How do you trace a merchant seaman?

Sometimes the only way to track down a record of a seaman is to trace the records of the ships he served on….You can use the CLIP (Crew List Index Project) website to trace a ship by the:

1. ship’s name.
2. ship’s port of registration.
3. ship’s official number.

What did a merchant seaman do?

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.

Are merchant seaman in the military?

Merchant Mariners are not part of the military. Now, some of them run a number of ships that support the U.S. Navy, like the Henry J. Kaiser-class replenishment oilers and Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ships, as well as the sealift vessels like the Bob Hope-class vehicle cargo chips.

How much does a merchant seaman make?

The salary of a merchant marine varies by the training received. The median salary of a merchant marine is around $55,000, but the range of salaries can vary from $27,000 up to $120,000.

How many merchant seamen died in ww2?

30,248 merchant seamen
30,248 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two, a death rate that was higher proportionately than in any of the armed forces.

What does Able Seaman mean?

An able seaman is someone legally certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to perform on-deck duties aboard merchant vessels. This certification is required to crew vessels over 100 gross tons. An able seaman can work in a variety of marine industries and helps with vessel operations, maintenance and safety.

How long does it take to become a merchant seaman?

How long does it take to become a merchant seaman? It involves 26 weeks of classroom education and 360 days of sea time. The onboard maritime training reinforces and enhances the lessons learned in the classroom, so apprentices have many chances to get hands-on experience and put their new skills into action.

What is merchant job?

Function. Merchants purchase and sell goods in bulk that are purchased by end consumers or retail stores. In addition to storing goods, merchants also engage in some marketing, order processing, customer service and technical assistance.

Do Merchant Marines get military benefits?

They are considered veterans for VA benefits. We don’t often think of Merchant Marines as being eligible for veterans benefits. Currently, only those who served on sea duty during World War 2 are eligible.

Do Merchant Marines carry weapons?

“As merchant vessels, we do not carry arms. We have ways to push back, but we do not carry arms.” Some shipping companies, though, are moving beyond basic security training to include weapons instruction and other active defensive measures.

How can I find a record of a merchant seaman?

Sometimes the only way to track down a record of a seaman is to trace the records of the ships he served on. You can use the CLIP (Crew List Index Project) website to trace a ship by the: See our guide to Abbreviations in merchant seamen records for further help interpreting information in these records.

What kind of job does a merchant seaman have?

There are multiple types of merchant seamen positions, such as captain, deck officer and engineer positions. While all work together to assure safe and reliable transport, detailed job descriptions for these types of seamen vary.

Where can I find the roll of Honour for merchant seamen?

Search the Shipping and Seamen First and Second World War Rolls of Honour (BT 339) on Ancestry ( charges apply ). The Roll of Honour lists merchant seamen who died in service during the war or who were declared ‘missing, presumed dead’. The information in these records usually includes:

When was merchant seamen discharged from the Navy?

Merchant seamen who were discharged from the navy between 1940 and 1972 had their records filed in what became known as ‘seamen’s pouches’. Some of the seamen discharged during this period had been in service as far back as 1913 and the records reflect this.