Joseph Conrad's Master's Certificate.

Repro ID: H1746

Description: From 1851, the Board of Trade, concerned about the level of professionalism of some ships' officers, began to examine officers and cadets and award qualifications. Known as 'tickets', these Certificates of Competency, graduated from second mate to extra master, were hard earned and highly prized. Not all who passed their 'master's ticket' were British-born, though all had to be British citizens. Not every qualified master stayed at sea, as commands were always in short supply. This is the office copy of the certificate awarded to Conrad Korzeniowski in November 1886. Born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski in Poland, this seaman later became famous as the writer Joseph Conrad.

Creator: Board of Trade

Date: 11 November 1886

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London