The Genesis of the Naval Profession

The emergence of the naval officer was related to the necessities of naval warfare and the structure of society on land. Originally warships were manned by two ... » 

The emergence of the naval officer was related to the necessities of naval warfare and the structure of society on land. Originally warships were manned by two separate sets of commanders - soldiers skilled in fighting, and 'tarpaulins' of humbler social origin skilled in navigation and sailing. Elias traces the onboard conflicts between them. «