Rates of Pay for Officers and Ratings serving in HM Ships &c.

Index
 
Present Pay for Officers and Rating for 1805
(except where otherwise stated.)



Per mensum = per lunar month.

Officers Wages in each Rate

Rate 1 2 3 4 5 6

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d.
Captains per mensum 32 4 0 26 12 0 23 2 0 18 4 0 15 8 0 16 16 0 per mensum
Lieutenants 8 8 0 8 8 0 8 8 0 8 8 0 8 8 0 8 8 0 per mensum
Lieutenants of the flag ship 9 2 0 9 2 0 9 2 0 9 2 0 9 2 0 9 2 0 per mensum
Masters (vide Regulations which follow the table) 12 12 0 11 11 0 10 10 0 9 9 0 8 8 0 7 7 0 per mensum
Second Masters 5 5 0 5 5 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Masters of sloops, bombs, brigs, and cutters 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 6 0 per mensum
Surgeons (vide Regulations which follow the table) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Carpenter 5 16 0 5 6 0 4 16 0 3 6 0 3 6 0 3 1 0 per mensum
Boatswains 4 16 0 4 6 0 3 16 0 3 6 0 3 6 0 3 1 0 per mensum
Gunners 4 16 0 4 6 0 3 16 0 3 6 0 3 6 0 3 1 0 per mensum
Pursers 4 16 0 4 6 0 3 16 0 3 6 0 3 6 0 3 1 0 per mensum
Masters Mate 3 16 0 3 10 6 3 6 8 2 18 4 2 12 6 2 12 6 per mensum
Assistant Surgeons (vide Regulations which follow the table) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Midshipmen 2 15 6 2 10 6 2 8 0 2 4 3 2 0 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Clerks 2 15 6 2 10 6 2 8 0 2 4 3 2 0 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Schoolmasters 2 15 6 2 10 6 2 8 0 2 4 3 2 0 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Armourers 2 15 6 2 10 6 2 8 0 2 4 3 2 0 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Masters at Arms 2 15 6 2 10 6 2 8 0 2 4 3 2 0 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Carpenter’s Mate 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 6 6 2 4 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Caulkers 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 per mensum
Ropemakers 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 2 10 6 per mensum
Quarter Masters 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Boatswain’s Mares 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Sailmakers 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 4 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 per mensum
Gunner’s Mates 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Yeoman of the Powder Room 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Armourer’s Mates 2 5 6 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Corporals 2 5 6 2 2 6 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Caulker’s Mates 2 6 6 2 6 6 2 6 6 2 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Yeoman of the Sheets 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Coxswains 2 2 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 16 6 per mensum
Quarter Master’s Mates 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Captains of the Forecastle 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Captains of the Foretop 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Captains of the Maintop 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Captains of the Afterguard 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Captains of the Mast 2 0 6 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Trumpeters 2 0 6 1 18 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 14 6 per mensum
Sailmaker’s Mates 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 1 18 6 per mensum
Quarter Gunners 1 16 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Carpenter’s Crew 1 16 6 1 16 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Sailmaker’s Crew 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 per mensum
Gunsmiths 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Stewards 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 13 10 1 10 2 1 9 6 per mensum
Cooks 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 15 6 1 14 6 per mensum
Steward’s Mates 1 5 2 1 5 2 1 5 2 1 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 per mensum
Chaplains 0 19 0 0 19 0 0 19 0 0 19 0 0 19 0 0 19 0 per mensum
Boys of the 1st Class per annum 9 0 0















Boys of the 1st Class per annum 8 0 0















Boys of the 1st Class per annum 7 0 0















Midshipmen Ordinary per mensum 1 13 6















Volunteers per Order per mensum 1 13 6















Cook’s Mates per mensum 1 13 6















Coxswain’s Mates per mensum 1 13 6















Yeoman of the Boatswain’s Storeroom per mensum 1 13 6















Swabbers per mensum 1 13 6















Coopers per mensum 1 13 6















Able Seamen per mensum 1 13 6















Captain’s Cooks per mensum 1 13 6















Ordinary Trumpeters per mensum 1 13 6















Ordinary Seamen per mensum 1 5 6















Shifters per mensum 1 5 6















Barbers per mensum 1 5 6















Gunner’s Taylor per mensum 1 5 6















Landsmen per mensum 1 2 6















Pay for Masters in the Royal Navy per order in Council of 15 Aug 1805

Established by His Majesty's Order in Council, of the 15 August, 1805, in respect of Masters.

I. HM Order in Council of the 19th January, 1803, so far as the same respects the examination of Persons to serve as Lieutenants who have been employed in the capacities of Masters, or Second Masters, and Pilots, to be suspended, and in future such Persons as shall have acted in the above-mentioned capacities may be considered eligible to be promoted to the Rank of Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy, if from meritorious conduct in the performance of their duty, a case should arise which in the opinion of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty it may be proper to distinguish by such advancement, although the individual who shall have so distinguished himself may not have been rated as a Mate or Midshipman in His Majesty's service, provided he shall have served Six Years therein; and the period which any Person may serve as Acting Master, or Second Master will be considered, upon presenting himself to pass his Examination for a Lieutenant, as equivalent to his having served so much time in the capacity of Mate or Midshipman.

II. In order to ensure that all Persons entering into the office of Master in HM Navy may be men of experience and judgment, no person in future will be allowed to pass an examination for being qualified to serve as Master therein, until he shall have attained the the age of 21 years, and have been at least 7 years at Sea, two of which must have been served in HM Navy, in the quality of Acting Master by order, Second Master, Master's Mate, or Midshipman ; or, being of the aforesaid age, and having served 7 years at sea, shall have been actually One Year or more Chief Mate, and 2 Years Master, or Two Years Chief Mate, and One Year Master of a Merchant Ship, and shall produce Certificates of diligence, sobriety, and good conduct from the Owners for the time he served as Master, and from the Owners and Master for the time he served as Mate.

III. As Second Masters and Pilots of Gun Brigs are not required by the old Establishment, to pass any examination previous to their appointment, and it being essentially necessary that all Officers who undertake the charge of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels of every description should possess a competent knowledge of Navigation for that purpose ; all Masters and Second Masters are in future to pass an examination, and will not be appointed to any Vessel unless they shall have been previously reported qualified to perform that duty, by the Master and Wardens of the Corporation of the Trinity House.

IV. In order to encourage Masters employed in His Majesty's Navy sedulously to apply themselves to the acquirement of knowledge in Pilotage abroad and at home, they will be universally allowed Half Pilotage for taking upon them the sole charge of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, in all cases where the Commanders thereof shall be well satisfied of the capacity of such Masters to perform the said duty.

V. The Commanders in Chief of His Majesty's Fleets who are allowed a First Captain, are in future to be respectively allowed an additional Master to be borne on the Books of the Ships on board which their Flags may be flying, to be called First Master, whose duty will be to attend to the Navigation of the Fleet, agreeably to the Orders which he may, receive from the Commander in Chief, or his First Captain: and the Person so appointed First Master to a Commander in Chief must be qualified for, and will be allowed the pay of a Ship of the First Rate.

VI. The Full Pay of Masters will be as follows, commencing from the 24th August, 1805 :-


Per Month (sic) although I think it should probably read per Mensum in line with the rest of the RN at this time With a servant or compensation for one

£ s. d.
1st Rate 12 12 0
2nd do 11 11 0
3rd do 10 10 0
4th do 9 9 0
5th do 8 8 0
6th do 7 7 0
Sloops 6 6 0
Brigs and cutters with complements above 50 men bearing a Master 6 6 0
Gun brigs and small vessels having a second Master and Pilot 5 5 0
Second Masters of Line of Battle Ships 5 5 0 Without a servant or compensation for one

VII. The Half Pay of Masters will be as follows, commencing from the 24th August, 1805.



Per day


s. d.
Masters qualified for 1st and 2nd Rates. The first 50 on the List unemployed. 5 0
Ditto The next 50 ditto. 4 6
3rd Rates 4 0
4th and 5th Rates The next 100 � 3 6
All the rest having passed from a 6th Rate 3 0


Such as have served two years in His Majesty's Navy as acting Master, second Master, Master's Mate or Midshipman, previously to receiving an Appointment as Master, will be entitled to Half-Pay after having served as Master in any of His Majesty's Ships or Vessels in Commission three years, and such as shall have been appointed Master without having previously served in the Navy will be entitled to Half Pay after having served as above-mentioned live years. But no Master is to be permitted in time of War, on any account whatever, to receive Half Pay during such time he shall be employed in the Merchant Service, or in any other occupation, unless sufficient proof be adduced to the Commissioners of the Navy, that such person is, from infirmity of body, absolutely incapable of performing the duty of a Master in His Majesty's Navy.

VIII. Such Masters as have not served during the present War, or who are now considered to be unfit for further Duty at Sea, are to be superannuated on the Half-Pay to which from their Services and qualifications they may be respectively entitled by the Old Establishment, provided unquestionable testimony be produced that they have not at any time declined to serve when capable of performing their Duty, and such as may not have it in their power to produce such testimonials (except in cases where by misconduct they have forfeited all Claims to remuneration for past Services) will be also superannuated at the former established allowance of Superannuation.

By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Ireland, HM having been pleased by His Order in Council of the 28th ultimo (a Copy of which is annexed) to confer upon Masters of His Royal Navy the rank of Lieutenant, according to the following Regulation, viz. That they shall take Rank in the Ships of which they shall be Warranted Masters, immediately after the Junior Lieutenant of such Ships, and shall have Precedence in Rank of Surgeons; You are hereby required and directed to cause the said Regulation to be duly observed.

Given under our Hands the 1st October, 1808.

R. Bickerton.
Wm. Johnstone Hope.
Wm. Domett.

To the respective Flag Officers, Captains, Commanders, and Officers commanding HM Ships and Vessels.

By Command of their Lordships, W. W. Pole.


At the Court of the Queen's Palace, The 28th of September, 1808, Present, The King's Most Excellent Majesty, in Council.

"Whereas there was this day read at the Board a Memorial from the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated the 27th of this instant, in the Words following, viz.

"May it please your Majesty,

"The several Masters of the Royal Navy, who have had the misfortune to become Prisoners of War in France, by the Ships to which they belonged having been captured, or cast away upon the coasts of the Enemy, have represented to us that they are classed with, and in all respects subject to the treatment of Foremast-men, in consequence of their not possessing the rank of Commissioned Officers in your Majesty's Service;

"The Memorial presented to us on this subject has been referred to the Commissioners for Transports, for the purpose of such measures being taken by them, as might tend to redress the evil complained of; the said Commissioners have in their Report Report to us, relative to this matter, stated, that they had many months since made, a full representation on the subject to the proper Officer in the Department of the French Marine ; and that they are of opinion, nothing effectual can be done in favour of the Masters of British Men of War, while Prisoners in France, unless they shall have professional rank conferred on them by your Majesty in Council.

"We do therefore most humbly propose to your Majesty, in order to secure the Masters of your Majesty's Navy from the improper treatment beforementioned, that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to confer upon this useful Class of Officers, the rank of Lieutenant, according to the following Regulation, viz. That they shall take rank in the Ships of which they shall be warranted Masters, immediately after the junior Lieutenant of such Ships.

"And as your Majesty was pleased, by your Order in Council of the 23rd January, 1805, to direct, that the Surgeons in your Majesty's Naval Service should have a similar rank with Officers of the same class in the Land Service, subordinate however to that of the Lieutenants of your Majesty's Ships and Vessels, we do further propose that Masters may have precedence in rank, of Surgeons, which, from the nature of the duty a Master has to execute, is essentially necessary."

His Majesty, having taken the said Memorial into consideration, was pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to hereby pleased to order, that the Masters of the Royal Navy do take Rank in the Ships of which they shall be warranted Masters, immediately after the Junior Lieutenant of such Ships; and that they have precedence in Rank of Surgeons. And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are to give the necessary directions herein accordingly,

W. Fawkener.


Regulations Established by His Majesty's Order in Council of the 23rd January, 1805 in respect to Surgeons in the Navy.

That the Assistants at the different Hospitals, known, at present, under the denomination of "Visiting Assistants," "Assistant Surgeons," and "Assisting Dispensers," shall, in future, be called Hospital Mates, and be allowed, without regard to the Department of the Hospital in which they shall serve, the full Pay of Six Shillings and Sixpence per Day when employed at Home, and Seven Shillings and Sixpence per Day, while employed on Foreign Stations, with Half-Pay when reduced at the rate of Two Shillings per Day, provided they shall have served subsequent to the date of this Regulation, two Years on full Pay. And further, that they shall be allowed Lodging Money, at the rate of Ten Shillings and Sixpence per Week, when not accommodated within the Hospital.

That such Hospital Mates as may remove from one Department of the Hospital to another, shall nevertheless be required to prove themselves qualified, by examination, for the Department to which they may be about to remove, but they may be allowed, before joining the Hospital, to prove themselves qualified for every Department, by undergoing the different necessary examinations.

That the Widows of such as shall have served as Hospital Mates abroad, and shall die on Full Pay, shall be allowed a Pension of Sixteen Pounds per Annum ; and the Children of such Hospital Mates, and the Widows and Children of such as shall die on Half Pay, shall have such Allowances as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, upon consideration of the circumstances of their case, shall think fit to grant.

That all Dispensers of Hospitals shall receive, when employed, a Full Pay of Ten Shillings per Day : and when unemployed, a Half Pay of Five Shillings per Day.

That Dispensers, when a Residence is not provided for them, shall be allowed Twelve Shillings per Week Lodging Money.

It is proposed that the Number of Assistants, heretofore called Surgeon's Mates, to be allowed to the Surgeons of His Majesty's Ships, shall, in future, be regulated as follows;

First rate 3 assistants
Second Ditto 2 Ditto
Third Ditto 2 Ditto
Fourth Ditto 2 Ditto
Hospital Ships 3 assistants
And all other Ships entitled according to the existing Regulations to bear Mates 1 Ditto

That no Person shall in future be appointed to serve as an Assistant to the Surgeon of any of His Majesty's Ships, who shall not have been found qualified on examination to serve as Surgeon, or as first Assistant, that the Pay of Assistants so qualified shall be Six Shillings and Sixpence a Day, besides the Ship's Provisions, with Half Pay when reduced at the Rate of Two Shillings per Day (provided they shall then have served two Years subsequent to the date of this Regulation) and Three Shillings per Day, if they shall have served three Years from that Date ; that such Assistants shall be required to furnish themselves with such Surgical Instruments as the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen shall direct, and that they shall be rated on the Ship's Books, where the complement admits of more than one, according to their Seniority on the List, to be kept by the Sick and Wounded Board.

Whereas there are many Surgeon's Mates now serving on board His Majesty's Ships, who have not obtained, and who may not for some time have an Opportunity of obtaining, the Qualification before required, it is proposed that such as serve as First or Second Mates, or Assistants, shall be allowed Five Shillings per Day, and those rated Third Males, or Assistants, Four Shillings per Day. Those three Classes of Assistants not to be required to provide Instruments, nor shall they be sillowcd Half Pay ; it is submitted that they should nevertheless, on proving themselves duly qualified, be placed on the same List with the other Assistants, from the Date of the first Appointment they may receive after such Qualification, and commence the time to be reckoned for Half Pay from such Appointment.

All Surgeons of the Navy who shall not have served in the whole six Years, of which not more than three Years as Hospital Mate, or Assistant Surgeon, shall be allowed, it is proposed shall receive, when employed, a Full Pay of Ten Shillings per Day, and when not employed a Half Pay of Five Shillings per Day.

That Surgeons of Ships in active Service, after having served six Years, of which not more than three Years time as Hospital Mate, or Assistant Surgeon, shall be allowed, shall be paid Eleven Shillings per Day ; their Half Pay to be Six Shillings per Day.

That after having served ten Years, allowing not more than three Years as Hospital Hospital Mate, or Assistant Surgeon, the Surgeon's Full-Pay shall be augmented to Fourteen Shillings per Day; his Half-Pay to remain at Six Shillings per Day.

That Surgeons of Receiving Ships, Sloops, Convalescent Ships, Prison Ships, and all other Ships, except Hospital Ships employed only in Harbour Duty, shall allowed Full-Pay, Ten Shillings per Day, with Half-Pay according to the time of their Service.

That Surgeons appointed to Hospital Ships shall receive a Full Pay of Fifteen Shillings per Day, unless in cases where, by the length of their Services, they may have become entitled to a superior rate of Payment, their Half-pay to be regulated as in the case of Surgeons of other Ships, by the length of their service.

That every Surgeon in the Navy, excepting Surgeons serving on board Receiving Ships, Slop Ships, Convalescent Ships, and any other Ships than Hospital Ships employed only in Harbour Duty, shall, after twenty Years service on Full-Pay, including not more than three Years time as Hospital Mate, or Assistant Surgeon, be allowed Eighteen Shillings per Day; and after such length of Service, all Surgeons, in whatever Ships they may have served, shall have a claim to retire on a Half-Pay of Six Shillings per Day; but if the cause of their retirement shall be ill health, contracted in the service, and it shall be so certified by the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen, the rate of Half-Pay on such retirement after twenty Years actual Service, shall be Ten Shillings per Day.

That every Surgeon in the Navy, after thirty Years service on Full-pay, including not more than three Years as Hospital Mate, or Assistant Surgeon shall have an unqualified right to retire on Half-Pay, at the rate of Fifteen Shillings per Day.

That Medicines and Utensils shall be provided for the service of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels, at the expence of Government, in such proportions as shall from time to time, be arranged by the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen; but the Surgeons shall be required to provide, at their own expence, such Surgical Instruments as shall be judged necessary by the said Commissioners.

That Surgeons of Hospitals shall be selected from the List of Naval Surgeons. and shall be allowed Fifteen Shillings per Day on their first Appointment, and Twenty Shillings per Day, after having served ten Years in Hospitals: their Half Pay to depend on the length of their services, at the same rate as is proposed in regard to Surgeons of Ships.

That Surgeons of Hospitals, when not provided with a Residence within the Hospital, shall be allowed Fifteen Shillings per Week for Lodging Money.

In all cases, time served by Surgeons or Assistant Surgeons of His Majesty's Navy in Hospitals, to be added to and calculated with their time served on board ship.

That Surgeons of Naval Hospitals, of Dock Yards, of Royal Marine Infirmaries, being on the List of Naval Surgeons, shall, from completing the respective terms of twenty and thirty Years service, derive the same advantage as those who shall have served on board ship.

And whereas, at the present time, some of the Surgeons of Naval Hospitals may not have served on board Ship, it is proposed, that the advantage of this Regulation shall extend only to those already appointed, and that their Full-Pay and Half Pay and Retirement, shall be regulated by the time they have served, as in the case of those who have been employed on board Ship.

That no Person shall be appointed Physician to a Fleet, or an Hospital, who shall not have served as Surgeon at least five Years, the Daily Pay of a Physician, on his first appointment, to be One Guinea per Day ; his Half-Pay Half-a-Guinea per Day.

That when he shall have served three Years as Physician to a Fleet, or an Hospital, his Full Pay shall be One Guinea and a Half per Day; his Half Pay, Fifteen Shillings per Day.

That the Full Pay of a Physician, who shall have served in that capacity more than ten Years, shall be Two Guineas per Day; and his Half-Pay, One Guinea per Day.

That Physicians, when a Residence is not provided for them, shall be allowed One Guinea per Week for Lodging Money.

That the Physicians' and Surgeons' Widows be allowed such a Pension as the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty shall think it right to grant, in proportion to the time of their Husband's service.

That none of the Officers before-mentioned, who shall retire from their respective employments without the approbation of the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen, or who shall refuse to serve when called on, if judged capable of service, shall be allowed to receive Half-Pay, nor shall their Names remain on the Navy List. Their Widows will not, in consequence, be entitled to any Pension.

It is proposed that no Officer, of whatever description, shall be entitled to any of the advantages arising from this Regulation, who shall not have served during the present War, or shall have satisfied the Commissioners for Sick and Wounded Seamen of his inability to serve ; but that such Persons shall be permitted to remain on the same Establishment on which they now respectively happen to be.

^ back to top ^