Midshipman Collection

How to recognise rank in the Royal Navy-a wartime advert for Dunlop fort tyres. Date: 1941

H. M.s Curacoa 1865
Conflicts with the savages of the New Hebrides, South Pacific Ocean. H.M.S Curacoa shelling the native villages on the island of Tanna

The British Navy, 1837-1897, (early 20th century). Artist: TS Crowther
The British Navy, 1837-1897, (early 20th century). A print from a supplement of The Army and Navy Gazette, (London)

Naval Cadets. Admiral Sir Gerald Vaughan Gladstone (1901-1978). Gladstone Joined Royal Naval College, Osborne, May 1915 And Then Went To Dartmouth Naval College In January 1917

Illustration for Dombey and Son (colour litho)
667335 Illustration for Dombey and Son (colour litho) by Browne, Hablot Knight (Phiz) (1815-92) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Walters Arrival)

Midshipman, 1799. The young man is carrying a sextant which was used for making astronomical observations for navigating. Print by Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827). Aquatint

George, future Prince of Wales and later king George V, here aged 14,from The Strand Magazine, Vol I January to June
3432576 George, future Prince of Wales and later king George V, here aged 14,from The Strand Magazine, Vol I January to June, 1891 (engraving) by English School

Hendrik Swaardecroon (1718-1725), 1723. Creator: Hendrik van den Bosch
Hendrik Swaardecroon (1718-1725), 1723. Other Title(s): Portrait of Hendrik Swaardecroon (Hendrick Zwaardecroon), Governor General of the Dutch East Indies

The New Naval Uniforms, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The New Naval Uniforms, 1856. In...the Dress Uniform of the Admiral...there are to be three rows only of distinction lace on the sleeves; and the epaulets have lace straps with three stars

Gun-Room - Midshipmens Mess, Breakfast, H.M.S. "Caesar" - Baltic Fleet, 1856. Creator: Unknown
Gun-Room - Midshipmens Mess, Breakfast, H.M.S. "Caesar" - Baltic Fleet, 1856. Officers and men of the Royal Navy on board a warship during the Crimean War

Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Howard W. Baker, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Richard G. Colbert, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Richard G
Richard G. Colbert, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Wayne M. Brown, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Race F. Crane, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933
Strong Boozer, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

John J. Cosegrove, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. John J
John J. Cosegrove, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

John J. Cosegrove, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. John J
John J. Cosegrove, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Harry H.G. Barton, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Harry H.G
Harry H.G. Barton, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Harry H.G. Barton, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Harry H.G
Harry H.G. Barton, Midshipman - Portrait, 1933

Captain Newcome saying goodbye to old crew members
Captain Johnny Newcome saying goodbye to old crew members and veterans at Greenwich Hospital. Midshipmen in uniforms, peg-legged veterans with walking sticks

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. 1902?: midshipman and girl sitting beneath bell, (1902?)

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1901. Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1901. Midshipmen, class of 1902, incl. James O. Richardson, sit on Second Class Bench in semi-circle in front of Tripoli Monument

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis: 4 midshipmen carrying a man; crowd of guests along sidewalk, (1902?)

U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis: Learning the ropes, (1902?). Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis: Learning the ropes, (1902?). 4 midshipmen and instructor teaching them about ropes on ship

President Theodore Roosevelt reviewing Brigade of Midshipmen, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, 1902
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis: Pres. Theodore Roosevelt reviewing Brigade of Midshipmen, 1902, (1902?)

WW2 Midshipman And Royal Navy Boy
A pair of WW2 illustrations from a children's ABC book. The images portray boys dressed in Royal Navy uniforms, the left shows a Midshipman standing smartly on deck. Date: circa 1940

Jane Baxter
British actress Jane Baxter (1909-1996) appearing in a nautical production The Midshipman at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Date: 1931

Heroic midshipman carrying ammunition to British fighters
Heroic midshipman carrying ammunition to hard-pressed British fighters Date: 1916

Prince William Henry as midshipman Later King William IV
6266137 Prince William Henry as midshipman Later King William IV by English School, (18th century); (add.info.: Prince William Henry, 1765-1837, later William IV)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Aspirant de marine; Midshipman; Seecadett (engraving)
7194751 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Aspirant de marine; Midshipman; Seecadett (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aspirant de marine; Midshipman; Seecadett)

No. 5: Midshipman, February 15, 1799. Creator: Henri Merke
No. 5: Midshipman, February 15, 1799

Victoria Cross: Midshipman (afterwards Rear-Admiral) C D Lucas, RN, at Bomarsund, 1854 (colour litho)
6019789 Victoria Cross: Midshipman (afterwards Rear-Admiral) C D Lucas, RN, at Bomarsund, 1854 (colour litho) by English School

Memorial to Mr L G E Childers, lost on Board HMS "Captain"(engraving)
1057867 Memorial to Mr L G E Childers, lost on Board HMS " Captain" (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Memorial to Mr L G E Childers)

A Lad of Mettle (engraving)
1056830 A Lad of Mettle (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Lad of Mettle)

A Leap Year Dance at Yokohama given to the Officers of the British Squadron (litho)
1056217 A Leap Year Dance at Yokohama given to the Officers of the British Squadron (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Lieutenant-Colonel James Fynmore, RM (engraving)
1050484 Lieutenant-Colonel James Fynmore, RM (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Lieutenant-Colonel James Fynmore, RM)

A Shooting Trip at Vigo (engraving)
1061311 A Shooting Trip at Vigo (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Shooting Trip at Vigo)

Billy Culmer & the Goose, from Greenwich Hospital, a Series of Naval Sketches
2655423 Billy Culmer & the Goose, from Greenwich Hospital, a Series of Naval Sketches, Descriptive of a Life of a Man-of-Wars Man, pub

Midshipman Newcome transferred by rowboat to HMS Vanguard
Midshipman Newcome transferred by rowboat to the HMS Vanguard near Gibraltar. Johnny in disgrace sent to another ship. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Charles Williams

Midshipman Newcome bowing as he leaves dinner in the captains cabin, HMS Victory. Captain Spring, Admiral Hearty and other offiicers drink wine after dinner

Midshipman Newcome and Spunyarn drinking Malaga wine
Midshipman Newcome and Masters Mate Spunyarn drinking black strap or Malaga wine at the Navy Tavern, at the summit of Scud Hill, Gibraltar. Widow Cummings brings more wine, a monkey sits on a cannon

Midshipman Newcome meets crew from HMS Victory at Sally Port, Gibraltar. Masters Mate Spunyarn falls in the sea at the dock, a soldier guards the Sally Port

Royal Naval officers riding pigs in saddles through the market in Gibraltar. They knock over market stalls and sellers. Moors, Spanish and Jewish, scattering goods and wares. Market day - Gibraltar

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Midshipman, a rank in the Royal Navy that holds a rich history and significant importance. From H. M. S Curacoa in 1865 to the early 20th century, artists like TS Crowther captured the essence of these naval cadets. In Dombey and Son's illustration, we see a midshipman from 1799 carrying a sextant used for astronomical purposes. Even during World War II, midshipmen played crucial roles as seen with their heroic efforts in supplying ammunition to British fighters. Jane Baxter stands out as an example of women breaking barriers by becoming midshipmen. Notable figures such as Prince Albert and Prince William Henry also began their journeys as midshipmen before ascending to higher positions within the Royal Navy. Their experiences shaped them into future leaders. Recognizing a midshipman is not just about their uniform or insignia; it is about acknowledging their dedication, discipline, and commitment to serving at sea. Whether aboard majestic warships or training vessels, these individuals embody courage and resilience. The term "midshipman" carries with it tales of adventure on stormy seas and battles fought for king and country. It symbolizes young men and women who embark on extraordinary voyages of self-discovery while upholding traditions passed down through generations. In Le Vocabulaire Illustre's engraving titled "Aspirant de marine; Midshipman; Seecadett, " we witness the international recognition of this esteemed rank across different navies worldwide. The legacy of midshipmen lives on today as they continue to learn navigation skills, study maritime law, practice leadership qualities, all while preparing themselves for future responsibilities within the Royal Navy. So let us honor those who have proudly carried the title "midshipman" throughout history – brave souls who have sailed uncharted waters with unwavering determination – forever etching their names into the annals of naval excellence.