Purser.

Repro ID: PW4971

Description: To become a purser, a man had to have served at least one year as a captain's clerk, helping the captain with his correspondence and records. The purser was in charge of the stores and accounts on board ship. He was not well paid but had many opportunities to cheat the seamen by embezzling the crew's food. Dishonest pursers could become quite rich.

Creator: Thomas Rowlandson [artist]; Merks [engraver]; R Ackermann [publisher]

Date: 15th Feb 1799

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London