Hello Mark.
The reporter got carried away with that one. The Rank of Commander and Leutenent Commander only existed in the Royal Navy. The Term 'Commander' was sometimes used simply to describe the person who was in supreme command of the vessel.
From 1852, British Merchant Navy ranks were as follows: 2nd Mate, Only Mate, First Mate and Master.
Much later and during the time of Titanic, examinations for Cerificate of Competency were as follows:
Master (Home Trade or Foreign Going) Mate (HT or FG) 2nd Mate (HT or FG). In normal circumstances, mostly in cargo or cargo-passenger vessels, there would be a master, 1st Mate, 2nd Mate and 3rd Mate. There might also be an uncertificated 4th Mate and anything up to 6 Apprentices and/or Cadets.
If, during a voyage, the 3rd Officer position became vacant, the 4th Mate and/or a Cadet or Apprentice would be temporarily promoted to fill the post. (happened to me when I was 18).
Normally an officer held the certificate superior to his rank.
In the early days, a lad could obtain a Master (FG) Certificate by the age of 22 but that was rare.
Later; from first going to sea school until passing the modern Master Mariner's Certificate, the normal period was not much less than 10 years and was so, right up until the 1990s,
During this time, a person would spend 2.5 years ashore in formal education, at least 4 years of correspondence examination and pass three extremely gruelling formal examinations lasting at least one week.
In the 60's, even a Bsc in Nautical Sciences did not exempt a Candidate from sitting his very first step-up certificate..2nd Mate's (FG) exam.
As for the Certificate of Extra Master. It was always a voluntary qualification which did not guarantee a superior position on board a ship.. The level of knowledge required to pass the Extra Master's Exam up until the time of Titanic was less than that required for a modern Mate (FG) Certificate. But as Dave points out, after then, the level of academic knowledge required to pass for Extra Master, particularly mathematics based subjects, soared. The Extra Master Exam was abolished in 1990.
To give you and ohers an idea, here is an extract from the examination for Certificates of Competency (MS Act 1854) :
"13. An EXTRA MASTER’S EXAMINATION is voluntary, and intended for such persons as wish to prove their superior qualifications, and are desirous of having certificates for the highest grade granted by the Board of Trade.
IN NAVIGATION.-As the vessels which such masters will command frequently make long voyages, to the East Indies, the Pacific, &c., the candidate will be required to work a lunar observation by both sun and star, to determine the latitude by the moon, by Polar star off the meridian, and also by double altitude of the sun, and to verify the result by Sumner’s method. He must be able to calculate the altitudes of the sun or star when they cannot be observed for the purposes of lunars-to find the error of a watch by the method of equal latitudes-and to correct the altitude observed with an artificial horizon.
Foreign-going Ship.
He must understand how to observe and apply the deviation of the compass; and to deduce the set and rate the current from the D.R. and observation. He will be required to explain the nature of great circle sailing, and know how to apply practically that knowledge, but he will not be required to go into the calculations. He must be acquainted with the law of storms, so far as to know how he may probably best escape those tempests common to the East and West Indies, and known as hurricanes.
IN SEAMANSHIP.-The extra examination will consist of an inquiry into the competency of the applicant to heave a ship down, in case of accident befalling her abroad; to get lower masts in and out; and to perform such other operations of a like nature as the Examiner may consider it proper to examine him upon.
Jim C.
