I sometimes pop over to a geneology site, and have read about ancestors that served in the RN in the C19th and before. One thing that pops up is Prize Money. Now, I understand that prize money was paid for the capture of enemy ships, graded according to rank etc. But my understanding was that it was basically ended in 1918 (though it was limited by a previous piece of legislation from the late C19th). However, as the following article shows, the issue of prize was not so clear cut. Technically it still existed through WW2 though it did not go to individual sailors. Though this example concerns the RAAF I believe that basic situation was the same for the RAF and RN: RAAF Veterans' Residences Trust history: Royal Australian Air Force I'd love to know if anyone else has any other information about this subject
I have always been intrigued with prize money. Vast amounts of money were made during the 18th and 19th centurys by naval personnel and I am curious to know if relatives of these sailors currently enjoy their fore fathers spoils.
This is from the GWF ... they had a discussion about it not so long ago ..... Prize money is a reward paid to a ships crew for the capture or sinking of an enemy ship. The Royal Navy formed a “Naval Prize Fund” during the great war and all the prizes (with some exceptions) where lumped together and issued at the rate of 50/- a share to eligible personnel between 1920 and 1926. Typing prize court into the Gazette search engine brings up a few results (89) This is an excellent link for lots of information (ie: pay, prize money, shooting prizes, promotion etc etc) for the R.N. 1907 to 1949 London Gazette - Admiralty Extracts - Index During the Great War this was the distribution of shares; First Class.-Captain in Command. 80 Shares Second Class.-Captain not in Command, and Officers of equivalent Rank, and Commander in Command or serving as Second in Command in a Ship commanded by a Captain. 40 Shares Third Class.- Commander not in Command, and Officers of equivalent Rank, and Lieutenant-Commander in Command, or serving as Second in Command in a Ship commanded by a Captain. 30 Shares Fourth Class.- Lieutenant-Commander not in Command, and Officers of equivalent Rank, and Lieutenant in Command, or serving as Second in Command in a Ship commanded by a Captain. 25 Shares Fifth Class.- Lieutenant not in Command, and Officers of equivalent Rank, and Sub-Lieutenant, Mate, or Commissioned Warrant Officer, in Command. 20 Shares Sixth Class.-Sub-Lieutenant not. In Command, Mate, Commissioned Warrant Officer, and Officers of equivalent Rank, Warrant Officer, R.N., or R.N.R., in Command. 15 Shares Seventh Class.-Warrant Officer, R.N., and equivalent Ranks, and Royal Marine Gunner. 12 Shares Eighth Class – Midshipman, Clerk, Chief Petty Officer, Warrant Officer of Marines, Staff and Colour Sergeant of Marines, and equivalent Ranks and Ratings. 10 Shares Ninth Class.-Naval Cadet, Assistant Clerk, Petty Officer, Petty Officer 1st Class (O.S.), Sergeant of Marines, and equivalent Ranks and Ratings. 8 Shares Tenth Class.-Petty Officer 2nd Class (O.S.), Leading Seaman, Corporal and Bombardier of Marines, and equivalent Ranks and Ratings. 6 Shares Eleventh Class. – Able Seaman, Private Gunner and Bugler of Marines (after training), Second Head Krooman, Second Tindal, and equivalent Ranks and Ratings. 5 Share Twelfth Class.-Ordinary Seaman, Private, Gunner and Bugler of Marines (before completion of training), and equivalent Ranks and Ratings; Native Seamen and Stokers. 3 Shares Thirteenth Class.-Supernumeraries (except as provided in paragraph 6) and Canteen Attendants. 2 Shares Fourteenth Class – Boys. 1 Share
Boy- I sure am getting an education on this website. This is something else I had not heard of before. Keep this up and I will end up Prime Minister of Aussie Land oster_oops:
