Royal Navy: Progression from Clerk to Purser in 1803?

[Stephen J F Plowman]

I am trying to see if I have joined the dots correctly regarding my ggg-grandfather.

Ancestry/National Archives have a record of a James Pottinger for the period 30th September 1797 to 31st August 1803;

30th Sept 1797 to 11th Mar 1798  = Able (seaman)
12th Mar 1798 to 19th Apr 1802 [paid off] = Clerk
13th Dec 1802 to 31st Mar 1803 = Mid(shipman)
1st Apr 1803 to 31st Aug 1803 = Clerk

From the Navy Lists of 1814 and 1826, a James Pottinger is listed as a Purser with a first warrant dated 29th August 1803.

Is it logical to conclude that it was a natural progression to move from a Clerk to a Purser?

[crimea1854]

He does seem to have pursued a rather unusual career path. The following is pure supposition on my part, but I wonder if he took his Lieutenants Board when a Midshipman and failed. This would have meant another two years as a Midshipman before he could re-sit the Board. Given the choice between two further years as a Midshipman and going back to being a Clerk, perhaps he opted for the latter, particularly since Mids’ weren’t paid!

The progression from Clerk to Purser is a logical one, and for the unscrupulous, one that could reap rich rewards.

Martin

[km1971]

According to Wiki Pursers paid £65 for the warrant. They were not paid but took 5% commission of everything the bought for the ship.

I think Martin has it right. You could confirm it by checking the crew list for his second period as a Clerk to see what rank is given.

Ken

[Stephen J F Plowman]

Having now done a bit more research, it appears that someone wishing to be a Purser had to serve at least one year as a Clerk.

On a recent visit to the National Archives I found his Warrant dated 29th August 1803 in ADM 6/28;

"James Pottinger of good testimony to be Purser of the Kite, former arrested."

I now wonder what happened to his predecessor?