Merchant Navy - Cert of Discharge question

[British Kiwi]

Hi
My Uncle had the attached certificate of conduct and discharge in his possession and I've attached a photo of it. William John Phillips born in Whitstable is my Greatx2 Grandfather and I am a little confused about this document. I know that in 1901 he is listed as a coal trimmer so I am confused about the ship master. Is he also the master? I can't believe he would sign his own document, is it just a coincidence? I know that his name isn't unique. I know his occupation in 1901 is a coal trimmer so I never thought he would have been Master.
Many thanks

[seaweed]

If you look closely at Certificate of Discharge, you will see that your man's rank for this voyage is Mate.
This would mean that he was effectively second in command.
The reason for him signing in place of the Captain can be explained quite simply. The Captain may have died or been taken ill. He may have been on other business or drunk and incapacitated!
The 1869 logbooks and crew agreements for ARROW Official number 20837 in particular the one covering 8 January, which is the one you want, are stored in Newfoundland.
You can get hold of a copy from.
https://www.mun.ca/mha/holdings/viewcombinedcrews.php?Official_No=20837

These documents should reveal the true reason for him signing his own Certificate of Discharge.
The Shipping Master was probably the Harbour Master at Bristol but may have been the Captain of ARROW you can verify from the L/B and C/A.

[British Kiwi]

Thank you very much for that explanation. I will see if i can track down these logs.