I mean the midshipmen had to pass an exam, and if you didn't know ANYTHING you weren't going to pass, so a theory of incompetence might be applicable there, although you could be a good practical sailor and not be good at tests, etc. AND THERE IS NO QUESTION that if you were the son of the Duke of Earl or whoever that your exam evaluation could EASILY be different from Joe Schmoe the blacksmith's son.
But the idea that a lack of influence couldn't hold an officer back? *makes a big long line of those Japanese emoticons too*
And HH does have Pellew as his de facto patron/mentor/whatever who has juice of his own on different levels.
Interestingly in Parkinson's fictional biography, "Life and Times of HH"? Here is what he says about influence and advancement when he talks about how Bush came to get his appointment as Flag-Captain.
The chief difficulty at the outset arose from Hornblower wanting to have Bush as Captain of the Nonsuch. It was pointed out to him that Bush had only just been promoted Commander and that his first command as Captain -- when he was made post -- would be a sloop not a ship of the line. The compromise reached in the end was for Hornblower to have the nominal command of the Nonsuch and for Bush to be posted as supernumerary with the rank of captain. This allowed Bush to command the ship -- except for the purpose of signing documents -- while creating much jealousy among other Commanders. Here was a one-legged man commanding a seventy-four who had never so much as commanded a frigate! There could be no more shameful example of partiality and interest. All that can be said in Hornblower's defence is that Bush justified his promotion, which might have come sooner had he not been Hornblower's follower.
When in fact we all KNOW it was because the Admiralty knew they had been dating since that night in the Long Rooms. XD
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2006-03-14 09:16 pm (UTC)But the idea that a lack of influence couldn't hold an officer back? *makes a big long line of those Japanese emoticons too*
And HH does have Pellew as his de facto patron/mentor/whatever who has juice of his own on different levels.
Interestingly in Parkinson's fictional biography, "Life and Times of HH"? Here is what he says about influence and advancement when he talks about how Bush came to get his appointment as Flag-Captain.
The chief difficulty at the outset arose from Hornblower wanting to have Bush as Captain of the Nonsuch. It was pointed out to him that Bush had only just been promoted Commander and that his first command as Captain -- when he was made post -- would be a sloop not a ship of the line. The compromise reached in the end was for Hornblower to have the nominal command of the Nonsuch and for Bush to be posted as supernumerary with the rank of captain. This allowed Bush to command the ship -- except for the purpose of signing documents -- while creating much jealousy among other Commanders. Here was a one-legged man commanding a seventy-four who had never so much as commanded a frigate! There could be no more shameful example of partiality and interest. All that can be said in Hornblower's defence is that Bush justified his promotion, which might have come sooner had he not been Hornblower's follower.
When in fact we all KNOW it was because the Admiralty knew they had been dating since that night in the Long Rooms. XD