Midshipman extraordinary
Encyclopedia
Midshipman extraordinary originally referred to an officer in the Royal Navy
below the rank
of post captain
who was paid as a midshipman
until he could find another ship. Later it referred to a rating
for graduates of the Royal Naval College
in Portsmouth, who could not find a post as a midshipman.
was introduced for all officers in the early part of the 18th century, the term fell out of use.
which was reserved for their use. Midshipman Extraordinary was revived in 1830s for graduates of the Royal Naval College who were not rated as a midshipman by their ship's captain. The Admiralty
would appoint the volunteer Midshipman Extra and he would replace a seaman on board the ship. By 1842, midshipmen extraordinary were merged back into the ranks of midshipmen.
Royal 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...
below the rank
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...
of post captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
who was paid as a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
until he could find another ship. Later it referred to a rating
Naval rating
A Naval Rating is an enlisted member of a country's Navy, subordinate to Warrant Officers and Officers hence not conferred by commission or warrant...
for graduates of the Royal Naval College
Royal Naval Academy
The Royal Naval Academy was established at Portsmouth Dockyard as a facility to train officers for the Royal Navy. The founders' intentions were to provide an alternative means to recruit officers and to provide standardised training, education and admission.-Training:In 1773, a shore side...
in Portsmouth, who could not find a post as a midshipman.
Original usage
A midshipman extraordinary, or midshipman extra, was an officer ranked master, lieutenant, or captain, whose ship had been paid off but who would be paid as a midshipman until he could find another ship. After half-payHalf-pay
In the British Army and Royal Navy of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, half-pay referred to the pay or allowance an officer received when in retirement or not in actual service....
was introduced for all officers in the early part of the 18th century, the term fell out of use.
Royal Naval College graduate
Prior to 1816, graduates of the Royal Naval College were posted to ships as midshipman ordinaryMidshipman ordinary
Midshipman ordinary, or midshipman-by-order, refers to a obsolete rating for prospective officers in the British Royal Navy. The rating was specifically applied to graduates of the Royal Naval Academy who had earned their sea time in a classroom instead of serving at sea.-History:In 1729, the...
which was reserved for their use. Midshipman Extraordinary was revived in 1830s for graduates of the Royal Naval College who were not rated as a midshipman by their ship's captain. The Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
would appoint the volunteer Midshipman Extra and he would replace a seaman on board the ship. By 1842, midshipmen extraordinary were merged back into the ranks of midshipmen.