1860 London Occupation - Mariner

[rbringwood]

Can anyone tell me anything about the occupation "Mariner" listed on a marriage certificate from 1860. The person in question lived in Gale Street in the parish of Newington, LONDON. I'd be interested to know whether he would have been in the armed forces, or in the merchant navy. Can anyone suggest where would be the best place to look to find more infomation about him?
Many thanks,
Richard.

[jorose]

If he signed up to the navy any time after 1853, you might find him on this database.

I think 'mariner' usually referred to somebody in the merchant navy, but I don't think it was ever 100% (and some people were in both, of course!).  If you can find this man in censuses it might clear things up, as his occupation might be listed clearly as Merchant Navy or by a Royal Navy rank such as Able Seaman.

Tracking merchant navy records might be difficult UNLESS he was already working in the merchant navy 1857 and before, in which case the National Archives have some registers:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/merchant/step4.htm

[rbringwood]

Thanks for you help.
Unfortunately I've been unable to find him in the 1861 census, and by the time of the 1871 census, his occupation had changed to "Turncock Kent Water Works".

[keith110639]

My Great Great Grandfather Matthew Southwell Vine was a Master Mariner as he was a merchant ship owner. In 1861 census he was on board his ship in Caen with his son then 16. In 1871 John Henry my Great Grandfather had married and was not on the census but his wife is listed as Mariners Wife. I think he must have been away at sea. In 1881 he was at home listed as Master Mariner (Matthew had died in 1878) so he must have taken over the family owned ship. In 1891 he was away again, then in 1901 he was back but now 54 listed as a Painter so he had given up going to sea. I have been trying to trace the history of the ship but without much success.