Search results
The British Merchant Navy is the collective name given to British civilian ships and their associated crews, including officers and ratings. In the UK, it is simply referred to as the Merchant Navy or MN.
- 1835 – present
- Civil
- 10th Largest;, 30 Million Gross Registered Tonnage, 40.7 Million Deadweight Tonnage
The British Merchant Navy comprises the British merchant ships that transport cargo and people during times of peace and war. For much of its history, the merchant navy was the largest merchant fleet in the world, but with the decline of the British Empire in the mid-20th century it slipped down
People also ask
What is the British Merchant Navy?
Why did King George give the name 'Merchant Navy'?
What did the British merchant navy do in WW2?
What happened to the British Merchant Navy?
The British Merchant Navy, known simply as the Merchant Navy, is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign, and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The following equivalent ratings in the Merchant Navy were those officially recognised by the National Maritime Board for British Merchant Navy ocean-going cargo vessels carrying up to six passengers in 1919, 1943, and 1964. They are listed in ascending order of seniority.
Deck DepartmentEngine Room DepartmentCatering DepartmentSecond Cook & Baker (60-89 white crew or ...Boatswain's Mate Lamptrimmer Painter ...FiremanBaker (60-89 white crew or 75-112 mixed ...Launchman Water TenderAssistant Engine Room Storekeeper Greaser ...Second Cook (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed ...Boatswain Boatswain's Mate (large ...Diesel Engine Greaser Donkeyman ...Baker (90+ white crew or 113+ mixed crew) ...The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force and a component of His Majesty's Naval Service. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against France.
- 1546; 477 years ago
- King Charles III
The title 'Merchant Navy' was granted by King George V after the First World War to recognise the contribution made by merchant sailors. Britain's merchant fleet was the largest in the world during both world wars. In 1939, a third of the world's merchant ships were British, and there were some 200,000 sailors.
Merchant seamen crewed the ships of the British Merchant Navy which kept the United Kingdom supplied with raw materials, arms, ammunition, fuel, food and all of the necessities of a nation at war throughout World War II — literally enabling the country to defend itself.