ordinary-seaman

Updated: May 15, 2025

But then, this Belfast man, although he had shipped for an able-seaman, was not much of a sailor; and that always lowers a man in the eyes of a ship's company; I mean, when he ships for an able-seaman, but is not able to do the duty of one. For sailors are of three classes able-seaman, ordinary-seaman, and boys; and they receive different wages according to their rank.

Herman Melville - Redburn. His First Voyage