The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Four Groups of Union Navy Enlisted Men

Taken from the Yahoo Civil War Naval and Marine e-mail group. These were written by Steve Hesson who knows more about the day-to-day operations of the Union Navy during the war than most people.

BOYS--Usually officers' servants. First Class Boys could read, Second Class couldn't.

LANDSMEN-- unskilled labor with no prior service in the Navy. Essentially strong backs.

SEAMEN-- Skilled labor. Divided by skill and experience.

PETTY OFFICER-- Craftsmen

Only officers held rank. Enlisted sailors held rate. Today, it would be called pay grades.

ORDINARY SEAMEN-- had some nautical skills and had spent some time aboard ships. They were usually former landsmen.

ABLE SEAMEN-- knew their jobs well.


ENGINEERING GROUPS

These groups made up the men who ran the ship's engine.

COAL HEAVER-- No skills, strong backs, Landsmen

WIPERS-- wipe up oil drips (that figures) and kept eye on moving engine parts.

OILERS-- oiled moving parts (figures). They also could make adjustments and repairs.

FIREMAN FIRST CLASS-- considered a petty officer.

I imagine this system would also be on Confederate ships since the CS Navy was based on the US Navy.

So, Now You Know. --Old B-Runner

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