Sailor's Pay

[major bill]

When campared to the Army, sailors were well paid. For example a seaman made $11-$20 per month, after 1862 $12.50-$21.50. An Army sergeant made $17 in 1861. Some senior Naval enlisted personnel made more per month than an Army Colonel.

Another example a Naval gunner at sea, with 12 years of service made $112 while an Army 2nd lieutenant made $105.

 

[AndyHall]

Part of the reason may have been that the Navy, in peace- and wartime, had to compete with the civilian merchant marine for experienced sailors, while the army had no counterpart in civilian life.

 

[major bill]

Part of the reason may have been that the Navy, in peace- and wartime, had to compete with the civilian merchant marine for experienced sailors, while the army had no counterpart in civilian life.

Good point.

 

[Brown-water Navy]

OFFICERS PAY Can you figure out who's complaining? Or to whom it was written?
Transcribed by me from a handwritten copy. Answers to follow.

U.S. Navy Yard
Portsmouth, N.H.
Nov r 1859

Dear Sir,

Excuse the liberty I take in addressing
you, but I feel that it is lost time to
Officers of the Navy to fear to intrude on
public men - having no one to represent
us, we must look at all those who
regulate the affairs of the Navy to aid
us in getting our rights.

You are aware, Sir, that a law
was passed four years ago, prohibiting
any further promotions until the list
was reduced to what it was before
the act of the retiring boards; and though
that law struck terror and dismay
to the hearts of those interested, they
never believed that it would stand
on the statute books after the effect of
it was well understood by American
Statesmen.

I am one of the sufferers by that
law; - but for that I should be a
Commander in the Navy, and though
it must be a very modest ambition
that could rest satisfied with so
small an advancement, still it is
better than holding a very subordinate
position at the age of nearly fifty
years.

I am no applicant for an increase
of pay, or for a lucrative position
If the country is satisfied that after thirty
years of hard and active service, an
officer (with a large family) can comply
with all the demands of the government
on a Salary (on duty only) of 1500, per
annum, I have nothing to say. - As
long as I hold a commission under the
government, it must in a measure be
responsible if I exceed my means in com-
plying with their (sometimes) exceptionable
orders - An Officer can't live in a
Sailor boarding house without loosing
caste with all decent people - his
actual pay will allow him to live in
no better position.

Since my connection with the
Navy, I have not had to depend entirely
on the government for a support; my
private means having been expended while
doing my duty to the government.

I ask you, Sir, is this just ?
Shall it be said that the United States
sends its officers abroad without means
to support their family at home, or to
make a decent appearance while away
from the Country - All this we can't help
and the country is responsible for it, -
but though we a have a right to our rank
which has been witheld from us,- not
from any fault of ours, but because some
who were deemed unfit for the service
were promoted by the very act intended
for their punishment, verifying the old
adage that " it is an ill wind that blows
no one good" -

You, Sir, hold a prominent
position in the Naval Committee

I think you are too much of
a statesman to be opposed to the Navy,
and I take the liberty of asking your
assistance to get the law repealed
stopping the promotion of Naval Officers.

Our rank Sir, is the only thing
we have left to live upon,

Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt,

 

[Colonel_USAF]

We must be looking at different pay charts. I see the rate for a Recruit Seaman as $12 going to a Senior Petty Officer a5 $45. How does this beat a Colonel at $212?

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this interesting story. Enjoyed reading it.

 

[Lubliner]

When campared to the Army, sailors were well paid. For example a seaman made $11-$20 per month, after 1862 $12.50-$21.50. An Army sergeant made $17 in 1861. Some senior Naval enlisted personnel made more per month than an Army Colonel.

Another example a Naval gunner at sea, with 12 years of service made $112 while an Army 2nd lieutenant made $105.

Could this be a reason?

"I must beg leave respectfully to call your attention to the circumstances of this ships company. They are getting very much discontented at the length of the cruise….Since they came on board in 1858 they have had liberty on shore but once for twenty-four hours."
Captain Adams, U. S. Navy senior officer present off Pensacola, May 1, 1861, U. S. S. Sabine. [Series 1, Volume 4, pg. 158--O. R. N.].

And guess where the money goes.
Lubliner.

 

[Carronade]

When campared to the Army, sailors were well paid. For example a seaman made $11-$20 per month, after 1862 $12.50-$21.50. An Army sergeant made $17 in 1861. Some senior Naval enlisted personnel made more per month than an Army Colonel.

Another example a Naval gunner at sea, with 12 years of service made $112 while an Army 2nd lieutenant made $105.

A 2nd lieutenant could be fresh out of West Point, although in peacetime he could languish in that rank for several years. During the war, he might have been appointed to the rank with no training or experience at all. It's not unreasonable that a 12-year veteran might be of comparable value to his service.

I don't know what senior enlisted were making when I was a Navy ensign; but a twelve-year man, first class or chief petty officer, was probably worth as much as me