On 13Aug2020 1922, xxxxxx@gmail.com wrote:
>
> Surprising a bit also on ground that Age of Sail only slightly
> predated Warrant Officers who may have actually been around in the
> latest parts of the era that included fighting under sail.
>
> I suppose ignoring them made for a cleaner two tier officer/enlisted
> division and avoided some sorts of divergent options (or the US-style
> third tier between E ranks and O ranks).
They were a very important part of the RN in the age of sail, especially
before the RN's officers became careers professionals. The warrant
officers were the ones who actually knew how to operate and look after
the ship and crew. They were required to be literate and numerate, and
were well-paid experts. They included the surgeon and ship's master, as
well as the boatswain, carpenter, and senior gunner. Even the surgeon's,
boatswain's, etc.'s mates were (junior) warrant officers to start,
though they were also petty officers.

--
Rupert Boleyn <xxxxxx@gmail.com>