#captain m

“The unofficial, yet commonly used, naval term ‘young gentleman’ referred to a commissioned officer-in-training. The appellation encompassed a variety of ratings including the entry-level positions of captain’s servant (before 1794) and 1st-class volunteer (after 1794), as well as the ratings of midshipman and master’s mate,” writes historian S.A. Cavell in her book Midshipmen and Quarterdeck Boys in the British Navy, 1771-1831.  She acknowledges that ‘young gentlemen’ were not necessarily gentlemen by birth, or very young (in her doctoral thesis research, candidates ranged in age from seven to fifty-eight), but typically, “the majority of officer candidates were between the ages of thirteen and twenty-two.”

It’s understandable that the short, youthful-looking Second Lieutenant Courtenay of The King’s Own is increasingly annoyed as the captain of an Indian pilot schooner keeps referring to him as a ‘young gentleman.’

"Very glad we agree upon that point, Captain M—— . Young Gentleman," continued he, addressing himself to Courtenay, “you'll oblige me by not coming to an anchor on my hen-coops. If you wish to sit down, you can call for a chair.”

“Rather annoying,” muttered Courtenay, who did not much like being called "young gentleman."

"A chair for the young gentleman," continued the captain of the schooner. "Starboard a little. [...] “You will now have an opportunity of beholding a very uncommon sight, which is the propitiatory dance to Shivu. There is no occasion for hurrying on so fast, young Gentleman,” continued the captain to Courtenay; "they will continue it till midnight.”

“How excessively annoying that 'captain of his own ship’ is," observed Courtenay to Macallan. "'Young gentleman!' As if he could not see my epaulet.” 

“And yet there is nothing particularly to be affronted about. You have a very youthful appearance, and surely you are not displeased at being called a gentleman.”

"Why, no; but that is the reason why I am annoyed, because I cannot take it up.” 

— Frederick Marryat, The King's Own

The French captain drew a pistol from his belt and levelled it at Captain M——, whose fate appeared to be certain; when, at the critical moment, a hat, thrown from the quarter-deck of the Aspasia, right into the face of the Frenchman, blinded him for the moment, and his pistol went off without taking effect.

“Capital shot, that, Willy!" cried M'Elvina, as he sprang from the hammocks with his sword.

“Willy, Sir.”

“And what is your other name?”

“King's Own, Sir.”

This part of the boy's history was now explained by the second lieutenant, who was in command, in consequence of the first-lieutenant being wounded.

“He must have a name,” replied the captain. “William King's Own will not do. Is he on the books?”

“No, Sir, he is not; shall I put him down as William Jones, or William Smith?”

“No, no, those are too common. The boy has neither father, mother, nor name, that we know of: as we may, therefore, have a choice of the latter for him, let it be a good one. I have known a good name make a man's fortune with a novel-reading girl. There is a romance in the boy's history; let him have a name somewhat romantic also.”

“Ay, ay, Sir,” replied the lieutenant, “here, marine, tell my boy to bring up one of the volumes of the novel in my cabin.”

The book made its appearance on the quarter-deck. “Perhaps, Sir, we may find one here,” said the lieutenant, presenting the book to the captain.

The captain smiled as he took the book. “Let us see,” said he, turning over the leaves— “'Delamere!' that's too puppyish. 'Fortescue!’ don't like that. 'Seymour!' Yes, that will do. It's not too fine, yet aristocratic and pretty. Desire Mr. Hinchen, the clerk, to enter him on the books as Mr. William Seymour, midshipman."

A little late, but I still wanted to share it.

These two are Beto and Honeybee (yes, that’s her name), two (sweet) bisexual characters of my comic ( Captain M)

Since I discovered webcomics, I just loved how much variety of love stories with different kinds of characters are out there… please, make even more I love to read it!

A little late, but I still wanted to share it.

These two are Beto and Honeybee (yes, that’s her name), two (sweet) bisexual characters of my comic ( Captain M)

Since I discovered webcomics, I just loved how much variety of love stories with different kinds of characters are out there... please, make even more I love to read it!