He went to sea as an able seaman at the age of 19.
The share of the prize money for an able seaman was 2s.
One can become an able seaman as a promotion from this position.
An able seaman received £3 8s 0d in prize money.
In 1903 he went to sea as a deck boy, working his way up to able seaman.
The prize money for an able seaman was 8s 5 d.
A sailor with more than two years' experience was referred to as an able seaman.
For an able seaman, this was equivalent to several months' salary.
Able and ordinary seamen received £2 6 s in prize money.
He had been an able seaman and boatswain since 1922.