Early 19th century print from HM Customs & Excise photographic collection.

Let us, for instance, take the case of one of these men. He enters the Royal Navy, say, as a lad of sixteen, and, after medical examination and production of certificate of good character, he is passed into one of the training ships.

After about eighteen months he is sent to sea as a 1st class boy, and on arriving at the age of eighteen, he is rated an "ordinary seaman", his pay being 1s. 3d. per diem and rations. If he is a smart lad, and has taken pains with his work in the training ship, he passes at eighteen for an A.B.

From that time many rates are open to him - such as T.M. (trained man), S.G. (seaman gunner. After eight years continuous good character, he is eligible for Coastguard, and then, no matter what his rating afloat - even though he is a chief petty officer - if he enters the Coastguard he begins afresh at the bottom of the ladder as a boatman. He has to serve about five to seven years in this rating at three shillings and forpence per diem, if wearing two good conduct badges, which is generally the case.