At a guess, it would depend from ship to ship. But, alas, I don't know for sure. I always had the vague notion that acting lieutenants had their own place, but passed midshipmen berthed with the middies -- thinking about it more, though, I'd say it was probably the same for both ranks, but I don't know what that arrangement would be.
I've been under the impression acting-lieutenants mess in the wardroom, but it's possible I'm mistaken. Maybe they berth with the midshipmen and mess with the lieutenants? Not sure. Sorry not to be of more help! Most of this is just what I've inferred/assumed based on the series.
I think acting lieutenants had their own cabins off the wardroom with the actual commissioned lieutenants and the Master - that's the impression I get from watching both Hornblower and M&C, at any rate
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I would concur from what I have read over the years with all the above from Sharpiefan.
What I am not sure about, given the difference between frigates and the larger ships of the line was the Indy's history. I was trying to find again a reference for a diagram I know I have seen, is in what ways the Indy might have differed as she was a razee. I know that somewhere there is a proper diagram of a 64,which is what the Indy was formerly, and how exactly if affected the structure when they were cut down. If I find it again I will post the reference. I have often thought that, if one is attempting a secret shipboard - er- relationship, on anything less than a ship of the line one is daring indeed. But then they were of course...! Nothing if not daring in all senses, our heroes!
nodbear I wondered about the implications of the Indy being a razée too. If you remove the upper gun deck does that have implications for living quarters? It's also got me wondering how many men you need on a 38 razée as opposed to a 68. If you do ever find that diagram I'd love to see it.
I have often thought that, if one is attempting a secret shipboard - er- relationship, on anything less than a ship of the line one is daring indeed. I know it's hard to believe but, for once, my motives for asking these questions were entirely pure! Incidentally on the notorious HMS Africaine one of the places for "assignations" was the chains. The chains! I ask you!
Thanks sharpiefan that more or less confirms what I thought :) Although I didn't know that frigate officers used the gunroom rather than a wardroom. That's definitely useful information.
Still can't think of where original diagram is - fairly sure it may be at Portsmouth and will attempt to find out- but if you comapare the stuff that the NMM has online it shows I think that were indeed two decks of staterooms as it were - and I think therefore that did affect what accommodation there was
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Aubreyad examples...yllaApril 2 2010, 16:43:31 UTC
There's definitely a comment about one of the midshipmen's 'former messmates' when he becomes an acting lieutenant in the Surprise - since it's an appointment to a specific vacancy, I suppose he inherits the free lieutenant's cabin.
And there's another later on about two older passed midshipmen making up a small mess of their own (with the captain's clerk and the assistant surgeon) 'away from the more usual and more turbulent midshipmen in their teens' - but for them maybe it would depend more on the ship and the other people, and whether they're still simply midshipmen, or rated as master's mates?
There are deckplans for the frigates Trincomalee and Surprise, if you haven't seen those.
Re: Aubreyad examples...anteros_lmcApril 2 2010, 17:05:52 UTC
Hi ylla :) That's really useful info, thanks very much. Interesting about the passed midshipmen making up their own mess, that does make sense. As does an acting lieutenant inheriting the free lieutenants cabin.
And thanks for the deckplans of the Trincomalee and Surprise I hadn't seen those before. One can never have to many deckplans! Thanks again.
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I've been under the impression acting-lieutenants mess in the wardroom, but it's possible I'm mistaken. Maybe they berth with the midshipmen and mess with the lieutenants? Not sure. Sorry not to be of more help! Most of this is just what I've inferred/assumed based on the series.
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As in "hey, want to come over to my place?" ;) *hugs*
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What I am not sure about, given the difference between frigates and the larger ships of the line was the Indy's history. I was trying to find again a reference for a diagram I know I have seen, is in what ways the Indy might have differed as she was a razee.
I know that somewhere there is a proper diagram of a 64,which is what the Indy was formerly, and how exactly if affected the structure when they were cut down.
If I find it again I will post the reference.
I have often thought that, if one is attempting a secret shipboard - er- relationship, on anything less than a ship of the line one is daring indeed.
But then they were of course...!
Nothing if not daring in all senses, our heroes!
Reply
I have often thought that, if one is attempting a secret shipboard - er- relationship, on anything less than a ship of the line one is daring indeed.
I know it's hard to believe but, for once, my motives for asking these questions were entirely pure! Incidentally on the notorious HMS Africaine one of the places for "assignations" was the chains. The chains! I ask you!
Reply
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And there's another later on about two older passed midshipmen making up a small mess of their own (with the captain's clerk and the assistant surgeon) 'away from the more usual and more turbulent midshipmen in their teens' - but for them maybe it would depend more on the ship and the other people, and whether they're still simply midshipmen, or rated as master's mates?
There are deckplans for the frigates Trincomalee and Surprise, if you haven't seen those.
Reply
And thanks for the deckplans of the Trincomalee and Surprise I hadn't seen those before. One can never have to many deckplans! Thanks again.
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