Jackspeak of the Royal Canadian Navy

Petty Officer

The rank of Petty Officer dates from the eighteenth century in the Royal Navy. It was not then a rank, but an appointment, made by individual ship's captains. The usual practice was for a captain to choose his Petty Officers from his best seaman. Usually, the master-at-arms, the armourer, the sail-maker and the ship's cook were all Petty Officers. The term itself is from French, "petit officier" meaning small or minor officer. The rank of Chief Petty Officer first appeared in the Royal Navy in 185
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Added: 2014-11-01 Last modified: 2014-11-01