i always thought that when they return from france bush was promoted to captain and got to skip commander (whic was possible, i think) because he was sent to the dockyard
Absolutely. The positions of Resident Commissioner at the dockyards were positions for captains, not commanders. They were basically given as rewards for service and as a safe place to finish out a career.
i've chalked up bush's sudden jump from dock to 74 as a case of naval nepotism, but one the admiralty were okay with since they knew he was quality material, despite the missing foot.
Naval nepotism for sure. I mean, the navy in that era was more merit based than the army, where commissions were bought and sold without any consideration as to actual military experience, but it still wasn't an open system by any stretch. Let's face it, this is the 18th century where patronage and influence determined where you went in life with some exception.
And clearly they thought Bush was competent enough or they wouldn't have left him in charge of the Nonsuch for a full year on his own while HH was recovering from the typhus.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2006-03-14 10:17 pm (UTC)Absolutely. The positions of Resident Commissioner at the dockyards were positions for captains, not commanders. They were basically given as rewards for service and as a safe place to finish out a career.
i've chalked up bush's sudden jump from dock to 74 as a case of naval nepotism, but one the admiralty were okay with since they knew he was quality material, despite the missing foot.
Naval nepotism for sure. I mean, the navy in that era was more merit based than the army, where commissions were bought and sold without any consideration as to actual military experience, but it still wasn't an open system by any stretch. Let's face it, this is the 18th century where patronage and influence determined where you went in life with some exception.
And clearly they thought Bush was competent enough or they wouldn't have left him in charge of the Nonsuch for a full year on his own while HH was recovering from the typhus.