Master Gunner
Dating back to ancient times, monarchs have from time to time appointed Masters to specialize in their particular military duties. For example, there could be named a Master Trencher, a Master Wagoner, or in this case, a Master Gunner.
Since firearms were invented in 1364, there have been those who excelled in their use. However, marksmanship alone is not enough to become a Master Gunner. One must also be patient and organized, intelligent and practical. For the duties of the Master Gunner comprise more than just shooting better than everyone else.
The Master Gunner on a ship of war is responsible for all guns1, firearms, shot, powder, and other effects on board. S/he would be responsible for the gunroom, wherein all such equipment was kept. The Gunner should keep within the gunroom a sufficiency of prepared cartridges for all guns and firearms, and latten2 cases to carry them in that they not fire accidentally. It is the charge of the Master Gunner to ensure the stowage and battening of all guns, to ensure that they do not break loose and cause damage to the ship, even in the worst of weather. It is also the responsibility of the Master Gunner to keep record of all powder, shot, and ordinance on board ship, for review at any time by the Captain, and to ensure at all times the safety of the gunroom, that no flame enter therein except those candles fully enclosed within a lantern.
The Master Gunner is responsible for ensuring that all guns, both above and below deck, are sufficiently manned for discharge and service during battle. Therefore, the Master Gunner must hold accountable his/her own crew of gunner’s mates, who would be under his/her sole command while in action. It is also the responsibility of the Master Gunner to train all crew members in the competent use of all muskets and sidearms needed for the defense of the ship, and also to train the gunner’s mates in the firing of the guns. The gunner’s mates should also be trained in the preparation of cartridges for all sizes of gun and firearm on board, and in the proper cleaning and repair of guns and firearms.
In the Colorado Rogues this is a ship officer Rank.
1. On board a ship at sea, only cannons were referred to as guns. Any other projectile weapon was a firearm, be it musket, pistol, etc.
2. Latten – (Paraphrased from Wikipedia) thin sheets of copper alloys such as brass to be wrapped around a cartridge for protection.
Ref: Nathaniel Boteler: Six Dialogues about Sea Services. Between an High-Admiral and a Captain at Sea. Concerning the Commander in Chief … The Common Mariner … The Victualling out of Ships … The Names of all the Parts of a Ship … The Choice of the Best Ships of War … The Sailings, Signals, Chases and Fights …; By Nathaniel Boteler esq; lately a commander and a captain in one of His Majesties Royal ships of war. Moses Pitt, London, 1685. -8vo, 13x6.5 cm, (4), 404, (12) pp. Reprinted as NRS Vol. LXV in 1929. 8vo, xl, 342 pp, 7 plates. Seems to have been written in 1634. Relies heavily on the works by Smith and Mainwaring. Second edition in 1688.
