Landman (rank)
Encyclopedia
Landman was a military rank
given to naval recruits.
of the United Kingdom
in the middle of the 18th century (c.1757), the term Landman referred to a seaman
with less than a year's experience at sea. After a year, the Landman was usually promoted to the rank of Ordinary Seaman
.
Most were acquired by impressment (a common method of recruitment from c.1700-1815). Landmen were usually between the ages of 16 to 35, while seasoned sailors (who started as Ordinary Seamen) could be impressed up to the ages of 50 to 55 depending on need. In 1853, with the abolition of impressment after the passing of the Continuous Service Act, the rank's title was changed to Apprentice Seaman. The term Landman evolved into a more formal rating for a seaman
assigned to unskilled manual labor.
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
given to naval recruits.
United Kingdom
In the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the middle of the 18th century (c.1757), the term Landman referred to a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
with less than a year's experience at sea. After a year, the Landman was usually promoted to the rank of Ordinary Seaman
Ordinary Seaman (rank)
In the Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term ordinary seaman was used to refer to a seaman with between one and two years' experience at sea, who showed enough seamanship to be so rated by their captain...
.
Most were acquired by impressment (a common method of recruitment from c.1700-1815). Landmen were usually between the ages of 16 to 35, while seasoned sailors (who started as Ordinary Seamen) could be impressed up to the ages of 50 to 55 depending on need. In 1853, with the abolition of impressment after the passing of the Continuous Service Act, the rank's title was changed to Apprentice Seaman. The term Landman evolved into a more formal rating for a seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
assigned to unskilled manual labor.
United States of America
Landsman was the lowest rank of the United States Navy in the 19th and early 20th centuries; it was given to new recruits with little or no experience at sea. Landsmen performed menial, unskilled work aboard ship. A Landsman who gained three years of experience or re-enlisted could be promoted to Ordinary Seaman. The rank existed from 1838 to 1921.Further reading
- N.A.M. Roger. The Wooden World: An Anatomy of the Georgian Navy. W.W. Norton and Company, 1986.