#purser

cfo dump ft. the other ones

There's a bit of a "stereotype" in fandom that it's always the asexual people that write the nastiest smut fanfiction. That's me, except almost everything I write is vanilla, lol. Regardless, as an asexual person who has always been seen as "innocent", it definitely seems out of character for me to write this kinda stuff. Also I know there's probably no demand for it anyway but please do not ask to see any of this said fanfiction, I know it may not seem like it from this post but I actually do give somewhat of a shit about my digital footprint lol. Also there's a lot of minors on here and I'm friends with some minors IRL (I have no romantic or otherwise bad intentions with them, please don't flame me) and I don't wanna expose them to that stuff lol

CHARACTERS:

Max - no fandom, just me irl lol

Frank Thorney - Witch (Jen Silverman) (mentioned)

Cuddy Banks - Witch (mentioned)

Captain - Anything Goes (mentioned)

Portrait of Thomas John Chew, by unknown c. 1820 (x)

Thomas John Chew sailed as purser on the USS Constitution from 1 June 1812 to 26 September 1812. He was on board when the ship captured HMS Guerriere on 19 August 1812 and was awarded a Congressional Silver Medal for his actions and service and shared with the crew $50,000 in prize money. After acting as purser of the Boston Navy Yard for a time, he transferred to USS Chesapeake. He was on board that vessel during the battle against the HMS Shannon on June 1, 1813. According to some accounts, Chew supported the mortally wounded Captain James Lawrence as he uttered his famous last command: "Don't give up the ship." Chew was taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia as a Prisoner of War after the battle, but was quickly exchanged. We went on to serve as purser on board several other US Navy ships as well as for the New York Navy Yard. He resigned from the Navy on March 12, 1821. He died in 1846.

Chew’s shirt, 19th century (x)

The purser was the ship's commercial agent, purser, grocer and storekeeper all in one. His duties, which required a high degree of organisation and business acumen, included keeping the ship's pay and muster rolls and paying the officers and crews.

His trousers, 19th century (x)

He was responsible for procuring and issuing provisions to the crew. In addition, the purser ran a ship's shop where the men could buy clothing, hygiene articles, utensils, knives, ribbons, needles, thread, mustard, chocolate, coffee, tea, sugar and tobacco. In order to keep track of everything, the purser had to keep detailed accounts in accordance with naval regulations. During a battle, the purser was stationed in the cockpit to help the surgeon dress the wounded. He received $40.00 per month and two rations per day.

The red suspenders, 19th century (x)

But it was not only the pay of the purser that was enticing, but also the opportunity to make large profits by selling clothing and supplies to the crew at sea. Since there was no competition and the 450 men and boys aboard a frigate represented a steady market, there was room for extraordinary profits.

His stays, c. 1810-1820 (x)

“Well,” said Bob Cross, “what’s the ticket, youngster, — are you to go abroad with me?”

“No,” said I; “I am to stay on shore with that old chap, who does nothing but bob his head up and down. Who is he?”

“That’s our nipcheese.”

“Nipcheese!”

“Yes; nipcheese means purser of the ship — you’ll find all that out by-and-by; you’ve got lots to larn, and, by way of a hint, make him your friend if you can, for he earwigs the captain in fine style.”

— Frederick Marryat, Percival Keene

Our Episode 8 song was "Ways in Which You Are Like Traveling" by Purser. You can check their music out on their website.

Corbin Bleu as Billy Crocker (w/ Ben Gunderson as Purser &Olly) in Arena Stage's all-new production of Anything Goes.