic, including at the Great Siege of Gibraltar and culminating in the battle of the Saintes in 1782 when he was serving on HMS Montagu . With a reputation thus secured and plenty of family interest in his career, Duff had little difficulty progressing, being promoted to commander in 1790 and then Post Captain in 1793, a meteoric rise resulting from the growth of the Navy in
3315-457: The Department of Steam Enginery was created and cadet engineers were admitted to the academy for the first time. In 1874, Congress changed the curriculum to include four years of classroom training and two years of sea duty aboard a regular vessel prior to examinations as warranted midshipmen. In 1882, Congress eliminated the distinction in training between engineer and naval cadets, and designated
3400-515: The Maritime Leadership Exercise (MARL). MARL may be completed prior to IST depending on scheduling. If they have been successful, officers of all branches then pass out of the college. Upon completion of initial officer training, university cadet entrants, engineering, logistics and flight specialisation officer cadets move to their second phase of training elsewhere within the Royal Navy. Midshipmen specializing in warfare remain at
3485-480: The Mediterranean under Nelson . Duff was a proud Scotsman as well as a strict disciplinarian. He enforced cleanliness parades every week, and made every effort to make sure that as many Scots as possible served on his ships, although he never gave them preferential treatment over their English comrades. He was also a devoted husband and wrote lengthy letters to his wife during every journey. He and his wife felt that
George Duff - Misplaced Pages Continue
3570-557: The Naval Academy received accreditation as an approved technological institution. In 1933, a new law enabled the Naval, Military, and Coast Guard Academies to award bachelor of science degrees , and the class of 1933 was the first to receive this degree and have it written in the diploma. In 1937, the superintendent of the Naval Academy was granted the authority to award Bachelor of Science degrees to all living graduates. As Dominions of
3655-511: The advantages possessed by the nobility and professional sailors, their chances of promotion to lieutenant were slim. Since most midshipmen were from the gentry or had family connections with sailing ships, many used their connections to have their names placed on a ship's books. The practice, known colloquially as "false muster" was common even though it was technically illegal and frowned upon. This allowed some boys to be promoted to midshipmen, or in some cases lieutenant, without having completed
3740-507: The buildup to war during this period. It was at this time that he married his childhood sweetheart, Sophia Dirom (sister of Alexander Dirom ) in Edinburgh , and that his son Norwich Duff (later to become an admiral in his own right) was born. In the next ten years, Duff commanded HMS Duke , HMS Vengeance and HMS Glenmore all very capably, but without winning the acclaim of some of his contemporaries, particularly those in
3825-838: The cadets at Dartmouth were quickly mobilized as midshipmen in the Reserve Fleet . During the war, two midshipmen, George Drewry and Wilfred Malleson were awarded the Victoria Cross , the highest award of the British Commonwealth for gallantry, during the Landing at Cape Helles . After World War I ended, opposition to the Selborne-Fisher scheme led to re-segregating executive and engineering officers into separate branches, while common entry and special entry were maintained. After World War II another series of reforms, influenced by
3910-435: The candidate was expected to be able to splice ropes , reef a sail , work a ship in sailing and shift his tides . In navigation, he was expected to be able to keep a reckoning of the ship's way by plane sailing , to use Mercator projection maps and observation of the sun and stars to determine the course and position of the ship, and to understand the variation of the compass . He was also expected to be qualified to do
3995-447: The captain to assess their progress. Prior to promotion to lieutenant, a commissioned officer candidate in the Royal Navy had to pass a formal examination. Officially, a prospective lieutenant was at least 19, and was expected to produce proof of his service, which would include certificates from his commanders and journals kept while a midshipman. However, most midshipmen aspired to take the lieutenant examination at age 17 or 18, and
4080-588: The college for the Initial Warfare Officer's Foundation course, which completes part of a foundation degree in naval studies (equating to two thirds of a bachelor's degree ), on completion of initial professional training. Officers can complete degrees via distance learning with the Open University , although completion is not required. A midshipman in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) holds
4165-407: The duty of an able seaman and midshipman. Failure usually meant six more months of sea service before the examination could again be attempted. Some men never passed it. Successful completion made the midshipman a 'passed midshipman'. From the 18th century until the second half of the 19th century, a midshipman in the Royal Navy who passed the lieutenant's examination did not automatically receive
4250-474: The few opening shots of the battle, for as Mars engaged the French Fougueux and Pluton , a cannonball from Fougueux raked the quarterdeck and struck Captain Duff at the base of the neck, severing his head completely. The crew were undismayed however, carrying the headless corpse around the deck and giving three cheers in memory of their captain, before replacing him where he fell and covering him with
4335-433: The final fleet examination, they are promoted to the rank of sub-lieutenant. In the modern United States Navy, a midshipman is classified as an officer of the line , though their exercise of authority is limited by their training status. Legally, midshipmen are a special grade of uncommissioned officer that ranks between the senior noncommissioned enlisted grade (E-9) and the lowest grade of chief warrant officer (W-2, in
SECTION 50
#17330863370784420-681: The first seven weeks of training, officer cadets learn militarisation and sea sense, focusing on learning about the military environment, along with team and leadership skills. During the second seven weeks, officer cadets learn essential sea officer skills, including navigation and the marine environment, strategic studies, and basic sea survival. During the second term officer cadets spend 6 weeks in Initial Sea Time (IST), serving aboard capital warships as junior ratings . Upon completion of Initial Sea Time, officer cadets return to Dartmouth for four weeks to complete their final leadership assessment,
4505-424: The gunroom, kept watches, and ran the ship's boats. They received instruction in navigation every day. After five total years of training and having reached the age of 19, the midshipmen were eligible to take the examination for lieutenant. After passing the examination for lieutenant, midshipmen were commissioned as sub-lieutenants, and were transferred to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich , which opened in 1873 as
4590-566: The letters were so personal that they destroyed them after reading, and so the only survivor is his final letter home, which Sophia reportedly was unable to destroy. Following the Peace of Amiens , Duff was given HMS Mars , something of a celebrity ship in the Royal Navy following her capture of the French Hercule in 1799 in which her captain Alexander Hood was killed. Rapidly moulding
4675-407: The lieutenant examination or were passed over for promotion, some members of the original rating served, as late as 1822, alongside apprentice officers without themselves aspiring to a commission. By 1794, all midshipmen were considered officer candidates, and the original rating was phased out. Beginning in 1661, boys who aspired to become officers were sent by their families to serve on ships with
4760-415: The mid-19th and mid-20th centuries, time at sea declined to less than a year as the entry age was increased from 12 to 18. Ranks equivalent to midshipman exist in many other navies. Using US midshipman or pre-fleet board UK midshipman as the basis for comparison, the equivalent rank would be a naval cadet in training to become a junior commissioned officer. Using post-fleet board UK midshipman for comparison,
4845-441: The midshipmen on a frigate or smaller vessel. Volunteers were paid £6 per year. By 1816, the rating of midshipman ordinary was phased out, and all apprentice officers were rated as midshipmen. In the 18th century Royal Navy, rank and position on board ship was defined by a mix of two hierarchies, an official hierarchy of ranks and a conventionally recognized social divide between gentlemen and non-gentlemen. Boys aspiring for
4930-469: The monarchy, and were trained mostly on land as soldiers. The rank of midshipman originated during the Tudor and Stuart eras, and originally referred to a post for an experienced seaman promoted from the ordinary deck hands, who worked in between the main and mizzen masts and had more responsibility than an ordinary seaman, but was not a military officer or an officer in training. The first published use of
5015-413: The next largest group, about 27 percent of officers. The numbers were smaller, but similarly, their connections gave them excellent prospects for promotion, and they had a considerable influence on the Royal Navy. A notable member of this group was Prince William, later William IV , who served as a midshipman from 1780 to 1785. The rest were from commercial or working class backgrounds, and because of
5100-627: The official report of the battle. Lloyd's Patriotic Fund granted Sophia honours and money. Norwich remained in the Navy, retiring many years later as an admiral. A large marble monument by John Bacon with the inscription "Erected at the Public Expense to the memory of Captain George Duff who was killed the XXIst of Octr MDCCCV. commanding the Mars in the battle of Trafalgar in the forty-second year of his age and
5185-533: The old Fort Severn at Annapolis into a new institution which would be designated as the United States Naval Academy in 1851. Midshipmen studied at the academy for four years and trained aboard ships each summer. Midshipman began to mean "passed midshipman" at this time, and a student at the Naval Academy was a cadet midshipman. The rank of ensign was created in 1862, and passed midshipmen were promoted to ensign when vacancies occurred. In 1865,
SECTION 60
#17330863370785270-480: The only method for training midshipmen in the Royal Navy was aboard ships. In 1844 the rank of naval cadet was created, and to qualify as a midshipman a candidate had to be 14 years old, successfully pass an admiralty examination and have two years of service as a naval cadet or three years of service in the Navy. A decline in qualified officers prompted the Navy to order training in a ship at anchor for all cadets, which began in 1857 aboard HMS Illustrious , which
5355-503: The original midshipman rating. Beginning in 1677, Royal Navy regulations for promotion to lieutenant required service as a midshipman, and promotion to midshipman required some time at sea. By the Napoleonic era, the regulations required at least three years of services as a midshipman or master's mate and six years of total sea time. Sea time was earned in various ways, most boys served this period at sea in any lower rating, either as
5440-448: The quality of officers produced by the special entry scheme and other nations' experience with training officer candidates in a university setting, were initiated to increase the quality of officers in the Navy. In 1949 the entry age was increased to 16, and by 1955 the entry age was increased to 18 and entry required a minimum of two A levels . After 1957 midshipmen no longer served in the fleet. In 1972, all cadets became midshipmen when
5525-404: The rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia , Bangladesh , Namibia , New Zealand , South Africa , India , Pakistan , Singapore , Sri Lanka , and Kenya . In the 17th century, a midshipman was a rating for an experienced seaman, and the word derives from the area aboard a ship, amidships , either where he worked on the ship, or where he was berthed . Beginning in the 18th century,
5610-517: The rank of cadet was abolished. Congress formally authorized the establishment of the United States Military Academy in 1802, but it took almost 50 years to approve a similar school for naval officers. One major reason for the delay was that Navy leaders preferred the apprenticeship system, citing famous officers such as Nelson and the captains of the War of 1812 who did not attend
5695-409: The rank of captain and above wear gold-laced trousers (the trousers are known as "tin trousers", and the gold lace stripes thereon are nicknamed "lightning conductors"), and may wear the undress tailcoat (without epaulettes). Midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank in the Royal Navy , United States Navy , and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use
5780-509: The rank would be the most junior commissioned officer in the rank structure, and similar to a US ensign in role and responsibility. In many Romance languages , the literal translation of the local term for "midshipman" into English is "Navy Guard", including the French garde marine , Spanish guardia marina , Portuguese guarda-marinha , and Italian guardiamarina . Today, these ranks all refer to naval cadets, but historically they were selected by
5865-468: The rating of master's assistant replaced master's mate, and mate continued to be used unofficially by passed midshipmen. These changes helped eliminate the confusion caused by the mingling of midshipmen in the navigator's branch. In 1838 a Royal Commission , presided over by the Duke of Wellington , recommended the institution of the rank of mate as an official step between midshipman and lieutenant. In 1861 mate
5950-419: The required amount of time at sea. A notable example was Thomas Cochrane , whose uncle had him entered at the age of five; his name was carried on various ships until he was 18 and received his commission. When uniforms were introduced in the Navy in 1748, midshipmen started wearing the same uniform as commissioned officers. They also began wearing their traditional badge of rank, a white patch of cloth with
6035-410: The ship with his own brand of Scottish discipline, Duff took her to join the fleet off Cádiz at the beginning of October and instantly became friends with Nelson, despite their vastly different characters. Such was Duff's reputation, that Nelson entrusted him with the command of the inshore squadron, which watched the harbour entrance for an enemy appearance. The job was dangerous due to the proximity of
6120-458: The shore, and unpleasant because ships stationed at this point were exposed to the enemy and the threat of failure if the enemy were able to escape. Duff handled the job excellently however, and on 21 October reported that the enemy had left Cadiz and were heading out to sea. When the battle began, Mars was stationed directly astern of HMS Royal Sovereign and was ordered by Nelson to attempt to overtake this, Collingwood's flagship, if he
6205-586: The student officers as naval cadets; the name reverted to midshipmen in 1902. By an act of Congress passed in 1903, two appointments as midshipmen were allowed for each senator , representative , and delegate in Congress, two for the District of Columbia , and five each year at large. In 1912, Congress authorized commissioning midshipmen as ensigns on graduation day, and ended the previously required two years of post-graduation sea service as warrant officers. In 1930,
6290-578: The subsequent execution of midshipman Philip Spencer . Spencer had gained his post aboard the Somers via the influence of his father, United States Secretary of War John C. Spencer . This rank is used in Merchant Marine/Merchant Navy service. There are two types of cadet officer Cadet officer commonly used in maritime service. It's know as a Trainee officer on board a ship. The original Royal Naval College closed in 1837, after which
6375-482: The term midshipman was in 1662. The word derives from an area aboard a ship, amidships , but it refers either to the location where midshipmen worked on the ship, or the location where midshipmen were berthed . By the 18th century, four types of midshipman existed: midshipman (original rating), midshipman extraordinary , midshipman (apprentice officer), and midshipman ordinary . Some midshipmen were older men, and while most were officer candidates who failed to pass
6460-510: The title of a seagoing commanding officer. In the Ministry of Defence , and in joint service establishments, a captain may be referred to as a "DACOS" (standing for deputy assistant chief of staff) or an "AH" (assistant head), from the usual job title of OF5-ranked individuals who work with civil servants. The rank insignia features four rings of gold braid with an executive curl in the upper ring. When in mess dress or mess undress, officers of
6545-684: The training ship, the cadets are promoted to midshipman. At the end of their training midshipmen are examined by a board and are cleared for promotion to sub-lieutenant. Cadets in the Pakistan Navy undertake an initial 18 months' training at the Pakistan Naval Academy . They study humanities, engineering, professional and technical subjects. After passing out they are appointed midshipmen, and undertake another six months of training at sea. They are assigned to operations, weapons engineering, mechanical engineering, or logistics. After passing
6630-528: The twenty-ninth of his service." was raised in St Paul's Cathedral on the wall on the south side of a passage, next to Nelson's tomb, where it can still be seen. George, his mother-in-law Anne (née Fotheringham) and Norwich were all painted by Sir Henry Raeburn . The Royal Navy has named two ships after Duff. The first, a Captain-class frigate constructed in the United States in 1942-1943 as HMS Duff (BDE-20),
6715-510: The typical age of a midshipman was between 15 and 22. The candidate was summoned before a board of three captains and questioned about seamanship , navigation , and discipline . The board would ask questions such as: An enemy is observed; give orders for clearing your ship, and make all the necessary preparations for engaging. Like the board, which might be an ad hoc affair, the actual exam questions were not standardized and their content depended mostly on individual captains. In seamanship,
6800-577: Was a kinsman (first cousin once removed) to the second and third Earls of Fife . George Duff had a passion for the sea from early childhood, stowing away on a merchant ship for a voyage when not yet a teenager. At thirteen he joined his great uncle Captain (later Admiral) Robert Duff in the Mediterranean , and was commissioned lieutenant at sixteen, breaking several fleet regulations but made possible by his uncle's interest in his career. During these years, Duff saw action thirteen times on both sides of
6885-466: Was able. Collingwood, however, had the advantage, with the Royal Sovereign ' s hull having been freshly re-coppered before action, so the Mars was the second ship to enter the enemy lines. During this approach, which due to poor wind had been conducted at walking speed, Duff was able to write a final note home to his wife, which he entrusted to his thirteen-year-old son Norwich, who was serving as
6970-562: Was abolished in favor of sub-lieutenant . When Congress created the United States Navy in 1794, midshipman was listed as a rank of warrant officer in the Naval Act of 1794 , and they were appointed by the President of the United States . 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
7055-531: Was replaced by HMS Britannia in 1859. Britannia was moved to Portland in 1862, and to the present location of the Britannia Royal Naval College , Dartmouth in 1863. Beginning in the 1840s the normal entry age for executive officer cadets, those destined to command ships and fleets, was between 12 and 13, and instruction consisted of two years of classroom training, during which time trainees were rated as naval cadets. Cadets who received
7140-457: Was retained by the United States Navy as the destroyer escort USS LeHardy (DE-20) . The second was the Captain-class frigate HMS Duff (K352) , which served from 1943 to 1944. Captain (Royal Navy) Captain ( Capt ) is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy . It ranks above commander and below commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. The rank
7225-411: Was unpopular in the Navy, because officers enjoyed the privilege of having servants and preferred the traditional method of training officers via apprenticeship. In 1794, officers' servants were abolished and a new class of volunteers called 'volunteer class I' was created for boys between the ages of 11 and 13 who were considered future midshipmen and lived in the gunroom on a ship-of-the-line or with
#77922