Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
The assertion that the naval Master was primarily responsible for the ship's combat strategy and tactics is accurate.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The Master's primary responsibilities centered on navigation and ship handling, whereas the Captain held ultimate command, including combat strategy and tactics.
The duties of a naval Master encompassed daily navigation, determining the ship's position, and meticulously recording log entries.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. Key responsibilities of the Master included precise navigation, charting the vessel's position, and maintaining official log records of voyages and conditions.
In medieval English warships, the Master held command over both the ship's mariners and any embarked soldiers.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is inaccurate. While the Master commanded the ship's mariners, any embarked soldiers were under the command of their own designated captain.
The designation 'Master Mariner' specifically denotes the highest-ranking commissioned officer tasked with navigation within a naval fleet.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. 'Master Mariner' is a historical term referring to the person in charge of a non-military vessel, akin to a sea captain, and does not denote a specific naval rank.
In the Royal Navy, the Master's principal responsibility encompassed the ship's overall command and strategic deployment.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The Master's primary duties were navigation and ship handling; overall command and strategic deployment rested with the Captain.
During the Age of Sail, what constituted the primary responsibility of a naval Master?
Answer: Navigating the vessel and managing its sails and helm.
Explanation: The Master's principal duties during the Age of Sail were centered on the navigation of the ship, including determining its position, plotting courses, and managing the sails and steering mechanisms.
In medieval English warships, who was responsible for commanding the company of embarked soldiers?
Answer: Their own captain.
Explanation: On medieval English warships, which were often hired merchant vessels, the embarked soldiers were commanded by their own designated captain, distinct from the ship's Master.
What was the fundamental distinction in responsibilities between the Captain and the Master in the Royal Navy during the Age of Sail?
Answer: Captain commanded the ship and its strategy; Master handled navigation and sailing.
Explanation: The Captain held overall command, dictating strategy and tactics, while the Master was responsible for the practical execution of navigation and the sailing of the vessel.
Which of the following was NOT enumerated as a primary duty of a naval Master?
Answer: Commanding the ship during naval battles.
Explanation: Commanding the ship during naval battles was the responsibility of the Captain, not the Master, whose duties focused on navigation and ship handling.
During combat operations, where was the Master typically stationed?
Answer: On the quarterdeck, alongside the captain.
Explanation: The Master was typically stationed on the quarterdeck, adjacent to the Captain, to ensure close coordination and provide navigational input during combat.
Historically, the term 'Master Mariner' refers to:
Answer: The person in charge of non-military nautical vessels.
Explanation: The term 'Master Mariner' historically denotes the individual responsible for commanding non-military nautical vessels, often equivalent to a sea captain.
The rank of Master in the Royal Navy was renamed 'navigating lieutenant' in 1867, signifying its transition to a commissioned officer status.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. In 1867, the Royal Navy underwent a significant reform, renaming the Master rank to 'navigating lieutenant' and elevating it to commissioned officer status.
The rank of Master in the Royal Navy was entirely abolished in the year 1741.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. While significant changes occurred throughout naval history, the rank of Master in the Royal Navy was not abolished in 1741. Its abolition and transformation occurred much later.
Following the reforms instituted by Henry VIII, the Master in the Royal Navy was elevated to the status of a commissioned officer rank.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Henry VIII's reforms established the Master as a warrant officer, appointed by the Council of the Marine, responsible for sailing the ship under the captain's direction, rather than a commissioned officer.
Masters in the Royal Navy were typically advanced from the ranks of boatswains or gunners.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. Masters in the Royal Navy were generally promoted from the ranks of master's mates, quartermasters, or midshipmen, or recruited from the merchant service, rather than directly from boatswains or gunners.
A prospective Master in the Royal Navy was required to pass a written examination administered by the Navy Board.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Prospective Masters in the Royal Navy underwent an oral examination administered by Trinity House, typically involving a senior captain and three Masters, not a written examination by the Navy Board.
The 'Second Master' rating in the Royal Navy was instituted to provide assistance to the Master on smaller vessels.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The 'Second Master' rating was established for first-, second-, or third-rate ships-of-the-line, serving as a deputy Master or commanding smaller vessels that did not warrant a warranted Master.
Masters in the Royal Navy were granted permission to dine in the wardroom and were provided with dedicated cabin space commencing in 1808.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. In 1808, Masters, along with Pursers and Surgeons, were granted warrant officer status of wardroom rank, allowing them to dine in the wardroom and receive dedicated cabin accommodations.
The number of sailing Masters in the Royal Navy experienced a significant increase between 1840 and 1860, attributed to improved remuneration.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The number of sailing Masters in the Royal Navy actually decreased significantly between 1840 and 1860, partly due to less favorable pay and privileges compared to executive officers.
The Admiralty commenced the process of phasing out the title of Master in the Royal Navy around the year 1892.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The Admiralty began phasing out the title of Master after 1862, and no Masters were warranted after 1883, with the last retiring in 1892. The process began earlier than stated.
The ranks of staff commander and staff captain were instituted in the Royal Navy in 1863 and 1864, respectively, as integral components of the transition that ultimately superseded the Master rank.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. The introduction of staff commander (1863) and staff captain (1864) were key steps in the Royal Navy's reorganization that led to the phasing out of the traditional Master rank.
The Royal Navy commenced issuing Masters a specific, distinct uniform in the year 1787.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. While warrant officers of wardroom rank received a uniform in 1787, Masters did not receive their own specific uniform until 1807.
Identify the pivotal event that signified the transition of the Master rank in the Royal Navy to a commissioned officer status and resulted in its renaming.
Answer: The establishment of the 'navigating lieutenant' rank in 1867.
Explanation: The year 1867 marked a significant transformation, as the Master rank in the Royal Navy was converted into a commissioned officer rank and subsequently renamed 'navigating lieutenant'.
Following Henry VIII's reforms, by which body was the Master in the Royal Navy appointed?
Answer: The Council of the Marine (later Navy Board).
Explanation: After Henry VIII's reforms, the Master in the Royal Navy was appointed by the Council of the Marine, which later evolved into the Navy Board.
In the Royal Navy, the 'Second Master' rating was primarily established for what purpose?
Answer: Serving as a deputy Master on first-, second-, or third-rate ships-of-the-line.
Explanation: The 'Second Master' rating was instituted for first-, second-, or third-rate ships-of-the-line to serve as a deputy to the Master, or to command smaller vessels lacking a warranted Master.
What significant change occurred in 1808 concerning the status of Masters in the Royal Navy?
Answer: They received uniforms similar to commissioned officers and could dine in the wardroom.
Explanation: In 1808, Masters were granted warrant officer status of wardroom rank, entitling them to dine in the wardroom and receive dedicated cabin space, aligning their status more closely with commissioned officers.
Factors contributing to the decline in the number of sailing Masters in the Royal Navy between 1840-1860 included:
Answer: Increased responsibilities assumed by executive officers and lower pay/privileges.
Explanation: The reduction in sailing Masters was influenced by executive officers increasingly assuming navigational duties and the Master's comparatively lower pay and privileges.
The ranks of 'staff commander' and 'staff captain' were introduced in the Royal Navy as part of what process?
Answer: The transition away from the traditional Master rank.
Explanation: The introduction of staff commander and staff captain ranks was part of the Royal Navy's broader reorganization efforts that led to the eventual phasing out of the traditional Master rank.
The Master rank in the United States Navy was established as a commissioned officer rank from its inception in 1794.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. Upon its establishment in 1794, the Master rank in the United States Navy was designated as a warrant officer position, not a commissioned officer rank.
In the United States Navy subsequent to 1819, the Master rank held a superior position relative to the rank of Lieutenant.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. In the United States Navy after 1819, the Master rank was positioned below Lieutenant but above passed midshipman or ensign.
The rank designated as 'Master Commandant' in the U.S. Navy was renamed 'lieutenant' in 1837.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. In 1837, the rank of 'Master Commandant' in the U.S. Navy was renamed 'commander,' while the sailing master rank itself was renamed 'master'.
Post-1855, Masters in the U.S. Navy were predominantly appointed from the ranks of graduates of the Naval Academy.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. Following 1855, individuals who had graduated from the Naval Academy and achieved the rank of passed midshipman were appointed to the Master position in the U.S. Navy.
Both the commissioned officer rank of Master and the warrant officer rank of Master were maintained in the U.S. Navy until their consolidation into the current rank of lieutenant, junior grade, on March 3, 1883.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. The U.S. Navy retained both commissioned and warrant officer designations for Masters until they were merged into the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, in 1883.
In the U.S. Navy, Masters began wearing sleeve stripes analogous to those of lieutenants, junior grade, commencing in 1877.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. While Masters in the U.S. Navy did wear sleeve stripes, the specific design similar to lieutenants, junior grade, was adopted in 1881, not 1877. In 1877, their insignia changed to a silver bar.
What was the initial status of the Master rank upon the formation of the United States Navy in 1794?
Answer: A warrant officer rank, positioned below lieutenants.
Explanation: Upon its establishment in 1794, the Master rank in the United States Navy was classified as a warrant officer position, situated below the commissioned rank of lieutenant.
From 1837 until 1883, how was the Master rank classified within the United States Navy?
Answer: As a commissioned officer rank.
Explanation: Between 1837 and 1883, the Master rank in the United States Navy was considered a commissioned officer rank, a significant elevation from its initial warrant officer status.
In the U.S. Navy subsequent to 1819, which rank was positioned directly above the Master?
Answer: Lieutenant
Explanation: Following 1819, the rank of Lieutenant was positioned directly above the Master in the United States Navy's hierarchy.
In which year was the U.S. Navy rank of 'Master Commandant' renamed 'commander'?
Answer: 1837
Explanation: The rank of 'Master Commandant' in the U.S. Navy was renamed 'commander' in the year 1837.
What rank insignia did Masters in the U.S. Navy wear starting in 1881?
Answer: Sleeve stripes with gold lace.
Explanation: Commencing in 1881, Masters in the U.S. Navy wore sleeve stripes composed of gold lace, similar to the insignia for the rank of lieutenant, junior grade.
Throughout its history, the rank of Master in the Imperial Russian Navy was consistently classified as a petty officer position.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is incorrect. While Masters were initially rated as petty officers, the rank was later elevated, ranking above sub-lieutenants and below lieutenants following the British model after 1733.
In the Imperial Russian Navy, promotion to lieutenant for meritorious Masters was contingent upon their noble status.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. Promotion to the commissioned rank of lieutenant for Masters in the Imperial Russian Navy was generally restricted to individuals of noble birth.
The Spanish navigation corps, known as the 'Cuerpo de Pilotos,' theoretically conducted its training at naval academies situated in Madrid.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The 'Cuerpo de Pilotos' was theoretically trained at navigation schools known as 'Real Colegios Seminarios de San Telmo,' located in Seville and Málaga, not Madrid.
Eligibility for admission to Spanish navigation schools encompassed individuals of any racial background, provided they met the gender and age criteria.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is incorrect. Strict eligibility requirements were enforced, excluding individuals of 'colored' descent, among other criteria, from admission to Spanish navigation schools.
In the Royal Swedish Navy, the 'ansvarsstyrman' was responsible for the ship's armament and overall crew discipline until 1868.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The 'ansvarsstyrman' (responsible navigator) in the Royal Swedish Navy was primarily responsible for navigation, steering, anchors, and ballast, not armament or general crew discipline.
The navigation corps established in Russia in 1827 was tasked with hydrographic surveys and was commanded by officers holding military ranks.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Russian navigation corps founded in 1827 was responsible for hydrographic services and was led by officers who held military ranks.
The Spanish navigation schools, identified as 'Real Colegios Seminarios de San Telmo,' primarily focused on the instruction of naval gunnery officers.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. The 'Real Colegios Seminarios de San Telmo' were dedicated navigation schools for training sailing masters ('Cuerpo de Pilotos'), not gunnery officers.
The Imperial Russian Navy abolished the rank of Master in 1741, subsequently promoting officers to ensign ranks.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. In 1741, the Imperial Russian Navy abolished the Master rank, promoting existing Masters to lieutenant and second masters/master's mates to ensign.
The Spanish navigation corps was abolished in 1846, integrating its members into the general naval officer corps.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. The Spanish navigation corps was dissolved in 1846, with its remaining members incorporated into the broader naval officer corps.
In the Royal Swedish Navy, the sailing master's role transitioned to managing navigation stores following the year 1868.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. After 1868, the navigation responsibilities in the Royal Swedish Navy were transferred to a commissioned officer, and the sailing master's role shifted to managing navigation stores.
In the Imperial Russian Navy, what was the prerequisite for a Master to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant?
Answer: Being of noble birth.
Explanation: Promotion to the commissioned rank of lieutenant for meritorious Masters in the Imperial Russian Navy was generally contingent upon the individual possessing noble status.
What significant change occurred in the Imperial Russian Navy in 1741 concerning the Master rank?
Answer: The rank was abolished, with officers promoted to lieutenant or ensign.
Explanation: In 1741, the Imperial Russian Navy abolished the rank of Master. Officers holding this rank were promoted to lieutenant, and second masters and master's mates became ensigns, facilitating the promotion of commoners to sea officer positions.
Under the Pauline reforms in Russia, which rank corresponded to a Master of VIII Class?
Answer: Lieutenant Commander
Explanation: Within the framework of the Pauline reforms in Russia, Masters of VIII Class were assigned the rank equivalent to Lieutenant Commander.
What was the designated name of the Spanish navigation corps?
Answer: Cuerpo de Pilotos
Explanation: The Spanish navigation corps, responsible for training sailing masters, was officially known as the 'Cuerpo de Pilotos'.
Which of the following constituted a strict eligibility requirement for admission to Spanish navigation schools such as the 'Real Colegios Seminarios de San Telmo'?
Answer: Being of non-colored descent and not Romani.
Explanation: Strict racial and ethnic criteria were enforced for admission to Spanish navigation schools; applicants had to be of non-colored descent and not Romani, among other exclusionary clauses.
To attain the position of 'pilotín' (master's assistant) in 18th-century Spain, an individual was required to:
Answer: Complete three voyages in Europe and one to America, plus pass an exam.
Explanation: Aspiring 'pilotínes' in 18th-century Spain needed to complete specific maritime voyages—three within Europe and one to America—and subsequently pass a specialized examination.
What occurred with the Spanish navigation corps in the year 1846?
Answer: It was abolished and its members integrated into the sea officer corps.
Explanation: In 1846, the Spanish navigation corps was abolished, and its remaining members were integrated into the general naval officer corps, typically with the rank of sub-lieutenant.
Until 1868, what position did the 'ansvarsstyrman' hold within the Royal Swedish Navy?
Answer: Senior warrant officer of the sailing branch, in charge of navigation.
Explanation: Until 1868, the 'ansvarsstyrman' in the Royal Swedish Navy served as the senior warrant officer of the sailing branch, holding primary responsibility for the vessel's navigation and related duties.
When was the Russian navigation corps abolished, and to whom were its responsibilities transferred?
Answer: 1885, to the executive corps of the navy.
Explanation: The Russian navigation corps was abolished in 1885, with its duties subsequently transferred to the executive corps of the navy.
Within the Royal Navy's hierarchical structure, the Master held a rank considered equivalent to that of a commissioned lieutenant.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is incorrect. While the Master held significant responsibilities, their rank was typically that of a senior warrant officer, ranked with but subordinate to commissioned lieutenants.
Within the Royal Navy, a 'master's mate' held a rank senior to that of the Master.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate. A master's mate was a subordinate rank from which individuals could be promoted to Master; it was not senior to the Master.
Within the Royal Navy, how was the Master's rank positioned relative to that of a lieutenant?
Answer: Ranked with, but subordinate to, a lieutenant.
Explanation: In the Royal Navy, the Master was ranked with commissioned lieutenants but held a subordinate position, reflecting their status as a senior warrant officer.
Following the obsolescence of the Master rank, lieutenants who had qualified in navigation were denoted by a 'circle N' designation within the Navy List.
Answer: True
Explanation: This statement is accurate. Lieutenants qualified in navigation were marked with an 'N' enclosed in a circle ( N ) in the Navy List after the Master rank was phased out.
What factor contributed to the gradual disappearance of the distinct Master's role in the Royal Navy after 1867?
Answer: All lieutenants were mandated to pass the same navigation examinations as navigating lieutenants.
Explanation: The integration of navigation training meant that all lieutenants were required to pass examinations equivalent to those for navigating lieutenants, leading to the absorption of the specialized Master's role into the general officer corps.
After the Master rank was phased out, how were lieutenants qualified in navigation identified in the Navy List?
Answer: With an 'N' in a circle ( N ).
Explanation: Lieutenants who had successfully passed their navigation examinations were distinguished in the Navy List by the notation of an 'N' enclosed within a circle ( N ).