Richard Hill, OS. --Part 2: So That's an OS.

So, the current OS in the U.S. Navy would not likely hold up in the War of 1812 U.S. Navy.  It would not be Operations Specialist.  Hey, no aircraft or electrical systems in the War of 1812.

So, then, what is an OS in the War of 1812, which is the rank that Richard Hill held?

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I found the answer at the USS Constitution Museum site.

It gave the five ranks of men serving on the ship.

Commissioned Officers

Warrant Officers

Petty Officers 

Enlisted Men

Marines

Most likely OS would be an enlisted man.  And, since Hill was a black man, it would not likely be as as officer of any sort.

And, I looked at the three ranks of enlisted men:  Able Seaman, Ordinary Seaman and Boy.

Hey, OS.  Ordinary Seaman

I think I have his rank.

OS  --Brock-Perry

U.S. Navy's Master Commandant Rank

From Wikipedia.

I keep coming across this naval rank which is not used anymore.  Just to be sure exactly what it was, I did some research.

It was a rank in the early U.S. Navy, slightly higher than that of a lieutenant.  Often the command of a warship that was too small to justify it be commanded by a full captain was commanded by master commandants.

The rank was later shortened to commander in 1838.

Generally, warships in the early U.S. Navy were commanded, descending in size, by captains, master commandants and lieutenants.

--Brock-Perry

Known U.S. Navy Officers That Served in North Carolina

All of these men were stationed at Wilmington during the War of 1812.

E.D, Morrison-- Surgeon's Mate

Julius Humphreys--Midshipman
William Jaspar--  Midshipman
Joseph Spikenall--  Midshipman

John Mooney--  Sailing Master

James Moore--  Gunner

--Brock-Perry

Famous War of 1812 U.S. Naval Officers

From the Naval History and Heritage Site.

William Bainbridge
Joshua Barney
James Biddle
Stephen Decatur
Isaac Hull
James Lawrence
Thomas Macdonough
Oliver Hazard Perry
David Porter (father of Civil War Admiral David D. Porter who was at Fort Fisher.)
Edward Preble
Silas Talbot
Thomas Truxton

I've heard of all but the last two.

Brock-Perry