Examples of Warrant Officers Passing Certificates
Source: 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 ParisWm Baker ] Gunner of the [ TemèraireJno ?Frell? .] [ Prince GeorgeJosph Hawkins ..Teacher of the Mathematics |
Source: 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 pursuantto 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 ofWar and smaller Vefsels ----- from the DownsThrough the Channel to the Westward and Pilot into Spithead through the Needles and Into Plymouth Sound. .. We have the honor to beMy Lords, .. Your Lordships most obedient Servants,. (Five signatures)To . The Right Honourable the Lords Comissfsionersof the Admiralty. |
Source: 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 CaptainClinch 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: 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 |
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Curacoa |
Wm Broughton |
18 May 43 |
Capt Fore Top |
4 Sep 47 |
Paid off |
4 |
4 |
3 |
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Bellerophon |
R. L. Baynes |
28 Oct 47 |
Capt Main Top |
6 Nov 50 |
Paid off |
3 |
0 |
4 |
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St. George |
Josph Nias |
7 Nov 50 |
Captains Coxswain |
30 Mar 52 |
Serving |
1 |
5 |
5 |
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.. . 11 7 9 |
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.. He produces Certificates of servitude, ability, and good conduct from Captains Stopford, Burgoyne, Broughtton, Baynes and Niasand 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: 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, 1877Candidates 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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