Sailing Master / Master-- Part 2: Making Sense of a Confusing Mess

Master, originally sailing master,  was a historic warrant officer rank of the United States Navy, above that of midshipman , after 1819 passed midshipman, after 1862 ensign and below lieutenant.

Some masters were appointed to command ships, with the rank of master  commandant.  In 1837,  sailing master was renamed master, master commandment was renamed commander, and some masters were commissioned as officers, formally "master in line of promotion" to distinguish them from warrant masters who could not be promoted.

After 1855, passed midshipmen who were graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy filled the position of master.  Both the commissioned officer rank of master and warrant rank of master were maintained until both were merged into the current rank of lieutenant , junior grade on 3 March 1883.

In 1862, masters wore a gold bar for rank insignia, which became a silver bar in 1877.  In 1881, they started wearing  sleeve  stripes of 1/2  inch and 1/4 inch wide strip of gold lace, still used for the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.

OK, So You Know.  --Old B-Runner

What is a Flag Officer?

I have been mentioning the term Flag Officer a lot in my Naval Happenings entries and my brother wanted to know exactly what a Flag Officer was.  I knew he was of high rank (like an admiral since they commanded a group of ships), but to tell you the truth, didn't really know for a fact.

So, did a little research and found out that a flag officer is a senior commissioned officer in the US Navy before the Civil War.  The Confederacy also used the rank.  The term rechnically means that the officer is so important, they can fly their own flag from the ship they command (I imagine one showing his rank).

Today, the term is no longer used, but would apply to an admiral.  Before the Civil War, a captain with a lot of seniority would be called a Flag Officer.  They would command their own ship and a squadron as well.

In 1862, Congress authorized the use of the title admiral for Flag Officers.  An admiral commanded a group of ships, but would have a Flag Captain command the ship he was on.

I Sometimes Call Them Flah Oggicers When I Hit the Wrong Keys.  --Old B-Runner