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Social history of the Royal Navy


stevenmh

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I need to do a presentation on the social history of the Royal Navy circa 1775-1825 for a class I am taking on Jane Austen - don't laugh, one of her books has significant characters who are RN officers, and 2 of her brothers were in the Navy - one (Francis) rose to the rank of admiral and was known to Nelson.  Can anyone suggest any resources which discuss the social classes of those who became officers, how they joined, were trained and educated, how their careers affected their social status or how their social status affected their careers?  Anything that gives some incite into who these men really were; a bonus would be any discussion on how the social backgrounds of naval officers differed from those of the army.

 

Thanks.

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Hi Steve;

 

Brian Lavery's book,  'Nelson's Navy'  sub-title 'The Ships, Men and organisation 1793-1815' has significant chapters and information on all ranks of Naval personnel.

 

I think that you will find a lot here. 

 

Happy speaking!

 

Mark P

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Thanks - especially for jumping right on this.  I will track down those books.

Current Build: HMS Terror 1:75

 

Completed:    USS Constitution Cross Section

                      Pride of Baltimore 1:64

                      USS Cairo Blue Jacket Ships

 

In the Yard:    Smoothbore Naval Deck Gun

                      Brig Syren

                      Medway Long Boat

 

 

 

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Steven,

Surely most officers came from families of "higher status" in the then current hierarchy, but there were some that worked their way to the quarterdeck from before the mast.  This following site would take a LOT of time to dig into but maybe take a look at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/royal-navy-officers-service-records-1756-1931/

Allan

 

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S.A. Cavell   "Midshipmen and Quarterdeck Boys in the British Navy 1771-1831"  Is an excellent source for the early lives of english naval officers. 

 

 

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Hi Steve,

 

It's a small world!  In 1997 my daughter Rebecca, a senior at the University of Michigan wrote a thesis titled Jane Austin and the Royal Navy.  If you google Rebecca Pellett + Jane Austin it is listed on the University's English Department website.  The key document that inspired her to write the thesis was a book of her letters that demonstrated that Miss Austin was very involved in her brothers' careers.  I think that the book was either Jane Austin's Sailor Brothers by John H. Hubback or Jane Austin's Letters by R.W. Chapman as both are listed in her bibliography.

 

In addition to the sources listed by others, The Command of the Ocean by N.A.M. Rodger also includes much on your topic.  It should be easy to find.

 

Roger

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Wow - it is a small world!  Thank you all very much.

Current Build: HMS Terror 1:75

 

Completed:    USS Constitution Cross Section

                      Pride of Baltimore 1:64

                      USS Cairo Blue Jacket Ships

 

In the Yard:    Smoothbore Naval Deck Gun

                      Brig Syren

                      Medway Long Boat

 

 

 

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Gary's suggestion above The Wooden World  is a very good one for your needs. For example, Chapter VII, Officers contains the following topics: A career at sea, Patronage and Promotion, Authority and Duty.

Greg

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Thanks for all the suggestions - it looks like the sources for this are rich.

Current Build: HMS Terror 1:75

 

Completed:    USS Constitution Cross Section

                      Pride of Baltimore 1:64

                      USS Cairo Blue Jacket Ships

 

In the Yard:    Smoothbore Naval Deck Gun

                      Brig Syren

                      Medway Long Boat

 

 

 

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