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From: "W.F. Stephens" <>
Subject: Re: [LDR] Ship's Master vs. Captain
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 14:17:37 -0500
References: <41BC8CE5.2060405@att.net>


I believe captain is a later term applied to the person in overall charge of
running the ship. It is still the title for the "captain" of a merchant
vessel. Even naval vessels at one time had masters, or sailing masters, who
were quite often civilians, even though the vessel was under the operational
control of a captain or other officer rank. The captain directed the master
where to maneuver the vessel, but not neccessarily how to do it, while the
captain directed the combat functions of the vessel. At some point,
probably with the adoption of steam power, the navigation of naval vessels
fell to naval officers in most cases.

Owners of merchant vessels may been aboard may aboard their vessels, but the
navigation was left to the master. In the absence of the owner, the master
acted in his stead, which is generally the case today.

On naval vessels, the officer in command is referred to as the captain
regardless of rank. Even merchant vessel masters are referred to as
"captain" although they are more properly called "master", and so designated
on their licenses.

Woody Stephens
----- Original Message -----
From: "Liz" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 1:24 PM
Subject: [LDR] Ship's Master vs. Captain


> Can any of you mariners/historians out there describe the difference
> between the ship's master and the captain in the early 17th century. Was
> the master "over" the captain? I notice in early records they always cite
> the ship's master and not usually the captain. Thanks in advance. Liz
>
>
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