Staff structure
Learning to be an officer
Ships` officers usually began their careers as cadets or
apprentices. Alfred Holt`s Blue Funnel Line borrowed a naval term
and called its cadets `midshipmen`. Cadets received very little in
the way of pay, and had to provide their own uniforms and working
clothes. They were often given the same jobs to do as seamen, and
were also expected to study for their officer`s certificates. Some
cadets saw themselves as being little more than slave labour.
However, as potential officers they themselves would one day be
asking men to do all manner of jobs at sea. It was an enormous
advantage if they had done those jobs themselves. 
 Cadets on the deck of `Carthage` |
Most respectable shipping companies would carry three or so
cadets or apprentices on each of their ships. However, some
companies had dedicated cadet ships, in which these trainees
replaced the seamen. These ships also had classrooms where the
cadets were taught about navigation and seamanship.
|
