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Date Posted: 13:25:16 05/04/09 Mon
Author: Albert Parker
Subject: Re: Crew of British schooners and transports
In reply to: Cy 's message, "Re: Crew of British schooners and transports" on 11:37:19 05/04/09 Mon

I didn't post anything from Rodger because he did not have any vessels commanded by lieutenants.

>N.A.M. Rodger, the Wooden World gives establishment
>figures for all rates from 1st to an 8-gun Yacht
>
>The figures for a 10 gun sloop (210-230 tons bm) are

>2 Widow's men

Note that these were notional personnel not actually on board. Their wages were assigned to a fund for the support of widows of navy personnel. They were not available to perform any functions on the ship. All R.N. vessels had them as part of their establishment. They were a cost for financial planning purposes but did not need to be fed or housed, and did not contribute to the combat value of the vessel.

>
>The Crew of the Pickle, schooner at Trafalgar was

This is probably about the same as in the late 18th century, with the following notes:

>1 Sub-Lieutenant - John Kingdon

This rank did not exist in the 18th century; a comparable vessel in 1750 or 1775 would probably have had just one lieutenant.

>1 Assistant Surgeon - Simon Gage

I don't think the 18th century R.N. had assistant surgeons, either, but there might have been a surgeon instead. Somebody had to stitch up wounds and amputate limbs in action.

>2 Supernumaries

These are above the established complement, so the establishment for a schooner of Pickle's size might have totalled 37, including the boy. Since British warships at this time were often (usually?) undermanned compared to the formal establishment, a vessel of Pickle's size might have been entitled to more seamen and the supernumeraries might have been excess warrant or petty officers. On the other hand, the crew of a vessel of like Pickle was so small that scarcely a man could be spared, so it might have had a full crew even if the ships of the line were 50–100 men short apiece. But Pickle probably gives a good idea of the actual crew of a very small vessel that wasn't good for much except carrying messages or attacking privateers who had only small arms. (73' × 56' × 21'; 127 tons BM; various armaments given, Winfield has 8 × 12-pounder carronades, 30 men)

>Total Complement 38 men and 1 boy

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