Examples
of Warrant Officers Passing Certificates
Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 6/127 Gunners
1769-97
In this series of
three the original documents are bound up into volumes. These are in rough
alphabetical and year order. All appear to have been hand written, but form a
general common wording and requirements.
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These are to certify the
Right Honble The Lords Commifsioners
for prosecuting the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland
&c. That in my pursuance of directions from Charles Vroby
Esqr, Commifsioner of his
Majestys Navy at Chatham. We have examined Mr Jno
Williams in the Articles ordered by their Lordships for the examination of
persons previous to their being appointed to serve as Master Gunners in his
Majestys Sea Service and humbly report as follows. He is in Vulgar and Decimal
Arithmetic, the Excractions of the Square and the
Cube Roots, and in practical problems of Geometry and Plane Trigonometry. 2nd. He is
capable of knowing when a Cannon is truly board and not Honey-Combed 3rd. He knows
how to Dispart a Cannon so as to Direct it justly
to the place aimed at. 4th. He knows
how to tertiate or round the thicknefs
of the Metal of a Cannon at the Touch Hole, Trunnions
and Muzzle. 5th. He knows
how to adjust a shot to a Cannon, and a due proportion of Powder 6th. He is
capable or judging of height and Distances especially at sea. 7th. He is able
to find the weight of a Cannon, and knows the names and denominations
thereof, and the names of the particular parts of them, the dimensions of
their bore, shott for them and the weight of the shott. |
Over the page:-
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8th. He knows
when the Trunnions of a Gun are placed justly in
the Carriage, whether the carriage itself is fit and of a due length for the
gun, and whether the trucks are eaqually high and
revert or return equally quick. 9th. He knows
the length and fortifications of a Cannon of each sort and size,
and how many persons will be necefsary to attend
each piece in time of Service. 10th. He knows
how to charge and discharge a piece of Ordnance readily and artist like, and
how to spunge the same and to muzzle and secure it
in bad weather. He has produced to us
certificates from the several Commanders he has sailed under, of his care,
sobriety, and obediance to command, He has also
produced a certificate from the Navy Office of his having served Four Years,
twelve months, one week and five days
in his Majestys
Navy. We therefore humbly certify
our opinion that he is a person fitly qualified to be appointed a Master
Gunner of any of his Majestys Ships of War of the Third Rate Given under our
hands this 25th day of July 1794. T. Harrison
.]
[ Ville de Paris Wm Baker
]
Gunner of the
[ Temθraire Jno ?Frell?
.]
[ Prince George Josph Hawkins
..Teacher of the Mathematics |
Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 6/140 Masters
Surnames beginning Ca-Ce c.1800-50
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In total this
series numbers 33 boxes. Of those seen these contain loose papers bound
together for individuals. As well as the passing certificates themselves, there
can be a substantial amount of correspondence attached. For this exercise only
a passing certificate is shown:-
E.F. Cavell 1836
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Trinity House, London,
5th July 1836 My Lords,
.We beg to report that pursuant to your Lordships Request as signified
by Sir John Barrrows Letter
of the 29th Ultimo, We have examined Mr Edwd F. Cavell, and find him qualified to take Charg as Master of any of His Majestys Sloops of War and smaller Vefsels ----- from
the Downs Through the Channel to the Westward and Pilot into Spithead through the Needles
and Into Plymouth Sound.
..We have the honor to be
My Lords,
..Your Lordships most obedient Servants,
.(Five signatures) To
. The Right Honourable the Lords Comissfsioners
of the Admiralty. |
Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 6/120 Pursers
1813-20
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This volume
contains these documents bound up and in rough alphabetical order. Most are
hand written, but a small minority are on printed forms.
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These
are to certify that, pursuant to an Order from Sir
Richard Bickerton, Bart. Admiral of the Blue,
Commander in Chief, &c. &c. &c. &c. To us directed, we have examined Mr. George Simmonds as to his Qualifications to discharge the
Duty of a Purser in the Royal Navy, and we find, by Certificates which he
as produced from Captain Clinch of His Majestys
Ship Osprey that he has served as a Clerk the full Time required by
the Regulations and Instructions to His Majestys Service at Sea, Sect. 4,
Cap. 2, Art. 16. that he is well versed in all the Rules of common
Arithmetic, that he understands the Method of keeping the Books and Accounts
of His Majestys Ships, so far as they relate to Victualling Accounts; that
he is acquainted with the Manner of calculating the various Species of
Provisions, and the Substitutes for them, required for Victualling His
Majestys Ships, as well as the Method of receiving and issuing Provisions,
Slops, and Tobacco, and of making up a Pursers Accounts for Examination in
the Victualling Office; and that he appears to us to be duly qualified to
discharge the Duty of a Purser in the Royal Navy.
..Given under or Hands, on Board His Majestys Ship Gladiator,
in
.Portsmouth Harbour, the 8th
Day of June 1814
Geo Harries .Purser of the
..Afsistance
N Mitchell
.Purser of the
...Gladiator
James ?Giles? Purser of the
.Valiant . . Examined in my Presence,
.Captain. Robt. D. Oliver |
In this case there is also a certificate of
service written across the margin:-
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Pearl |
21 March 1807 |
2 June 1807 |
] ] ] Clerk ] ] ] |
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Imogen |
3 June 1807 |
21 May 1808 |
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???? Bahan |
22 May 1808 |
2 Aug 1808 |
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Vesuvius |
16 April 1809 |
15 April 1810 |
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Osprey |
17 June 1810 |
28 July 1812 |
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In France |
28 July 1812 |
28 May 1814 |
Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 13/83 - Boatswains
1851-55
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These forms are
filed alphabetically. It should also be noted that there is a section at
the rear that also contains passings for carpenters.
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FORM
FOR THE PASSING CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION FOR
A BOATSWAIN. Pursuant
to an Order from Sir
No A. Ommanney K.C.B. Admiral of the White,
.Commander-in-Chief, &c. WE,
whose Names are hereunto subscribed, have examined Mr. William White Touching
his qualifications to serve as a Boatswain in Her Majestys Fleet, and we
find as follows: He Appears to be Thirty one years of age, and to have served in the Ships
and qualities undermentioned, viz.- . |
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Ships |
Captains |
Entry |
Quality |
Discharge |
Cause
of Discharge |
Time |
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Y. |
M. |
W. |
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Talbot |
R.F. Stopford |
5 Apl
40 |
AB |
15 Apl
42 |
Paid off |
2 |
0 |
13 |
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San Josef |
C.A. Burgoyne |
9 Aug 42 |
AB |
17 May 43 |
To Curacoa |
- |
10 |
3 |
|
Curacoa |
Wm Broughton |
18 May 43 |
Capt Fore Top |
4 Sep 47 |
Paid off |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
Bellerophon |
R. L. Baynes |
28 Oct 47 |
Capt Main Top |
6 Nov 50 |
Paid off |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
St. George |
Josph Nias |
7 Nov 50 |
Captains Coxswain |
30 Mar 52 |
Serving |
1 |
5 |
5 |
|
..
.11 7 9 |
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..He produces Certificates of servitude, ability, and
good conduct from Captains Stopford, Burgoyne, Broughtton, Baynes and Nias and has served in the Navy as required by the Queens
Regulations, to qualify him to receive a Boatswains Warrant.
..He is in every respect a thorough practical Seaman;
he understands perfectly the Rigging of Ships according to the Regulations of
the Navy; he knows how to stow and secure the Anchors, how to erect and
secure Sheers, how to get Tops on and off the Lower Masts; he can write
sufficiently well to keep a rough account of his Stores, in clear and
intelligible writing, and understands the use of Figures; and after full
examination we deem his to be perfectly competent to fill the Station of a
Boatswain in one of Her Majestys Ships.
..Has pafsed a
very good examination
.
.Given under our hands, this 30th day of March, 1852 Candidates Signature at full length.
William White In the presence of
.Arthur Lowe
..Captain
of Her Majestys Ship
.Impregnable
..J.K. Martyn
Master of Her Majestys Ship
.
....Impregnable
..J. Hyde
Boatswain of Her Majestys Ship
...Impregnable
..Thos Jasper
Boatswainr of Her Majestys Ship
.....St. George
..Lawrence
Boatswain of Her Majestys Ship
..
Magicienne |
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Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 13/250 Gunners
1864-87
These forms are filed alphabetically.
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FORM
FOR THE PASSING CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFICATION IN SEAMANSHIP FOR
A GUNNER.
..PURSUANT to an Order from Rear
Admiral A.F.R. de Horsey we, whose Names are hereunto subscribed, have
examined Henry James Bratton touching his qualifications to serve as a
Gunner in Her Majestys Fleet, and we find as follows:
..He produces a First Class Certificate as
Seaman Gunner from H.M.S. "Excellent" He Appears to have served in the Ships and
qualities undermentioned, viz.- |
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Ships |
Captains |
Entry |
Quality |
Discharge |
Character |
Time |
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Y. |
D. |
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Impregnable |
N.N.N. Hewitt |
22 July 63 |
Boy 2cl |
4 Nov 64 |
Very Good |
1 |
117 |
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Sharpshooter |
H. Clavering |
15 Nov 64 |
Boy 2cl |
26 Jan 65 |
Very Good |
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73 |
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Spider |
E.A. Stubbs |
27 Jan 65 |
Boy 2cl |
20 June 65 |
Very Good |
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145 |
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11June 65 |
Boy 1cl |
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Sharpshooter |
R. Hare B. Bay |
21 June 65 |
Boy 1cl |
3 Sept 68 |
Good to Dec 65 V Good remainder |
3 |
76 |
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Blair Hamilton |
5 June 67 |
Ordy |
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27 Oct 67 |
AB |
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Cambridge |
F.A. Foley |
4 Sep 68 |
AB |
16 Nov 69 |
Very Good |
1 |
74 |
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Zealous |
F.A. Hulme |
17 Nov 69 |
AB |
23 April 73 |
Good to 31 Dec 70 VG remainder |
3 |
159 |
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Excellent |
H. Cleveland |
24 April 73 |
AB |
24 Feb 74 |
V. Good |
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307 |
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Albatross |
Ernest Rice Commr |
25 Feb 74 |
AB |
Still serving |
VG & Exe |
3 |
215 |
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4 Oct 74 |
Lg Seamn |
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27 July 75 |
2C M Top |
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..He produces Certificates of servitude, ability, and
good conduct from Captains and has served in the Navy as required by the
Regulations, to qualify him to receive a Gunners Warrant.
..He is a good practical Seaman; he has a fair
knowledge of Working and Manoeuvring Ships, the effect of the helm, &c.,
is acquainted with the rules to be observed respecting lights, to avoid
collision, and is competent if required to take charge of a watch. After full
examination, we deem him to be perfectly competent to fill the Station of a
Gunner in one of Her Majestys Ships, provided he passes the necessary
examination for Gunnery on board one of H.M. Gunnery Ships.
.Given under our hands, this Twenty Seventh day
of September, 1877 Candidates Signature at full length.
Henry James Blatton
In the presence of
Fred Bedford....Captain of Her Majestys Ship
..
.Shah
..B.S. Jackson
..Staff Commander of Her Majestys Ship
...
..Shah
..R. Hutson
Gunner
of Her Majestys Ship
...Shah
..Thos Murray
..Gunner of Her Majestys Ship
...Opal
..John Smith
..Gunner of Her Majestys Ship
Fantome |
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