Talk:Quartermaster

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[edit] Propose a split

This page seems too jumbled to me, and I don't see a way to un-jumble it without splitting. My proposal is something like this: 1) page Quartermaster (army) with various armies, 2) page Quartermaster (navy) with various navies, 3) page Quartermaster (scouting), 4) page Quartermaster (civilian), and 5) a dab or short summary page. Any feelings? Haus42 02:54, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

I don't recommend splitting up the page because of the limited topic. I think it just needs better organization. --Ehrentitle 03:09, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

I did a quick reorganization by usage first, then by nation as necessary. I don't have any strong feelings about it -- just trying it out. Haus42 03:24, 21 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Remove stub status?

The article now seems to be at least Start class to me, as it deals in some detail with many different aspects of the topic. Time to declassify it as a stub? Pirate Dan 19:52, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

I'm still seeing this article as three disjoint articles that happen to lie on the same page. One, I'd say, is start class, and the other two are stubs. But you're right: whatever it is, it's certainly not a stub. Cheers. Haus^Talk 14:14, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Origins of the term Quartermaster in the Navy

I believe that the term "Quartermaster" is simply the standard third tier rank after master. Master -> Master's Mate -> Quartermaster. If it is derived from "master of the quarterdeck", what is Quartergunner derived from? A Quartergunner ranks below a Gunner's Mate, who ranks below the Gunner of the ship. See William Falconer's Dictionary of the Marine, for example (http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/1013.html)

Furthermore, the english-speaking sailing navies used the word "captain" a lot: captain of the maintop, captain of the afterguard, gun-captain, etc. Master referred only to the Sailing Master, as far as I know, so I would have expected a "captain of the quarterdeck" rather than "master of the quarterdeck".

Is this perhaps a more modern back-formation in the US Navy? Anklefear (talk) 23:01, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

I removed the sentences "In the United States Navy, the term is used quite differently. The title derives from "master of the quarterdeck", the quarterdeck being the deck where the helm was situated and navigation was generally performed." pending a citation. A lot of navy history is "oral tradition" and I'm pretty sure I've bumped into this one before. Please do insert your referenced etymology. Cheers. Haus^Talk 16:15, 31 March 2008 (UTC)